Chapter 1- Apartment 4B

Maya’s POV

*beep*

I open the front door to my apartment and I instantly recheck the apartment I was assigned to.

“What are you doing here?” Ms Thorne asked with a scowl on her face. I tried to look away because she was in a silk robe that…

“Let’s not go there.” I thought to myself.

“Are you deaf or something? I believe I asked a question.” Her voice brought me back to reality.

“Uhhh I was assigned to this apartment.” As much as I didn’t appreciate the way she spoke to me, I valued my grades too and she was not one to mess with.

“Are you hearing yourself?” She dropped the cup that was in her hand on the kitchen island and walked closer to me.

“You were assigned to an apartment in the lecturer’s wing of school?”

I nodded firmly because I actually was.

“Give me a minute but first what’s your name?”

“Maya. Maya Sloane.”

She picked her phone and went into what I think is the room.

I just stood there awkwardly staring at the house I’d apparently be sharing with little miss violent if they don’t do something about the housing situation quickly.

“I just made a call and you were indeed assigned to this apartment.” I gave her the I told you so look. “It was a housing glitch and they said they’ll work on it as fast as they can.”

I chuckled because why would she believe that?

“What was that for?”

“Why would you think they would work on it as “fast” as they can? Have you forgotten it’s election season and the school plays a big role in it? They won’t fix shit in fear one of us will complain and it’ll get out. Then their “no mistake” school would be tainted.”

She looked at me weird.

“I can’t explain better than that.” I shrugged.

“So where’s my room?” I asked while picking up my things.

“That’s the problem…it’s a single room.”

Oh-

“And can’t you find an alternative without you having to stay here?” She looked really disgusted having me here.

“As you can see…” I gestured around “I clearly don’t.”

“And please stop looking at me like I’m the reason the system fucked up. I’m really trying to be respectful here.” My respect was giving up on me but I needed to stay with me for a little longer.

“Watch your tone, young woman!”

“We don’t even look far apart.” I said in my head.

“Since you do not have anywhere else to go, I’ll be laying down some rules that will make this easier for us till you can get out.”

I really don’t think she can see the load I’m with, if not she’d wrap this up.

“First of all, you’re sleeping on the couch. Secondly, no noise. If you must play music, use headphones. Thirdly, no guests.” I raised my hand which made her pause.

“Yes?”

“My boyfriend likes showing up unannounced and he knows my apartment number so there has to be an exception.”

“You and your little boyfriend can find somewhere else to do all of that.” And she was really stern about it.

“As I was saying, as we would be sharing wardrobes, do not mix your clothes with mine and the bedside drawer is mine. I don’t want to see your hands on it. Once it’s 12 all lights go off and I mean all. And finally when I’m showering, stay out of the room.”

“Is that all?” I was already over this.

“I’d print out the list later on.”

“Where’s the room?”

She pointed down the short hall to the left.

The room was quite spacious and the wardrobe was big too. She hasn’t put her things in yet making it easier for me to arrange. My clothes weren’t much, I always recycled clothes so I never thought to buy so many.

Immediately I was done I went back to the living room and she just gave me a cold look and walked past me into the room locking the door behind her.

Guess I’m not showering tonight.

I felt suffocated and wanted to cuss her out so bad because she isn’t the only one that’s uncomfortable!

And to think coming here was an escape from my family. To get my mind off things I check my writing dashboard and my yesterday earnings made my mood lighten up instantly.

I was going through an intense writer's block and with all this housing drama I don’t think I can squeeze out any more chapters out of me.

The semester started tomorrow and coincidentally I had an angry bird first.

“AHHHHHH!” I screamed into the throw pillow beside me in hopes that she wouldn’t hear me. There was so much pent up frustration and I couldn’t hear to endure anything more frustrating.

11:57pm

“Sleep. That’s exactly what I need.” Just to look around and find out that there’s nothing to sleep with no proper pillow or covers.

The cold leather of the couch offered absolutely zero comfort. I curled into myself, shivering as the apartment’s air conditioning blasted. I closed my eyes, but my mind was a chaotic loop of Ms. Thorne’s icy glare, the suffocating memory of my mother's voice lecturing me about Ethan, and the sheer dread of tomorrow morning's class.

My escape had officially turned into a trap.

Frustrated, I pulled out my phone. The harsh screen glare lit up my face in the dark room. I logged into my author dashboard again.

“If I couldn't sleep, I might as well write. I needed a villain for my next arc anyway” I said to myself

And a certain tyrant was the perfect inspiration. I typed out every single, furious sentence, pouring all my pent-up, confusing anger into the keys.

Then, right at midnight, my phone vibrated and a golden banner popped up at the top of my screen, making my breath hitch.

[System Notification]: VIP User 'V_22' has just sent you a $500 Top-Up Reward!

Comment: “The tension in your last chapter was exquisite. I simply need more and I’m waiting. ”

A gasp escaped my lips. Five hundred dollars.

With an online fan this obsessed, I’d be able to save enough and leave my family's shadow by the end of the semester.

Clutching the phone to my chest, I stared up at the dark ceiling. I didn't know who V_22 was, but they were my savior.