Our place...

(RP 18+) Do NOT follow if you are not of age! No exceptions!

[raven-olivia]

Fresh starts...

Raven: I got way more calls than I expected and most of them were craigslist creepy. Now I was wondering where I went wrong with my flyers. Maybe I would have been better off putting an ad online, then at least I wouldn’t have to answer the phone this much. Do people not realize they could text me? Then no phone would be required. But I’m clearly not that smart.

I listened to the messages when I was feeling up for it, and deleted most of them without even calling them back. My phone rang off the damn hook, and we all know I wasn’t about to answer it and jump into that bag of worms. There were a few I called back, and wished I hadn’t. Horrifying was too tame a word. I needed coffee. All the coffee. So I went back to my favorite place to hide, ordered more coffee from the vampire behind the counter, (she was feverishly texting someone with a scowl on her face), and I noticed my notice on the board had been ripped down, which warmed my heart just a little.

It was one of those rare cold nights, so I had my hood up and the warm coffee in my hands was doing just the trick. I started debating putting up another flyer, because I really didn’t want to pay rent by myself this month. Maybe it was worth not eating to live alone, but then I’d also have to give up coffee and my favorite study place. I blew the hair out of my face and grumbled a little, getting up to replace the flyer on the bulletin board. I would force myself to listen to and reply to voicemails after I finished my coffee.

Liv:

That night played on a constant loop in my head as I spent the next week packing my stuff up and looking for a place to stay. I was never great at relationships but I also was never one to stray. My usual was for me getting bored and walking. And I rarely got too attached, which now I am seeing how that is not so bad of a thing. It was messing with me more and more with how close I came to stepping out on my now ex girlfriend. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer to that so I buried myself in organizing every box all the way down to the bubble wrap being laid and tucked just right into all four corners. There wasn’t a major hurry to move out because Nicki wasn’t coming back for another month but the longer I stayed in the apartment, the more I was reminded of our failed relationship. It didn’t help that I worked from home and was surrounding by all things that wasn’t going to be and what had been. Yup, the motel eight was starting to look good or even the offer to stay at Lacy’s who usually had three or ten random people staying with her. Or there was the offer from my on line assistant who swore that if I gave him a shot he’d make me hetro again. As if I had ever been straight to begin with. At the age of thirteen I was the one getting my hand up my older brothers, girlfriends skirt before he ever did. Yes, I started early, no judging. I had one hang up and yes I knew how pathetic it made me so that is why I had only told Lacy that I had never lived on my own before. I went from my parents house to sharing a place with my brother until he got married and that was luckily right when Nicki and I decided I would stay with her. Now here I was tripping on the thought of not having anyone at home. It’s not about the place, it’s simply about knowing someone is there. I gave up being locked inside those four walls any longer and bailed out. My choices were limited, since my car was in the shop until tomorrow. So I decided to check out a coffee spot that wasn’t too far away. I usually made my own because yes, I was so not about paying those ridiculous prices for a drink but now I was going to be all about it. A few blocks and a right turn had me entering the darkened place that I wasn’t exactly positive if they sold java or…I was leaning more towards it selling who knew what and was already creating a whole story in my head about it. Daydreaming was an EXTREME thing for me and before I knew it I was lightly trailing my fingers over the odd pieces of antiques and wondering around the small space. Suddenly I was standing before a bulletin board with a caramel macchiato in hand and snatching a ‘Roommate wanted’ page from it. Maybe…Could be worth at least a call I thought.

Raven: My phone started to buzz on the coffee table in front of me. It started me out of a deep thought on the ethics of death. I grabbed it off the table so the buzzing would stop drawing attention to me. The vampire rolled her eyes, which was probably aimed at me. This was one of those places that had signs at the register to get off your phone before you ordered. The whole place stared down anyone who got on their phone while sitting inside as well. It was one of the things that made this place feel a little like home.

I didn’t recognize the number on the phone it must have been from one of my flyers. I groaned internally. Going for the the power button to send the call to voicemail, but when I looked up at my flyer there was a girl standing in front of it. Not only was she looking at the flyer with her back to me, but she also had her phone to her ear, and was probably the one the vampire was rolling her eyes at. Holy shit. Not only did this put me right on the damn spot, but she was here, she looked better than anyone else had sounded one the phone, and she was here. In my coffee spot.

I suddenly wanted her to turn around. She was lovely from the back, great style, legs that went on forever, and here I was sitting in a hoodie and ripped jeans. Maybe I should just let her leave. She never had to know I was sitting here when she called, but what if she remembered my face. I’d look like such a tool denying remembering it. Plus, I hated lying.

