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"No, you can't live on the ground floor," Sandy said firmly.
I was getting tired of her perfectionism. This was our twelfth apartment today, and somehow, she had found fault in every single one. From the bathroom being too tiny, to the street being too noisy, to the kitchen layout being "a total disaster," Sandy had an opinion about everything.
Not that I loved them all-but still, there were a few I could have lived in.
"And why exactly can't I live on the ground floor?" I asked, half-teasing, half-challenging.
"Jolls, don't even get me started. First, it's cold. Second-"
I raised my hand and cut her off. "Okay, okay, you win. Let's go check another one. Honestly, sometimes I can't with you, Sandy. Everything has to go your way."
I chuckled and tugged her along as we thanked the realtor and stepped out into the sun.
"You're so lucky I'm here," she said, shaking her head. "Otherwise, you'd probably end up living in some weird box and calling it an apartment."
"Yeah, right," I said, rolling my eyes.
"For real! Do you remember that place on Ninth Street? The one you almost took when I left for the bathroom? That place was a wreck! Didn't you see how small that bathroom was? And the kitchen-don't get me started."
I laughed, keeping my eyes on the road as I drove. I'd offered to take the wheel today-Sandy had been chauffeuring me around since I got here.
"I didn't know you were this picky when house-hunting," I said. "Honestly, if I were alone, I'd already be sitting in my apartment watching a movie."
"And I'm sure it wouldn't really be an apartment-just a form of one," she teased.
I grinned, stealing a quick glance at her.
"Pull up there," she said suddenly, pointing at a McDonald's. "My body's aching for something to eat."
"Takeout or dine in?" I asked as I parked.
"Inside. It's too hot to sit in the car-I need fresh air," she said, hopping out.
I followed, closing the door behind me.
That's when it happened.
"Hey!"
The voice hit me first-familiar, soft, but clear enough to send a chill running down my spine. Sandy turned first, then me.
A pair of blue eyes met mine, and the world seemed to blur for a second. They were calm and piercing, just as I remembered. My breath caught as I took her in-the same long black hair I'd seen loose last night now tied neatly into a ponytail.
"Jolls!" Sandy nudged me with her elbow, snapping me out of whatever trance I was in.
I hadn't realized I'd stopped walking, frozen like an idiot.
We walked toward her, and the faint vanilla scent that met me confirmed it-Samantha. My stomach flipped.
"Come sit with me," she said as we reached her table, her tone easy but her gaze steady-too steady.
Without thinking, I sat first. Sandy gave me a surprised look; she knew I usually avoided new people like the plague. Honestly, even I was surprised. It was as if something invisible tugged me closer.
"I guess we're sitting then," Sandy said, shaking her head, half amused.
"Nice to meet you again..." Samantha said, extending her hand.
"Jolls," I replied automatically, taking it before I could think twice. I hadn't told her my name the other night.
Our hands lingered together longer than they should have. Her skin was warm-soft-and it sent an unexpected jolt through me. When she finally pulled away, our eyes stayed locked for a second too long.
"So you two already met?" Sandy asked.
"Yeah," I said quickly, forcing a small laugh. "Yesterday at the party. She showed me where the bathroom was."
"Yep! I'm the bathroom girl," Samantha said cheerfully, and we all laughed.
"You always find a way to make everything funny," Sandy said, nudging her shoulder.
I watched them interact quietly, noting the ease between them. Samantha had a kind of energy that filled any space she was in-warm but unpredictable, like she could turn the mood of a room with one smile.
"Why are you alone? Where's Ruby?" Sandy asked.
"She canceled last minute-her mom had her doing chores," Samantha replied, shrugging.
Our food came soon after-burgers, all of us coincidentally ordering the same chicken combo. We ate, making small talk.
"You guys are in luck," Samantha said between bites, grinning. "I know a place. New apartments, just finished building."
"Really?" Sandy said, instantly intrigued. "I hope they're good."
"Oh, they're more than good," Samantha said confidently. "Modern, clean, white walls, perfect lighting-you'll love them. Let's just hope there's still a vacancy."
Before we could finish, she was already standing. "Come on! We should go now before someone else takes them."
I was done eating, but Sandy still had half her burger left. Samantha grabbed her hand anyway, pulling her up with a laugh.
"How do you even know about the place?" I asked, watching her with curiosity.
"I helped a friend apartment hunt last week. We found this one by accident," she said with that same grin-the kind that felt like it knew too much.
I followed them out, my eyes drifting despite myself. Her baggy jeans somehow managed to highlight her shape-her small waist, her hips, the strip of pale skin showing between her crop top and denim. I looked away quickly, pretending to focus on the car.
Sandy entered the address into her phone and handed it to me for directions.
After a ten-minute drive, we arrived.
The moment I stepped out, I fell in love. Everything was just as Samantha described-modern, white-themed, bright. The faint smell of paint hung in the air, but even that felt new and clean.
Surprisingly, Sandy had no complaints.
I paid the deposit and a month's rent. There were only two apartments left, and I snagged one on the seventh floor. The elevator worked perfectly, so the height didn't bother me. It was a two-bedroom, but the landlord promised to let me know if a one-bedroom opened up soon.
"You're starting school on Monday, right?" Sandy asked once the landlord left.
"Yep," I said, still exploring every corner of my new space.
"That gives us two days to get you settled before classes start," she said.
"Then we should start shopping right now!" Samantha chimed in, her tone light but her eyes glinting with excitement.
Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I couldn't stop the small smile tugging at my lips.
"I guess we should," I said, glancing at Sandy for approval-but part of me was already looking at Samantha.
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