Page 1 of Bully Roommate

Chapter One

Josie

The fresh smell of baked croissants and brewed coffee wafted through the Highland Coffee shop as I stared down at my lukewarm caramel macchiato. You’d think someone basking in the scent of coffee and the sugary equivalent of crack would be happier.

Wishful thinking.

Tomorrow started my first day of college at LSU, and I was technically homeless. My roommate I’d scored through a friend of a friend bailed the morning of my arrival. Something about her older boyfriend lost his job and needed a place to crash. Hence my homeliness.

With it being too late to snag a dorm room, and me being too prideful to go back home, the only plan I’d conjured up included sleeping in the backseat of my 2000 Honda Civic in Wal-Mart’s parking lot. I could only afford a couple of nights at a cheap fleabag motel because I hadn't landed an on-campus job yet as I planned.

Sighing, I pinched the bridge of my nose and leaned back in the cool metal seat, stretching out my legs while logging into my laptop.

I had half of the first month’s rent and my deposit in my front jeans pocket, so unless I wanted to ride it out in the backseat of my vehicle, I had to find a roommate fast.

I scrolled through social media searching, but since the short notice, most people had landed themselves a roommate already. Frustrated, I closed the top of my laptop and screwed my eyes shut.

What am I going to do?

When I opened my eyes, a guy around my age stood in front of my table, holding a coffee with a lopsided grin and his hat on backward.

He chuckled when I cringed. “Sorry, I couldn’t help but notice. Everything alright?”

I sighed and sat up straight, running my palms over the length of my raven-colored hair. “No, not really, but you didn’t come over to hear my bad luck.”

He smirked, shifting his weight and his coffee, he pulled out the chair across from me and sat down. “I have nowhere to go. Tell me, what is the reason you’re letting that perfectly good coffee grow cold?”

His dark eyes looked kind, and he lifted a heavy brown brow as he sipped his steaming cup of Joe. I noticed his t-shirt was a 2020 LSU football shirt, which led me to believe he was at least a sophomore. He was shaped like a football player, with bulging forearms and a nice southern tan.

When he smiled the cleft in his chin was more prominent. What I could see of his hair was dark, maybe short on the side and longer on top.

Maybe he’ll know of someone searching for a roommate.

“Well,” I cleared my throat. “My roommate bailed on me at the last minute, it’s too late to get a dorm room and I have nowhere to live.”

“Damn, that sucks. Did she at least give you your money back?”

I nodded reluctantly.

He leaned forward and sat down his coffee. “Maybe your luck isn’t so bad?” he said. “Our third party was suspended before school started and we’re looking for another one. Cheaper rent since it’s split three ways, and it’s right across from campus.”

I bit my bottom lip, thinking about all the warnings my parents tossed at me before departing three hours before.This person looks harmless, but so did Jeffery Dahmer.

He noticed my reluctance and held up his palm. “I understand. Living with two guys you don’t know sounds scary. I’m Jordan Wells, this is my second year and I know my way around. You could at least come check it out, and let someone know where you’re headed so we’re held accountable?”

Sounded logical. I nibbled more of my lip, debating on my next move. It was only one in the afternoon, but I had tons of unloading to do, and I needed to go get my books for class before they closed.

My to-do list grew with each passing email from my professors about supplies for class, and I needed a good night’s sleep before everything started.

I debated calling my mother to ask her opinion but I knew what it would be. A big fat negative. My mother was Asian American, and my dad was what people called a good ole’ countryman, I was stuck in the middle of overprotective, and my dad ready to shoot any boy that looked my way.

Maybe this could be my first adult decision.

“Okay, I can check it out.”

He slapped the table with his palm and stood. “Great. What’s your name by the way?”

“Josie,” I said, standing up slowly. “Thank you for this.”

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