In Love with my room-mate

Shower Dilemma

I wake up in the morning, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. It's the first day of class as a second year, and I can't believe I am no longer a freshman. I quickly get out of bed, determined to start the day off right.

After a vigorous workout session in my room, beads of sweat cling stubbornly to my skin, creating a sticky and uncomfortable sensation. The exertion has left me slightly breathless, my heart pounding in my chest. The thought of a soothing and refreshing shower becomes all-consuming, a beacon of relief calling out to me.

With anticipation building, I make my way to the bathroom, already picturing the cascading water and the invigorating sensation it will bring. But as I turn on the faucet, my heart sinks. No water flows. The sound of silence is deafening, and frustration begins to creep in.

“What the actual f**k?”

I try turning the faucet but nothing.

A wave of disappointment washes over me, mingling with the lingering exhaustion from my workout. I can't help but feel a pang of irritation at the inconvenience of the broken water supply in my room.

Wait a minute, I can hear water in the next room. Jay is probably also taking a shower. Maybe I should give it a few minutes, once he is done with his shower, I can have mine. I grab my towel and pick out my clothes while I wait. After a few minutes I hear the water stop.

I return to my bathroom and try again.

Why does this have to happen on the first day of class? I think to myself, the weight of the situation pressing down on my shoulders.

Realization slowly dawns on me. If I want to cleanse myself from the grime of the workout, to start the day fresh and rejuvenated, I have no choice but to seek an alternative solution. And that solution lies in Jay's bathroom, just in the next room from mine.

I have no other options, I can’t leave the apartment all sweaty and use the showers in the gym on campus, I would have met a dozen people before that and they will surely think I am a freak.

Mixed emotions flood my thoughts as I contemplate this option. On one hand, I appreciate the convenience of having a nearby shower readily available. On the other hand, I can't ignore the unspoken agreement I made with myself to maintain a distance from Jay. I have not seen or spoken to him for the past three days since we found out we are sharing an apartment.

Despite the complexities of our past, the allure of a shower pulls me towards Jay's bathroom. It seems like a simple, practical solution to my predicament. Yet, a small part of me hesitates, unsure of what repercussions this decision may have on the fragile equilibrium I am trying to establish.

Perhaps I should wait for him to leave then I can sneak in for a quick shower. But what if he returns and finds me in his space?

I should just ask him, it might be easier.

I take a moment to gather my thoughts and reassure myself that this is just a temporary situation. I remind myself that using Jay's bathroom doesn't automatically mean reopening old wounds or rekindling past emotions. It's a necessary action, a means to an end, and I can maintain my distance in other aspects of our lives.

Taking a deep breath, I remind myself that it's just a shower. There's no harm in briefly entering Jay's room to use the bathroom. It's a practical solution to my problem, and it doesn't mean we have to reopen old wounds. Plus, I can always leave right after and focus on the first day of classes.

With determination, I make my way to Jay's room. I can't help but feel a slight flutter of anticipation as I wait for a response, unsure of what lies on the other side. Today is a new beginning, both for my academic journey and for navigating the complexities of friendships. And so, I take the next step, ready to face the day and whatever challenges it may bring.

Summoning my inner strength, I finally knock on Jay’s room after standing out here for close to five minutes.

“Door’s unlocked.” He yells from the other side of the door.

I push open the door to Jay's room, determined to focus solely on my need for a shower. The room feels familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time, as if it holds remnants of our shared memories.

Jay is in nothing but a pair of blue boxers.

“Oh my goodness Jay!” I exclaim looking away from him.

“What! You’re the one coming in here early in the morning.” He responds.

“Please cover up.” I say with a command.

“Forget about it. Not like it’s something you haven’t seen before.”

He is right, I have seen everything there is to see on him, but this is different and it will make things awkward.

“Jay please.” I beg whilst looking anywhere but at him.

He scoffs and then grabs a shirt pulling it over his head and shoulders. I can’t stand seeing him half naked. Jay was the best I have ever had and seeing him not dressed was always a trigger for me.

“Mmmhmmm…….what do you want?” he asks.

I finally face him.

“I have no water in my shower and I need to take a shower.”

“What!” he c***s his head to the side.

“I said…..”

“I heard you.” He interrupts me, “Help yourself. I will call the building plumber and ask them to come get it fixed.”

Just like that?

If it were me, I swear I would have made him suffer.

“Thanks. I will grab my things from my room while you dress up.”

He scoffs, “Sure,”

I quickly return to my room to get what I need to take a shower in Jay’s bathroom. After five to ten minutes, I swiftly make my way back to Jay’s room to take a shower. Thank god his out of his room making himself breakfast.

