CHAPTER FORTY–FIVE–Who Will Stand, Who Will Fall?
“Now, I know you were looking for a place on your own,” Diane said as they climbed, “but I think this might be perfect for you. The current tenant, Jessie, is looking for a roommate. She’s a lovely girl, works in graphic design.”
Laura hesitated. A roommate hadn’t been part of her plan, but at this point, she was willing to consider anything.
Diane opened the door to reveal a cozy apartment flooded with natural light from large windows. The living room was small but well- arranged, with a comfortable–looking couch and a bookshelf packed with colorful spines.
“Hi there!” A cheery voice called from the kitchen. A young woman with short, spiky hair dyed a vibrant purple emerged, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “I’m Jessie. You must be Laura?”
Laura nodded, smiling despite her fatigue. “Nice to meet you.”
“I’ll let you two chat,” Diane said, retreating to the hallway.
Jessie gave Laura a quick tour of the apartment. The kitchen was tiny but functional, the bathroom clean and recently updated. The bedroom that would be Laura’s was small but had a large window that let in plenty of light.
So, what do you think?” Jessie asked as they settled on the couch
150
Laura looked around, trying to picture herself living there. “It’s nice. Definitely the best I’ve seen so far.”
Jessie grinned. “I know, right? I got lucky finding this place. So, tell me about yourself. What brings you to New York?”
As Laura began to share her story, she found herself relaxing, Jessie was easy to talk to, her enthusiasm infectious.
“No way!” Jessie exclaimed when Laura mentioned her love of true crime podcasts. “Have you listened to ‘Serial‘?”
Laura’s eyes lit up. “Only about a dozen times!”
“Oh my god, we’re going to get along so well,” Jessie laughed. “And please tell me you’ve seen ‘The Breakfast Club“?**
“Are you kidding? It’s only the best movie of the 80s,” Laura replied.
Jessie gasped in mock offense. “Back to the Future‘ would like a word.”
They fell into an easy banter, debating the merits of various 80s classics. Before Laura knew it, an hour had passed.
“So,” Jessie said, a hopeful note in her voice, “what do you think? Want to be roommates?”
Laura hesitated for a moment, then smiled. “You know what? I think I do.”
The next few days were a whirlwind of paperwork, moving, and settling in. Once Laura was somewhat unpacked, Jessie declared it was time for a proper New York initiation.
“Rise and shine, roomie!” Jessie’s voice penetrated Laura’s bedroom door at an ungodly hour. “We’ve got a city to explore!”
Laura groaned, fumbling for her phone. The screen read 5:30 AM. “Jessie, the sun’s not even up yet!”
“Exactly!” Jessie chirped. “We’re going to watch it rise from the Brooklyn Bridge. Come on, it’ll be worth it!”
Grumbling but intrigued, Laura dressed and followed Jessie out into the pre–dawn city. The streets were quiet, a rare moment of calm. in the city that never sleeps.
They reached the bridge just as the sky began to lighten. Laura had to admit, the view was spectacular. The city skyline was silhouetted against a sky painted in shades of pink and gold, the East River glittering below.
“Okay, you were right,” Laura conceded, snapping a photo with her phone. “This is pretty amazing ”
Jessie beamed. “Told you! Now, ready for the best bagels in New York?”
They made their way to a tiny, nondescript deli tucked away on a side street. The line was already out the door despite the early hour.
“Trust me, it’s worth the wait,” Jessie assured her.
Twenty minutes later, Laura took her first bite and had to agree. The bagel was perfectly chewy, slathered with a generous helping of cream cheese and loc
Oh my god,” Laura mumbled around a mouthful of bagel. “This is incredible.”
Jessie nodded sagely. “New York bagels, man. They’ll ruin you for all other bagels.”
After breakfast, they hopped on the subway, emerging in the heart of Times Square. The sensory overload was even more intense than
CHAPTER FORTY FIVE–Who Will Stand. Who Will Fatt
Laura remembered from her first day in the city.
“It’s like being inside a giant TV,” Laura marveled, spinning slowly to take in the massive billboards and neon signs.
Jessie laughed. “Wait till you see it at night. But come on, we’ve got a lot more ground to cover.”
They made their way to Central Park, strolling along winding paths until they reached the Bethesda Fountain. The angel statue presided over a serene scene, a stark contrast to the chaos of Times Square.
“This is my favorite spot in the park,” Jessie said, sitting on the edge of the fountain. “It’s like a little oasis in the middle of all the
craziness.”
Laura nodded, taking a deep breath of the relatively tresh air. “I can see why. It’s beautiful.”
Their next stop was Bushwick, where Jessie led Laura on a tour of the neighborhood’s vibrant street art.
“I love how the whole neighborhood is like one big canvas,” Laura said, admiring a massive mural depicting a fantastical underwater
scene
Jessie nodded enthusiastically. “It’s always changing too. Every time I come here, there’s something new to see.”
As the afternoon wore on, they made their way to Rockefeller Center. “Time for a bird’s eye view,” Jessie declared, leading Laura to the elevator that would take them to the Top of the Rock.
Laura’s breath caught as they stepped out onto the observation deck. The city sprawled out before them, a concrete jungle stretching as far as the eye could see
“It’s overwhelming,” Laura murmured. “In a good way, I think.”
