MidQuest: My place fell through. It’s fine though. My friend found another spot not too far from the last.
So, he had people he could count on, too? Good.
Chai03: Yay! I’ll probably be all moved in by tonight. You?
MidQuest: Same. Does this mean the stream’s still on?
Chai03: It’s a go. You’ll be able to make it, right? I promise not to stay up too late. I know how much you like to channel your inner old man.
MidQuest: I’ll be there. Promise.
I smiled at the response, pushing away the annoying voice warning me he could go MIA again and I shouldn’t get too attached like before.
I slid down the wall, sending him a heart in response. Once he sent one back, I placed my phone against my chest and stared at the room.
Keep smiling through it all. No matter what happens, no one can take that away.
I nodded to myself, making a promise to not let the bad distract me. If I kept pushing, I could make sure things stayed good.
Chapter Six
Naomi
Earl.mai:Ohno!Someonesounds tired…
ChaoticNeutralGood: @Chai03, you’re making me sleepy, and I just woke up, LOL.
I laughed around what felt like my hundredth yawn of the night. “Sorry, guys. Today was moving day for me. I guess it tired me out more than I thought.”
After Celeste left, I got to work cleaning my room from top to bottom. I only had two boxes of stuff, so getting my things in order didn’t take long. After that, I tackled cleaning the rest of the first floor. The house smelled stale from being shut in and a layer of dust covered most surfaces. Before the stream started, I disinfected all the countertops and opened the windows to welcome the breeze.
MidQuest: Break for the night? You should get some rest.
“I think you’re right, Mid.” I sighed with a small laugh. “Even though I don’t want to, I’m going to end a little early, guys.”
There were a few teasing protests. I almost let them talk me into staying another half hour. But my eyes were too heavy to take in the screen for much longer. I promised to be back for an extra-long stream tomorrow. A weekend with no work at the arena meant I wouldn’t have many other obligations.
My stomach grumbled when I turned off my laptop. Now that the distraction from gaming was gone, my body pleaded for attention. I’d only brought water and a few fruit cups to the house. I’d have to go grocery shopping as soon as the arena deposited my next check. Celeste told me her parents had stocked the pantry with ramen and canned peaches, the essential college student meal. I got out of my seat and pushed back the box I’d shoved against the door to keep it closed.
I paused, listening to the house before I stepped out of the room. The renters were supposed to be here a few hours ago, according to Celeste. But, so far, the house remained dark and quiet. If I hurried, I could make a bowl of ramen and use the restroom without a run-in. It felt too late in the night to be meeting my roommates. I didn’t want to change out of my comfortable shorts and oversized tee to get presentable. They’d have to meet ‘put together’ Naomi tomorrow because tonight, I wanted to chill with my legs out.
When I flipped on the kitchen light, it flickered a few times before staying on. I found the ramen and put a pot of water on top of the oven's eye. Instead of waiting around, I used the restroom. Going up and down the stairs was probably going to become a nuisance—especially with four other people in the house. So, I needed to take advantage of any and every opportunity the house was empty. I didn’t enjoy making small talk when I needed to relieve myself.
I hurried up the creaky staircase, skipping one step at a time. This second floor desperately needed cosmetic renovations. The hardwood floors looked scuffed when I turned on the hall light. And the bathroom door needed a good shoulder shove to close it all the way. Once inside, I noticed the strange choice of wallpaper: portraits of old, gray-haired men lined up on a pink backdrop. I eyed the designs as I washed my hands, getting freaked out by the weird shape of their eyes.
“What the hell?” I pulled out my phone and snapped a few photos to send to Celeste. I needed answers—and solutions—because I didn’t think I could shower in here without feeling like I was being watched.
Once I sent my message, I tugged on the door. It didn’t budge. I tried again, putting my back into it. Nothing.
The eyes of the portraits seemed a little more alive as I started to panic-yank at the knob. I couldn’t be stuck in this cursed-looking bathroom.
I continued to tug and shake the handle, groaning when it didn’t do its one and only job.
“Think, think.” I knelt to investigate the crack of the door to see if there was something wrong with the lock. Maybe I’d turned it by accident? But no. I couldn’t see anything hindering the door from opening.
My tugging soon turned to banging, as if my fist could do more work at loosening the jammed handle. Between bangs, I heard a voice. It was faint at first, so I pressed my ear against the wood to listen closer.
“Hey!” I called when I heard the voice again. “Come upstairs!”
