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Realistic or Modern The Shared Diary of 407 Aspen Lane
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c0fi
Your average coffee enthusiast
{Elizabeth Olusola}
Saturday, 3rd May 2025
10:37am
Elizabeth stared out the car window for too long and didn't move right away. Her right hand grasped her fawn Le Pliage as her eyes briefly studied the building before her. The tote bag was a graduation gift from her parents, celebrating the Distinction in her MLitt. It was one of her notable academic achievements to date. Her cousin, Samantha, had accompanied her to the apartment viewing not too long ago, and after thoroughly inspecting the property, Elizabeth agreed to sign the lease and divide the rent. The other apartments she attended viewings for boasted all sorts of enticing amenities, but were unfortunately beyond her budget. She understood that the need for a roof over her head was critical compared to wanting a private gym and pool. Still, the grimy building before her somehow looked more of an eyesore than what she remembered. If not for the faint engraving of 'Aspen Lane' etched into the exterior wall, beside the entrance door, she would have checked the Maps app to confirm she was at the correct address.
In front of her, the Uber driver glanced between the building and then at Elizabeth's face. "Um, is this it?" He wore an uncertain expression, and his pity was barely concealed. Despite noticing this, Elizabeth chose grace and replied, "Yes, thank you." Before this point, they had a pleasant conversation discussing her time in Scotland and his trip to London a few years ago. That was enough for her to ignore the shift in his demeanour. She exited the Uber and felt the sun brush her skin briefly before fixing her focus on two figures arguing in front of the reception. She watched the drama unfold before her for about 5 seconds, unable to interpret the reason for the arguing as they hurled insults and expletives at one another. Making her way to the back of the vehicle, she lifted the boot lid and began unloading her 3 suitcases. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the driver quickly unbuckle his seatbelt to offer his assistance, but she waved him off. "It's ok, I've got it!" She raised her voice slightly to ensure he heard her. The driver nodded in response, but his gaze lingered on her as she gathered her strength to take out both large suitcases. Elizabeth had also packed a smaller carry-on suitcase. She internally berated herself for not packing lighter, but was grateful Samantha offered to drop off the remainder of her belongings later in the week, sparing her another trip.
Elizabeth sighed before she turned around to survey the scene. The two individuals were having their altercation directly in front of the entrance, suggesting they were tenants. This consolidated her suspicion of what Aspen Lane had in store for her, and that such incidents were barely the tip of the iceberg. 'This is it.' She thought to herself, 'This is rock bottom.' She manoeuvred past them with two of the three suitcases in her hand, "Sorry..." she mumbled as the pair shot her a look for interrupting their argument. It took her 2 trips to get all three suitcases into the reception area, but after she grabbed her carry-on and waved the driver goodbye, she was finally alone in the reception. But that was another small setback she faced - being alone. The desk was unmanned, and after two awkward minutes passed, Elizabeth realised the receptionist wasn't just nipping to the bathroom or tending to other duties. "Hello?" She called out. Silence.
'Then again, this isn't a hotel. I don't need to check in. I already have my keys.' She reminded herself. She had already received her keys, but wanted to inform the receptionist of her entry so none of the staff would be caught off-guard when they see her, a stranger as far as they're aware, wandering around the building. After huddling her suitcases together and somehow hauling all three of them towards the elevators, she pressed the button. There was no sound or movement whatsoever. 'Maybe I didn't press it properly.' After another push of the button, Elizabeth watched as nothing changed. "It's broken again. You should try the stairs." A mellow voice advised her. Swivelling around, she found a man, possibly in his late twenties, who she gathered was the security guard, judging by his uniform. "God, don't tell me you're just visiting. You moving in?" He asked, his eyes falling on her suitcases. She nodded her head, "Yeah, into 407." The man winced at that. "Floor 4? Carrying all of this? That'll tire you out." Despite not anticipating the elevators being down, she initially planned to start unpacking by 11am, and she'd be damned if she let 4 flights of stairs get in her way. Both of her hands found their way to holding her carry-on and one of the large suitcases as she smiled at the man before her, "I'm stronger than I look. It's ok, I'll manage!" The security guard looked almost amused, gently taking the two larger suitcases. "It's cool. I've got this, four flights is a lot. I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself or anything." Before Elizabeth could even protest, he began leading her up the stairs, allowing her to hold nothing more than her carry-on.
"Thanks for the help, but I don't want to be a bother. You can leave my suitcases on the first or second floor, and I'll take them up myself if you have to go back downstairs." The young woman advised, trailing slightly behind him since there wasn't enough room to walk in step with him. "First or second floor, huh? Your shit would be raided in seconds. You'd be lucky if they leave your empty suitcase behind." He chuckled. She didn't know how to respond to that. Was it really that bad here? Although she found the comment disturbing, she nervously chuckled as he continued, "And don't worry about it. There's not much to do. The mornings are always quiet since most of the building's not even up yet." As they reached the first-floor stairwell, he paused to address her. "I'm Marcus. I'm the security guard for this place. And you are...?" She smiled warmly as he introduced himself, before doing the same. "Elizabeth, but you can call me Lizzie." He mirrored her smile before following up with a question, "Ok, Lizzie. You're not what I usually see in Aspen Lane these days. What brought you here?" As the pair trekked up the remaining flights of stairs, Elizabeth gave a (not so) brief detailing of her journey before deciding to settle in Aspen Lane. As they entered the fourth floor, Marcus huffed as he placed the two suitcases down. "Thank you, I appreciate it!" She expressed with gratitude before he waved her thanks away, "No big deal. But for your sake- I hope you're not stuck with assholes." They both wished each other well, and after that, he descended the stairs and disappeared from her view.
