I needed to get two things from the pharmacy and, since there didn't seem to be any other interactions coming with William, I decided to leave without telling him. The atmosphere in the town was beautiful. A light, white blanket of snow had settled on the roofs of the houses, and the narrow stone streets were full of footprints left by people in the snow. Red and green lights were starting to be everywhere even though it was only November, and the Christmas spirit was already in the air. The children played with the snow that had fallen all week while their parents chatted happily. "The magic of Christmas," I thought. When I arrived at the pharmacy, I walked in and went straight to the counter to say hello to Mrs. Wright, the town pharmacist and one of my grandmother's old friends. After her passing, Mrs. Wright had stood by me through some of the most difficult times, and I will be forever grateful to her for that.

"Hi Noelle, what may I help you with today?" she asked me when I arrived in front of the counter.

"The usual. I have to stock up for flu, colds, and everything else that winter brings."

“Got it, do you have any news to tell me while I'm getting everything ready?" she asked.

"Actually, yes, I just found myself a new roommate."

"Really? What a beautiful thing." she paused as she collected everything I had asked her. "Now that I’m thinking about it, yesterday I met a young man on the street who asked me where the ads for rent were. Could it be him?"

"It depends, do you remember what he looked like?" I asked. "Approximately. He was tall, dark-haired, green-eyed, I think he was about your age."

"I'd say it's him then. His name is William Carter, and so far he seems like a really good person."

"Yes, he gave me the impression that he was a good guy too. Besides, if my sight doesn't deceive me, he also has a certain charm..." she continued with a winking smile.

"I have to admit that your eyesight is still in great shape, but nothing will happen between the two of us. So, how much do I owe you?"

"You don't owe me anything, dear. I'll pay for your things today," she said, leaving me surprised.

"Are you sure? That's a lot of things."

"I'm sure," she said, handing me the bag with the medicines.

"Thank you very much, you don't know the favor you're doing me."

"No problem, dear. One last thing before you go. Try to get acquainted with that handsome young man, you never know what might happen," she said, giving me what seemed to me to be a wink.

"All right, have a nice evening!" I replied, leaving the pharmacy. Mrs. Wright was one of those people who believed true love existed, but I was well aware that this was real life, not a romantic story with a happy ending.

***

After the pharmacy, I went straight home; I couldn't wait to start decorating my house. I couldn't be caught unprepared, or worse, be the last to put up the decorations in the garden. Every year I was always the first, and I certainly didn't want to lose my title. When I arrived, however, I couldn't help but think that the surprises with William never ended. My garden was immaculately decorated, not a light out of place or a reindeer perched crooked in the ground.

"What do you think? I saw all this stuff in the basement, I didn't know what to do and I got to work. I hope you don't mind..." He told me as soon as I got to the driveway. He was still on the ladder, finishing up the last lights. It took me a moment to look around and appreciate it all. Had I really been out for so long? 

"It's... beautiful, really. You didn't seem like the Christmas spirit type, honestly," I replied. After hearing my words, his smile faded slightly. He went down the ladder and joined me.

"I'm sorry for how I behaved before, I was exhausted from problems at work. I realized that I was being really rude." was he really apologizing? I had to admit, I was impressed. I knew it was the bare minimum, but I wasn't exactly used to this kind of behavior. Let's just say that I had never had any luck with my ex-boyfriends.  

"Anyway, can we start again? I mean, can I introduce myself without being rude?" he said, smiling again.

"Yes, of course, if you want." I replied. 

"Hi, I'm William, and you are?"

"I'm Noelle. Nice to meet you William." I tried to be serious, but I burst out laughing.

"What's funny?"

"It's all so formal and serious," I continued, laughing.

"Actually, you're right," he said, starting to laugh too.

"I'd say we can wrap up the presentations at this point."

"I would say so."

I looked around and noticed that there was one last box still closed, resting just outside the front door.

"While you're at it, how about we make the tree together?" I suggested.

"I'd say it's a great idea, considering that my friends canceled," he replied disconsolately.

