Chapter 23: Goodbye Roommates, Hello Love

Yes! Yes! And Yes.

James leapt out of the car before I could answer. He rounded the vehicle and opened my door. His eyes locked onto mine with a fervor that sent shivers down my spine.

“I want to live with you,” he said.

A rush of excitement flooded through me. That’s a great idea! Then we’d be able to spend more time with one another, even if our schedules were different. It won’t be perfect but it’ll be better.

But…what if things went wrong? What if we fought more?

“Don’t you want to live with me?” James asked, misreading the situation.

“I want to live with you too,” I replied, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. “But, I’m scared that we will go through a rough time, like your parents did.”

James rolled his eyes at me. “We are not my parents.”

He kissed me on the cheek.

“We won’t make their mistakes.”

He kissed me on the other cheek.

“We will make it work.”

He kissed me on the mouth.

“Okay,” I agreed. I was totally swept up in the moment. No other person could make me feel the way James did. “Let’s do it.”

Everything seemed perfect. It felt like we had worked things out, solved all of our problems.

With a smile, James leaned in. His lips met mine in a kiss that was equal parts passionate and tender.

As we parted, breathless and exhilarated, James reached out to help me out of the car. His touch sent sparks of electricity dancing along my skin.

“Let’s tell my parents!” I exclaimed, unable to contain my excitement as I grabbed his hand and practically dragged him towards the front door.

“Mom, dad!” I called out.

“Keily?!” My mom called back. Her voice sounded a little bit higher pitched than usual.

I stepped into the living room, where I’d heard her. My heart was pounding with excitement. Both my parents were on the couch. Dad was watching TV and mom was reading a book.

As I entered the room, my parents both sat upright, their attention immediately drawn to me. My mom’s brow furrowed with concern, while my dad’s expression shifted to one of curiosity.

“Is everything okay?” my mom asked, closing her book.

“It’s better than okay!” I exclaimed, unable to contain the grin spreading across my face. My heart was beating really fast. Was that because of excitement or nervousness? I felt how sweaty my palms were. Okay, I was nervous. I didn’t know how my parents would react to the news.

“We are moving in together!” I said and leaned into James for support.

Surprise flickered across my dad’s features, quickly replaced by a warm smile of pride. It calmed my nerves.

“That’s big news! Congratulations,” he said and switched off the TV.

“That’s sooooooo exciting!” My mom said, getting to her feet.

Relief flooded through me at my parents’ positive reaction. Their support meant the world to me. Mom was instantly hugging me—and I let go of James’s hand.

“What did your parents say?” my dad inquired.

“We’ve not told them yet,” James admitted, his gaze shifting to meet mine. “Let’s tell them tonight. Over dinner. I’ll come pick you up at six.”

***

I fidgeted with my hair. The strands slipped through my fingers like strands of silk. My heart raced.

I glanced at myself in the mirror, taking in my reflection with a critical eye. I had spent extra time getting ready, wanting to make a good impression on James’s parents. My outfit was carefully chosen, my makeup meticulously applied.

My palms were sweaty, and I wiped them on my pants. I took a deep breath in and a deep breath out.

Were James’s parents going to take the news of us moving in together as well as mine did?

Somehow, I doubted they would.

The doorbell rang.

“Keily!” My mom’s voice called from downstairs, as if I hadn’t heard it.

James was here. I met him by the front door.

“Hey,” he said softly, his eyes lit up as he took in my appearance. “You look beautiful.”

A blush crept up my cheeks at his compliment. The warmth spread through me.

“Thank you,” I said.

Together, we made our way to his house. The anticipation built with each passing moment. We stepped through the front door and made our way to the kitchen. Just like last time, James’s dad was sitting at the table. Just like last time, his mom was cooking.

“Keily!” Sarah said. She greeted me with a warm hug. It made me feel like she wanted me here. It made me think that she liked me.

Unlike last time, Mr. Haynes rose from the table. It was a subtle gesture of acknowledgment that did not go unnoticed.

