Stranger

In a hurry, I put on a soft and toasty hoodie and a pair of comfortable shorts. Hearing a knock on my door at this time of day surprised me, and my curiosity was piqued. I decided to make a quick stop in the kitchen before walking out the door. With excitement, I reached for a tall glass and filled it with cool, refreshing water. I made my way towards the front door, my heart pounding with a mixture of eagerness and intrigue.

“Who’s there?” I asked as I peeped through the peephole, my head buzzing from sleep. I opened the door upon seeing a familiar face, my eyes squinting against the midday sun.

“Hi…” I started to speak, wondering what she was doing at my door.

“It’s Becky,” she said, with a tone indicating she was sick of reminding me. She must have noticed my masked attempt to recall her name.

“Yes, Hello Becky.” My ‘hello’ hung in the air like a dead fish and Becky chirped right back. “Common, you don’t have to sound so formal. We’re seatmates, remember? And guess what? Now we’re roommates too! Destiny, baby, destiny!”

“What!” I nearly choked on the water I had just sipped. “Roommates?!” I sputtered, the word coming out like a strangled hamster. “What’s going on? What exactly do you mean by housemate? What are you doing here and how did you find out where I live? Have you been following me?”

Becky just rolled her eyes. “Chill, detective,” she chuckled. “It’s the universe working its magic. Pretty wild huh?”

Pretty wild was one way to put it. My already messy life, about to collide with Becky’s hurricane energy? I was still trying to make sense of the situation when she gleefully walked past me and sat on the armchair in the living room corner.

“Don’t you think we have some furnishing and decorating to do?” she asked, smiling like she owned the place. “Our living room is practically empty and lifeless.” She added, having already scanned the room.

“Our?!” She was about to get the better of me when my phone rang. The timing couldn’t have been better. It was my mum.

“Hey, Bunny!” her voice oozed sweetness, the kind that usually meant trouble was brewing. I know now that she only calls me that nickname when she knows she’s about to say or do something to piss me off. “How are you?”

“Good, Mum,” I replied.

“Oh, honey, don’t give me that!” she chirped, stretching out the “honey” like she was pulling taffy. “I’ve been dying to hear all about college! Tell me about your new friends, spill the tea on any cute guy…”

“I’m not in the mood mum, I’m in the middle of something confusing. There’s a stranger in my house and I need to sort this out before she gets too comfortable. You and I can catch up some other time.” I hurried my little speech.

“Hold on a second” she interjected. “Err… I think there’s something I should have mentioned to you,” something told me that she might be somehow involved in my predicament.

“Okay…”

“Your dad and I thought it would be too lonely for you to live off-campus in an apartment by yourself. You know how we don’t go along with that idea,” my mom explained, her words filled with a mix of care and worry.

“Alright, so what?” I questioned, my tone reflecting my skepticism.

Without missing a beat, she continued, her voice brimming with excitement, “So, we found you a housemate!”

“What?!” I exclaimed, taken aback by the revelation.

“Look, Bob promised she’s a lovely girl.”

“Mum, who the hell is Bob!”

“Well, a man… never mind. Look, I spoke with the young lady on the phone, and I think she’s nice; in fact, she’s taking the same course as you. I believe you two would make great friends.”

“Mum, this is absolutely ridiculous, and I really don’t appreciate you meddling in my private li…” I started to express my frustration before she abruptly interrupted.

“I have to go now Sweetie, Byeeeee.”

Dammit! She hung up before I could even put up a proper protest. I stood there for what seemed like a minute, fixated on the spot, at least until Becky spoke.

“So, stranger huh?”

“Technically, you are” I responded with a touch of sarcasm, rolling my eyes.

She conceded my point with a chuckle, admitting, “Fair point. I still don’t know your name.”

“And why should I tell you my name?” I took the opportunity to give her a sharp-witted response, and then she grinned her facial expression morphing into a mischievous smile. “Would you rather I call you Bunny, then?” She asked cheekily.

“It’s Leila. Leila.” I responded sharply, saying my name twice for emphasis.

“Alright Leila, enchanté, finally.” She responded playfully, right before a failed attempt to plant a kiss on my left cheek. That would have made me smile, but I guess I was still upset that my parents had gone behind my back.

“Hmm, so where is my room?” she asked awkwardly as I started to walk away, and I threw my hands in the air, motioning for her to find her way around.

I slammed the door to my room shut loudly behind me and flopped onto my messy bed. Why the heck did my parents do that to me? I was still trying to figure out how to deal with sophomore year, and coupled with the crazy intrusive thoughts about my hot lecturer buzzing around my brain, the last thing I needed was a nosy housemate to add to the mix.

This was exactly why I’d spent all break slaving away at crappy holiday jobs, dreaming of the day I could pay the rent myself and live life on my terms. If I had that extra cash, no way Mom and Dad would’ve pulled this landlord-and-life-coach act, playing matchmaker with my apartment. This wasn’t a roommate, it was an invasion, a land grab on my hard-won independence. I was pissed.