Despite the building's off-putting appearance and the slow signs of life, her interaction with Marcus had started the morning off well. Her mind replayed his comment about her mystery housemates, silently agreeing with him as she examined each door she walked past. She noted some doors had missing or faded digits, which indicated how outdated the place was. Eventually, she found a door which had a hastily written '0' marked in between 4 and 7. 'That's... creative.' She thought to herself as she rummaged in the interior pocket of her tote bag to pull out her apartment key. Then, she unlocked the door and pushed it open with a sigh. Immediately, she noticed the sparse furnishing. "No way they got rid of the coffee table." She muttered, crossing the threshold with her suitcases as she noted all that remained was a plum-coloured worn sofa, a floor lamp, a small TV stand with a smart TV, a cheap wooden dining table with 5 tan-toned chairs, a white fridge freezer which was slightly discoloured from the years of use, a cooker which was still in decent condition, and a white microwave which was chipped at the edges of its plastic frame. Everything had seen better days. Elizabeth found it sad that there were no decorative elements. She couldn't fathom having no framed paintings, no cushions, or any candles. She noted that the apartment also needed a kettle and a toaster. Leaving her suitcases in the middle of the room, Elizabeth sauntered over to the other rooms. She remembered seeing a room with two single beds during the viewing. The letting agent informed her that a family had previously lived here, and two siblings shared the room. The woman assured her that Aspen Lane often saw friends moving in together, so this room would most likely be shared by residents in such an arrangement. The door creaked loudly as Elizabeth pushed it open, revealing two single beds on either side. Although she hoped that two friends would volunteer, she had a strong feeling that wouldn't be the case. Her luck had ran out as soon as she graduated, things could only get worse from here on out.
---
phibglib
Flip.a.coin
Sadies
TheTaleTellers
Saturday, 3rd May 2025
10:37am
Elizabeth stared out the car window for too long and didn't move right away. Her right hand grasped her fawn Le Pliage as her eyes briefly studied the building before her. The tote bag was a graduation gift from her parents, celebrating the Distinction in her MLitt. It was one of her notable academic achievements to date. Her cousin, Samantha, had accompanied her to the apartment viewing not too long ago, and after thoroughly inspecting the property, Elizabeth agreed to sign the lease and divide the rent. The other apartments she attended viewings for boasted all sorts of enticing amenities, but were unfortunately beyond her budget. She understood that the need for a roof over her head was critical compared to wanting a private gym and pool. Still, the grimy building before her somehow looked more of an eyesore than what she remembered. If not for the faint engraving of 'Aspen Lane' etched into the exterior wall, beside the entrance door, she would have checked the Maps app to confirm she was at the correct address.
In front of her, the Uber driver glanced between the building and then at Elizabeth's face. "Um, is this it?" He wore an uncertain expression, and his pity was barely concealed. Despite noticing this, Elizabeth chose grace and replied, "Yes, thank you." Before this point, they had a pleasant conversation discussing her time in Scotland and his trip to London a few years ago. That was enough for her to ignore the shift in his demeanour. She exited the Uber and felt the sun brush her skin briefly before fixing her focus on two figures arguing in front of the reception. She watched the drama unfold before her for about 5 seconds, unable to interpret the reason for the arguing as they hurled insults and expletives at one another. Making her way to the back of the vehicle, she lifted the boot lid and began unloading her 3 suitcases. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the driver quickly unbuckle his seatbelt to offer his assistance, but she waved him off. "It's ok, I've got it!" She raised her voice slightly to ensure he heard her. The driver nodded in response, but his gaze lingered on her as she gathered her strength to take out both large suitcases. Elizabeth had also packed a smaller carry-on suitcase. She internally berated herself for not packing lighter, but was grateful Samantha offered to drop off the remainder of her belongings later in the week, sparing her another trip.
Elizabeth sighed before she turned around to survey the scene. The two individuals were having their altercation directly in front of the entrance, suggesting they were tenants. This consolidated her suspicion of what Aspen Lane had in store for her, and that such incidents were barely the tip of the iceberg. 'This is it.' She thought to herself, 'This is rock bottom.' She manoeuvred past them with two of the three suitcases in her hand, "Sorry..." she mumbled as the pair shot her a look for interrupting their argument. It took her 2 trips to get all three suitcases into the reception area, but after she grabbed her carry-on and waved the driver goodbye, she was finally alone in the reception. But that was another small setback she faced - being alone. The desk was unmanned, and after two awkward minutes passed, Elizabeth realised the receptionist wasn't just nipping to the bathroom or tending to other duties. "Hello?" She called out. Silence.
