The Odd Roommate

Fiction - Why not a diversion?  Something I cooked up as part of my lessons. 


It had been pure luck that Kristy happened to meet Jennifer at yoga class.  Kristy had seen her there before and they were sitting at the juice bar afterward the way they had a few  times prior.  They always seemed to find something to laugh about and this time Jennifer mentioned she was considering a roommate to share expenses.  It was perfect timing for Kristy.  She thought about how much money she could save if she didn’t renew her lease on the pricey apartment she had.  “Come on,” urged Jennifer.  “We can go over right now.”
Kristy checked her watch and shook her head, “I’ve got an appointment in an hour. Maybe we can go when I have more time.”
“No, no,” said Jennifer standing up.  “We can go now,” said Jennifer excitedly.  “It’s just a block away.”  Kristy glanced at her watch again but quickly decided to go ahead and they soon were walking over as they giggled about yoga and expenses the entire way.
Jennifer put the key into the lock and opened the door wide.   “Come on in.  I’ll show you around.” Kristy walked in and stood with her mouth gaping open and  her eyes wide in amazement.  It looked like a magazine article.  The expensive cream colored sofa was centered in the room with a coffee table of dark wood in front of it. The matching side chairs had colorful pillows on each and a small table in between.  While Kristy gaped at the living room Jennifer closed the door and walked off to the small kitchen on the right.  She came back and outstretched her arm to hand a bottle of water to Kristy.  “Here,” she said, “You need to hydrate.”
Kristy took the bottle and twisted the cap.  “Thanks, Jennifer.  This place is gorgeous,” she said as she looked around and took a sip of the water.  She slowly walked through the living area glancing from floor to ceiling until she reached an archway and peeked into a beautifully appointed bedroom.  Kristy didn’t realize she was holding her breath until she started to speak.  “Would this be my bedroom?” Kristy asked excitedly as she turned back to Jennifer.
“Oh, no,” said Jennifer sternly as she crossed the distance and pointed Kristy to the other door.   Kristy took a last, longing glance at the white lace that draped the four poster canopy bed and French armoire before following Jennifer into the second bedroom.  As Kristy looked through the doorway of the second room Kristy wasn’t sure she was in the same apartment.  She blinked and took a step back as if needing to brace herself.  The  room was decorated very minimalist with a steel framed bed and glass topped night stand.  Plain blinds were the only window coverings but managed to block out all light and the gray carpet on the floor looked industrial.
“Oh,” said Kristy.   “It’s different from the rest of the rooms.”  She tried to bite back her words but added, “I can bring some of my furniture over to soften the look.”  Jennifer was frowning and shaking her head firmly.  “No.  I’ve set it up this way and I told you it came furnished.  We would need to leave things as they are.”
Jennifer turned in a huff and stiffly walked back into the living area as Kristy took another look at the cold room.  She shivered slightly as she went to sit across from Jennifer on the sofa but before Kristy could sit down Jennifer popped out of her chair with her arms outstretched, “Wait,” she shouted almost angrily.  She rushed over and brought out a towel that she spread on the cream sofa and then motioned Kristy to sit.  Kristy watched as Jennifer went back to her chair and sat down.  A shallow smile slowly crossed Jennifer’s lips as if nothing was bothering her as she asked, “So this is your last semester?”
Kristy slowly lowered herself to land directly onto the towel and scrunched her brows together in a frown. “Yes.”
“How exciting.  Your last semester until you graduate.  What have you been studying?”
Kristy tried to relax and leaned forward a bit.  “I will be a veterinarian.  I have a job lined up with a doctor at the animal clinic to start after graduation.  This apartment is really close to the location.”
Kristy noticed the neatly stacked magazines on one corner of the coffee table and a beautiful glass ornament.  She placed her water bottle down on the coaster on the table and reached over to examine the glass ornament more closely when Jennifer abruptly stood up again.  “Don’t touch that.”
Kristy tensed up and pulled back her hand as she stared up.  Jennifer’s face was taut which she quickly replaced with a smile as she smoothed her hands down her thighs and sat down again.  “It was a gift from my mother,” Jennifer said motioning to the glass object.
“Of course.  You have a great place,” said Kristy, while looking down at her hands.
Jennifer nodded firmly, “I try hard to keep it this way.  If we decided to move in together,  we would need to be careful about any animal hair and such.  I would like to have these things for a time.”
Kristy looked up.  “Animal hair?”
“Well, yes.  You said you would be working with animals.”
“I don’t have a pet.  I wouldn’t be bringing a pet with me.”
“Of course, not.  They aren’t permitted.”
Kristy wasn’t sure if pets were permitted in the building or if Jennifer decided they weren’t permitted.  It didn’t matter.  Kristy was sure this arrangement was not going to work out.   There was something about Jennifer that wasn’t right.  What happened to the bubbly girl from yoga class?  Kristy checked her watch and waited.  She looked around the beautiful  room and wondered about the person sitting across from her that decorated it.  She checked her watch again and while carefully keeping both palms on the towel she slowly eased herself up off the sofa.  “I better get going or I’ll be late for my appointment.”
“Oh, sure,” said Jennifer as she stood and walked over to the front door.  She opened it and held on while Kristy went through.  “Thanks for the water,” said Kristy as the door closed loudly.
Whoa, thought Kristy.  I need to find another yoga class.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anonymous Comment: 
I actually know people like this, where they are so over-bearing and controlling. You wrote some non-fiction there. Lol
I was waiting for Jennifer to knock Kristy out and lock her in the ugly room. Liked the story.

Objective was:  Your character meets his/her new roommate in a shared apartment.  She thinks the roommate wants to control every little detail of the apartment and also wants to control our character's life.  Don't tell us any of this.  Show it.

I'm wondering if I shouldn't change the ending and take the commenters advise.  Maybe Jennifer should knock Kristy out and make the whole thing more sinister.  Or maybe I should just move on to the next subject.  ; )
TT