Chapter 4: The Kitchen Dilemma

"That room’s the master bedroom, currently occupied by a young lady—she’s very kind."

I nodded, trying to look interested even though my mind was still spinning from the climb. The master bedroom door was covered in cute magnets and sticky notes, like a college dorm board.

"Next door is the second bedroom. Two girls live there, best friends."

I nodded again, hearing faint laughter and the sound of someone flipping through a magazine. The walls were decorated with polaroids and fairy lights.

"Across from the second bedroom is another room, also occupied by a girl, just graduated like you."

I nodded, noting the stack of textbooks by the door and a little whiteboard with 'You got this!' in pink marker. I wondered if she was as stressed as I was.

"The living room has been partitioned into three by the landlord. The one closest to the door is occupied by an older roommate—she’s busy with work."

I nodded, noticing a laptop open on the coffee table and the smell of coffee and vanilla candles in the air. Someone had left a pair of reading glasses on the armrest.

"The middle one is also an older roommate, very nice."

I nodded, seeing stacks of wellness magazines and a yoga mat in the corner. Maybe she did Sunday meal prep and morning stretches.

"The innermost one is the girl who just opened the door, Aubrey. She’s a bit introverted and doesn’t talk much."

My head was spinning—I was tired of nodding.

I tried to hide a yawn, but my brain was already overloaded with names and faces. I hoped I’d remember at least half of them by tomorrow.

"Dude, I’m not here for a dating show. Just tell me where I’ll be staying."

"That one."

I looked where he pointed and frowned.

"Isn’t that the bathroom?"

"Right."

I shot him a look, wondering if this was some kind of prank. Was I on a hidden camera show?

"You want me to live in the bathroom?"

"No, no, just showing you the layout."

"Man, I can figure out the layout myself. Just tell me where my room is."

He didn’t answer. Instead, he leaned in, his mouth stained with coffee.

I caught a whiff of stale caffeine and tried not to wrinkle my nose. He looked like he was about to drop a big secret.

"Bro, did you notice?"

"Notice what? Did I find a golden ticket or a secret passage?"

"All your roommates are girls—and they’re all pretty."

"So?"

I shrugged, trying to play it cool, but my mind was racing. Was this supposed to be a perk? Or just another thing to stress about?

"That’s a huge benefit!"

At first, I didn’t get why he was going on and on—until I saw my bed. Then I understood the reason for all his rambling.

I followed him into the next room, and my heart sank. So this was the catch.

"So this is where I’m staying?"