'Then again, this isn't a hotel. I don't need to check in. I already have my keys.' She reminded herself. She had already received her keys, but wanted to inform the receptionist of her entry so none of the staff would be caught off-guard when they see her, a stranger as far as they're aware, wandering around the building. After huddling her suitcases together and somehow hauling all three of them towards the elevators, she pressed the button. There was no sound or movement whatsoever. 'Maybe I didn't press it properly.' After another push of the button, Elizabeth watched as nothing changed. "It's broken again. You should try the stairs." A mellow voice advised her. Swivelling around, she found a man, possibly in his late twenties, who she gathered was the security guard, judging by his uniform. "God, don't tell me you're just visiting. You moving in?" He asked, his eyes falling on her suitcases. She nodded her head, "Yeah, into 407." The man winced at that. "Floor 4? Carrying all of this? That'll tire you out." Despite not anticipating the elevators being down, she initially planned to start unpacking by 11am, and she'd be damned if she let 4 flights of stairs get in her way. Both of her hands found their way to holding her carry-on and one of the large suitcases as she smiled at the man before her, "I'm stronger than I look. It's ok, I'll manage!" The security guard looked almost amused, gently taking the two larger suitcases. "It's cool. I've got this, four flights is a lot. I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself or anything." Before Elizabeth could even protest, he began leading her up the stairs, allowing her to hold nothing more than her carry-on.
"Thanks for the help, but I don't want to be a bother. You can leave my suitcases on the first or second floor, and I'll take them up myself if you have to go back downstairs." The young woman advised, trailing slightly behind him since there wasn't enough room to walk in step with him. "First or second floor, huh? Your shit would be raided in seconds. You'd be lucky if they leave your empty suitcase behind." He chuckled. She didn't know how to respond to that. Was it really that bad here? Although she found the comment disturbing, she nervously chuckled as he continued, "And don't worry about it. There's not much to do. The mornings are always quiet since most of the building's not even up yet." As they reached the first-floor stairwell, he paused to address her. "I'm Marcus. I'm the security guard for this place. And you are...?" She smiled warmly as he introduced himself, before doing the same. "Elizabeth, but you can call me Lizzie." He mirrored her smile before following up with a question, "Ok, Lizzie. You're not what I usually see in Aspen Lane these days. What brought you here?" As the pair trekked up the remaining flights of stairs, Elizabeth gave a (not so) brief detailing of her journey before deciding to settle in Aspen Lane. As they entered the fourth floor, Marcus huffed as he placed the two suitcases down. "Thank you, I appreciate it!" She expressed with gratitude before he waved her thanks away, "No big deal. But for your sake- I hope you're not stuck with assholes." They both wished each other well, and after that, he descended the stairs and disappeared from her view.
Despite the building's off-putting appearance and the slow signs of life, her interaction with Marcus had started the morning off well. Her mind replayed his comment about her mystery housemates, silently agreeing with him as she examined each door she walked past. She noted some doors had missing or faded digits, which indicated how outdated the place was. Eventually, she found a door which had a hastily written '0' marked in between 4 and 7. 'That's... creative.' She thought to herself as she rummaged in the interior pocket of her tote bag to pull out her apartment key. Then, she unlocked the door and pushed it open with a sigh. Immediately, she noticed the sparse furnishing. "No way they got rid of the coffee table." She muttered, crossing the threshold with her suitcases as she noted all that remained was a plum-coloured worn sofa, a floor lamp, a small TV stand with a smart TV, a cheap wooden dining table with 5 tan-toned chairs, a white fridge freezer which was slightly discoloured from the years of use, a cooker which was still in decent condition, and a white microwave which was chipped at the edges of its plastic frame. Everything had seen better days. Elizabeth found it sad that there were no decorative elements. She couldn't fathom having no framed paintings, no cushions, or any candles. She noted that the apartment also needed a kettle and a toaster. Leaving her suitcases in the middle of the room, Elizabeth sauntered over to the other rooms. She remembered seeing a room with two single beds during the viewing. The letting agent informed her that a family had previously lived here, and two siblings shared the room. The woman assured her that Aspen Lane often saw friends moving in together, so this room would most likely be shared by residents in such an arrangement. The door creaked loudly as Elizabeth pushed it open, revealing two single beds on either side. Although she hoped that two friends would volunteer, she had a strong feeling that wouldn't be the case. Her luck had ran out as soon as she graduated, things could only get worse from here on out.
---
phibglib
Flip.a.coin
Sadies
TheTaleTellers
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phibglib
“Together we is a fart, apart we is a butt.”
{Amelia Ashcroft}
Saturday, 3rd May 2025
11:36 a.m.
After exiting the Uber, Amelia stared at the building in front of her. She had just been on a seven-hour flight from London to New York City, though considering the difference in time zones, it was still morning. "Well, it may not be much to look at," she said out loud, "but, er... yeah, that's pretty much it!" With a light brown blazer over a cream-colored top, and her long, wavy, dark blonde hair, large, expressive brown eyes, porcelain complexion, and elegant features, her own appearance was a stark contrast to the area. She was carrying a single large suitcase.
In truth, she felt undeterred; in her eyes, the quality of one's living experience was not predetermined by the opulence (or squalor) of the building that gave it.
She walked through the front doors, and slowly made her way up the four flights of stairs. She didn't want to strain herself, after all.
She opened the door to her own apartment and saw one other resident. "Hello there!" she said, smiling brightly. She spoke in a modern, upper-middle class London accent as she walked over and extended her hand. "One of the new housemates, I assume? Amelia Ashcroft, and I must say, I am quite taken with the splendour of the place! Indeed, I had nearly mistaken it for Buckingham Palace! Although, technically, what I just said was a lie, so yeah." She laughed softly.
c0fi
Saturday, 3rd May 2025
11:36 a.m.
After exiting the Uber, Amelia stared at the building in front of her. She had just been on a seven-hour flight from London to New York City, though considering the difference in time zones, it was still morning. "Well, it may not be much to look at," she said out loud, "but, er... yeah, that's pretty much it!" With a light brown blazer over a cream-colored top, and her long, wavy, dark blonde hair, large, expressive brown eyes, porcelain complexion, and elegant features, her own appearance was a stark contrast to the area. She was carrying a single large suitcase.
