Chapter Text
The loud ‘bang’ Annie Edison hears at 3 A.M. along with the music blasting from the speakers outside are the turning point in her decision to finally look for another place to live.
Enraged, she takes her sleep mask off and gets out of bed angrily. She walks to her computer, turns it on and looks up ads about places to rent.
As she could expect it, everything is astoundingly expensive. She just graduated from college and started a new job, she still couldn’t afford something great. It’ll only be a matter of months, she thinks to herself to reassure her. Then, things will finally turn out for the best.
Until then, Annie assumes she needs to lower her standards. She studies the internet page in front of her eyes and decides to tick the “flat-share” box. Suddenly, a lot more ads pop up on her screen. Grinning satisfyingly, she slowly scrolls down, looking at some apartments shared with other people while the music coming from Dildopolis doesn’t tune down.
After looking disappointingly at a few ads, there is one that catches Annie’s eye. Uncertain but curious, Annie clicks on it and reads it.
We’re 3 very nice human-beings (genders aren’t important here) and our last roommate just left our apartment, so there is another room available now and let’s be honest, we’d be delighted to welcome you with us but we also desperately need someone to pay their part of the rent because neither of us can afford it right now.
We are nice, friendly, and you’ll never get bored with us! (I hope you can hold your liquor because we like to play our drinking games here) (Or not, I’m not sure it’s something you can put up on a roommate-search ad)
Our apartment is big enough so we won’t invade each other’s spaces, but we do share a kitchen and a living-room. You’ll have your own bedroom, obviously. There are two bathrooms so you’ll have to share one with someone from here (again, still not gendered, you can share with whoever you want, as long as you’re not being creepy and awkward about it)
If you’re interested, please, call the number below so we can talk about details like utility bills and also schedule a tour of the apartment for you.
Don’t be shy, I swear, you’re not going to regret it!
Annie frowns all the way through her reading. This ad is… certainly unusual. She checks the date it’s been posted: just a few hours ago. Maybe she has her shot, after all, it’s the middle of the night, it’s not like there are a lot of people looking for another place to live at three in the morning. Right?
Without considering how late it is, Annie immediately texts the number below the ad to say that she is interested and would like to visit the apartment. Perfectly aware that she probably won’t have an answer until the next morning, she goes back to bed and falls asleep a few minutes later, now hopeful that her living situation will improve soon enough.
***
The next morning, Annie wakes up and the first thing she does is checking her phone. She squeals happily when she sees that she has an unread text. She opens it and sees it is from the number she texted last night about the apartment. The person tells her that she can come around noon. Annie answers right away to confirm and immediately jumps out of bed to get in the shower. After that, she puts her favorite dress on, a blue cardigan, a pair of shoes and grabs her bag before storming out of her apartment and getting on a bus to Denver.
Annie wished she hadn’t sold her car a few years ago to make some extra money. Taking the bus to Denver could be annoying because it’s a slow ride. However, she has a good feeling about this apartment she is going to see and it keeps her motivated.
Once she arrives in front of the building, Annie stands in front of the entrance, doubtful. She hasn’t even thought about double-checking the number and the address. What if it is not a legit rent ad and she is about to walk into a serial killer’s lair? Annie shakes her head to chase the thought away. She has watched too many episodes of Criminal Minds before interviewing for her job, it has really stuck with her.
She exhales sharply and rings the intercom at the name PERRY-NADIR. Just a few seconds later, Annie hears someone pick up and some voices in the background. Some voices that sound like they are arguing.
“Um… Hello?” Annie asks shyly.
“Sorry, hi, is it Miss Edison?” A woman responds.
“Speaking.” Annie says.
“Right, I’ll buzz you in, third floor, on your left, the apartment is at the end of the hallway.”
Annie doesn’t get a chance to thank the woman because she already hangs up before the words can come out of Annie’s mouth. Dumbfounded, Annie hears a robotic voice from the front door telling her she can come in, therefore, she adjusts her bag on her shoulder and opens the door before going to the elevator. She is about to call it when she sees a note on the elevator’s doors on which a single word is written: “BROKEN”.
“Great.” Annie mutters.
Then, she goes to the stairs and walks them up until the third floor. She immediately goes on her left to the end of the hallway, to the apartment number 303. After taking a breath, she knocks firmly on the door and waits. She hears muffed steps and whispers behind the door. What has she gotten into?
Only a few seconds later, the door opens and Annie is welcomed by two unnaturally widened smiles.
“Hi!!” The two persons in front of Annie exclaim.
“Hi!” Annie says back, uncomfortable.
“So glad you could make it, come on in!”
Annie nods and takes a step into the apartment, looking all around her. She instantly feels soothed – the apartment looks big, there are two huge windows giving the room an excellent lighting and Annie notices the several plants decorating both the walls and the counters. There is some tiny bookshelves and a corner of the living-room with a couch and a plasma screen. It smells like coffee and tea at the same time, and Annie doesn’t know how to explain it but all of that combined gives her a positive feeling. It is almost like she is feeling… at home?
“So nice to meet you Annie, can I call you Annie? Do you want anything, water, coffee, whisky? Well, probably not whisky, it’s only noon but you know, anything that you’d like.”
“I’m good, thanks. And feel free to call me Annie, of course. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name, I don’t think we’ve talked about it on the phone…”
“Oh right, sorry. I’m Britta.”
