My (Delicious) Roommate

Every step Emanuele took down the huge hallway on the fourth floor of the apartment was painful, tiring, and absolutely hellish. The pouring rain outside didn't help either. The heavy suitcase she was dragging was soaked, as was Emanuele herself, and it was past eleven o'clock at night. She had rented a room in that building, and the landlady must have been asleep. The girl tried to call Alexandra's cell phone, but apparently it was turned off. The girl's red dyed hair was stuck to her face, mixed not only with raindrops but also with sweat. Almost growling in frustration, dying of shame, cold and irritation, the tan-skinned, the girl rang the doorbell. A clap of thunder rang out. Would the landlady be annoyed that she had arrived at that hour? A few seconds passed. Well, it wouldn't be surprising at all if she was asleep. Emanuele's hands were trembling from exhaustion, hunger and apprehension. The last few hours had been extremely difficult. But at least she was far away from the

"Are you okay?" Emanuele continued to stare at Joshua's face; his breathing panting and difficult. "Are you okay?!" He repeated once more, paying attention to the details: the blouse almost open, the trickle of blood dripping down, the jacket thrown (and wet) a few inches away. The woman tried to speak, but could not. Instead, a murmur came from her lips, mixed with what sounded like a wail or cry. Joshua immediately tore a piece of his own shirt from beneath his jacket, pressing it to his neck. "They're not coming back," Joshua said. His eyes were shining with an unknown emotion. "Not punched like that. That's if they survive." The man took a breath and continued, "I'm taking you to the hospital." The redhead finally managed to say something. "No... Sleep. Hotel." "You're not sleeping in a hotel, Emanuele." The girl lets out an agonizing noise of protest and pain, and Joshua puts his big, warm hand on her shoulder. "I am Alexandra's brother. I... I went after you when you l

"Joshua told me you were coming this morning, and his sister said the same thing. But you showed up late last night. Why?"The accusatory tone and the total difference in attitude from Thabata's earlier moment causes total distress to Emanuele, who can't even formulate a sentence.But the blonde doesn't even let her manage to organize her own thoughts. Slowly walking around the room, Thabata continues:"My boyfriend is a very good person. He would throw himself off a bridge to save a helpless person. But don't put any ideas in that head of yours, you hear me?""... What?""What?", Thabata repeats debauchedly. Then she returns to her angry countenance. "He won't be here long, it's only until my sister-in-law returns from her trip. And I'll be keeping an eye on you.""But-""He's quite handsome, isn't he? Attractive, charming, brave.... Everything a girl like you has probably never seen in her life."Emanuele just stands still, listening endlessly to the offenses uttered by her roommate

Joshua murmurs softly."Emanuele."The redhead seems to be half dreaming, half awake. His voice was deep, deep and soothing. She remained in the same place."Emanuele."Again, she just listened to the call. His hands remained on her shoulders.But then the girl finally comes to her senses.Joshua is frowning as he watches her. Quickly, feeling very ashamed, the girl gets off the teacher. How humiliating! How long had she stood there like a fool? And I wonder what he was thinking of her now."That was quite a tumble. Are you okay?"The man didn't sound angry or offended. In fact, it was concern that glistened in his eyes as he stood up. But there was also no sign of spark, reverie, or any of the things Emanuele had felt. What a disaster."I'm fine," she replied, trying in vain to regain her composure. "I'm sorry... I don't think I can really do that kind of thing. I'm no good.""It was my fault. I think we need to slow down the intensity until we find a rhythm that's comfortable for y

Emanuele's first surprise was to notice that the urban environment was slowly disappearing.The enormous amount of buildings, honking cars, people here and there going about their business simply fell behind, further and further away, and in its place trees and dirt roads came into view.The girl looked at Joshua with a raised eyebrow, asking him silently what was going on. The young man explained:."Their meetings are usually at Amora and Amanda's house. Or rather, at the party house of the two.""Party house?""Yes."In Emanuele's hometown, the closest thing to a party house she knew was a small ranch where the elders gathered to drink and eat barbecue. But she was pretty sure that this gathering, and with this group, would be completely different.And she was totally right.When they got out of the cab, a few meters away they saw a huge ranch house. The windows were all open, and you could tell that a lively little tune was playing. Emanuele did not recognize the artist, but she li