Her face looks like that of someone who just realized they have stepped on dog poop. She analyses me from head to toe with eyes that say “I’m not impressed with what I’m seeing”. Wow, rude much. I’ll let you know that I may not be top of the list of most handsome man on earth, but damn if my half-black and half-japanese genes are not a good mix. People usually say I have my dad’s mouth and nose, but my mom’s brown eyes. And I’m tall, 6 feet and 3 inches. But yeah, although it pains me to admit, if we are saying who got luckier on the genetic lottery, it’s probably her. She is around 5’8 feet, dark hair and sand-colored skin, a good complexion, and a pair of very blue eyes.

“Hey, Gwyn.” Mike interrupts my own analysis. “This is Thomas. He will be your roommate.”

“I already told you that I didn’t want a roommate. I can pay the full rent just fine.”

“Yeah, but you know granny’s opinion on such a young girl living alone. And this is her house.”

“I appreciate the concern, but I can take care of myself.”

“Too bad. We already signed the contract.” He pleads with his eyes that I go along with the story and I oblige.

“Uhn, you don’t need to worry,” I say smiling. “I will not bother you at all.” And then I offer a hand. “By the way, nice to meet you.” That she doesn’t accept.

“You should terminate your contract. I will pay for the fee.”

“There is no reason for me to do that.” Yeah, I’m stubborn.

“I am a transgender woman.” I think she expects me to go all “oh my god, that is preposterous!”.

“I have a genetic condition that acts up once in a while and causes me great pain.” But I’m the type of person to go against expectations.

“What?” She is honestly confused, as I wanted.

“I thought that we were sharing personal information to bond.” Mike giggles, Gwyn frowns. “Look, I would rather live alone too if I could choose. But I can’t. For better or worse, this apartment is the only place left for me to stay. And I’m not going to a hotel. So either we both suck it up and live together as happily as we can, or you can go to a hotel.”

She looks ready to strangle me. Luckily she doesn’t. But I will not sleep with my door unlocked just to be safe. I still push my luck a little bit.

“I think your room has a bathroom, so we don’t need to work a scale or anything, right?” She huffs and walk past me, going to the kitchen.

“I will murder you if you leave any dishes on the sink.” Her annoyed voice comes from the other room.

Mike gives me a fist bump and moves his mouth saying “thank you”. Well, for a first meeting this could have gone much better. But I got an apartment located within walking distance from the university and at a very reasonable price due to my moody roomie. I could work with that. Of course, at the time, I didn’t know who Gwyn really was. And I wouldn’t find out about that until much, much later on.