In truth, she felt undeterred; in her eyes, the quality of one's living experience was not predetermined by the opulence (or squalor) of the building that gave it.
She walked through the front doors, and slowly made her way up the four flights of stairs. She didn't want to strain herself, after all.
She opened the door to her own apartment and saw one other resident. "Hello there!" she said, smiling brightly. She spoke in a modern, upper-middle class London accent as she walked over and extended her hand. "One of the new housemates, I assume? Amelia Ashcroft, and I must say, I am quite taken with the splendour of the place! Indeed, I had nearly mistaken it for Buckingham Palace! Although, technically, what I just said was a lie, so yeah." She laughed softly.
c0fi
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Flip.a.coin
New Member
~{Soren Blake}~
Saturday 3rd May 2025
11:38am
Soren had arrived early in the morning, around eight. He’d only had one suitcase and a backpack. He had skillfully avoided making eye contact with the security guard. He made his way up the stairs, panting all the way. At least he might be able to get into shape if the elevator stayed broken. He struggled a bit with finding the correct apartment, though he would never, in all his life, admit it. When he opened the door, it was somehow emptier than he had even expected.
When he entered the apartment he gave the main living area a cursory glance before walking into he assumed or possibly just decided was his room. He wasn’t expecting to spend very much time with his roommates. He sat on the bed, he felt like he was admitting to some sort of failure moving into this apartment, he couldn’t afford his last apartment's rent anymore, and had to figure out new living arrangements. He worried that maybe everyone who ever doubted him was right. He shook his head before beginning to unpack. He put his clothes in drawers of the bedside table, organized his rock collection, sanitized the entire room, and stacked his books by his bed, and finally hung two picture frames.
He ignored it when he heard his first roommate enter the apartment. He however couldn’t ignore when his second roommate entered. They both were talking and he could make out every single word, even with the door closed. He rubs his face, how was he supposed to live with god knows how many people with walls this thing. He can already picture it now, no sleep, just constant sounds of talking, TVs, music, and who now’s what else. He sits on his bed internally spiraling.
Saturday 3rd May 2025
11:38am
Soren had arrived early in the morning, around eight. He’d only had one suitcase and a backpack. He had skillfully avoided making eye contact with the security guard. He made his way up the stairs, panting all the way. At least he might be able to get into shape if the elevator stayed broken. He struggled a bit with finding the correct apartment, though he would never, in all his life, admit it. When he opened the door, it was somehow emptier than he had even expected.
When he entered the apartment he gave the main living area a cursory glance before walking into he assumed or possibly just decided was his room. He wasn’t expecting to spend very much time with his roommates. He sat on the bed, he felt like he was admitting to some sort of failure moving into this apartment, he couldn’t afford his last apartment's rent anymore, and had to figure out new living arrangements. He worried that maybe everyone who ever doubted him was right. He shook his head before beginning to unpack. He put his clothes in drawers of the bedside table, organized his rock collection, sanitized the entire room, and stacked his books by his bed, and finally hung two picture frames.
He ignored it when he heard his first roommate enter the apartment. He however couldn’t ignore when his second roommate entered. They both were talking and he could make out every single word, even with the door closed. He rubs his face, how was he supposed to live with god knows how many people with walls this thing. He can already picture it now, no sleep, just constant sounds of talking, TVs, music, and who now’s what else. He sits on his bed internally spiraling.
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c0fi
Your average coffee enthusiast
{Elizabeth Olusola}
Saturday, 3rd May 2025
Turning her head, Elizabeth was taken by surprise at the sudden appearance of Amelia. Her dark eyes briefly studied the girl before she reached out to shake her hand. Amelia was pretty, well-dressed and completely not what she expected to find. “Elizabeth Olusola.” She replied, smirking at her housemate’s comments. Elizabeth recognised the accent easily, having heard it multiple times during her undergraduate and master’s degrees. “London?” She guessed as she folded her arms. “I never thought I’d come across someone from down South again. Especially not, you know – here.” Despite feeling out of place in the apartment herself, she had to admit that Amelia stuck out like a sore thumb given her voguish appearance. Elizabeth could tell she was older than Amelia just by the fact that the girl walked with the kind of confidence that hadn’t been worn down by any disappointment. Her strawberry blonde hair looking almost golden under the sunlight which filtered into the apartment. A complete contrast to Elizabeth’s espresso-brown waves. “I don’t know if you had a tour before you came here,” she resumed, “But there’s this situation.” She opened the door wider to give Amelia a clear view of the two single beds. “I was told by the letting agent that some friends might move in and take this room. But I’m not sure. They also told me all the furniture would be left here, but I mean… Look around. It’s barely got anything.” She exhaled, annoyed at the state of the apartment. Elizabeth didn’t expect state-of-the-art coffee machines, especially given the rent, but she expected them to leave the kettle behind.