Jessie bumped her shoulder companionably. “Just wait, You’ll be navigating these streets like a pro in no time.”
As the sun began to set, Jessie announced it was time for dinner. They took the subway to Little Italy, where Jessie swore they’d find the best pizza in the city.
“I thought you said those bagels were the best in the city,” Laura teased as they waited for a table.
Jessie waved a hand dismissively. “Best bagels. This is best pizza. Keep up, Laura.”
The pizza, when it arrived, lived up to the hype Laura savored every bite of the thin, crispy crust topped with fresh mozzarella and basil.
“Okay, I’m officially in love with New York food,” Laura declared.
Jessie grinned. “Just wait till dessert.”
They finished the night at a tiny, ancient–looking bakery where Jessie insisted they had to try the cannolis.
“These cannolis are so good, they’ll make you want to leave the gun and take the cannoli,” Jessie said with a wink.
Laura laughed, catching the reference. “I don’t know about that, but they are pretty amazing.”
As they made their way back to Brooklyn, Laura felt a warmth spreading through her chest that had nothing to do with the rich Italian food. The city, which had seemed so intimidating just days ago, was starting to feel… right.
“Thanks for today,” Laura said as they climbed the stairs to their apartment. “I think I’m going to like it here.”
Jessie smiled, unlocking their door. “Welcome home, roomie.”
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon roused Laura from her slumber. She blinked groggily, her mind slowly coming into focus as she registered the unfamiliar surroundings of her new bedroom. Right. New York. New life.
Laura pulled herself out of bed and shuffled into the kitchen, where Jessie was busy at the stove, bobbing her head to music playing through her earbuds:
“Morning,” Laura mumbled, making a beeline for the coffee pot.
Jessie turned, grinning as she pulled out an earbud. “Well, look who’s finally up! I was starting to think you’d sleep through the whole day.” Laura glanced at the clock on the microwave and groaned. “It’s only 8:30. On a Saturday.”
Laura remembered from her first day in the city.
“It’s like being inside a giant TV,” Laura marveled, spinning slowly to take in the massive billboards and neon signs.
Jessie laughed. “Wait till you see it at night. But come on, we’ve got a lot more ground to cover.”
They made their way to Central Park, strolling along winding paths until they reached the Bethesda Fountain. The angel statue presided over a serene scene, a stark contrast to the chaos of Times Square
“This is my favorite spot in the park,” Jessie said, sitting on the edge of the fountain. “It’s like a little oasis in the middle of all the
Laura nodded, taking a deep breath of the relatively fresh air. “I can see why. It’s beautiful.”
Their next stop was Bushwick, where Jessie led Laura on a tour of the neighborhood’s vibrant street art.
“I love how the whole neighborhood is like one big canvas,” Laura said, admiring a massive mural depicting a fantastical underwater
Jessie nodded enthusiastically. “It’s always changing too. Every time I come here, there’s something new to see
As the afternoon wore on, they made their way to Rockefeller Center. “Time for a bird’s eye view,” Jessie declared, leading Laura to the elevator that would take them to the Top of the Rock.
Laura’s breath caught as they stepped out onto the observation deck. The city sprawled out before them, a concrete jungle stretching as far as the eve could see.
“It’s overwhelming.” Laura murmured. “In a good way, I think.”
Jessie bumped her shoulder companionably. “Just wait. You’ll be navigating these streets like a pro in no time.”
As the sun began to set, Jessie announced it was time for dinner. They took the subway to Little Italy, where Jessie swore they’d find the
best pizza in the city.
“I thought you said those bagels were the best in the city,” Laura teased as they waited for a table.
Jessie waved a hand dismissively. “Best bagels. This is best pizza. Keep up, Laura”
The pizza, when it arrived, lived up to the hype. Laura savored every bite of the thin, crispy crust topped with fresh mozzarella and basil
“Okay, I’m officially in love with New York food,” Laura declared
Jessie grinned. “Just wait till dessert.”
They finished the night at a tiny, ancient–looking bakery where Jessie insisted they had to try the cannolis.
“These cannolis are so good, they’ll make you want to leave the gun and take the cannoli,” Jessie said with a wink
Laura laughed, catching the reference. “I don’t know about that, but they are pretty amazing”
As they made their way back to Brooklyn, Laura felt a warmth spreading through her chest that had nothing to do with the rich Italian food. The city, which had seemed so intimidating just days ago, was starting to feel. right.
“Thanks for today,” Laura said as they climbed the stairs to their apartment. “I think I’m going to like it here”
Jessie smiled, unlocking their door. “Welcome home, roomie.”
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon roused Laura from her slumber. She blinked groggily, her mind slowly coming into focus as she registered the unfamiliar surroundings of her new bedroom. Right. New York. New life.
Laura pulled herself out of bed and shuffled into the kitchen, where Jessie was busy at the stove, bobbing her head to music playing through her earbuds
“Morning,” Laura mumbled, making a beeline for the coffee pot
Jessie turned, grinning as she pulled out an earbud. “Well, look who’s finally up! I was starting to think you’d sleep through the whole day.”
Laura glanced at the clock on the microwave and groaned. “It’s only 8:30. On a Saturday.”
CHAMELIN FORly 500- The Daim Jalore the Starmi
