Don't Fall

by K. S. Thomas

  I’m about to hop off the railing and into safety when his hand comes out to assist me. Out of habit, I reach for the light again, cursing myself and my stupid instincts as I do it. Holding his hand would have been nice.

  “Impressive.” He grins, retrieving the cup he set down when he thought he was going to help me down, and handing it to me.

  “Back at ya.” The words slip out before I can stop them.

  His eyes narrow and an awkwardness creeps in. “Excuse me?”

  “The coffee,” I say, hurrying to actually have a sip, “it’s impressive. I could tell just by smelling it.” The coffee’s not bad. But it’s not leaving nearly the impression his naked body did last night. Which is somehow all I can think about, now that I’m standing here, looking at him fully clothed. I missed a lot of details during our first interactions. Many of which are coming back to me in a rush of blurred images, bleeding into my mind one after the other, making themselves far more comfortable than I’d like.

  He’s tall. I’m tall and I have to look up to talk to him. But, he’s not lanky like most dudes his height. He’s got sturdy, broad shoulders and an overall body that looks like it moves often and well. But, he lacks the gym body bulk, which I sort of loathe. I always imagine gym bulk to be the equivalent to fake boobs. It’s perky and big and perfect, but it’s just not natural. Neither is the ink which, as I can attest to, covers the majority of his skin, but I can very comfortably call that art, and art is like a step up from natural. So, you know, it works.

  It’s not just the body though that earned him the Hot New Neighbor label. His face is pretty damn nice too. Strong jaw, slight stubble which blends in with the dark fuzz he’s got growing on his head. He’s not bald, or even balding, but he does seem to take a low maintenance approach to hair. It suits him. He’s not a slick back or faux hawk kinda guy.

  I’m still contemplating whether or not I’ve seen his full lips stretch into a real smile yet, when he takes a sip of coffee, his mouth disappearing in his cup completely. Automatically, my gaze shifts to his eyes, and stops. I can tell from the way the corners of his baby blues crinkle, he’s laughing at me for some reason.

  Some reason. Like maybe the obvious way in which I’ve been ogling him for the last few minutes.

  Oh, God.

  “Well, this has been...interesting.” I lift my hand to catch the light fixture and pull myself back up onto the railing in a hurry. It’s going to be slightly trickier now with one hand, but I can make it work. I have to. “Thanks for the coffee.”

  “It’s the least I can do, considering.”

  I jump down – careful not to spill, landing safely on solid ground again. I notice he’s still standing there watching me. “Alright, so...have a nice day.” I do a half wave sort of gesture and hurry for the door. I’ve got one foot in when I hear him again.

  “Let me know when you’re ready to talk about our situation.”

  I shake my head and move out of his sight, scowling at Drea who’s perched on the sofa anxiously awaiting a full report on my coffee escapades with Hot New Neighbor.

  “Don’t. There’s nothing to smile about.”

  She doesn’t believe me. “Um, hot new guy - living in your apartment. What’s not to smile about?!”

  “The list is long, Drea,” I counter, “but while we’re on that, how could you go all summer and never mention that the new neighbor moved into my apartment?!”

  She shrugs. “It’s your apartment. Kinda figured you knew.”

  “Yeah. Well, clearly I didn’t.”

  “So, now that you do, what are you going to do?”

  I frown. “Is that your subtle way of kicking me out already?”

  She laughs. “I’m not subtle, Tessa. Ever.”

  “Point taken.” I have another drink of my coffee. It’s getting cold already. That’s what I get for wasting all my precious time ogling. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. He’s got a lease. I don’t think I can kick him out, even if I am his new landlord.“

  “Or roommate.” She wiggles her brows at me.

  “Don’t do that, it looks creepy. Creepy and crazy. Both of which I think of when I consider moving in with a man I know nothing about. Who moves in with a perfect stranger? No one. No one sane anyway.” Drea’s up off the couch and attempting to take the mug out of my hands as I’m speaking. Apparently, the crazy has a strong hold on her this morning. “What are you doing?”