I enter the bathroom, shutting the door behind me to create a physical and metaphorical boundary. Oh lord the shower cubicle surely smells like him. Jay has not changed his shower gel since high school. Tropical forest scent.

As I turn on the shower, the sound of running water is a symphony to my ears. Stepping beneath the warm stream, I feel the tension melt away, replaced by a soothing sense of relief. The water washes away not only the physical grime but also the worries that had weighed me down moments ago.

I step out of Jay's bathroom, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after the invigorating shower. My skin is now free from the lingering sweat, and a sense of cleanliness engulfs me. With renewed energy, I make my way back to my own room to get dressed for the day.

After carefully selecting an outfit that exudes confidence and comfort, I take a final glance in the mirror, adjusting a stray strand of hair. Satisfied with my appearance, I decide it's time to fuel my body before heading off to class.

As I walk towards the kitchen, a delightful aroma wafts through the air, enticing my senses. The smell of freshly made toast, eggs, and bacon permeates the room, instantly making my mouth water. Jay has been busy preparing breakfast, and the scent alone speaks of his culinary skills.

With a rumble in my stomach, I approach the kitchen prepared to just grab some yogurt from the fridge and a fruit. On the kitchen counter, there is a spread of delicious food laid out.

Yogurt and fruit were my initial plan, but the sight of the mouth-watering breakfast spread makes me reconsider. I know Jay prepared this for himself and we aren’t the best of roommates to be cooking for each other yet.

Jay, noticing my presence, offers me a warm smile and gestures for me to join him.

“Are you going to keep awkwardly standing there or will you join me?” he asks.

“Uhm…sorry about that. Thank you but I shouldn’t, you prepared this for your…….”

“Emma please just take a seat and have breakfast. You won’t survive on fruit and yogurt.” He interrupts me.

How did he know…..oh, the fridge is full of yogurt and fruits and noodles in the pantry.

A mix of gratitude and awkwardness fills the air, creating a palpable tension between us. I can't help but feel a pang of hesitation, remembering the promise I made to myself about maintaining distance.

“Thank you.” I take the seat opposite him.

Jay grabs a plate and puts some food on it. Toast, scrambled eggs, beacon, tomato and onion slices and pours me a hot cup of coffee in a mug.

“Why are you being nice to me?” I can’t help but wonder.

“Emma we are stuck in this house for the next one year and I will not be at war with you. I don’t want to be at war with you.” He says sounding so sincere.

I take a moment to appreciate Jay's effort and the tempting feast he has prepared.

Despite the unease, I remind myself that sharing a meal together doesn't necessarily mean reopening old wounds or delving into complicated emotions. It's just breakfast, a simple act of companionship. Besides, declining his offer might only heighten the discomfort between us.

Taking a deep breath, I decide to embrace the moment and have breakfast with Jay. We exchange a few polite words, but an awkward silence hangs heavy in the air, filling the gaps in our conversation. I try my best to focus on the food in front of me, letting its flavours distract me from the lingering tension.

As I take a bite of the perfectly cooked eggs and savour the combination of flavours, I find solace in the taste. The richness of the bacon, the warmth of the toast, they provide a temporary respite, a distraction from the complexities of our relationship.

I haven’t had a properly cooked meal since I left home two weeks ago. Thank god Jay can cook, I can hardly boil eggs without under or over cooking them.

My life is sad.

Being raised as a princess and being left to fend for myself is the worst thing my parents have ever done for me.

We continue eating in silence, each lost in our own thoughts. I observe Jay out of the corner of my eye, appreciating the familiar features that once brought me comfort. Memories and emotions swirl within me, but I push them aside, determined to maintain the delicate balance we have established.

With each passing moment, the silence begins to feel less stifling. It becomes a shared understanding, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken boundaries we have set. We may not be as close as we once were, but this moment of breakfast together offers a glimmer of connection amidst the distance.

As I finish my meal, I silently thank Jay for the food and the small gesture of companionship. It may not be a grand reconciliation or a complete resolution of our past, but it's a step towards navigating our present with grace and maturity.

Rising from the table, I gather my belongings, ready to face the day ahead. The awkwardness still lingers, but I find comfort in knowing that I have embraced this fleeting moment of breakfast, allowing it to remind me of the growth and resilience that lie within me.

With a renewed sense of purpose, I bid Jay farewell and head off to conquer the challenges awaiting me in class.

I hope my shower gets fixed because I can’t ask to take another shower in his room. A part me of deep down somewhere has already started getting warm. I want to be comfortable around Jay, but then there’s Camila.