I groaned to myself and forced myself to answer the phone.

“Hey...” I had no idea what to say. This was why I didn’t answer the damn phone. When things were spontaneous I had to flounder for damn words. What the fuck was I thinking? I could kick myself. “This is Raven...” I was going to say ‘Can I help you,’ but how the hell would that sound? “Who is this?” Is what I went with. And I was sure no one was going to want to live with me. It might not even be the girl standing there. I had probably built all this up in my damn head for nothing. I dropped my eyes from the back of the girl’s head and looked at my chucks.

Liv: It rang once then twice and I hoped they were going to answer because I hated leaving voice mails. I always sounded like a bumbling fool on them. It was probably insane of me to be calling some stranger for a place to live anyway. And now I was building this whole story in my head of a single white female version. Yup, my head always got twenty feet ahead of me and I was left scrambling to pull it back in control. I had myself in the span of seconds ready to hang up when suddenly a voice drifted into my ear with a tad bit of an echo to it and I was answering without thought. “Hey, this is Liv…Or Olivia, either works for me.” My words trailed off as I turned away from the bulletin board and scanned the coffee shop. There were two pairs of eyes aimed in my direction. One set was glowering at me and it took me glancing at the counter in front of her to realize why. I was breaking a cardinal rule and she had no issue with letting me know. But it was the other I was more intent to pay attention to. The rambling started as soon as my lips parted. “So yeah are you like right there on that couch looking at me?…I really hope so because if I don’t hang this phone up now I am pretty sure the guard here is going to bounce me out.” I aimed for a smile but I know my cheeks were flaming red with embarrassment. I had no problem talking to anyone but I hated feeling like all eyes were on me, even if in reality they weren’t.

Raven: I wanted to melt into my seat when the girl turned around. If I could have escaped I would have, but that’s rather impossible when someone is staring right at you. Not only was she staring at me, but the vampire was looking between us and growling. I gritted my teeth and tried to put on a smile. I was not so good with strangers, and even worse with spontaneous, but it was better than getting banned by the vampire coffee king. I don’t think get boss would let her tell you to get out of the store, but she would ignore the shit out of you and you’d never get coffee again. So it was as good as getting banned.

“Er…yeah, that’s my flyer.” I put down my phone and held up my hands to the vampire to show her I was off and she could stop trowing daggers with her creepy eyes. “Are you looking for a roommate?” I wanted to kick myself after I said it. Of course she was looking for a roommate, why else would she have called my damn number. Maybe she would just leave and save me the embarrassment, but I wasn’t that lucky and of course she was so damn cute. Not only was I diving myself a whole, but I was doing it in front of this well put together hot chick. This is why I avoided people. “If you want to sit down I can give you all the info quick. No pressure or anything, but then you have it…” Why was I still talking. What the hell was wrong with me? I didn’t even want to answer my phone and now I was inviting a stranger into my space and putting myself out there to talk? Did the vampire drug me? Maybe this was a bad dream like those ‘naked in front of class’ ones people have. I prayed I would wake up. Again, not that lucky.  

Liv: I made a show of putting my phone away. Yes, I was being condescending about it but hell I didn’t deserve a death stare for my first offense here…Although, yes it was also my first time here and there was a sign up at the register about phones yet still I didn’t like being put in my place even with a look. I took a seat on the well worn but definitely comfy couch and looked at the one I had been talking to. Alright, so I had been a bit preoccupied with needing a place to lay my head but WoW she was stunning. Strong features framed a face that if I was of the mindset I could easily get lost in mesmerizing every part of it. With my…Yeah I had to stop my train of thought right there. Bad bad bad. Ok a mental inside shake and I was back in the present game and not still in the one in my head. “Yes, I’m looking for a place.” I glanced around at the few inhabitants. “This is a quaint place. I’ve been by it before but my ex wasn’t about the coffee life or well much of anything actually.” I drew my eyes back and smiled, trying like crazy not to seem antsy or crazy. Because I did get my own nervous habits that made an ADHD kid look like an angel. Talking was something I was good at as long as I didn’t start rambling or worse. “That sounds good. How about you fill me in and I will do the same. And just so you know, I’m nor mentally crazy, only emotionally.” And there started the rambling so I clamped my lips shut.