  “I just want one measly little sip.”

  “Fine. I’ll save you one.” I turn away so my cup is out of her reach.

  “Ew. I don’t want the last sip. It’ll be all grounds and backwash.”

  I shrug. “Hey, desperate times and all that. Take it or leave it.”

  She fakes gagging. “I’ll leave it.”

  Thought so.

  The clock behind her catches my attention in the middle of it all. Doing morning gymnastics to get my coffee took up more time than I allotted for coffee consumption today. My ass needs to hit the shower, asap. I’ve got my first class in less than an hour, and contrary to Drea’s beliefs, the first week of classes does count.

  I’m almost to the bathroom when I notice Drea is hot on my heels.

  “What are you doing? If you don’t walk away within the next ten seconds, you’re going to see me naked.”

  Drea rolls her eyes at me and leans against the wall, just in case I didn’t get that she was planning on sticking around despite the nudity threat.

  “Why? Just...why? I know I did a striptease that one night during our freshman year, but that’s not the norm. So, if you’re sticking around for a show, you’re not gonna get one.”

  “You’re an idiot, and also, a mediocre stripper. I’m here for more dirt on the neighbor, not your titties. Explain yourself. Why are you so against getting to know him and just making this situation work?”

  My fingers are gripping the doorframe impatiently. I don’t like running late and having to rush. But I’m pretty clear on the fact that Drea isn’t leaving until she’s satisfied.

  “He was naked.”

  Her eyes widen. “On the balcony?”

  “No! Last night, when I busted in on him. He was completely naked. I saw...everything.”

  “So?”

  “So, now it’s weird. I can’t look at him and not see him naked,” I hesitate to tell her the last humiliating bit, “and...I’m pretty sure he knows.”

  She smirks. “Can’t stop staring at his crotch, or something?”

  “Drea!”

  She laughs. “What?! You’re the one talking about his nakedness being a distraction.”

  I sigh. “The whole thing is just too weird. And frankly, he would be nuts to agree to living together after what he’s witnessed from me thus far.”

  “Because you’re the scary stranger in this equation now?” Drea’s tone of disbelief is only slightly hidden in her desire to keep up with this conversation and the winding trail of thoughts I’m taking it on.

  “I tried to kill a naked man with Aunt Edi’s umbrella.”

  Amusement twists her mouth up as she tries hard not to laugh again. “Man, I’m never drinking again. I miss all your best shenanigans when I’m passed out.”

  “This is serious, Drea. There’s a stranger living in Aunt Edi’s room. Sleeping in her bed. Using her old dresser. All of her stuff is still in there. I’ve spent weeks, dreading the moment I would have to come home and face all of it, knowing she would never come back to claim it, but to come home and find him? Invading her space, taking it over? If I take even a nano-second to truly think about what that means, I will lose it.” I shake my head. “I can’t live with him. I can’t even think about him. I just want him gone and the condo back to the way it was before.”

  All laughter has died from Drea’s face. “It’s never going to be the way it was before, Tessa.” She reaches her hand out to squeeze mine. “Maybe that was Aunt Edi’s whole point for moving him in. Making it as non-like it was before it could possi
bly be.”

  “I don’t think Aunt Edi did this, Drea,” I say quietly. “I think it was Meredith. We all knew Aunt Edi was dying. It’s the whole reason we all went up there, to say good bye. Makes sense Meredith would lease out the place. She’s the oldest, handling assets falls to her. Just turns out, the condo wasn’t one of them.” That part surprised me as much as anyone.

  Drea smiles sadly. “Well, jokes on her, I say. He’s gorgeous and seems nice. I bet he’d switch rooms with you in a heartbeat if you asked.” She shakes my hand back and forth trying to wiggle me out of my funk. “Just give this a chance, Tessa. Aunt Edi would be the first person to point out that everything happens for a reason. Even this.”

