Chapter 7: Introductions, Confessions, and Chaos

"So, Ethan, are you still in school or working?"

"Just graduated."

I tried to sound casual, but my voice cracked a little. The girls leaned in, genuinely curious.

"Found a job yet?"

"No, I’m prepping for grad school."

"Why live here? Wouldn’t it be better to go home?"

"When I was still running around in diapers, I bragged to my mom that once I grew up, I wouldn’t take a single penny from home."

I grinned, hoping they’d appreciate the joke. It was true, though—I’d always wanted to stand on my own two feet.

"Hahaha, ambitious!"

A few beers in, the atmosphere warmed up. Everyone started introducing themselves.

The beauty in the master bedroom is Lillian—the one with the white feet and pink slippers. She’s obsessed with fantasy football and always has a game on her phone.

She raised her glass to me and winked, her laugh ringing out above the chatter.

The two in the second bedroom are Natalie and Chloe, best friends who both work at Whole Foods. Natalie does purchasing, Chloe is a cashier. A lot of the daily goods in the house are samples Natalie brings home from work. Chloe collects Trader Joe’s snacks and has a running tally of the weirdest flavors.

They shared inside jokes and finished each other’s sentences, clearly a package deal. I made a mental note to ask Natalie for discount snacks sometime.

The girl in the third bedroom, like me, just graduated. She’s tried a bunch of jobs but none fit, and she’s pretty introverted. Her name is Emma. She’s always got a stack of library books and a Starbucks cup on her desk.

Emma kept mostly to herself, but she smiled shyly when I caught her eye. I wondered if she’d be up for study sessions in the future.

Aubrey, of course, needs no further introduction.

She sat at the edge of the table, quietly sipping her drink and listening to everyone else.

There are two more: one in her thirties, works in health supplements, short hair, very capable, drinks straight from the glass—her name is Tanya. The other, age unclear but definitely under thirty by the looks of her, speaks with a sweet, bubbly tone—Megan. Megan’s obsessed with TikTok dances and always has a new viral song stuck in her head.

Tanya had a no-nonsense vibe, the kind of person who could organize a closet in five minutes flat. Megan, on the other hand, seemed like the life of the party, always quick with a joke or a smile.

The meal wasn’t particularly lavish—actually, it was a bit of a mishmash: rotisserie chicken, Domino’s pizza, stir fry, boba, beer, all on paper plates and with Solo cups. But I ate with real happiness.

Everyone shared what they had, passing plates back and forth and swapping stories about bad bosses and crazy customers. I felt like I belonged, even if just for a night.

"Um, I might need to trouble everyone again," Lillian raised her hand. "My boyfriend might come stay for two days."

I didn’t mind. In a shared rental, it’s normal to have your partner visit for a few days. We’d probably just set ground rules in the group chat.

I shrugged and smiled, trying to look easygoing. It was her home, too.

First, Aubrey blushed and said, "I’m full." Then Chloe left the table: "Just two days, right?" Finally, Megan giggled, "Don’t go too wild."

The table erupted in laughter, and I realized that even little dramas here would be handled with humor.