Raven: “I’m a little surprised you’ve been by it. It’s a bit out of the way. I don’t live too far from here.” Her rambling had me raising a brow. Not that I was scared off or anything, but I was curious as hell why she referred to herself as emotionally crazy. Hell, we were both sitting the serial killer coffee shop letting a little goth vampire bully us. I titled my head to the side, looking at her. She really didn’t look like she’d kill me in my sleep. “Wait, hold up. What do you mean emotionally crazy?” I sat back and put my chucks up on the coffee table, something that was so ingrained from sitting here it was more than habit. While I waited for her to answer I grabbed my laptop out of my bag and clicked on the file of pictures I had saved to send to prospective roommates, which hadn’t happened yet, as I had a mountain of voicemails to reply to, and everyone I’d already called back was creepy as fuck. I was really not good at this. What was I even doing showing a stranger this shit. She was calling herself crazy after all, maybe I was the crazy one. Against my better ‘stranger danger’ judgement I handed the laptop over to Liv. I was going to have to tell my whole two friends about this. No one was going to believe me. “This is the place. There are pics of the living space, kitchen, and bedroom there. There are two bathrooms, so you’ll have your own...” I trailed off. I was not a damn salesman. I had no idea how to talk anyone into anything. I was just trying not to keep this awkward. “I’m in grad school full time, and I work work as a TA.” I pushed my hand into my hair, getting it out of my face. “I’m not sure what else you want to know...so tell me about yourself.” I winced. I sounded terrible to myself.

Liv: So I was starting out of the gate in last place. I felt it in my bones. “Crazy is not the right wording. I should have went with stunted…Ya know, coming out of a relationship and all that fun stuff.” I groaned and shook my head. “Sorry, I do have a tendency to ramble. Especially when I am nervous. It is a habit that truly sucks.” I settled into the corner of the sofa, took the laptop and started going through the pictures while I talked some more. “Well as I currently said, end of a relationship is why I am in need of finding a new place. I can get you references from the building manager.” My shoulder came up in a half shrug and I handed the laptop back. “I work from home, freelance so yes I will be there a good amount of time. I’m a casual drinker, non smoker and I know how to clean but I prefer ordering out when it comes to food.” A genuine smile curved my lips up and I was pretty sire the rambling was at an end. “The place looks great and having my own bathroom would be a dream. My girlfriend was a countertop hog with all her stuff. So my own space will be much appreciated. Is there anything else you’d like to know or have I come off like a mental patient and you are only waiting for the moment I get up and walk out the door?” I ended that with a chuckle and tried not to start overthinking everything I had said.

Raven: “I’m in the same position myself. My ex moved out last week, but it’s been over for a few.” I gritted my teeth trying not to talk trash about the asshole. “He had to find a place.” It was rough saying it out loud. I wasn’t in love with him anymore, but still it was hard to go from a pair for the last couple of years to one. I laughed at her rambling, giving her a genuine smile. I felt something for her. I wasn’t sure yet. Sympathy? No, it wasn’t that. “So you don’t have to deal with me dating anyone for a good long time.” Now who was rambling? I wanted to kick myself. I was also happy she was unattached if I was honest with myself. I didn’t want to agree to one roommate and get two. I stoped when she said girlfriend and blinked a few times. I really fucking hoped she wouldn’t notice my ridiculous double take. It was hard not to look at her again. She was thankfully looking down at my computer and I prayed she didn’t notice. She was just a roommate prospect. I wasn’t dating anyone else while I was in grad school. So it didn’t matter how beautiful she was. I just had to force it out of my head.

“You don’t come off like a mental patient at all.” I tucked my hair behind my ear and chuckled. Goddamn I sounded like an idiot. “I’m a non smoker, casual drinker, and I’ll be out a lot at the library or teaching class. While I am home I’ll be working on my thesis. I can cook, but who has the time so I also prefer to order in.” I was trying hard to act normal, but I was pretty sure I was failing hard. She actually sounded like a dream of a roommate. “I’d love the reference from your building manager and for you to come look at the place if you’re up for it.”

Liv: I was nodding before she was finished. It was a relief almost that I wasn’t the only one going through a recent t break up. It made me not seem so out there with my constantly running off at the mouth. And what was more important is it seemed I hadn’t chased her away. “Nice, it’s almost too ideal…So do you have like shit neighbors or something?” I blew out a low laugh and just grinned when I definitely caught the multi blink session. And she was still game. Score. I very well might have a place to lay my head. For a second my thoughts got derailed when I watched her fingers slide through her hair…Nope. Stop. I averted my eyes and started talking again. “Sounds great. You just let me know a day and time and I’m there with reference in hand.”