Annie immediately shakes Britta’s hand and the two women smile at each other. Annie quickly studies the blonde girl in front of her – she looks nervous, at least, that’s already something they have in common.
“Nice to meet you, Britta.” Annie tells her after they stop their handshake.
“Likewise.” Britta retorts with a smile. “Oh and this is Abed, one of my roommates.”
“Hey, nice to meet you.” Abed says.
Annie smiles to Abed, even though she notices he doesn’t look very interested by their conversation. She can feel that he is here because he has to and probably wishes he would be somewhere else at the moment.
“We have another roommate but he’s currently job-hunting so he couldn’t be here for the tour, apologies on his behalf.” Britta explains to Annie.
“It’s fine, I understand.” Annie nods.
“Okay, well, let us show you our little haven, then.” Britta exclaims joyfully.
Annie follows Britta and Abed through the apartment. Britta does much of the talking, Abed sometimes approves or nods silently. They go through the living-room and the kitchen, both in the same room, then they show Annie her potential future bedroom and bathroom. They get a quick tour of the other rooms and after only ten minutes, they are back where they were standing when Annie arrived.
“So that’s pretty much it.” Britta says in conclusion. “We usually divide the utility bills, just like the rent, so it’s like fifty dollars each, depending on when the heater’s on and everything. There's a storage downstairs if you need it, though we’ve already filled most of it with our stuff. And I think I’ve said it all. Do you think of something I happened to forget, Abed?”
“Don’t think so.” Abed says plainly. “Just so you know, I’m a movie director, so there are probably going to be some shootings here when studios aren’t available.” He adds while looking at Annie.
“But don’t worry though, it doesn’t happen that often. Right, Abed?” Britta interjects between clenched teeth.
“Sure.” Abed shrugs before looking at his phone.
Annie stares at them, confused. They have a weird dynamic and she doesn’t know what it would look like on the long run. But also, the rent is cheap and she really needs to move out as soon as she possible, she doesn’t have the luxury of being demanding.
“So, what do you say, Annie?” Britta then asks her, as if she can read her mind.
“W – well… When do you think you can let me know?” Annie asks Britta, taking her notebook and her pen out of her bag.
“Let you know what? If you’re in, you can already sign the lease and move in this weekend.”
“Wh – really?”
Annie widens her eyes at Britta, completely awe-struck. Usually, the waitlists to get an apartment are ridiculously long and you have to wait at least one week to know if your application has been accepted. Therefore, Britta’s suggestion leaves Annie speechless.
“Don’t you have… other people coming over to see the place?” Annie then asks, curious.
“Um… Actually, no. You’re the only one who reached out.” Britta tells her, pursing her lips.
“Told you. The ad was too weird, it scared people away.” Abed says to Britta.
“It wasn’t weird, it was just… unique.” Britta contradicts, not sure of herself. “I didn’t want to make a stern and cold description, it needed to be authentic and to represent us. I’m saying if Annie’s the only one who was interested, then she should also be the one to get into the lease.”
“Don’t we have to ask the landlord’s opinion first?” Abed points out, frowning.
“Pff, you really think Pierce cares? He just wants someone to pay the rent, he doesn’t need to do a background check.” Britta chortles. “Annie, you’ve got a job right?”
“I do, yes.” Annie answers right away.
“Then it’s settled. I vote we take Annie in as our new roommate.” Britta says solemnly.
“Britta, off-screen conversation.” Abed says before moving to the kitchen.
Britta winces at Annie in an attempt of an excuse, she assumes, before following Abed to the kitchen. Annie can’t hear what they are talking about, even though she can catch some words and put them together. Apparently, Abed is saying something about letting their other roommate deciding with them too. The opinion of this person seems important to him. After what feels like an eternity, they finally come back to Annie with an official look. Annie swallows hardly, nervous.
“Okay, if you want to, we’d be happy to welcome you as our new roommate, Annie.” Britta announces with a smile.
Annie squeals happily and can’t help but hug Britta, even though she has known her for a total of fifteen minutes. Britta awkwardly hugs her back, barely touching her, before Annie parts, smiling widely.
“Thank you, this is such a relief for me, I really needed to find a new place.” Annie tells them, sighing happily.
“Where do you live, if you don’t mind me asking?” Britta then asks.
“Above Dildopolis.” Annie says with a grimace.
“Eww, sweetie, okay, I totally understand now.” Britta says empathetically. “You know what, you don’t have to wait until this weekend, move in as soon as you want. If you need, we can even come and help you pack and move your stuff.”
“It’s okay Britta, thanks, I’ll ask my friends, I’m embarrassed to ask you this when we barely even know each other.”
“Well, in case you need some extra hands, don’t hesitate to give me a call.”
Annie nods and smiles, excited. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off her shoulders.
“Alright, I have an appointment at the bank this afternoon, I need to get going.” Annie then says while looking at her watch.
“Oh sure, let me walk you to the door.”
Britta walks with Annie to open the front door and letting her walk out of the apartment. Annie looks at her and sighs, delighted.
“Thank you so much Britta, I’m excited to live here.” Annie tells her genuinely.
“We’re excited to have you too, you look really sweet!” Britta exclaims, smiling. “I’m sure Abed’s excited too, he’s just not very good at showing human emotions, you know.”
“It’s okay, I hope we’ll all get along. That’s the dream with roommates.” Annie chuckles. “But you both look really nice.”
“Wait until you meet Jeff, our other roommate. He’s a funny one too.”