“What’s gotten you in such a delightful mood today? Hell, it’s not even noon yet.”
My chai latte and his coffee arrive, along with a giant piece of chocolate fudge cake. I take a warming sip before forcing myself to take a deep breath.
I’m not always this dramatic but today I’m feeling it, I’m feeling everything. No matter how grouchy I feel, I always try to keep perspective. Things could always be worse, I like to remind myself often.
“Today is just a shitty day and I’m feeling pitiful.” I grab a fork and stuff a massive bite into my mouth.
“Are you gonna actually talk or just shovel cake into your hole?” Cam asks, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms.
I swallow the mouthful of cake, not wanting to spit it all over him when I talk. “Mom just gave me a rude awakening this morning, and I’m just having no luck finding a place before the start of term. That’s all. Same shit, different day. I guess I’m just a little less tolerant today.”
“Well hey, maybe this is a fortunate turn of events!” Cam says, eyes lighting up. He takes the fork from my hand and stabs it into the cake.
“How, exactly, is any of this good?”I ask, ignoring the cake-stealing.
“Well, things fell through with one of my roommates — now I have a spare room and we need someone to cover a quarter of the rent. You need somewhere to live.” He waves his free hand as he shoves cake into his mouth. “Maybe you should move in with us!”
A few things occur to me all at once. I’m free — this could spell the end of living in hell with my mom. I’d be living with three guys — people are probably gonna think I’m some kind of whore. I wouldn’t have to fix my mom’s problems anymore — she’d be left to her own devices. I don’t know whether that last one is most dangerous or the most tempting to watch from afar.
I find myself nodding.
“Okay,” I say slowly, still thinking. “Where are you living these days? I’ve not been to your new place yet.”
Cameron rattles off an address I’m not familiar with. “It’s not too far from Preston, you could walk it if you wanted.” He says, giving me a basic area of reference.
This is perfect.
“Well, I don’t see how it could be worse than where I’m at now — hell, sure thing, Cam, you’re a lifesaver! Are you sure the guys won’t mind?”
“As long as you’re on time with the rent, and clean up after yourself, they’ll be happy.” He assures me.
He smiles when I nod again. “Is the room free now?”
“It is — you could move in tomorrow if you wanted.”
Part of me is screaming that this is too good to be true, but I know I need to make this leap. Leave Bellflower and my mom way behind me and give Preston, and my future, everything I’ve got. I think about the few things I need, really need, to pack and suddenly I know. I can do this.