 An hour later the tree was finished and his spirits were lifted. Talking to him, my impression grew that he was a really good guy, and I complimented myself for agreeing to live with him. He was from Glasgow, and had come to Inverness for a short business trip. He worked in the marketing department of a large menswear company. He couldn't find a last-minute hotel, after all, the holiday season was always full, so he decided to opt for a place to share with a roommate. I found it more and more a perfect choice for me. After all, what could possibly go wrong? 

A lot could have gone wrong. I realized that the next morning. I was walking down the hallway waiting for him to come out of the bathroom. When the door opened, I went to the bathroom automatically, not thinking that the door was open because someone was leaving. Habit of living alone, I guess. In any case, I went straight against William. Why did I have to be so much of a mess?!

"Sorry, I didn't mean to..." I tried to say as my face turned ten shades of red.

"No problem, don't worry," he said, adjusting his shirt.

"Did you sleep well?" I asked for a change of subject.

"Very well, yes." he replied "While you're here, I wanted to tell you not to worry about your stuff in the shower, I have two sisters, I'm used to it. Anyway, I work from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., so I'll see you tonight. Don't even worry about dinner, I'll make something myself. Have a nice day Noelle." he concluded, smiled at me and went to his room.

After a little freeze due to his smile, I went into the bathroom. At first I didn't understand what he meant, but then I understood everything. My shower was invaded by disposable razors, soaps and creams that promised miraculous effects, stains left by self-tanners and hair brushes that were not completely clean. Red hair wasn't so invisible, after all. It was only eight o'clock in the morning and I already wanted to go back to hide under my duvet. But I had much bigger problems to think about. I couldn't find any job offers that convinced me, so I had no idea how to get out of my empty bank account. I knew my parents would be willing to help me, but I had agreed to be independent the moment I left home, and I had no intention of backing down. In the meantime, however, there was one last thing I still had to fix. I had to go back to the office to pick up all my things. 

I took the car and arrived at the building where I had worked for the last five years at about ten o'clock. I went up the stairs and when I got to my floor, I found Paul, my boss, explaining the job to the new girl. It didn't take long for them to replace me. Fortunately, however, he did not notice my presence.

I tried to do everything as quickly as possible, I didn't want to meet anyone, but Rebecca, my desk mate, managed to block me.

"Noelle, I was so sorry to hear the news of your dismissal, who am I going to take coffee breaks with now?" she said.

Her coffee breaks consisted of ten-minute chats in which I had to be silent and listen to her talk about her confused love life without having a minute to open my mouth. But they were great times to disconnect from work and to think about something else.

"I'm sorry too, Rebecca. But I'm sure you'll get along well with the new girl too. Now I should go..." I wanted to leave as soon as possible to prevent Paul from seeing me.

"Noelle, you were my best friend here," she replied with a theatrical hug complete with tears. I didn't know I was so important to her.

"Look, it doesn't mean we're not going to see each other again. Maybe we'll have a chance to meet again," I replied gently.

"Do you really think so?" she asked, reaching for tissues in her desk drawer.

"Of course. We live in the same city, and I still have your cell phone number, as you have mine. We'll stay in touch," I concluded, smiling.

"You're right. I'll let you go now, you probably have other things to do. It was nice working with you, Noelle," she said, wiping away tears.

"It was nice working with you too, Rebecca," I replied, and I really thought so, because although she often spoke only of herself, it was pleasant to work with such a sunny and outgoing girl as her.

On the way out, I turned one last time to look at the building. The dismissal had marked the end of a chapter in my life and the beginning of a new one, and I was excited about new opportunities. Also, despite the fact that returning to the office reminded me that I was currently unemployed and with an increasingly red bank account, walking through the city full of lights and snow could only put me in a good mood. In fact, the situation wasn't even that bad. I was lucky to have found William as a roommate right away, and I was confident that soon I would also be able to find a new job. 

***

In the evening I asked William to have dinner together because I wanted to tell him a couple of things about the house. He was going to stay for a few days, and it seemed right to let him know a few things.

"First, I wanted to apologize for the bathroom situation. I've been living alone for five years now and..." I started, embarrassed, shuffling my dinner in vain.