She then looked ahead to one of the other bedroom doors. Hairline cracks were emerging from the corners of the door frame, which was chipped on either side, and the door handle was loose. Still, Elizabeth’s hand found its way around the handle. Perhaps it was inappropriate to not wait for the others to arrive so they could collectively assign rooms, but curiosity took over her. And if she was completely honest, she wanted to make a mental note of which room would let her charge her laptop without moving an inch from her bed. As she pushed the door open, she was taken aback by the presence of a young man. A yelp escaped her as she clutched her chest, but she recovered shortly after, once she figured he was probably another housemate. “Dude- scared the shit out of me.” She muttered, more to herself than the other two. It was strange; Elizabeth had been here for a little while, but had detected no movement from this particular room. It seemed like nothing but silence was beyond the doorway. Her eyes quickly darted around the room, studying the decorations littered around, which prompted her to take a step back with her hand still wrapped around the door handle. “Ah, sorry for intruding.” She smiled apologetically, hanging by the door as she realised the dark-haired boy had already staked his claim, judging by the rock collection assembled on top of the bedside drawer. Then, she tilted her head. “I’m Elizabeth, or Lizzie, whichever you prefer. And this is Amelia,” she gestured towards the other girl whom she had just met. “We’re your new housemates!” She beamed, waiting for him to introduce himself. After examining the man's expression, Elizabeth gathered he was tense, and perhaps even overwhelmed at their entrance. "You ok?" She asked gently.
Saturday, 3rd May 2025
Turning her head, Elizabeth was taken by surprise at the sudden appearance of Amelia. Her dark eyes briefly studied the girl before she reached out to shake her hand. Amelia was pretty, well-dressed and completely not what she expected to find. “Elizabeth Olusola.” She replied, smirking at her housemate’s comments. Elizabeth recognised the accent easily, having heard it multiple times during her undergraduate and master’s degrees. “London?” She guessed as she folded her arms. “I never thought I’d come across someone from down South again. Especially not, you know – here.” Despite feeling out of place in the apartment herself, she had to admit that Amelia stuck out like a sore thumb given her voguish appearance. Elizabeth could tell she was older than Amelia just by the fact that the girl walked with the kind of confidence that hadn’t been worn down by any disappointment. Her strawberry blonde hair looking almost golden under the sunlight which filtered into the apartment. A complete contrast to Elizabeth’s espresso-brown waves. “I don’t know if you had a tour before you came here,” she resumed, “But there’s this situation.” She opened the door wider to give Amelia a clear view of the two single beds. “I was told by the letting agent that some friends might move in and take this room. But I’m not sure. They also told me all the furniture would be left here, but I mean… Look around. It’s barely got anything.” She exhaled, annoyed at the state of the apartment. Elizabeth didn’t expect state-of-the-art coffee machines, especially given the rent, but she expected them to leave the kettle behind.
She then looked ahead to one of the other bedroom doors. Hairline cracks were emerging from the corners of the door frame, which was chipped on either side, and the door handle was loose. Still, Elizabeth’s hand found its way around the handle. Perhaps it was inappropriate to not wait for the others to arrive so they could collectively assign rooms, but curiosity took over her. And if she was completely honest, she wanted to make a mental note of which room would let her charge her laptop without moving an inch from her bed. As she pushed the door open, she was taken aback by the presence of a young man. A yelp escaped her as she clutched her chest, but she recovered shortly after, once she figured he was probably another housemate. “Dude- scared the shit out of me.” She muttered, more to herself than the other two. It was strange; Elizabeth had been here for a little while, but had detected no movement from this particular room. It seemed like nothing but silence was beyond the doorway. Her eyes quickly darted around the room, studying the decorations littered around, which prompted her to take a step back with her hand still wrapped around the door handle. “Ah, sorry for intruding.” She smiled apologetically, hanging by the door as she realised the dark-haired boy had already staked his claim, judging by the rock collection assembled on top of the bedside drawer. Then, she tilted her head. “I’m Elizabeth, or Lizzie, whichever you prefer. And this is Amelia,” she gestured towards the other girl whom she had just met. “We’re your new housemates!” She beamed, waiting for him to introduce himself. After examining the man's expression, Elizabeth gathered he was tense, and perhaps even overwhelmed at their entrance. "You ok?" She asked gently.
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phibglib
“Together we is a fart, apart we is a butt.”
{Amelia Ashcroft}
Amelia noted the way Elizabeth spoke to her, slightly more subdued and reserved than Amelia herself was. Likely a reflection of the diversity this group was going to feature. And that prospect excited Amelia, getting to know all different types of people. Though, if she was being honest, the state of this apartment was a bit sad.
Amelia tilted her head. "Barely got anything? Yeah, I can see that. Still, there's something to be said for minimalism, don't you think? And of course, we could spruce it up ourselves. Maybe get some fairy lights, along with all the other essentials? I'm open to suggestions."
And then Elizabeth opened the door to one of the rooms. The young man in there seemed to be a bit distressed by the presence of Amelia and Elizabeth. "Hey, mate," she said in a quieter, more neutral tone. She held a hand up, briefly waving, and she did keep a light smile (not as wide as before) on her face. "Like Elizabeth said, I'm Amelia. If there's anything we can do to make your experience here more comfortable, let us know. Or if you want to tell me, 'Sod off and mind your own business,' that's fine as well."
Amelia noted the way Elizabeth spoke to her, slightly more subdued and reserved than Amelia herself was. Likely a reflection of the diversity this group was going to feature. And that prospect excited Amelia, getting to know all different types of people. Though, if she was being honest, the state of this apartment was a bit sad.
Amelia tilted her head. "Barely got anything? Yeah, I can see that. Still, there's something to be said for minimalism, don't you think? And of course, we could spruce it up ourselves. Maybe get some fairy lights, along with all the other essentials? I'm open to suggestions."
