Early November
Two males looking for a quiet non-smoker to move into downstairs bedroom in a 3/2 townhouse... W/D. Cent Heat&Air. Wireless net included in rent. $375 + 1/3rd utilities a month. Call Robert at-
I tore the flyer off the bulletin board and stuffed it in my backpack. Of all the flyers on campus this one seemed, at first glance, to be the best deal. Not to mention the nonsmoker requirement.
I zipped up my backpack and slid my left arm through the strap. Time to go to class. I thought, pulling my bike back onto its wheels and throwing my right leg over the seat.
After class, I biked to my dorm, and dismounted my bike. I hefted it onto my shoulder, walking up the stairs past the rows of bike racks. Most of the bikes locked onto the metal poles were beaten up, had parts stripped off, or simply got far too rusty to be ridden. I had made a silent vow when I first arrived on campus to never leave my bike locked up outside in the rain, or overnight.
Luckily for me, my roommate was fine with me taking up valuable space in our tiny dorm room with my bike. I guess it worked out well since I don't have a computer, and therefore don't need that space for a desk.
I swiped my student I.D. and the card reader buzzed, the green light blinking rapidly. I pulled the heavy glass door open and walked inside, heading for the stairwell.
I set my bike down in the hall outside my door, fishing in my backpack for my keys. I unlocked the solid oak door and pushed it open with my foot as I picked my bike up again.
Inside, I leaned my bike against the wall next to my bed and hung my backpack from the handlebars. I dug around the front pouch, finally grasping my cell phone and tossed it on the bed. Then I pulled a few flyers I had collected throughout the day from the main section of the backpack and sat down on the bed, reading over each one again.
Picking up my phone, I decided to try the one that seemed like the best deal first. I dialed the number and then double-checked it before hitting send.
It rang a few times before someone answered.
"Hey, Robert?"
"Yah, who's this?"
"I'm Simim, I'm calling about the room you have for rent?"
"Oh yeah, did you want to come look at it sometime?"
I nodded, without thinking, before asking, "Is it okay if I come in a few minutes?"
"Uh… Yeah, sure, I'll be home."
"Okay, I'll be there in half an hour."
"Okay, see you then Simon." He hung up before I could correct him.
I made my way back downstairs with my bike, climbing onto it and pedaling down the walkway.