Chapter 5 WEIRD DECISION

"Hey." He says this nicely as he walks away from his door. "That metal bed won't do if you're looking for an Airbnb," she said. He laughs, and I laugh too, while I look at the ground.

"Uh, no, I'm friends with Carlo." I try to keep my heart rate down as I answer. How come I can't just stay calm? "I'm Julianna."

"Julianna." He says it again and walks into my room with me. I nod and swallow the lump that keeps growing in my throat. "I'm Kent." He answers by putting out his hand, and I take a deep breath and do the same. I keep my feelings in check and shake his hand with care.

"It's great to meet you." I answer, and I hate myself because I stammer. I pull back my hand because I'm afraid my palms will start sweating again.

"Why are you in Carlo's room when it's empty?" He asks with a smile, and I feel a knot in my stomach.

"Well, I'm looking at it.' I answer. "He told me that you want a fourth roommate.

"Oh sick, yeah." When he smiles, I feel better. Good thing he doesn't think I'm a geeky loser. "Did you meet everyone else?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure they're trying to decide whether or not I should move in.' I laugh, and so does he.

"So that's what everyone is talking about in the kitchen.' He sighs, and I just shrug. "I don't know what they talk about, but I think you'd get along with them." He says it with a wink, and I think I can see my heart beating so fast through my skin. "I'm going to put my gym bag in my room, but it was nice to meet you.'

"So do you.' As he leaves the room, I sigh and feel my body relax. But before he leaves, he winks at me again, which almost gives me a heart attack. I need to relax.

"Julianna!" I hear Carlo walk back down the hall, so I clear my throat and put my hands in my back pockets. "Did you meet Kent?" When Kent comes back out of his room and shuts the door behind him, he asks.

"I did." When his eyes meet mine, I have to say that those green eyes are going to kill me.

"Fine, come out and we'll talk about some important things." He says something, and I nod and go with him to the kitchen. On the way, I pull out my phone again and send my mom an approximate address of where we were.

Mark pulls out a copy of the lease as the five of us stand around the peninsula in the kitchen.

"Here's our lease." Politely, he says, and I smile. "We'd like you to move in, Julianna, if you want to and everything. He says, sounding happy to see me there. "You can look this over and ask us any questions you have. Then we can set up for our landlord to meet you and you can sign it with us.

"Okay." I just shrug and quickly look through the paper.

"Want to move in with us?" Kyle sounds doubtful as he asks.

"Yeah, I don't see any problems with it." I shrug. "Are all of you serial killers or what?" When I ask, they all laugh.

"No, just asking.' He gives a shrug. "Some girls might not like it."

"I really need help," she said. I can't help but shake my head. "I can't handle my commute anymore, it's killing me. I work at the campus pool, and if you'd let me, this would give me more freedom. I'd love to move in. I have good credit, I'm quiet, I keep my place clean, and I can cook?' I talk incoherently, and when I'm done, they all raise their eyebrows, which makes me feel like I said the right things.

"What dishes can you make?" When Kyle asks, Mark pushes him.

"What are you like?" Kent walks in, and I just shrug and try to look away from his eyes. It was hard to think straight when I looked at him.

"I'm an arts student, so my days are pretty full, but I'm easy to work with. I think I'm probably more quiet than loud." I shrug. "I won't throw a party or do anything else that will keep you up at night."

"That's crucial.' Mark is adamant. "It's fine to talk about it first, but do you like to go to parties? Or isn't that your thing?"

"I like it." I shrug. "Maybe not always, but I have nothing against going out on the town.

"Cool?' Mark says and I nod. "You clean?"

"Yes, very clean." I promise them.

"Your room is your business, so you can leave it as messy as you want. But can we all do our part and clean up the common areas and bathrooms? He shrugs, and I agree. I didn't expect anything else.

"That's great, I'm glad you are clean." When I shrug, they all laugh. "I'm glad to clean up.'

Mark looks at them all and says, "Well, then." They all nod.

"We'd like you to move in.' I just want to hug someone, so I smile and give Carlo a hug. This was so exciting it was crazy. Everyone is clapping, and my heart is beating fast. I'd be much better off down here. Even if I did live with three guys. "Check out the lease, and we'll talk soon. You can move in whenever you want, since Carlo has pretty much moved out.

"This is really cool." I'll admit that I took over the lease. "Thank you so much, guys."

"Please, you're doing us a good turn. Kyle admits, looking relieved. "This is going to be awesome. I've been saying for years that this place needs a touch of femininity." Kent and Mark roll their eyes, and I put the lease in my bag.

"Oh! I probably should get your guys' phone numbers so that we can talk and all." I sigh and dig around in my bag until I find my phone.

I made a new contact and gave it to Mark first, since he seemed like the best person to talk to about this.

"There's a group of girls who live above us. We all hang out together and are friends.' Kyle says something, and I nod and shrug. I wondered if they were going to include me in things or if I was just going to become one of those people they lived with but didn't really get along with. I really hoped that at least one of them would ask to hang out with me. But these guys were nothing like the people I usually hung out with. I wasn't as cool as they were.

"Cool." I give a shrug and tuck a hair behind my ear. Kyle gets the phone, and then Kent gets it. When I think about him telling me his phone number, I tense up. These guys are way out of my league, so I'd never fuck with them, but they're giving me their phone numbers.

"Julianna?" I listen to Kent, and I look up to him. "Your mom needs you." When he answers, I give him a shrug and take back my phone. I feel a chill go down my spine when my fingers accidentally touch his.

"Oh no, I have to go. But I'll talk to you and we'll figure this out." I tell them it's okay, and they all smile. "Thanks again.'

"No, no. Thank you.' Kyle chuckles.

"So I don't forget," I sigh as I turn to hug Carlo. "Have fun at your new job.'

"Thank you." He mumbles. "Thank you for coming to live in my room."

"I appreciate you giving it to me. I mumble, and he lets me go. I wave to everyone and walk away.

"Adieu, Julianna!" I hear a low chorus and smile as I walk out the screen door and back up the steps to ground level.

I can't help but smile because I'm so happy about this. I can't believe how lucky I am. I need to make a budget and get everything ready to go.

I can only think of two things that could go wrong for me right now. First of all, my parents are going to freak out when they find out what I've done. Second, I'll need to figure out how to live with Kent.

And to be honest, the second one makes me more nervous.