And then Elizabeth opened the door to one of the rooms. The young man in there seemed to be a bit distressed by the presence of Amelia and Elizabeth. "Hey, mate," she said in a quieter, more neutral tone. She held a hand up, briefly waving, and she did keep a light smile (not as wide as before) on her face. "Like Elizabeth said, I'm Amelia. If there's anything we can do to make your experience here more comfortable, let us know. Or if you want to tell me, 'Sod off and mind your own business,' that's fine as well."
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c0fi
Your average coffee enthusiast
{Elizabeth Olusola}
Elizabeth's lips quirked into a smile when she heard Amelia's distinct British phrasing, the colloquialism she had grown used to hearing over the past four years. Part of her remained dissatisfied that she could not settle down and establish herself in St Andrews or London. However, looking at life through an optimistic lens, Elizabeth gathered this was life's way of having a piece of London come to her. Then, turning her head towards their male roommate, she offered a translation, "What she's trying to say is - we come with friendly intentions. But we'll get out of your hair if you need us to." Offering a warm smile, Elizabeth addressed Amelia's earlier decor suggestion. "Also - minimalism? Babe, is that what we're calling this?" She spoke, almost theatrically, as she gestured towards the plain walls and lack of furniture, twisting her face in disapproval. "It's like they gave up halfway. I didn't expect luxury because I know what I'm paying for, but I'm 100% sure there was a kettle and a coffee table when I came for the viewing. But I do agree about the fairy lights. Yes, please. It's very Pinterest. Also, I'm all for throws, pillows, dimmable lights, and maybe even getting a bookshelf in the future." She listed eagerly. She was already visualising her room and the rest of the apartment. Straight after providing her two pence on what could make the apartment feel more like home, Elizabeth's eyes drifted back to the young man's room. His bed specifically. The lack of a mattress, in particular.
"Oh, you're kidding me." Elizabeth cocked a brow and pointed toward his bare bed frame, "Please don't tell me every room is like that." She mumbled before she exited the room and briefly poked her head into the three other bedrooms. Thankfully, there were mattresses placed on every other bed. Elizabeth re-entered her housemate's doorway, careful not to pass the threshold and invade the man's space like she had unintentionally done before. "Unlucky. Every other room has the luxury of a mattress." She lightly teased. Then, she turned her head to the room directly opposite his. It was the bedroom with two single beds. Elizabeth didn't have any strong thoughts on room allocation. However, she was concerned that if this apartment housed 5 strangers, everyone would be unwilling to share a bedroom. It could easily turn awkward. She wanted to start the lease on a good note and acknowledged she had previous experience with sharing university hall flats with less-than-ideal housemates. Elizabeth was suddenly open to the idea after considering that this could help the household dynamic in the long term if she just bit the bullet. "You know what? I think I'll be ok sharing this room with someone." She pointed behind her as she addressed the pair. "I'm not messy, I'll give you good conversation while keeping to my side, and I'm not a snorer. So, let's all pray that my roommate's the same. Although I don't mind snoring too much." She thought out loud, still clutching her tote bag.
Elizabeth's lips quirked into a smile when she heard Amelia's distinct British phrasing, the colloquialism she had grown used to hearing over the past four years. Part of her remained dissatisfied that she could not settle down and establish herself in St Andrews or London. However, looking at life through an optimistic lens, Elizabeth gathered this was life's way of having a piece of London come to her. Then, turning her head towards their male roommate, she offered a translation, "What she's trying to say is - we come with friendly intentions. But we'll get out of your hair if you need us to." Offering a warm smile, Elizabeth addressed Amelia's earlier decor suggestion. "Also - minimalism? Babe, is that what we're calling this?" She spoke, almost theatrically, as she gestured towards the plain walls and lack of furniture, twisting her face in disapproval. "It's like they gave up halfway. I didn't expect luxury because I know what I'm paying for, but I'm 100% sure there was a kettle and a coffee table when I came for the viewing. But I do agree about the fairy lights. Yes, please. It's very Pinterest. Also, I'm all for throws, pillows, dimmable lights, and maybe even getting a bookshelf in the future." She listed eagerly. She was already visualising her room and the rest of the apartment. Straight after providing her two pence on what could make the apartment feel more like home, Elizabeth's eyes drifted back to the young man's room. His bed specifically. The lack of a mattress, in particular.
"Oh, you're kidding me." Elizabeth cocked a brow and pointed toward his bare bed frame, "Please don't tell me every room is like that." She mumbled before she exited the room and briefly poked her head into the three other bedrooms. Thankfully, there were mattresses placed on every other bed. Elizabeth re-entered her housemate's doorway, careful not to pass the threshold and invade the man's space like she had unintentionally done before. "Unlucky. Every other room has the luxury of a mattress." She lightly teased. Then, she turned her head to the room directly opposite his. It was the bedroom with two single beds. Elizabeth didn't have any strong thoughts on room allocation. However, she was concerned that if this apartment housed 5 strangers, everyone would be unwilling to share a bedroom. It could easily turn awkward. She wanted to start the lease on a good note and acknowledged she had previous experience with sharing university hall flats with less-than-ideal housemates. Elizabeth was suddenly open to the idea after considering that this could help the household dynamic in the long term if she just bit the bullet. "You know what? I think I'll be ok sharing this room with someone." She pointed behind her as she addressed the pair. "I'm not messy, I'll give you good conversation while keeping to my side, and I'm not a snorer. So, let's all pray that my roommate's the same. Although I don't mind snoring too much." She thought out loud, still clutching her tote bag.
phibglib
“Together we is a fart, apart we is a butt.”
