Fell In Love With My Roomy Chapter 25

I'm running terribly late for work, having lost track of time at the library. I glance at the clock and realize I have just twenty minutes to make it to my job.

I dash down the staircase and swiftly unlock the door to my apartment as I reach the top of the stairs. Given the late hour, I assumed the apartment would be empty. It was Wednesday, Mark had football practice, Kyle had a night class, and Kent typically wasn't home around this time.

I was slowly discovering that Kent was quite the fitness enthusiast. He relished working out twice daily when possible, going for jogs, and adhering to a strict dietary regimen on specific days of the week. It all seemed like the work of a mind obsessed with routines and order, which left me feeling a bit uneasy.

But as I'm about to close the apartment door, I'm greeted by the worst sound imaginable seeping from down the hallway: the rhythmic thud of a headboard against the wall, accompanied by the unmistakable squeaking and moaning of a mattress. I freeze in the doorway, unsure of what to do next.

I contemplate returning to my room to retrieve my keys. The fact that I instantly recognized the sounds coming from Mark's room probably says something unflattering about me. I breathe a sigh of relief momentarily, only to jump when I hear gasping and a girl's voice nearly crying out. I glance at the sole set of keys hanging on the ledge, noting Mark's student ID dangling from them.

Disgusting.

I need to leave right away, so I kick off my shoes and tiptoe down the hallway as quietly as possible. I must grab my work essentials, even if it means pretending I can't hear anything. The noises grow increasingly loud as I scurry past Mark's door and hurry to shut mine.

Even in my own room, the sounds persist and only grow louder with each passing moment. I hastily set my work bag down and transfer a few necessary items from my school bag into it. Changing at the pool will have to do; I just need to escape my apartment.

I rush back to the front door, sliding my shoes back on, and then make a hasty exit up the stairs.

"Julianna?" Kent is emerging from his car, keys in hand, a sight I can both hear and see clearly. "What's wrong? You look like you're about to throw up."

"I-I'm fine," I stammer, unconvincingly. "Just don't go inside. Mark has a girl over." He chuckles and raises an eyebrow at my revelation.

"Ah, I see. Things are getting heated in there, huh?"

I nod, though my chest is still heaving, and my mind is racing. "Where should we go?"

"I'm running seriously late for work. I just went in there to grab my bag, had no clue what I was walking into," I sigh and shake my head.

"I'll give you a lift," he offers. I gasp in surprise.

"No, it's okay. I'm not sure, but the walk might help calm me down," I respond, waving my hands dismissively.

"I have no desire to go in there either, Julianna, and I could use the time," he says, and I simply shrug because he's got a point. "Quickly." He motions towards his car, and I glance at my phone, thinking, "Damn it, if he doesn't give me a ride, I might not make it to work on time."

"Alright," I sigh, hastily circle around, and hop into his car.

"What's going on?" He asks, looking somewhat amused.

"Oh, come on," I retort, crossing my arms. He starts the car.

"It's just sex, Julianna. Many people do it," he remarks as he pulls out of the driveway.

"I know that plenty of people have sex, and I'm aware it's inevitable in our living situation with four of us in the same house," I shrug. Raising my hand, I add, "I don't need to know, and trust me, I'd rather not know." He chuckles. "I guess I just prefer to keep it private."

"The serenity," he repeated, and I offered a nod of agreement.

She remarked, "You know, I guess intimacy is quite a personal matter." As my cheeks began to flush, I simply shrugged and turned my attention to the passing scenery. I had only known this person for about a month, and our relationship, if one could even call it that, was somewhat complicated. I was well aware that we held contrasting views on relationships and intimacy.

"How confidential?" He appeared curious about my perspective. I momentarily closed my eyes and raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

"What do you mean by that?" I admitted my confusion and asked, "Do you want everyone to be privy to your intimate affairs or something?"

He chuckled and replied, "No."

"If you engage in something so personal with someone else, I believe it should remain between you and that person," I said, feeling my mouth dry up as I spoke. "For instance, I'd be deeply embarrassed if anyone were to overhear me during intimate moments." He chuckled and shook his head, evidently amused by my statement.

"Fair enough, if it were me, I'd feel the same way," he responded with a serious tone, causing me to blink and press my lips together. Maybe I had been overly critical of Kent. "You seem quite disturbed by it, so it must have been an unusual experience."

"Well, that's an perspective I hadn't considered before," I shrugged, idly playing with my fingers.

My knowledge of intimacy, in general, was rather limited, and I couldn't quite comprehend what all the fuss was about.

"So I don't have to be concerned about this with you?" His laughter made my cheeks ache, and I cleared my throat with a cough.

"No," I replied with a casual shrug, still gazing out the window. "Should I be worried when you're around?"

"I'm not sure," he replied as I ran my hand through my hair. The entire conversation felt rather strange. "I suppose it works out conveniently for Mark."

"I suppose," I sighed, feeling relieved that we were nearing the pool.

"Julianna, try to relax. This isn't the end of the world," he reassured me, and I winced.

"Kent, you didn't hear it, but it sounded like something dreadful was happening, and she seemed to enjoy it."

"That's how great intimacy sounds," he explained, and I encouraged him to continue. My face was still warm, and my stomach felt uneasy. "What?" I sighed when he inquired. "Julianna, I'm beginning to think you're not well-informed about this topic," he observed.

"From what I can tell, neither are you," I replied with a nonchalant shrug. "So what? Could you hear it the moment you walked in?"

She clarified, "No, I never said that." He rose to clarify his stance. "That's why I brought you to work, after all."

"And the ride has been such a delight," I sighed as he pulled up to the pool's entrance.

"When will you be turning in?"

"Ten," I replied softly, feeling like we'd discussed my affairs more than necessary.

"When I return, I'll accompany you," he insisted. As I opened the door, I paused for a moment, glancing back at him behind the wheel, his focus fixed straight ahead, not on me.

"That really isn't necessary."

"Alright, I'll do it," he agreed, and I gasped. "I don't want you to be alone." I contemplated this deeply. I wasn't sure if I should continue joining Kent on his peculiar outings and dates, especially when he acted strangely afterward. However, I knew he'd always be there. The only decision left for me to make was whether I wanted him to walk me all the way home.

"Okay, but let's not dwell on this," I told him, shaking my head in dismissal. He chuckled.

"Loud and clear, Julianna," he said, and I swiftly closed the door, hurrying into the pool area to start my shift, leaving our peculiar conversation behind.