Call It What You Want by Alissa DeRogatis

Author:Alissa DeRogatis [DeRogatis, Alissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-01T16:00:00+00:00

Fuck.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

How are we living in the same building? Isn’t this supposed to be the most populated city in America? If she didn’t already, she hates me now.

I set my takeout on the counter and don’t even feel like eating anymore, which is very unlike me since I never pass up a meal. My roommates, Noah and Lucas seem to still be out, so I strip down to just my boxers in the hall and head into the bathroom. The scalding hot water hits my back as I stand in the stall shower and think about everything Sloane and I have been through the past two years.

After I finish recounting the weirdest two years of my life, I heat up the Chipotle bowl and sit on the couch to eat it. Scrolling Netflix, I realize there’s nothing new I haven’t watched so I decide to FaceTime Graham.

“Look who it is!” he answers.

“Is it Ethan? How’s the city?” Emily appears from behind Graham with a huge smile.

“Hey Em,” I greet her. “It’s fucking cold.”

“It’s January. Besides that, everything good?” Graham asks. “How’s work? Roommates?”

“Work’s great, roommates are cool.” I pause. “There is one thing though…”

“What?”

“So, uh, Sloane lives in my building.”

“What?” his mouth hangs open. “You’re fucking with me. Right?”

“Dude, I wish.”

“How’d you find out?” he asks.

So, I tell him the entire story from start to finish— from spotting her on the street, to the awkward lobby encounter.

“Are you guys gonna talk about it?”

“Probably not.” I shrug.

“I don’t understand you.”

“Neither do I.”

We hang up and I stare at the black TV screen. I wonder where Noah and Lucas are. I shoot a text in our group chat, hoping if they’re out they’ll stay there for a while. I could use a drink.

~

“There he is!” Noah waves me down. “Grab a beer from the bucket, you’ve got winner.”

Darts are such a New York City thing. I don’t think even one bar in Wilmington has them, at least none I’ve been to.

“So, how’s your first official week in the city? Work kicking your ass yet?” Lucas asks.

“It’s going. Luckily not yet.” I reply.

“Screw you Lucas,” Noah says pulling the darts from the board. “Brady, you’re up.”

“Anyone ever tell you that you’re a sore loser?” Lucas mocks Noah.

“Every damn day.”

Even though I’ve only been living here for exactly eight days, I can already tell I’m going to like it. I never pictured myself as a city guy, but I also never thought I’d land a job like this. I was grateful to the Clarks for providing me with a family and a life I didn’t think I was worthy of. I’ve always been afraid of it but I think I’m realizing that change is a good thing. A really good thing.

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