Chapter 5

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Saturday - November 4, 2017 - 3:18 p.m.

"Check out this one," I said, swirling my laptop around to show Cassie. "It says the kitchen's been recently remodeled, and it's even got a balcony."

She pulled the screen towards her, examining it meticulously. "What constitutes recently? 2005? Although, that balcony does offer a magnificent view of the parking lot. Now I'm torn."

I couldn't help but crack up at her scathing sarcasm. It was one her best attributes.

"Found anything better, Ms. Realtor?"

"Still searching," she said with a smile. "I'll keep you posted."

A couple months back, Cassie and I reached the mutual decision to avoid Mizzou's on-campus housing. Besides the fact that the dorms were essentially a broom closet equipped with a bed and mini-fridge, none of them were co-ed, even by floor. A ten minute commute just to see each wasn't necessarily a deal breaker, but we'd soon realized the luxuries we would be forfeiting by staying in the residence halls: a full kitchen to cook each other breakfast in bed on our birthdays; a living room to hunker down in every night, drifting in and out of Game of Thrones as we attempted to study for exams; our own bed, where we would wake up beside each other every morning. Some things in life were worth the extra few bucks.

Cassie let out a groan of annoyance. "This just isn't fair. All the nice ones are so pricey."

"We could always rent a room in a house," I suggested. "It'd probably be cheaper, and there's a lot more options to choose from."

Her eyes narrowed into dubious slits. "There's no way we're living with a bunch of strangers. One minute we're getting acquainted around the dinner table, playing Scrabble and having Fondue night. Next thing you know, we're waking up in an ice bath and our kidneys are missing."

I responded to her cynicism with a disagreeing smirk, and decided to give up the search for the day. I closed the various tabs of apartment websites and reopened the European History essay I'd started a couple weeks ago, which I hadn't gotten around to finishing since Coach Burns had recently amped up our practices. Now that I was practically face-to-face with a full-ride scholarship, my motivation for high-school academics seemed to be wavering in a dangerous direction, and I knew it would take every ounce of perseverance to maintain the 2.5 GPA requirement.

"This one looks promising," Cassie said, scooting closer on the bed and handing me her phone.

The small screen displayed the profile for a two-bedroom-one-bath at Rock Bridge Meadows, about a mile south of the University. As I scrolled through the photos, I was delighted to find it had been recently renovated, complete with hardwood floors, granite counter tops, a washer and dryer set, and a fully-furnished living room. Even more delightful was the bargain price of six-hundred-fifty a month.

"This one looks real nice," I said, craning my head down to kiss her. "But why do we need two bedrooms?"

"It never hurts to have storage space," she reminded me.

Fair point, I thought, though I had to disagree. Between football and school, I knew I'd barely have time to go to the bathroom, let out alone hold down job. Although this seemed like a good deal, I knew we'd be better off financially if we stuck to a one bedroom.

"Look," I said, choosing my words carefully, "I know your parents aren't completely on board with us living together this early, and since we're basically on our own for rent, I just don't think we should be paying for an extra room we don't need. We're gonna have to save every penny as it is just to make ends meet."

She nodded, and a glint of understanding filled her rich auburn eyes. "Brandon," she said calmly, placing her hand on mine, "I know money's gonna be tight for a little while, but we'll make it work. I bet there's a ton of places on campus that would hire a monkey if it agreed to work weekends. I'm gonna find a job in no time, trust me. Maybe even two, if I have to."

I sure hope so, I silently prayed.

Cassie and I had originally planned to venture out of Missouri after graduation, our top destinations tied between Houston and Chicago. However, those plans were swiftly obliterated when her parents announced they would only pay her tuition if she attended an in-state school. It was a cruel ultimatum, but it was also their signature on the check, so we had no choice but to suck it up. It was a little concerning how they planned on keeping tabs on her even into adulthood.

The more pertinent obstacle we faced was the fact that her parents had refused to pay her rent as long as the two of us were living together before we'd tied the knot. That meant rent would be on her dime—our dime, actually. I knew my athletic scholarship wouldn't cover off-campus living arrangements, and I couldn't bring myself to ask my already struggling mom to cough up my half every month.

Despite her parents' disapproval and our daunting lack of resources, Cassie insisted we go ahead with a lease. It was as if the more controlling her parents became, the stronger her urge grew to challenge them, to jump ship and never return to Chamberlain. Believe me—I'd witnessed firsthand the manifestation of her disillusionment over the years.

"Hey," she said, staring into my eyes as she ran her soft finger along the vein of my arm. "We're gonna make this work. That's a promise."

Once again, the soothing assurance in her voice quelled my concern in a matter of seconds.

"Shit," she blurted as she glanced down at her phone screen. She slammed her laptop closed and shoved it into her bag.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I completely forgot. I'm supposed to meet someone from my Brit Lit class in half an hour. We're working on a project at her house."

"You want a ride?" I offered.

"Thanks, but I can walk. She's only a few blocks over." She hastily gathered her things and gave me a swift peck on the cheek. "See you at eight for movie night."

"You better be on time, or I'm starting Fight Club without you," I teased, flashing her a playful smirk as she hustled out the door.

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