"Mm, you're not wrong, babe," said Amelia in response to Elizabeth's response to her comment about minimalism. "And I can say for myself that I do fit all three things on your checklist. 1. I'm organized. Some people say I'm too organized, in fact. 2. I am, in my own humble opinion, a master of the art of conversation. Possibly the best conversation partner who has ever lived. I say again, I am extremely humble. 3. I also don't snore. And I'd be quite pleased to share a room with you, dear Elizabeth. By the way, are you anything like Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice? She's always been a huge inspiration of mine. I know that's a bit random, but I'm not apologizing.
"And yes, in all seriousness, we really do need to get this whole thing sorted. I know the fact that I mentioned fairy lights might give the impression that they're my first priority, but they're really not. First things first, furniture. And a mattress for, er... him." She gestured vaguely toward Soren, whose name she hadn't known yet. "Though there's not really anything saying we can't get a bunch of stuff at once. Assuming we have the budget, which isn't something we should take for granted." She looked again at Elizabeth. "What day do you think would work best for our first trip? I vote we go as soon as possible."
"Oh, one more thing: I'm vegan. I hope that won't be a problem? If it is, I'd like to know now."
"And yes, in all seriousness, we really do need to get this whole thing sorted. I know the fact that I mentioned fairy lights might give the impression that they're my first priority, but they're really not. First things first, furniture. And a mattress for, er... him." She gestured vaguely toward Soren, whose name she hadn't known yet. "Though there's not really anything saying we can't get a bunch of stuff at once. Assuming we have the budget, which isn't something we should take for granted." She looked again at Elizabeth. "What day do you think would work best for our first trip? I vote we go as soon as possible."
"Oh, one more thing: I'm vegan. I hope that won't be a problem? If it is, I'd like to know now."
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Sadies
Junior Member
Cab
Carter Adams | Carter Adams
Carter Adams | Carter Adams
As the taxi pulled up to a stop outside of the Aspen Way apartment block, a young man in his 20's looked wearily out of the window. It had been a long journey and he was happy to have finally arrived. First glances; it was nothing fancy, but it also didn't appear bad either. To him this was going to be home for a while until he could get more of his life together. Sharing an apartment was all he could afford right now, and maybe it wont be so bad.
Cab stretched discretely and thanked the driver as he grabbed his black tatty rucksack and made his way out of the taxi. Raising his hand once more in thanks, he pulled the slightly rusty and grubby key from his pocket and tumbled it as he made his way towards the lobby. Despite being a social person, Cab couldn't help but have a slight anxiety over the people he will be sharing a house with for the foreseeable future. It wasn't like he was going to be able to just leave if he didn't get along with these people, he would be stuck with them for some time.
Entering the lobby, Cab looked around. The reception desk was cluttered but empty and the smell of smoke trickled in from a crack in a doorway. His stomach grumbled slightly as a reminder that he really just wanted to sit down and chill. Cab figured he didn't need to sign in and not wanting to waste any time, figured he could just find the room himself. Seeing the Security Guard, Cab gave a quick greeting wave and called for the elevator. He was right, it was easy to find.
Reaching the room, Cab inserted his key into the door and twisted it. Pushing the door open slowly, Cab peered in. Almost as if uncertain about who or what he would find on the other side of the door.
"Hello!" Carter called out as he entered the room and flipped his black rucksack over the back of the sofa. His eyes scanned the room taking in everything. This would be his temporary home.
c0fi
Your average coffee enthusiast
{Elizabeth Olusola}
Elizabeth chuckled lightly at Amelia’s checklist, delivering a smile which made her eyes crinkle. “Well, that was way easier than I expected. Looks like I’ve struck gold in the roommate department, I mean, a non-snorer AND you’re not messy? I’m sold.” She teased, before quirking a brow at the comment about the Pride and Prejudice character. “Elizabeth Bennett?” she mused, “I mean, she’s clever and quick-witted, and definitely kept things interesting. I’ll take the comparison! And I’m for sure calling dibs on the next Mr Darcy who walks in here.” She joked lightly. It made Elizabeth feel at ease that Amelia and she may have a shared interest in reading. It was always fascinating to her that a good book manages to help connect different readers.
Then, as Amelia redirected the conversation to household furniture, Elizabeth nodded along. “I agree. The quicker we get this place to not look like a halfway house, the better.” She had already drawn a list in her head of the essentials she thought would come in handy around the apartment. However, she would still need to confirm this with the others. “Maybe we all could go shopping tomorrow morning or even later this evening, if we have the energy for it?” She suggested, briefly glancing at her suitcases, which were still standing in the middle of the lounge area, “I have a bit to unpack here. And more things are on their way.” She had packed some dinnerware and cutlery, having purchased it beforehand for the home. However, based on her previous experiences with sharing living spaces, she knew she couldn’t be so quick and offer money to purchase shared appliances. The graduate recalls clearly how one housemate from her 2nd year at university tried to claim the air fryer that Elizabeth had bought was his own. Of course, she didn’t let him get away with that. It remained in her possession and, as of right now, was due to arrive in one of the packages that her cousin would drop off later in the week.
