Fell In Love With My Roomy Chapter 19

The first day of school is finally behind us, and I couldn't be happier. It's been a challenge to get back into the routine, but I've cherished the respite from the apartment and the decreased encounters with Kent.

This semester, my schedule was packed with classes, although thankfully devoid of presentations, group projects, or labs that would require physical exertion. Pursuing a degree in the arts brought its own unique set of challenges – readings, class discussions, active participation, and consistent attendance. It's all fun and games until you're faced with three 40-page articles for a single class.

This year, I also attended seminars. They were a requisite for my degree, but they proved to be intense, intimate, and somewhat intimidating. These seminars placed substantial pressure on contributing original ideas and opinions during class discussions, a task that didn't quite align with my naturally shy and apprehensive disposition.

In addition to academics, I juggled a part-time job, worked on my honors thesis, participated in the history society, and navigated the nuances of independent living, including my newfound cooking responsibilities. Back at home, my parents handled dinner, so summoning the motivation to cook after a long day was a formidable challenge.

Managing finances, paying off credit cards, and adhering to a budget presented an entirely different kind of stress.

Yet, I found solace in staying occupied. I welcomed the busyness and the sense of purpose it bestowed upon me. Despite being in my own space, I felt compelled to constantly tidy up, especially with Kent's dishes perpetually strewn across the kitchen. I couldn't help but suspect that he did it deliberately to incite my annoyance.

And truth be told, he was quite adept at aggravating me.

"Hey, Julianna." Turning my attention to the familiar voice, I spotted Chase in the campus coffee shop. I preferred studying outside of my room to stay productive, and The Grind had become one of my go-to spots.

"Oh, hey there," I greeted him warmly, setting my pen aside.

I hadn't seen him since the party at his place, but we exchanged a few texts to check in or because we shared a class.

"It's been two weeks since I last saw you. How's everything going?" he inquired.

"No complaints," I replied, though it didn't entirely reflect the truth. Schoolwork wasn't exactly my favorite pastime. "Would you like to grab a seat?" I offered, to which he smiled and nodded.

"Sure, let me grab a coffee real quick," he said cheerfully.

As I returned to my readings for the week, I stared at my laptop screen, jotting down notes along the way. Just as I was engrossed in my studies, my phone began to ring on the table. Glancing at the screen, I saw "Mom is calling" and answered the call.

"Hello, Mom," I sighed.

"Hi, honey, how's your day?" she inquired.

I shrugged in response. "Everything's fine so far. Just tackling some schoolwork," I reported, trying not to come across as inadvertently curt. "Was there something specific you needed?"

"No, I'm not upset with you. I was simply checking in on how you're doing."

"Mom, I spoke to you just three days ago," I said with a smile, prompting a sigh from her.

"I know," she admitted. "I miss you so much, and the house feels so empty without you."

I chuckled at that. I knew my mother missed me, and I missed her too. I enjoyed being at home and sharing my day with her, but now I had friends and other people to talk to.

"I miss you too," I reassured her, genuinely feeling it. "Perhaps I could come home for dinner this weekend?" I suggested, pulling up my laptop schedule.

Chase stood beside my table, coffee in hand. I raised a finger and offered a brief smile to signal that I'd be right back, then took a seat across from him.

"That would be wonderful," my mom insisted. "What day is it today?"

"Friday," I replied, checking my Saturday night shift schedule. "But I'd have to head back that night because I'm working at the pool the next day."

"That's doable," she said reassuringly.

"Sounds like a plan," I affirmed. "I'll see you soon, but I need to go now."

"Alright, we'll catch up this weekend," she sighed. "I love you, honey. Have a great week ahead."

"I love you too, bye," I responded with a smile as I ended the call and put away my phone. "Sorry," I said to Chase, who gave me a nonchalant shrug in response.

"No worries," he replied, scratching his neck. "Who was that?" he inquired, displaying genuine interest.

"My mom," I replied.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Chase blinked and shook his head.

"Oh, um... just curious," he stammered.

"Liar," I retorted, and he chuckled.

"Okay, I thought it might be a boyfriend, so sue me," he said, defending his curiosity with humor.

"Who says it couldn't have been a girlfriend?" I asked with a shrug, causing him to pause momentarily. His reaction seemed more stunned than repulsed, especially considering his roommate Ellis was in a committed relationship with a girl, suggesting an open-minded perspective.

"Well, I guess you're right. I probably shouldn't have asked that, should I?" he murmured, rubbing his face with his hand. I laughed freely; the conversation was easy and enjoyable.

"No," I responded with a casual shrug. Sometimes I questioned my own preferences, but other girls didn't typically pique my interest. In fact, most of the time, I didn't seem to be interested in anyone. "But trust me, if I were, I'd have better options to choose from."

"You don't think any of the guys on campus are decent?" Chase chuckled as he inquired.

"I don't know, but from what I've seen so far, the answer is leaning toward 'no,'" I replied, shaking my head. "I don't think I'd really enjoy the whole dating and hook-up scene. It just seems complicated and pointless."

"Not every guy is out there juggling a thousand girls at once," he pointed out with a laugh.

"Regardless of what you say," I shrugged, "I'd like to see you prove me wrong, Chase."

I uncapped my pen and jotted down another bullet point in my notebook. My life was too hectic at the moment to entertain the idea of a relationship, so I pushed such thoughts aside. It just wasn't a priority.

"I believe I can," he said with a shrug, prompting me to laugh.

"I highly doubt it," I countered. "Even if there were a decent guy around, what makes you think I'd want to date him?"

"Do you care about appearances?" he inquired.

"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure," I replied with a nonchalant shrug, eliciting a laugh from him.

"I've only ever had two boyfriends, and that was a very long time ago—high school boyfriends," I confessed.

"Why on earth would you say no to someone?" he questioned, and I rolled my eyes.

"Chase, you do realize we just met, right?"

"So? I want to prove you wrong, Julianna, and help you find your dream guy. Please, indulge me," he implored, grinning over his coffee cup. I sighed and felt my cheeks flush; discussing this topic made me uncomfortable.

"I'd be impressed if someone I genuinely liked reciprocated my feelings in the same measure," I admitted. Chase looked surprised by my honesty.

"What do you mean?" he asked, prompting me to shrug.

"I have a knack for connecting guys with their platonic soulmates in a friendly way," I explained with a smirk. His puzzled expression made me laugh. "I'm the go-to girl for friendly conversations in a group, and the guys I meet usually become my friends. That suits me just fine."

"Soulmates in a platonic sense?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow, to which I laughed and wiped my face with my hand.

"You heard me," I confirmed with a grin. "I don't know, I'm awkward around new people, and I don't really see myself as the dating type. I can't even remember the last time I genuinely wanted to go on a date with someone."

I suddenly avert my gaze from the table, hastily closing my mouth, realizing I'd divulged a lot about my character.

"I'm sorry, I've probably said too much," I mumble, feeling a pang of regret. Why did I reveal so much about myself, Julianna?

"No, not at all," he reassures me. I let out a sigh of relief at his response.

"Well, I suppose you'll be subjected to more of my deepest thoughts," I quip, and he chuckles in response.

"Would it help if I shared what's on my mind?" he asks, to which I quickly nod.

"Yes, that would certainly make things more balanced."

"Alright," he chuckles again. "What would you like to do?"

I pondered whether there was something important I should inquire about, but I didn't want to broach a subject that might upset him.