“Don’t listen to her,” Jax said. “I’m an amazing roommate, who can take care of myself.”
I walked my parents and sister to the door where we said our final goodbyes. Once they were gone, I took a deep breath. It had been averylong day. It wasn’t over yet though. The only thing that had been set up in my room so far was my bed, so I still had a lot of unpacking to do.
“Wanna watch a movie or something, roomie?” Jax asked, bouncing from foot to foot as if the idea was really exciting for her.
I felt bad turning her down, but I knew I wouldn’t feel settled until I was completely unpacked. “I would love to, but since we spent all day packing up my sister, I still have to unpack all of my stuff.”
“No problem.” The wide smile stayed on Jax’s face as if my answer didn’t bother her one bit. Which made sense. I was sure she had much more fun things to do than hang out with me. “If you need a break or if I can help in any way, just let me know.”
I forced myself to look at Jax even though her unwavering eye contact made me nervous. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
When Jax smiled, it hit me just how pretty it was. She had the type of smile that could make a rainy day seem sunny.For once, I had a hard time looking away, but I didn’t want to make things weird, so I diverted my eyes and headed to my new bedroom.
I worked on organizing my room until I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore. I had barely laid my head down on my pillow when I drifted off to sleep.
The next day, I woke up and immediately continued to get my room set up. After I had everything organized to my liking, I sat down on the bed and pulled out my planner. I opened it up to one of the empty pages in the back and wrote “New Carter” at the top. I stared at the blank page as I tried to decide who I wanted to be in New York and how I was going to achieve it. After a few minutes of no ideas, I closed my planner and threw it on top of my dresser.
When I got out of bed to leave my room, I prayed that Jax was still asleep so I could have a few more minutes to myself. Going from living alone to having a roommate was definitely going to be an adjustment for me. I didn’t want to be a bad roommate, but I also needed time to myself.
I slowly opened the door and looked around the apartment that was quiet and empty. When I was fully out of the door, I noticed there was a note from Jax.Had an early work day today and didn’t want to wake you! I’ll be home around 3:30. If you want a free coffee or pastry, come to Serenity Sips. That’s where I work ;)
It was a nice offer and coffee sounded great, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready to wander out on my own just yet. I opened the refrigerator to find very limited options and after staring for a few seconds as if something was going to appear out of thin air, I closed it again. I definitely needed to make a trip to buy groceries, but the problem was, I didn’t know the best place to get them. I sent a text to Olivia asking where she got her groceries, then went back to my room.
As I waited for her to answer, I took out the sapphic romance novel I had just started and read. After an hour of reading with no answer from Olivia, I grabbed my planner once again and flipped to the “New Carter” page. I tapped my pen against my chin as I thought about what a more exciting version of myself would do in New York City with five weeks of freedom before starting her job. I groaned and threw the planner across my room.
That was the problem. I wasn’t exciting. I never had been, and I probably never would be. Hell, the whole reason my ex had dumped me was because she needed more excitement in her life. I could still hear her words ringing through my head as if she had said them just yesterday. “I’ve been thinking about it, and I feel like I’ve wasted so many years of my life playing house with you. I don’t want to make plans for our future. I want to go on adventures. I need some excitement in my life, and unfortunately, you can’t give me that.”
I thought I might cry just thinking about those words, even after all this time. I was about to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head when I remembered my note from Jax. Going to a cafe might not be exciting to other people, but it was definitely out of my comfort zone, so I was going to do it. That’s what theNew Carterwould do, right?
I changed into jean shorts and my Wharton School of Business T-Shirt. The shirt was worn and had a tiny hole around the armpit, but it was my comfort shirt. I had no idea why, but wearing that shirt always felt like being wrapped in a hug by an old friend.
I looked up the cafe and found that it was a fifteen-minute walk from the apartment. I was sure I’d be sweating by the time I got there, but I hoped the sun could lighten my mood a bit.
After going in the wrong direction, not just once, but twice, I finally made it to the cafe twenty minutes later. Beads of sweat were dripping down my forehead, but it still felt good to be out and about in my new home. I looked at the front of the cafe, which was all glass, and had a gay pride flag hanging above the door. The store’s sign had a coffee mug on it and the words “Serenity Sips” was written in the steam coming from the mug. The name seemed fitting since even the outside of the building had a serene feeling to it. When I walked in the door, it was even more serene. On one side of the cafe were tables and chairs just like you would find at any cafe or restaurant, but on the other side were couches, chairs, and even bean bags in various shades of gray and black. There was soft piano music playing and most people at the cafe either had a computer or a book. It was like I had stepped out of New York City and into a whole other world. I loved it.
The modest atmosphere honestly wasn’t the type of place I expected someone as bold as Jax to work, but when I looked toward the register and caught her chatting with a customer as she took their order, her tattoos and rainbow hair in stark contrast to the rest of the cafe, she fit somehow. She brought color to the room that otherwise wouldn’t be there, as if this cafe couldn’t exist to its fullest potential without her presence.
Jax’s eyes fluttered from her customer over to me, and she waved her hands in the air as if she was trying to get my attention. When I gave her a tiny wave she held one finger up to the customer, then walked out from behind the counter and over to me.
She stopped in front of me and put her hands on her hips, her smile wide and her eyes sparkling as she looked deep into mine. “Hey! I wasn’t sure if you’d actually come, but I’m so glad you’re here. What can I get you?”
I pointed to the line that was getting longer since there was currently no one taking orders. “I’ll wait. It’s no big deal.”
Jax waved a hand at me. “Nonsense. Roommates get the star treatment.”
I squinted up at the menu and scanned it quickly, so I didn’t waste any more of the other customers’ time. “I’ll take the iced sugar cookie latte.”
Jax lifted an eyebrow as her smile morphed into a smirk. “Not what I would’ve expected from you. I love it.” She pointed back toward the counter. “I’ll have someone bring that out to you as soon as possible. We’re a bit busy, so make yourself comfortable.”
“Thanks.” My stomach grumbled as soon as she walked away, and I wished I had asked for something to eat. I figured I’d wait for my coffee, then sneak into line to buy some food.
I looked around the cafe and decided to take a seat on one of the couches. I was very pleased that I had decided to bring along my book, because this was the perfect atmosphere for reading. I could see this quickly becoming one of my favorite places. I sank into the couch and pulled my book out of my mini backpack. It only took a minute for me to get lost in the story and forget about everything around me. I don’t know how much time passed before I heard a throat clear and looked up to find Jax standing in front of me.
She tilted her head at me as she held the coffee toward me. “Must be a really good book. You didn’t even notice me standing here.”
I put my bookmark in and sat the book down beside me, then grabbed my drink. “Sorry about that. I tend to get sucked into these fictional worlds and forget the real world exists.”
Much to my surprise, Jax took a seat beside me on the couch. “I love that. I enjoy reading, but I don’t do it enough.Normally, I’m too go, go, go to sit down and start one, but when I do, I can’t stop.”