  “But...it’s weird. And he could be weird. And unstable. Possibly even dangerous. Although, he does make a solid cup of coffee. But that doesn’t speak to his sanity. Plenty of crazy people are fond to the caffeinated brew. Probably aids them in their craziness. Gets them all wired and shit.”

  “Yeah,” her eyes bulge out dramatically, “I’m aware.”

  “Fine. I’m crazy, he’s crazy. We’re clearly meant for each other,” I release in a loud exasperated huff. “Now then, can I please get in the shower before I miss my first class completely?”

  “Who’s stopping you?”

  Unbelievable.

  WEIRD. AND UNSTABLE....and Possibly Dangerous Hot New Naked Neighbor.

  I like her.

  That’s going to be a problem. Especially since I’ve already offered to room with her once. What’s to stop me from doing it again? And this time on a more permanent basis? It has bad idea written all over it.

  For starters, she’s young. Way young. And most importantly, she’s female. And females are not included in my current life plan.

  Then again, she’s young. Way young. Even if we did decide to suck it up and deal with our current living situation as it is by rooming together for the time being, nothing would happen. Nothing.

  “What are you looking at?” I demand of Mr. Grey Cat. He’s not my cat, hence the really lame not really his name - name, but he’s been coming around ever since I moved in here, and I let him, because, well, sometimes it’s helpful to one’s sanity to not technically be talking to yourself. He doesn’t answer of course, but I still get the sense even he knows I’m lying to myself where Tessa is concerned. Then, because he’s a cat and cats don’t give a shit, he lifts his snooty little nose and turns away, tail slinking along behind his lanky body as he makes his way out onto the patio. I probably won’t see him for a while after he disappears out there. Wherever he lives, and whoever he belongs to, must be close by.

  With my last cup of coffee having been donated to the cause for the sake of the greater good this morning, I’m out of reasons to procrastinate. Time to get this day rolling and face the next phase of operation ‘New life and New Michael’ - The new job.

  By the time I’m showered and dressed I’m back to looking for ways to waste time. I guess that’s what living alone is. Time. Time I used to be able to fill with taking turns or, simply waiting. I never took into account just how much of my time was taken up through the basic dynamics of coexisting with another human being, and I certainly never expected how empty those moments would turn when alone.

  I’m on the verge of heading outside and tracking down Mr. Grey Cat, just to have another living being to talk to, when there’s a knock on the door, followed by a key turning just before the whole thing swings open.

  “Sorry!” she calls out, passing me in a hurry. Her hair is soaking wet and her body is wrapped in nothing more than a rose-colored towel that barely reaches beneath her ass. Practically running isn’t helping her parts stay covered either.

  Averting my eyes slightly too late, I retract my previous plan to converse with the neighbor’s cat and opt for Tessa instead. She’s already far more interesting than any four-legged fur ball will ever be.

  When I find her, she’s hunched over in the most dangerous position imaginable, searching her mountain of bags for something I’m hoping covers her more than that towel does. Well, I’m sort of hoping. Sort of not.

  “I’d apologize more thoroughly for busting in on you twice within the last twenty-four hours, but this is partly your fault, so I’m not gonna,” she mutters, digging through a large duffle bag.

  “Wait. How is it my fault you keep breaking into my apartment?

  She stops what she’s doing just long enough to glare at me. “My apartment. And it’s not breaking in when you have a key.”

  I can’t help but chuckle at the insanity of this whole scenario. “First of all, if you’re really

  that confused about whether or not you’re breaking in, we can call the cops and ask them. I’m pretty sure that won’t play out well for you though, what with my lease and all. And second, I’m still not clear on how any of this can be blamed on me. As far as I can see, I’m the only real victim in this mess.”

  A sage green shirt whips out from the depths of her bag as her hand flies up into the air in some sort of act of victory. It’s short lived however, and she pursues her search for more articles of clothing in the next suitcase over. “Victim, my ass. I’m the homeless one here,” she grumbles on, “and you might have mentioned that all of my possessions were delivered to you when I was here earlier for coffee!”

