Page 9 of Don't Fall

“Why? Just...why? I know I did a striptease that one night during our freshman year, but that’s not the norm. So, if you’re sticking around for a show, you’re not gonna get one.”

“You’re an idiot, and also, a mediocre stripper. I’m here for more dirt on the neighbor, not your titties. Explain yourself. Why are you so against getting to know him and just making this situation work?”

My fingers are gripping the doorframe impatiently. I don’t like running late and having to rush. But I’m pretty clear on the fact that Drea isn’t leaving until she’s satisfied.

“He was naked.”

Her eyes widen. “On the balcony?”

“No! Last night, when I busted in on him. He was completely naked. I saw...everything.”

“So?”

“So, now it’s weird. I can’t look at him and not see him naked,” I hesitate to tell her the last humiliating bit, “and...I’m pretty sure he knows.”

She smirks. “Can’t stop staring at his crotch, or something?”

“Drea!”

She laughs. “What?! You’re the one talking about his nakedness being a distraction.”

I sigh. “The whole thing is just too weird. And frankly, he would be nuts to agree to living together after what he’s witnessed from me thus far.”

“Because you’re the scary stranger in this equation now?” Drea’s tone of disbelief is only slightly hidden in her desire to keep up with this conversation and the winding trail of thoughts I’m taking it on.

“I tried to kill a naked man with Aunt Edi’s umbrella.”

Amusement twists her mouth up as she tries hard not to laugh again. “Man, I’m never drinking again. I miss all your best shenanigans when I’m passed out.”

“This is serious, Drea. There’s a stranger living in Aunt Edi’s room. Sleeping in her bed. Using her old dresser. All of her stuff is still in there. I’ve spent weeks, dreading the moment I would have to come home and face all of it, knowing she would never come back to claim it, but to come home and find him? Invading her space, taking it over? If I take even a nano-second to truly think about what that means, I will lose it.” I shake my head. “I can’t live with him. I can’t even think about him. I just want him gone and the condo back to the way it was before.”

All laughter has died from Drea’s face. “It’s never going to be the way it was before, Tessa.” She reaches her hand out to squeeze mine. “Maybe that was Aunt Edi’s whole point for moving him in. Making it as non-like it was before it could possibly be.”

“I don’t think Aunt Edi did this, Drea,” I say quietly. “I think it was Meredith. We all knew Aunt Edi was dying. It’s the whole reason we all went up there, to say good bye. Makes sense Meredith would lease out the place. She’s the oldest, handling assets falls to her. Just turns out, the condo wasn’t one of them.” That part surprised me as much as anyone.

Drea smiles sadly. “Well, jokes on her, I say. He’s gorgeous and seems nice. I bet he’d switch rooms with you in a heartbeat if you asked.” She shakes my hand back and forth trying to wiggle me out of my funk. “Just give this a chance, Tessa. Aunt Edi would be the first person to point out that everything happens for a reason. Even this.”

“But...it’s weird. And he could be weird. And unstable. Possibly even dangerous. Although, he does make a solid cup of coffee. But that doesn’t speak to his sanity. Plenty of crazy people are fond to the caffeinated brew. Probably aids them in their craziness. Gets them all wired and shit.”

“Yeah,” her eyes bulge out dramatically, “I’m aware.”

“Fine. I’m crazy, he’s crazy. We’re clearly meant for each other,” I release in a loud exasperated huff. “Now then, can I please get in the shower before I miss my first class completely?”

“Who’s stopping you?”

Unbelievable.

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WEIRD. AND UNSTABLE....and Possibly Dangerous Hot New Naked Neighbor.

I like her.

That’s going to be a problem. Especially since I’ve already offered to room with her once. What’s to stop me from doing it again? And this time on a more permanent basis? It has bad idea written all over it.

For starters, she’s young. Way young. And most importantly, she’s female. And females are not included in my current life plan.

Then again, she’s young. Way young. Even if we did decide to suck it up and deal with our current living situation as it is by rooming together for the time being, nothing would happen. Nothing.

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