Lost

Chapter 41

ELLIE JONES

After my altercation with my mum and Joe, I'm more determined to move out into my own apartment. Now that they're engaged, I see Joe a lot more and I just can't stand the guy.

It's now been three days after the stupid engagement party and I've already seen Joe three times. In the house. That's three times too many. For that reason, I've decided to look at some apartments today. I have a tight budget, but I would honestly prefer a teeny tiny apartment that only has space for a single bed and bathroom than stay another day in the house waiting for Joe and my mum to flaunt their "newly engaged love" to me. Also, I am still extremely mad at Joe and my mum, which makes staying in the house more lonely than ever since we barely talk.

Thankfully, Alfie has agreed to go around looking at a few apartments that I've shortlisted since I have absolutely no experience with these kind of things, so I wouldn't know if someone was trying to rent me an apartment that's way more expensive than it's worth.

"Hi!" I say as I sit in the passenger seat of his car. We drive to the first apartment that's around 15 minutes away from campus. "Where did you even find this place?" He asks as we drive up to the front of the apartment building. "Online?" I reply; just as shocked as him. We both get out of the car and walk towards the old looking building. The realtor is outside the apartment unit and shows us inside. The only good thing about it is that the inside is definitely much better looking than the outside.

"It's...cosy," I say, looking around. I think I only take about 30 steps before I end up in the same spot I started in, thus ending my house tour. Okay a bit of an exaggeration but you get my point. The realtor goes on saying how nice the view is from here, and how close to school this is, which are really the only two pros of this place that he manages to wrangle up.

"I think I've seen it all," literally "shall we move on to the second apartment?" I ask. I don't even want to know the price purely because the outside of the building is just horrendous, and I know I said that I would be happy with a small apartment, but this is really more of a walk in closer than an apartment.

We drive to the second apartment which did not give us the same shock the first one did. Thank goodness. We walk in and go to the fifth floor where the unit I am interested in is. "So this place has a lovely view, it's only around 20 minutes away from campus, and it's much bigger with a small kitchen area and even a mini walk in closet!" He shows us in. Alfie and I walk in together and the place is nice. He goes to check that the water and everything is working fine, while I look at the view. It is a nice view, not spectacular, but good enough for me.

"Tap and shower are working great," Alfie whispers into my ears and I laugh. I ask how much the rental is per month and he tells me that it's £1,580 a month. It is above my budget of £1,200 so I hesitate for a bit. Alfie sees the hesitation in my eyes and asks if we can see the third apartment before making a solid decision. I give him a small smile to say thank you.

Finally, when we reach the last apartment building, I notice that it looks a lot nicer compared to the second. I won't even compare it to the first because I'm pretty sure any other apartment building will look nicer than that.

He brings us up to the sixth floor and opens the door. The interior is just breathtakingly beautiful. Not to mention the view, it's just amazing. If I had enough money, the view would be enough to convince me to get this apartment. Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of luxury. He tells me about the lovely view, again, and how it's 10 minutes away from campus, and how big it is. Not that I couldn't already tell how big it is, it's huge. Alfie goes to do his checks, again, and comes back saying it's all good.

"And how much is this place per month?" I ask, even though I already knew that it would be way out of my price range. But a girl can still hope right?

"£2,200 a month," he says. I look around and though it is beautiful, I am not willing to eat grass for the next one year just to afford this apartment. I tell him that I'll think it over before getting back to him.

"Why are apartments near campus so expensive?" I groan as we walk around the area. Alfie takes my hand and tells me that I'll surely find an apartment soon.

"I cannot live in the house and deal with Joe and my mum's daily morning calls. I've many things the past three days that I wish I could unhear, if that's even a word," I complain.

"I'm sure you'll find one soon love," he assures me.

"But what if I don't? I might have to stay in that house and listen to more than just morning love calls until I graduate!" I say. He then stops in his tracks and I turn around.

"Or you could just move in with me?" He asks. It is definitely nice to not have to pay basic rent, but I don't want to take advantage of him. He's already been there for me through so many tough times, I don't want to use him like this. "I will be a bother for you Alfie, and I will feel so bad if I don't pay for anything. And knowing you, you will not let me pay for anything even if I want to," I reply. Which is true, I once caught him sneaking cash back into my wallet after I paid for our meal.

"I'm willing to pay, and besides, it's the best option you have for now if you really want to move out of your mum's place." He says.

"I don't know Alfie." I did want to move out, desperately too, but I didn't want to make use of his kindness for my own selfish wants. He begs and pleads, telling me how nice it'll be to live together, and feeding me with various reasons why it's a good idea.

"Fine, I'm sold. But! You have to let me pay for at least something. I'm not moving in if you pay for everything, and I'm moving out once I find an affordable and nice apartment, " I point my finger at him and say.

"Okay, take as much time as you need, and you can pay me one tenth of the rent," he says and I roll my eyes. It is something. "Okay, deal!" I say. He gives me a kiss on the side of my head before we get into the car.

I can't believe I'm actually moving in with him.