Chapter 6

“What is there to think about?” Charlie asked, her face reddened from frustration.

“I don’t know. I just want us to think this thoroughly, Charlie Blondie,” Taylor said. He checked the time and said, “If I don’t leave, I will be late for class.”

Taylor got up, threw his backpack over his shoulders, and said, “Let’s continue this discussion later in the day.”

Hours later, Taylor walked into his Structural Analysis classes and saw Charlie.

This was the male Charlie, not the blonde one to whom he had accidentally rented half of Tanya’s condo. Unlike Charlie King, this Charlie was definitely a man and was a Black American.

He approached Charlie and asked, “Hey Charlie, sorry, what’s your last name again?”

“Oh, it’s Slade, Man,” Charlie said with a smile. He extended his hand to Taylor, saying, “Nice to meet you again.”

He laughed, and Taylor chuckled as they shook hands.

“I’m sorry, Slade. I’m not really good with names,” Taylor admitted. “I remember you were looking for a place to stay? I have decided to rent out half of the condo I’m occupying. Would you still be interested?”

“Hell, yeah! I’d love to be roomies with you!” Charlie Slade responded with excitement.

‘Fuck,’ Taylor thought. ‘Even a man was excited to be roommates with me, but Charlie Blondie? What was her issue?’

With Slade as his roommate, the problem was solved. Taylor said, “Great! You can move in next week.”

Taylor purposely gave a leeway for Charlie Blondie to move out. He told Slade the terms of the rent, “I require $3000 monthly, with two months deposit and one month advance -”

“Woah!” Slade reacted. He made a face and said, “I can’t afford that. That’s too much!”

“Well, that’s my price. It’s a good location, and the condo is well furnished,” Taylor pointed out. “You’ll never find a better place than mine.”

Charlie Slade shook his head. He answered, “I’m sorry, Taylor. I can’t. I’m a man. I can… live anywhere. I can’t spend that much on a bed.”

He tapped on Taylor’s shoulder and said, “Thanks, anyway.”

****

On the other side of the university, Charlie had been absent-minded the whole day while attending class. She still could not believe she ended up being roommates with bad boy Taylor, of all people!

In between classes, Charlie searched for apartment listings again. Still, nothing was closer, and her standards had already been set higher, all thanks to Tanya’s condo. Ultimately, she considered that she might withstand living with Ashley and Sofia.

“Yeah, I can live with them until I find a better place, or just bear with it until the semester ends,” Charlie muttered.

With this resolve, Charlie went straight to the apartment she had shared with Ashley and Sofia. The door was open when she arrived, and there were boxes outside. When she walked in, she saw Ashley and Sofia, walking down with Regina. Luke was behind them on the stairs.

Charlie’s mouth hung open. She never expected to see Luke and his new girlfriend again!

“Charlie? What are you doing here?” Ashley asked.

Sofia cleared her throat and said, “You said it was fine to let Regina take your place, so she is moving in with us.”

“Oh!” Charlie reacted. Yes, she did say that, but still, her heart ached upon hearing it.

“Did you change your mind?” Ashley asked.

‘Change my mind? No fucking way!’ Charlie screamed in her head. She gulped and answered, “No, I’m not coming back. I forgot something in my room.”

She walked past them and rushed to her old room. Ashley followed behind, so Charlie pretended to look around. In the end, she found a bag of scrunchies that she had left behind.

Charlie grabbed it quickly, her face flushed as she claimed, “My beloved scrunchies! How could I have left you behind!”

She turned and faked a smile before Ashley. She rushed out, only to be followed by Luke.

“Charlie. Charlie, wait!” Luke called.

“What?” Charlie snapped.

“I’m just concerned about you. Where are you staying now?” Luke asked.

“In a better place,” Charlie claimed it. “Excuse me.”

Charlie spun around and walked away.

Minutes later, she stood face to face with Taylor West, back at the condo unit. Charlie said, “I -”