Once Amelia informed them of her vegan diet, Elizabeth shrugged in indifference. She had a pool of friends with different dietary preferences, and Elizabeth ensured she included them in plans while accommodating to their lifestyles. She didn't make a big deal out of it if their choices differed to her own. “Hey, I’m a meat-eater, but I respect your choice, and I’ll keep note of that. If I ever cook for you, or we cook together, I’ll make sure your meal’s cooked separately and we use different utensils.” She advised. “As for storing food, we’ll give you your designated space in the fridge and freezer, and make sure we store our meats separately.”
Suddenly, the squeak of the front door caught the young woman’s attention. She moved towards the voice which called out. The flat now seemed balanced out with 2 women and 2 men. Elizabeth noted how this man seemed more cheerful than the one who remained in his room. “Hi!” She matched his energy, offering a warm smile. “My name’s Elizabeth.” She introduced herself before continuing, “I think we’re just waiting for another person, now.” She informed him. “Are you from around here? New York, I mean. And did you manage to get here ok?” She asked. Elizabeth herself was from Chicago, so she was already acquainted with the liveliness which accompanies being based in a big city. However, she had family scattered throughout the U.S., as well as other countries, which made travelling less daunting.
Elizabeth chuckled lightly at Amelia’s checklist, delivering a smile which made her eyes crinkle. “Well, that was way easier than I expected. Looks like I’ve struck gold in the roommate department, I mean, a non-snorer AND you’re not messy? I’m sold.” She teased, before quirking a brow at the comment about the Pride and Prejudice character. “Elizabeth Bennett?” she mused, “I mean, she’s clever and quick-witted, and definitely kept things interesting. I’ll take the comparison! And I’m for sure calling dibs on the next Mr Darcy who walks in here.” She joked lightly. It made Elizabeth feel at ease that Amelia and she may have a shared interest in reading. It was always fascinating to her that a good book manages to help connect different readers.
Then, as Amelia redirected the conversation to household furniture, Elizabeth nodded along. “I agree. The quicker we get this place to not look like a halfway house, the better.” She had already drawn a list in her head of the essentials she thought would come in handy around the apartment. However, she would still need to confirm this with the others. “Maybe we all could go shopping tomorrow morning or even later this evening, if we have the energy for it?” She suggested, briefly glancing at her suitcases, which were still standing in the middle of the lounge area, “I have a bit to unpack here. And more things are on their way.” She had packed some dinnerware and cutlery, having purchased it beforehand for the home. However, based on her previous experiences with sharing living spaces, she knew she couldn’t be so quick and offer money to purchase shared appliances. The graduate recalls clearly how one housemate from her 2nd year at university tried to claim the air fryer that Elizabeth had bought was his own. Of course, she didn’t let him get away with that. It remained in her possession and, as of right now, was due to arrive in one of the packages that her cousin would drop off later in the week.
Once Amelia informed them of her vegan diet, Elizabeth shrugged in indifference. She had a pool of friends with different dietary preferences, and Elizabeth ensured she included them in plans while accommodating to their lifestyles. She didn't make a big deal out of it if their choices differed to her own. “Hey, I’m a meat-eater, but I respect your choice, and I’ll keep note of that. If I ever cook for you, or we cook together, I’ll make sure your meal’s cooked separately and we use different utensils.” She advised. “As for storing food, we’ll give you your designated space in the fridge and freezer, and make sure we store our meats separately.”
Suddenly, the squeak of the front door caught the young woman’s attention. She moved towards the voice which called out. The flat now seemed balanced out with 2 women and 2 men. Elizabeth noted how this man seemed more cheerful than the one who remained in his room. “Hi!” She matched his energy, offering a warm smile. “My name’s Elizabeth.” She introduced herself before continuing, “I think we’re just waiting for another person, now.” She informed him. “Are you from around here? New York, I mean. And did you manage to get here ok?” She asked. Elizabeth herself was from Chicago, so she was already acquainted with the liveliness which accompanies being based in a big city. However, she had family scattered throughout the U.S., as well as other countries, which made travelling less daunting.
phibglib
“Together we is a fart, apart we is a butt.”
"Yeah, fair enough," said Amelia in response to Elizabeth's suggestions about the evening or the next day. "And thank you for being so understanding about my diet."
And then when the newcomer came in, she smiled again and said, "Oh, hey there, mate! My name's Amelia Ashcroft. This place may not look like much, but we're hoping the people will make up for that." She looked at Elizabeth, her smile becoming softer. "And so far, I'd say we're on track for that to be a success."
She hadn't known much about the other residents yet, but Elizabeth at least seemed like she would be a good friend, and someone she would probably share some interests with.
"We were also discussing going out in the evening or tomorrow to get some things to make it more livable."
A major part of Amelia's life philosophy was being a realist about the present but an optimist about the future, which is why she was so cheerful despite the current situation. To put it another way, she strived to see things as a realist would, but act like an optimist would.
And then when the newcomer came in, she smiled again and said, "Oh, hey there, mate! My name's Amelia Ashcroft. This place may not look like much, but we're hoping the people will make up for that." She looked at Elizabeth, her smile becoming softer. "And so far, I'd say we're on track for that to be a success."
She hadn't known much about the other residents yet, but Elizabeth at least seemed like she would be a good friend, and someone she would probably share some interests with.
"We were also discussing going out in the evening or tomorrow to get some things to make it more livable."
A major part of Amelia's life philosophy was being a realist about the present but an optimist about the future, which is why she was so cheerful despite the current situation. To put it another way, she strived to see things as a realist would, but act like an optimist would.
