Chapter 9: Chapter 9

I open my phone and look for Mark's contact number, trying to get in touch.

[ME 15:58]

"Hi Mark, it's Juls! Thanks again for today'

"My dad's reading over my lease and I'm getting some stuff sorted, do you think 1 could move in in a week?'

"You know. if you still want me to and everything”

I wait nervously but I almost instantly the dots pop up, indicating he's typing.

[MARK 16:00]

"Hey Juls”

"Of course we still want you to move in'

"That all sounds cool, no rush"

I smile and type out an answer.

[ME 6:01 PM]

"Amazing, 111 keep you posted"

“Also, my dad wants to take a look around before 1 sign anything, I hope that's ok"

[MARK 6:01 PM]

"More than ok! Thanks again Juls, ur a LIFESAVER'

I nearly squeal and roll off the bed. Finally, I'd get something good. I'd get to move into a college house and make some new memories.

I had friends from high school that I talked to, but they'd become less central in my life. We'd talk on the phone, hangout when we were all home, but most of them went to other schools. And there were a few friends from college, but I wouldn't call us close. Just class buddies that I'd meet up with to study or chat with before class.

This would hopefully be the start of more for me, even if it wasn't with my new roommates and their groups of friends. At the very least, I could go out more, make better friendships that I could maintain and have some fun.

This would be good for me, these guys seemed to get along with me and they were relatively clean which eased my mind.

I get up out of bed and go to my desk, pulling out a piece of scrap paper. I make a list of the things I would need to get together and bring with me. I'd need to tear apart my room, buy a mattress, pack up all of my things. This would be hell.

I have my work cut out for me.

It all comes down to this, my dad's truck is loaded up with a ton of stuff and he's about to take me into the city. I'm about to be a grown-up.

Dad, in true dad fashion (insert Home Depot music here), looked over the apartment two days ago with me. He checked everything, turning on taps, the shower, looking at the appliances. I just stood back in embarrassment as he looked around.

Once he determined that it was adequate, he met Mark and Kyle who seemed amused at my embarrassment but nonetheless, humoured dad and introduced themselves. They understood that this was a big ask from my parents to put their little girl into an apartment with three men.

Thankfully, Kent had been out for dad's inspection. One look at him and dad would have said no way, plus I had a hard time just talking when Kent was in the same room as me.

With dad's stamp of approval, I signed the lease and paid my rent up front. Now, I'm in. There's no turning back for at least a year, but I feel like I've made the right decision, even though I'm nervous this isn't the worst thing for me. I'd probably sign up to live with Satan if it meant I could be this close to campus.

"Which apartment are you in?" Mom asks as we pull into the driveway and I sigh.

"The basement.' I admit as dad shuts off the truck and we all step out of the car. Jesse had made the trip too, driving mom's car down with the rest of my stuff and to give us some extra hands. I didn't know how many people was the right number to bring with me. But the sooner I was mostly moved in and they were cones. the better.

"Hey Juls!" I hear and Mark emerges from the basement. "Do you want a hand with your stuff?"

"That's alright, I don't want to impose." I tell him as my brother pulls in mom's car. Dad opens the truck bed.

"You're not, I'm offering to help.' He chuckles and I smile. "The other guys are at the gym but they'll help too once they're home.'

"Okay." I smile. "That's nice of you, thanks Mark.'

Mark was what I pictured as the most sensible out of the three of them. Kyle was harmless and kind, but lacking slightly in quick-paced thinking and street smarts. Mark was logical, he struck me as the person who made sure everyone paid their rent on time. Kent god, I don't even know what he would be.

I can't believe we're going to be roommates.

"Hello." Mom says firmly, putting her hand out and Mark shakes it kindly. It was because he seemed so level-headed that I couldn't picture him being the one to put a hole in the drywall in drunken fun the way Carlo had said.

"Hi Miss Cook." He says politely and she sighs, almost accepting that as much as she didn't like this, he seemed pleasant and kind. "I'll give you guys a hand.'

"Well that's kind of you." She says politely, but firmly. Mom would never admit that she wasn't pissed with him. "Juls's father's going to start with her dresser if you'd give him a hand?"

"No worries.' He smiles and I smile too.

"I know you like him." I tell her and she rolls her eyes.

"He could be worse." She admits. "Now let's start getting your stuff in, I want to look at this place before I go."

Mom was a good sport but I could tell it really bothered her, this was hard for her so all of my family was trying to be as kind as humanly possible to her.

Mark was really helpful. He and dad talked some about football which made me laugh. Mom was trying to decorate my room before we even had everything where it should go which just made things harder. Dad eventually pulled her out and brought her back to the truck to make some more loads while Jesse and I decided where we wanted to put my furniture.

"So, you think I could come visit you?" Jesse asks with a grin and I chuckle.

"I guess so." I laugh. "But why, it's not like it's close to home."

"Some of the guys I play basketball with live out here, I could hang out with them more." He explains and I laugh.

"We'll see little bro, for now get used to the house." I answer and he shrugs.

"Can I have your room at home?" He asks and I turn to look over my shoulder.

"Would you just help me move my desk, please?" I ask and he chuckles, moving it with me.

My room was taking shape, all of my furniture was in, now I just had to decide what I wanted everything to look like.