“Hello Keily. We are happy to have you join us for dinner again,” he said. His expression was polite but reserved. His words felt a bit reversed though—as if Sarah had told him what he should say and how to act.

“I’m happy to be back,” I said.

“Let’s sit down!” Sarah said. I loved that she had asked me to call her by her first name. It made everything less awkward. When speaking to Mr. Haynes—who hadn’t asked me to call him by his first name—it made me feel like I was applying for work and he was an unimpressed recruiter.

We sat down.

Sarah had prepared oven-roasted chicken for dinner. The tantalizing aroma filled the air with mouthwatering anticipation.

“How is college?” Sarah asked as she scooped food into the plate. “James hasn’t said much about it.”

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, feeling the weight of her gaze on me. I decided to fill my plate as we spoke.

“We’re both really busy,” I admitted, keeping my eyes on the chicken.

“I’m sure you still have time to do fun things, like party,” Mr. Haynes chimed in, his tone sharp with an edge of disapproval.

“Uh, James and I went to a Halloween party dressed like Harley Quinn and the Joker,” I offered, eager to make light of the situation. I didn’t mention that he had arrived when I was leaving, nor did I mention the fleeting nature of our time spent together at the party.

“I’d love to see some photos!” Sarah exclaimed. I felt a pang of guilt twist in my gut at her innocent request. We hadn’t taken any photos that night. Or any other night.

I quickly took a mouthful of chicken, using the food as a shield to avoid further questions. The truth was, James and I hadn’t taken many photos together on campus either. The only one we had was the selfie we had snapped at Charles River.

“Mom and Dad, there is something I want to tell you,” James announced, his voice carrying a hint of determination as he addressed his parents. Both Sarah and Mr. Haynes turned their attention towards him. Curiosity was evident in their expressions.

My heart skipped a beat. I waited anxiously, knowing that this was the moment we had been building towards. Tension coiled in the pit of my stomach.

How were James’s parents going to react?

James took a deep breath, his gaze steady as he delivered the news.

“Keily and I are going to move in together,” he said, the words hanging in the air with a sense of finality. He wasn’t asking his parents for permission. He was telling them how things were going to be.

Sara’s face immediately broke into a wide smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“That’s wonderful!” she exclaimed. I didn’t miss how she immediately looked towards her husband for his reaction.

I held my breath. My pulse raced as I watched Mr. Haynes closely, waiting for his response. His expression remained inscrutable for a moment, but then, slowly, his features softened, a hint of understanding flickering in his eyes.

“You two know your relationship best,” he said finally, his tone measured but not unkind. “Do what you think is right.”

A wave of relief washed over me at his words. It was a small gesture, but it meant everything to know that James’s dad respected our decision, even if he had his doubts.

***

The rest of our week off flew by in a blur of apartment hunting and paperwork. James and I scoured listings. We visited countless properties and navigated the maze of rental agreements and lease contracts.

We found the perfect apartment—a one-bedroom place, not too far from campus. We had our parents look at the contract before we signed it.

I had to tell Charlotte…

Keily

Hey. I’ve got good news and bad news...

Charlotte answered quickly. The text messages went back and forth.

Charlotte

Give me the good news first.

Keily

James and I are moving in together. We’re finally going to see each other every day and every night.

Charlotte

That’s fantastic! But… That means you won’t be my roommate anymore (?)

Keily

And that was the bad news…

Pause.

Charlotte

I’m really sad because I loved having you as a roommate. But I’m also happy for you.

Keily

We’ll still hang out!

Charlotte

Yes, all the time :D

I was going to miss sharing a dorm with Charlotte. She really was an incredible roommate and friend.

James, on the other hand, looked positively ecstatic at the prospect of finally being rid of Shaggy. His less-than-ideal roommate whose penchant for weed and late-night gaming sessions had tested his patience more times than I could count.

By the end of the week, James and I found ourselves standing in our new apartment. The space was empty and unfurnished but filled with the promise of a fresh start.

Time to go shopping!