Moving In

SKYLAR

I step into my apartment hallway, muscles aching from a double shift at the library, and what I see makes every ounce of exhaustion evaporate.

Professional movers are carrying furniture through my living room, expensive leather chairs, a sleek glass coffee table, boxes labeled "FRAGILE" in red marker. And directing them all, standing in the middle of MY apartment like he owns the place, is Liam fcking Harrington.

"What the hell is going on?" I drop my bag as my voice climbs several octaves. "Get out. All of you, get out fck right now."

Liam turns to face me, infuriatingly calm, a slight smile playing at his lip. "Skylar, welcome home."

"Welcome home? WELCOME HOME?" I'm practically screaming now, and I don't care. "This is MY apartment. You can't just, where is April?"

"Careful where you step," one of the movers says, maneuvering a massive TV past me. "This sht is worth more than some cars."

I ignore him, advancing on Liam with my fists clenched. "I am calling the cops, this is breaking and entering."

"Actually, I'm not." Liam reaches into his back pocket with maddening composure, pulling out a folded document. "I legally bought out April's portion of the lease."

"You what?" I snatch the papers from his hand, my eyes scanning frantically at April's signature, clear as day with a lawyer's seal, the landlord's stamp, and Liam's name right next to mine on the lease agreement.

"That is impossible. April would never betray me, she knows how much I can't stand people like you.."

"She was very motivated to sell," Liam interrupts, gesturing for the movers to place a box in what used to be April's room.

My hands are shaking as I hold the document. This can't be happening. "How much did you pay her?"

"That is between April and me." He leans against the wall, looking entirely too satisfied with himself. "But I will say the landlord was very cooperative, given my offer to pay six months upfront in cash."

The paper crumples slightly in my grip. "Liam, your family has mansions scattered around the states, you are clearly doing this as payback for declining your date."

Liam pushes off the wall, moving closer. "Look, don't read too much into this. I need a place close to college and this apartment is perfect. Besides you need someone to cover rent. So it is a win win situation."

"You ambushed me, by going behind my back to manipulate my roommate." I am incredulous, my voice rising again.

"I made a legitimate business transaction," he corrects, his tone still maddeningly level. "Skylar, for what it is worth, April wasn't happy to take the money."

"Get out." I throw the papers at his chest. "I don't care what these say, you can't stay here."

"Skylar, we both know I have every legal right." He picks up the papers calmly, smoothing them out. "And I intend to fully exercise that right. So you have two choices, Skylar. You can accept the situation and make the best of it, or you can waste energy fighting something that is already done."

One of the movers clears his throat. "Sir, where do you want the couch?"

"My room, it's the one on the right." Liam doesn't take his eyes off me.

"That is April's room," I protest, glaring at the bald man carrying the expensive looking furniture.

He smirks at me, obviously enjoying this moment. "Was April's room, I thought you checked the lease babe." I want to scream and physically shove him and his stuff out the door. But he is annoyingly right, the paperwork is official, which traps me in this hell.

"I hate you," I say quietly, the words coated with enough venom.

"I know." He smiles, his signature infuriating smile. "But you will change your mind, I promise."

"Never." I grab my bag and storm toward my room. "Stay out of my way, Liam. I mean it."

"Looking forward to being roommates, Skylar," he calls after me, and I slam my door hard enough to rattle the frame.

Through the thin walls, I can hear him directing the movers, hear the sounds of things being arranged as he takes over the space April and I have shared together over the past years.

My phone is already in my hand, dialing April's number for the hundredth time, still no fcking answer.

I sink onto my bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to process what just happened. Liam, the UCLA loaded badboy, is now my roommate. God, I am screwed.

This has to be a dream. I just need to close my eyes and it will all disappear. But the sounds from the other room, the scraping of wood, the low rumble of Liam's voice giving instructions, tell me this nightmare is just beginning.