The tension in the air could be cut with a knife. Her best friend and roommate had ill-prepared her for the bomb she’d dropped on her. Alex stared at her inconsiderate friend in mild disbelief.

“You did what?” she asked again, hoping she’d just misheard.

“I gave my room to my cousin.” Camilla repeated. She bit her lip, she’d known that Alex wasn’t going to be happy. But she’d hoped for a slightly better reaction. “I know we were suppose to have fun girly times Alex, but he needs a place to stay or else he’ll be homeless.”

Alex wasn’t very convinced. “So why can’t he go stay with your parents and you stay here?”

“He won’t, we already tried to convince him. But he’s got too much pride. Evan said that if he couldn’t make it on his own, then he might as well just go back to his own home.” The pout that formed Camilla’s lips was one that she’d perfected. The petite blonde had learned long ago how to take advantage of her cuteness.

“Beside’s Al, it won’t be for too long. He’s going to look for another apartment, and he wants to pay rent in the meanwhile. I just don’t want him to go all the way back to California.”

“Camie, I didn’t move out of my house to live with strangers. That’s what I wanted to avoid.” Alex reminded.

“I know, I know. But I feel so bad for him. It’s not his fault his roommate decided to screw him and leave. Evan’s down on his luck right now, and without a job he can’t afford to keep the apartment he has right now. Not by himself at least. It’ll only be for a few months. Just until he can find a new place and a new job.”

“Fine.” Alex sighed. It was a losing battle from the beginning. “Why do you need to go back home though? You can sleep in my room or… on the couch or something.”

“Because then he’d still take it as charity. If it’s just you, it’ll be a sublet instead.”

“Only because it’s for you.” she mumbled. She really just wanted to pack up and go back home herself. Camilla had been the one who’d insisted on getting an apartment together in the first place. Alex had been more than content at home. She’d planned on saving more money before moving out, but Camilla had a way of getting everything she wanted.

Alex couldn’t help but feel a little abandoned. “When should I be expecting him?”

“Oh.” A guilty look crossed the girl’s face. Baby blues begged for forgiveness as she squeaked out her answer. “In about an hour…”

“Camie! You are unbelievable. Did you ever stop to think that I might’ve said no? Or maybe that I’d like just a tad bit more notice?”

“Sorry Al! I know. I’m really sorry.” Camilla pouted again. “I swear I’ll make it up to you. I’m a bad friend.”

“And a bad roomie.” She could feel a headache coming on. A very large headache. Inhaling slowly, Alex stroked her temples tentatively. “I don’t even know what your cousin is like, but at this point he’s probably going to be easier to deal with than you.”

“Aw, Al I really am sorry. But I’m just trying to help him.”

“You could’ve let me known sooner. All of your stuff is still here though. You leaving it?”

Her friend nodded. “All of his furniture is currently in storage. He’s just bringing his clothes and what not.”

“You know, you’re lucky you’re my best friend. I have half a mind to strangle you.” she sighed, exasperated.

Camilla giggled. “I love you too Alex.”

The expression on Evan’s face was nothing short of grim. His life had gone down hill these past couple of weeks, and rather quickly at that. Now he felt completely at the mercy of life and all it’s sick twisted tricks.

Granted his cousin was offering what little help she could. At least he wouldn’t have to go back home just yet. However, the truth was he didn’t want to necessarily be here either. It was only more depressing to think he’d become some sort of charity case. So he was using whatever little savings he’d accrued to make sure he could at least pay for the rent. No matter how much it hurt to have to part with the money he’d struggled so desperately to save.

Evan chased the thoughts away as he exited the elevator onto the fourth floor. He searched through the lettering on each door, finally spotting apartment 4H. Knocking gently twice, he waited for someone to come greet him. Camilla had sounded overly exuberant over the intercom downstairs, in contrast to his current mood.

A moment later he heard clicking as the locks were undone, before he was almost knocked over by his energetic cousin as she launched herself at him.

“Evan! I’m so glad you’re finally here.” Camilla squealed as she hugged him. “Al’s in the kitchen making lunch, you’re just in time.”

“Do you always need to act like you haven’t seen me in years?” he scowled, dropping the suitcases he’d been carrying against the wall.

“But Ev, you’re my favorite cousin.” she emphasized. “And I really hadn’t seen you in years.”

“I’ve been here for five months already Camilla.”

“I know, but you know I still missed you. You’re like the bro I wish I had.”

He rolled his eyes at her exaggeration. “Whatever you say. So this guy Al is cooking? What is he, your stay at home husband?”

Camilla looked perplexed as she stood staring at him. Realization finally dawned , her mouth forming an ‘O’ before being replaced with a grin. “Ah, not quite. But yeah, Al does all the cooking. You don’t want to see me in a kitchen.”

“No you’re right, I wouldn’t. You‘d probably burn the whole block down.”

An impish smile curved the length of Camilla’s lips. There was a twinkle in her eyes that was growing increasingly suspicious. “Come, I’ve got to introduce you to Al. You two will be living together after all.”

Evan nodded, following her to what he assumed was the kitchen. As he walked the short hallway, he realized the apartment was actually quite large. Bigger than what he was able to afford previously. He began to suspect that Camilla was treating him as a charity case after all. The sum of money she was charging him didn’t seem to make sense, now that he was looking around.

The apartment had beautiful high ceilings. Ample light poured through the tall windows that seemed to grace almost every wall. The size of the living room alone was astounding. They had fit two full sofas and a scattering of lounge chairs easily within the room, and still had more than enough space to walk around.

When they turned into the kitchen, he was even more surprised. There was a full breakfast table, as well as a large window that opened into the living room. The kitchen almost matched the size of the living room.

His eyes came to rest on a figure crouched in front of the oven. Evan’s brain needed a moment to translate the image in front of him. Slender. Delicate. A mild sense of shock ebbed it’s way through his consciousness. Al, as his cousin so conveniently forgot to mention, was female.

“Al, come here. This is my cousin Evan. Evan this is Al.” she smiled, motioning between the two of them as she spoke.

A very attractive female, he realized with some dismay as she stood and turned to him. The girl stood taller than Camilla’s 5’2. Her hair was a deep dark brown that bordered on almost black. The strands weren’t particularly styled, and almost reached the middle of her back. Long angled bangs fell across her forehead to her cheek, framing a pair of the most piercing eyes he’d ever seen. Small green flecks circled the irises of her light hazel eyes. Even her complexion seemed perfect. A naturally smooth olive tone.

Sick and twisted. Life was definitely sick and twisted. Why? Why did it have to be a girl? And why did she have to be so pretty? As if he didn’t feel awkward enough moving in like this. He tried to his best to hide both his nerves and the residual shock. Say something witty. Make a joke or something.

“Ah, um. Nice to meet you.” Very creative Evan, good job.

“Same. You can call me Alex, only Camilla calls me Al.” she smiled to him.

This was going to suck. Her easy going smile made him feel even more uncomfortable. Evan had never lived with a girl. His mother didn‘t quite count. He’d never even thought about it before. Normally, he didn’t have an issue around the female gender. But the second he’d laid eyes on her, he’d already started having less than decent thoughts about the perks that might come along with living with a girl. Especially one that was so pleasing to the eye.

Evan gave an inward sigh. There was no point in creating fantasies. He wasn’t exactly the kind of guy to act on things anyway. In fact, he was rather reserved and quiet. Not exactly a smooth talking player. Though he’d had his fair share of girls, it wasn’t a forte of his. He also knew that it wouldn’t be wise since they lived together. Convenient. But not wise.

This was going to be an adjustment.