Chapter 28 My own place
Ava’s POV
The first thing I did when my salary hit my account was stare at my phone screen in disbelief.
$2,000.
I wasn’t used to seeing that much money in my account at once. I knew it wouldn’t last long rent, groceries, and bills would take a huge part but for now, I let myself have a moment to feel proud.
I’d earned this.
The second thing I did was text Charlotte.
Me: We’re going apartment hunting today.
Charlotte: OMG FINALLY! I’m grabbing coffee. Meet me at campus in 20 minutes!
I barely had time to pull on a decent outfit before running out the door. The sun was bright, and for the first time in a while, I felt like things were coming together.
I was getting out of Charlotte apartment giving her a space with her boyfriend.
“Okay, so I did some research,” Charlotte said, sliding into the booth across from me at the campus café. She had two coffees in her hands one for her, one for me.
“I found a few places that are actually within budget.”
I took the coffee gratefully. “How much is ‘within budget’?”
“Cheapest one is $600 a month, but it’s in a suspicious neighborhood,” Charlotte said, scrolling through her phone. “Another one is $800, but it’s a studio, so you’d have, like, zero space.”
I sighed. “Any one-bedrooms that aren’t ridiculously overpriced?”
Charlotte grinned. “You’re in luck. There’s one for $750. It’s old, but the landlord said it’s clean and functional.”
“Where is it?”
“About fifteen minutes from campus.”
That didn’t sound too bad. “Should we go check it out?”
Charlotte was already grabbing her bag. “Duh.”
The apartment building was… old. Not in a falling-apart way, but in a ‘this place has been here since forever’ way. The creame walls were slightly faded, the elevator creaked ominously, and the hallway smelled like someone tried to burnt down the place attempting to cooking.
But the rent was $750. I wasn’t expecting luxury.
The landlord, a middle-aged woman named Mrs. Patel, met us at the door. She had a strict attitude but seemed decent enough.
“It’s small,” she warned as she unlocked the door.
She wasn’t lying.
The apartment was tiny.
The living room and kitchen were basically the same space, separated only by a narrow counter. The bedroom barely had room for a bed and a dresser. The bathroom was functional but definitely not modern.
It wasn’t glamorous.
But it was mine.
No loud roommates. No leaking roofs. No waking up to someone else’s mess in the kitchen.
“Do you want it?” Mrs. Patel asked, watching me closely.
I looked at Charlotte, who gave me a small nod.
I turned back to Mrs. Patel. “Yes. I’ll take it.”
An hour later, after signing the lease and paying the deposit, I walked out of the building with a key in my hand.
Charlotte squealed, grabbing my arm. “You have your own place!”
I grinned. “I have my own place.”
I still couldn’t believe it.
“Okay, so when are you moving in?” Charlotte asked as we headed back toward her car.
I exhaled. “Probably this weekend. I don’t have much stuff, so it shouldn’t take long.”
Charlotte nudged me. “You gonna tell Logan?”
I rolled my eyes. “Why would I?”
She gave me a knowing look. “Because he’ll find out anyway.”
I huffed. “I don’t owe him an explanation.”
“No,” Charlotte agreed. “But you want to tell him, don’t you?”
I didn’t answer.
Charlotte just smirked.
Later that night, I stood in my room at Charlotte apartment , staring at the boxes I’d started packing.
It was weird.
I’d spent so much time with Charlotte in this place, but now that I was leaving, I felt… something.sadness, exactly. More like disbelief that I was finally moving forward.
Charlotte had been a great help to me and I'm glad she is my friend.
I pulled out my phone before I could second-guess myself.
Me: I got a new place.
A few minutes later, Logan’s name popped up on my screen.
Logan: What? Where?
Me: Not far from campus. Small, but it’s mine.
Logan: You sure it’s safe?
I rolled my eyes.
Me: Yes, Dad.
Logan: Ha ha. When are you moving?
Me: This weekend.
He didn’t reply right away.
Logan: Need help?
I hesitated.
I knew if I said yes, he’d be there in a heartbeat. But was that a good idea?
I sighed, typing back.
Me: If you’re not busy.
His response was immediate.
Logan: I’ll be there.
I stared at my screen for a long time, my heart doing something stupid in my chest.
Yeah.
This was going to be interesting.