Page 6 of Another Roommate (Life in the Brohouse 4)

I breathe a sigh of relief when the call ends, and I turn my attention out the window. The mountains look larger now. I can see the peaks tipped with snow and the trees dotting the base. France has mountains as well, but unfortunately living in Paris meant I hardly ever saw them.

Now, I get to see them every day when I go to and from school, or while out on my morning runs.

My fists clench as I think of running, knowing I will have my first practice in a week. My insides churn with worry. I’ve always been a nervous kid; never been good at meeting new people. In the past, I learned to fake my confidence, knowing it was better than acting awkward. Now, I act like an ass, because it’s easier than letting people get close to me. My fingers dig into my palms, wondering how my new teammates will regard me.

Or how Seth will react when he sees me.

I guess I will have to let future Alex worry about that later.

The car pulls up to a large building painted in a deep blue. A sign hovers at the front with stars decorating the black billboard.Stargaze Hotelis written in gold cursive. Rain drizzles from the darkening sky, smacking the window while I take in the tall building and the rotating doors several feet from the car. The driver opens the door and holds out an umbrella for me.

“I’ll have your things out in a moment,” he says while I take the umbrella and step towards the doors.

This will be my new home. I purse my lips while stepping towards the entrance. Unfortunately, all the good apartments are booked out this semester. There were a few apartments available, but they were either too far from the school, or caked in beer stains and possibly infested with rats.

Which leaves me living all by myself in a hotel.

I guess it isn’t so bad, I think while taking my backpack and suitcase. I tip the driver and trudge up the two steps. At least there won’t be any irritating roommates to leave dirty dishes in the sink. Nor will there be ongoing parties until late in the morning, leaving me too exhausted to go to class.

My frown deepens when I enter the reception area, finding the place decorated in star themed paintings. Constellations twinkle at me from the ceiling while the floor is decorated in carpets with swirling shooting stars.

“Hello,” says the receptionist in an impossibly high-pitched cheery voice. “Do you have a reservation with us?”

I force a smile and pull out my ID. “Yes. It’s under Alex Goode,” I say while handing it to her.

She clacks at the computer while I continue looking around the room. My heart nearly stops when I find a woman sitting in a chair reading a magazine. She’s almost,almostlike a Rachel twin. My gaze narrows while my head cranes towards her. She looks a good twenty years older than Rachel but has the same curly blonde hair and green eyes. Reading glasses sit on the tip of her nose.

“Oh, you’ll be staying in the apartment suite on the sixth floor.”

I shake my head while I turn back to the receptionist.That is not Rachel, I tell myself while nodding my head. “Yes, that’s what I booked.”

I hand her my credit card and wait for her to check me in. It’s a good thing I have so much money saved up from working with Puma and winning marathons over the years. My parents certainly wouldn’t have agreed to this if I was using their money to switch schools.

“You’re all set.”

I take the key card from her and stalk towards the elevator. As the doors close on me, I can’t stop myself from feeling a bit lonely. Maybe it would have been fine living in a dump. At least then I would be able to make friends easily. Partying until six in the morning doesn’t sound all that bad.

The elevator dings and I trudge out the door, finding my room at the far end. Entering inside, I’m greeted with silence. The room is beautiful with a large window facing the mountains and a small ensuite kitchen. Dumping my bags, I walk towards the window, wondering which of the tiny apartments Rachel is living in. The silence permeates around me, only reminding me once more that I am here, all alone.

Taking out my phone, I shoot a quick text to Lucas:Hey! Guess who’s in the neighborhood. I’ll give you a hint. Me! Want to get lunch later? I’m here for the next several months.

I press my head against the window, waiting for a response while I watch the rain coming down harder. As soon as my phone vibrates, I open the message, my heart swelling with hope as I read:You’re here?! How and why? It’d be cool to catch up, but I’m getting coffee with Rachel. Later?

I thump my head against the window while my eyes slowly close. My heart plummets into my stomach, and I can’t push away the disappointment swarming around me. Of course, he’s busy with Rachel. It makes sense. They are boyfriend and girlfriend, after all.

But you didn’t come here just for Rachel, I remind myself.You came here to train; to become the best track athlete you can be.

The thought helps for a moment, but I still can’t stop the loneliness from plaguing me.

3

LUCAS

“OneCarmelMacchiato!”shoutsthe barista. “And an iced black coffee.”

I quickly rise from the small wooden table, noticing Rachel hasn’t perked up whatsoever to our coffee orders being announced. She stares unblinkingly out the window with her arms crossed in front of her, looking like some demonic evil demon has possessed her. Her skin looks a bit paler than normal, and her hair is up in a messy bun. I can’t believe having her mother here has her so distraught. Her mom seems quite nice. Very different from my parents, which is a good thing. I don’t understand why she’s acting so concerned. The abstaining from sex rule is a bit on the ridiculous side. Even I have to agree with Seth, but I would rather suffer for the week than have Rachel acting like an exhausted, half-crazed zombie.

Oh. Wait. She is doing that.

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