"Don't worry, really. My old apartment was also a mess. I can understand," he replied. It was a good start. I plucked up courage and continued.

"I just wanted to warn you that I'll be home a lot these days because I'm currently looking for a job, but I expect to be busy towards the end of the three weeks; therefore, it may be that we will see each other less. So, whatever you need, feel free to write it on the blackboard on the fridge. Another thing, Evelyn, the girl who lives across the street and my best friend, often passes by without telling us because she has the keys to our house, but she won't cause you any problems. Otherwise, this is also your home now, so feel free to do what you want...that's all," I concluded, smiling.

"Work, blackboard, Evelyn... understood," he replied.

“I also have one thing to ask you,” he replied.

"Go ahead."

"What can I do to help you? I mean like cleaning, tidying up the house..."

At his words, the piece of bread I was eating almost went sideways. Had he really just offered to help me with the housework?

"You don't need to do anything, don’t even worry about it," I replied after I had composed myself.

"But I want to help you with something, really."

"I guess you could vacuum on the weekends."

"That sounds perfect to me," he replied happily. If someone had told me last week that I would end up discussing housekeeping with my new roommate, I think I would have burst out laughing. But there I was.

"I'd say we told each other all then," he said as soon as he finished eating.   

"I would say so. I'm going to sleep now," I replied, arranging the counter and the dirty dishes.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning," he said, smiling.

"Of course," I concluded, smiling back. I finished washing the dishes and went to bed exhausted. The day turned out to be better than I had anticipated.

***

"Good morning roommate," I said as I entered the kitchen the next morning.

"How can you be so energetic at seven o'clock?" he said, half asleep.

"Simple, I went to bed early. Not like someone who watched the rugby match until two o'clock..."

"At least my favorite time of year isn't the celebration of a  grandpa carrying presents on a sleigh driven by flying reindeers," he said.

"Okay, touché. But I really think that job doesn't do you any good. They make you work ridiculous hours."

"But they pay well, so I can't complain. And may I remind you that some of that money eventually comes to you, so..."

"I get it, you're right."

"Anyway, I have to go to work now. I'll see you tonight," he said, picking up his jacket and walking for the door.

"See you tonight," I replied, drinking my coffee.

I had woken up early as usual, but I decided to take the morning off and do everything calmly. I was actually supposed to keep looking for a job, but coming back to the office yesterday reminded me of how hard it was to have days full of schedules and deadlines to meet. I had an idea in mind about how to get back on track, but I wanted to take some time for myself first. Before starting my vacation, however, I wanted to call my mother and update her on the situation. 

"Hi Mom, how's it going?" I asked as soon as she answered.

"Everything is good honey, what do I owe the call to?"

"I have some news for you. An ugly one and a very peculiar one."

"What a nice way to get my day started, dear." I'd say my mother didn't appreciate my theatrical dramatic tone.

"I’m sorry... But I really need to talk about it."

"Of course, of course. First the ugly one, come on."

"They fired me," I threw out.

"Noelle, I'm so sorry. Why?"

"It was actually all my fault, I was making too many careless mistakes and they decided to cut me off."

"How do you feel?" she asked apprehensively.

"Honestly pretty good, as I've already found another way to earn something while looking for another job. It's about the other news."

"What do you mean?" she asked curiously.

"I found myself a roommate! His name is William. I know it may sound crazy, but he's a really good guy and I get along very well with him."

"A guy? Noelle, are you sure of your choice?" she asked in a worried tone.

"Mom, really, I'm good. Also, Evelyn lives across the street from me, so if something were to happen I would be right to her. But he's a really great person, and I trust him."

"I really hope it's as you say."

"Of course Mom, you know me. You know if I didn't feel comfortable around him, he wouldn't be here with me."

"You're grown up now, I know I can trust you; so, if you say he's a good guy, I take your word for it. But promise to let me know if something happens."

"Of course, Mom, don't worry."

She was silent for a moment, probably thinking back to what I had just told her. I know the news I had just given her might have been hard to accept, but I felt really comfortable with William.

"Now I have to go do some chores around the house, it was nice hearing from you

Natalie."

"Have a good day, mom," I concluded, ending the call.