  I shrug. “I figured you already knew that. It’s your stuff.”

  She stops, adjusting her towel in a huff. “People really need to stop making assumptions like that! I’m not nearly as well informed as everyone thinks.”

  I lean my shoulder into the doorframe, crossing my arms over my chest and settling in for the duration of this chat. “I’m starting to learn that about you. What’s up with that? Do you lack a healthy sense of curiosity? Too self-involved to ask a few questions every now and again?”

  Her eyes widen and I notice the striking green of her irises has brown flecks near the pupils. I also notice she’s pissed. And alarmingly close to bursting into tears.

  “Are you kidding me with this?”

  “Shit,” I drop my arms and step into the room, squatting to be at eye level with her. “No. I mean, yes. I’m kidding. I’m sorry.” I run both palms over my face trying to conjure up a clear thought that isn’t in some way tainted by her beautiful eyes or the distracting way more of her skin keeps popping out of that towel. “It’s been a weird night...and morning, for me. For both of us. I’m sure this isn’t easy for you. Making stupid jokes is just my way of making light of it all.”

  I start to reach for her shoulders then stop short. I have no business touching this girl. And the last thing I want to do, is freak her out even more than she clearly already is. “What can we do to make this work? For both of us.”

  She sits back on her duffle bag, sighing loudly. “Do you really think we could live here together?”

  No. Definitely not. As a matter of fact, seeing her in her towel is all the proof I need to be completely certain it’s the worst idea in the history or worst ideas. However, I find myself nodding and saying, “Sure.”

  “Have you ever had a girl for a roommate before?” she asks, like someone who thinks it’s important to ask questions, but has nothing really specific they want to know.

  “Yep.” She wasn’t technically my roommate, but close enough.

  “And your name’s not going to pop up on any sex offender list, right? Because I’m gonna check.” Her pointer finger darts out as a warning as she says it.

  “Clean record. Promise.” I hold my hands up, demonstrating my innocence. “Had to pass a background check before my lease was even approved.”

  This information does seem to appease her.

  Then a second wave of shadows moves in over her face. “There’s something else.”

  “Name it.”

  “It freaks me out...you staying in my aunt’s room.”

  I can see how that might be a bit much, given her current frame of mind after just having lost her. “I can move into this on
e.” I take in the purple walls, remembering why I chose the other room in the first place. “Provided, I’m allowed to paint.”

  “You’re allowed.” She smiles. Briefly. It’s sweet and innocent, combined with her flushed rosy cheeks and fresh, clean skin, there’s no denying she’s a natural beauty. I wonder if she knows. Probably not. She seems unusually unaware of herself.

  “So, it’s settled?”

  She nods. “Looks like it, Roomie.”

  I grin. This is such a bad idea. But she’s such an excellent distraction. And I could really use one of those right now.

  Chapter Three

  Tessa

  I’m practically running out the door for the second time today, my own mug in my hand, freshly washed. I’m about to ram my elbow into my front door to knock and wait this time, when it opens unexpectedly and formerly Hot New Neighbor turned Hot New Roommate is standing there, just as surprised by the sight of me as I am by him. I don’t know why I can’t get myself to call him by his name. Other than I don’t like it and Drea started me on this stupid nickname thing I can’t seem to stop now.

  “Mug.”

  “Wow. That was fast.” He smiles. I wish he was ugly. Alas, he’s not, leaving me to only one defense. Look away.

  “Okay, then. Have a nice day.” I readjust my bag, now that I have both hands to work with, and make a dash for the stairs. He’s obviously headed out as well, the last thing I want is some attempt at small talk while we travel down three flights of stairs. We’ve had enough awkward small talk to last us for months to come. And God knows, how much more we’ll accumulate once we’re living together for real. If these are my last moments of freedom from repressed, weird and humiliating conversations, I want to savor them.