Raven: I laughed softly, looking down at my chucks again. “No, shockingly no bad neighbors. I tried to stay far enough away from campus where I wouldn’t get the high turnover and the constant parties…” Shit I didn’t want to sound like I was against partying. I wanted to kick myself for sounding like an old lady or a nerd. “Not that I have an issue with a good party now and again, but you know, it’s nice to be able to sleep on occasion.” I blew out my cheeks. I was really not good at this and I was as bad at ending conversations as I was starting them. And all of a sudden I didn’t want this one to end. “Other than the few classes I teach, I’m pretty flexible. When can you get the reference by? Monday?” It was only three days away, and I would have said tomorrow, but I didn’t want to come off desperate. I was already looking at her more than I should.  

Liv: “I can meet you Monday but if you want I can have my references emailed to you in case you’d like to check them before Monday.” Ok I was sounding too eager again but it was hard not to. Finally something was going my way and if I didn’t grasp it with both hands then it could slip right through them. Yes I had my glass half empty moments and I could easily turn into eeyore. “And don’t worry, I promise not to go all part animal on you. I value quiet time and my space…Most of the time.” And now I sounded like some seventy year old that went to bed at seven and was up by four. The overthinking was strong right now and I decided it was time to shut up and go. “Ok so I will let you drink the rest of your coffee in peace. It was great meeting you and I am excited about Monday. Oh yeah, you have my number, just text me your email if you want me to send those references before we see each other again.” I finally took a breath after all of that and did an awkward head nod before passing the snarling gargoyle guard behind the counter and making my exit.

[raven-olivia]

Olivia...

I was gripping the sides of the porcelain sink hard enough my fingers were aching from it. Was I really going to do this?…No…I shook my head and even managed to verbally answer myself.~ Nope. ~A door to one of the occupied bathroom stalls opened and a taller than life woman emerged. She was clearly confused as to who I was speaking to when she saw only me standing there. I shrugged my shoulders and caught her big brown eyes in the wall to wall mirror before me.~ You’ll have to excuse me. I’m in the middle of an internal battle with myself so I must have a full on convo with myself. ~Yeah, I didn’t sound like I had had five shots too many at all. She just gave me a look, washed her hands and left while keeping at least one eye on me at all times like I might suddenly turn on her. I wasn’t dangerous…Ok well maybe there were times when that wasn’t exactly true. But now wasn’t one of those moments. I wasn’t pissed. Far from it. I could actually make better decisions when I was angry than the state of mind I was in right now. I wanted to devour her whole right here and now with anyone and everyone watching. I didn’t care one fucking bit. Yeah it was when I was in this mind set that my common sense factor flew right out the window. Her name was Celeste and she was wrapping me around her middle finger with her teasing ways. I was always a sucker for the submissive flirting. Celeste was perched on a stool at the bar, waiting for my return. And I knew I shouldn’t go back out there. If I was smart I would make a straight line to the exit and get the hell outta dodge. Yet here I was stalling for time in a small bathroom while my partner was at this present moment on a plane heading further away from me. And that right there was why I was not out there dragging the tasty morsel Celeste out the door and back to my place to have my ravishing way with her. My head dropped low and a heady breath pass between my lips. Alright so I might have inhaled the whiskey with that exhale. Maybe I did partake in a tad too many shots. But fuck it had been a shitty month and my level of dealing with bullshit was busted. Yet that still didn’t give me the right to be in a club letting some barely dressed woman hit on me…DAMMIT my common sense was coming back into play. Obviously I had cut myself off way too soon. Okay, even I knew that was shitty to think. I looked up at myself in the mirror and gave a stern look.~ I am better than this and more importantly I’m not a cheater. ~I stood up, squared my shoulders and gave a nod to myself. Home is where I belonged. And as if on cue my phone vibrated in my back pocket. Of course I knew who it was before I even looked at the screen and answered it.~ Was your flight ok? ~There was a pause and or a second I was pretty sure Nicki was going to hang up but as usual she surprised me with her response. “I don’t want to fight with you anymore.” I had heard that a hundred and one times (Probably way more) but it always put my stomach in knots. So I did all I could think of.~ Don’t do this shit now. DO NOT wait until you are hundreds of miles away to start something that you know is going to put us at odds until you come back. ~There it was, that comfortable anger I was at home with.~ You think I’m not sick to fucking death with arguing all the time? Trust me I am. ~There I thought, feed her back her own words. That win was short lived with her next question. “Tell me where you are right now, Liv?” My heart dropped into the pit of my stomach and I leaned headily on the sink behind me. She knew exactly where I was. And that was part of the problem. She left town with us barely speaking and I did what I usually do, escape and self destruct internally until I combust in some negative way.~ You know where I am, seeing as you are asking that question. ~There was another pause and I expected a burst of anger to come through the phone line. Instead I was greeted with a calm that I would have never associated with Nicki. “I received an email from my boss once I landed. They are wanting me to stay in DC longer than previously discussed. And I am going to agree to it. We need space between us.” I was shaking my head even before words formed on my tongue.~ No, if you want space then we walk away now. ~And for some reason I felt no animosity as I continued.~ Let’s face it, you have grown to a place that you no longer need me and I am barely keeping myself in check with inactivity between us. I would much rather us end on a somewhat decent note than lighting into one another and cutting each other off completely…I don’t want that for us. ~It was real low key but I heard the muffled laugh and that put at least a half smile on my lips. “I usually enjoy when you light into me.” Yeah that had a groan lodging in my throat. “But you are right. I don’t ever want to hate you, Liv or vise verse.” I stood up straight again, feeling more steady on my feet now than I had when I first walked in here.~ I’ll leave your key on the kitchen counter. ~The only reason I knew she hadn’t hung up was because I heard random voices in the background.~ I adore you and now go kick ass in DC, like I know that you will. ~I hung up, slid my phone in my back pocket and tried to ninja sneak out of the bathroom and back to the place that technically wasn’t my home any longer.~

[raven-olivia]

Raven...

“Don’t follow your boyfriend to grad school,” they said. “Choose a school you want to go to and if it’s meant to be it will last,” they said.  Well they were fucking right. I was grumbling to myself as I hung posters around campus. I was sure there were probably websites for the shit, but I really didn’t want to find a room mate on fucking craigslist. That seemed creepy, and a good wait to end up as skin wall art. I really needed to stop listening to podcasts as I fell asleep. Probably not my best decision, but I needed to keep my mind off the asshole. I aggressively stapled another flyer to the student bulletin board, and decided I needed all the coffee in the world if I was going to get through my homework after this.

I trudged with my head held high towards my favorite spot. It was this little coffee shop, with it’s entrance out of an alley. It was creepy paradise with a little bit of New Orleans voodoo thrown in. It was filled with strange artifacts from old vampire hunting kits, to tarot cards that used to belong to Antoine Your de Gebelen, then of course there were all kinds of creepy furniture filling the place that used to belong to serial killers. Every coffee on their menu was named after the like, and best part, it scared off most of the coeds unlike Starbucks so I could drink my coffee in peace. The people who hung out there were also the best to people watch, so it was a win win. Studying with a side of people watching. Everyone needed a break now and then.

I walked in and threw my bag in my favorite chair. It was massive, green and comfy as fuck. Plus there was a nice coffee table just the right distance from it so I could prop my big ass legs up while I was on my laptop.

I went to the counter, where they knew me by name, and the vampire behind the counter asked in a monotone if I wanted my usual. I said I did, and it was easy. No needless chit chat, no ‘have a wonderful day’ and no talking more than I needed to. Maybe my Monday would be better than my weekend. It would probably have less lame ass excuses about tripping and falling into a pile of blondes. “Don’t think about him.” I needed to hit myself in the head. Or I needed that damn service from that Eternal Sunshine movie. Just fucking erase him. If only. Probably wouldn’t be worth the brain damage. I kicked my feet up. I had tons of work I should be doing, but I needed a mental break. So after I grabbed my coffee I just sat.

It was wonderful. No one tired to talk to me with my head phones in. I looked at my phone and I read stupid online shit. Maybe I needed to plan an hour of silence into my normal day. I needed a way to unwind and let go. A stranger walked in, and he looked exactly like my ex. Down to the same hair color, and sense of style. I was a little terrified for a moment he’d found my hide out. It probably said a lot about our relationship that I needed a hide out my boyfriend--ex didn’t know about.

I noticed after I stop staring at him that there was a bulletin by the door. I’d never even noticed it before. I dug through my bag, and pulled out a flyer. This place was filled with creepy people who liked coffee. How could that go wrong? I asked the vampire if I could post it. She didn’t even look up from the epic picture she was sketching and agreed.

I looked over the board to see if anyone was looking for a room, there wasn’t, so I rolled the dice and put up the flyer.