“Without my permission.”
“You don’t have to be a bitch about it.”
I don’t have to— “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Oh, don’t act like you don’t have enough to share. It’s a pretty selfish thing to hoard all of this. Everyone wouldn’t think you’re such a bad roommate if you’d hook us up. I wouldn’t have to sneak in here if you were a little generous.”
“You’re stealing. My stuff.” My anger triples as I realize this isn’t the first time. She’s been stealing from me. My own roommate. God, maybe they all have?
“Whatever. If you’re gonna make this a thing, I’ll put it back.” She drops it back into my case with a loud clatter.
The shadow case snaps, cracks in two, and I suck in a breath as the colors of eyeshadow burst into shiny dust. I push past her and assess the damage. Shit. Shit. Shit. This set easily costs fifty dollars. Money I don’t have. “You need to pay for this.” I gently gather the larger pieces so they won’t crumble and make more of a mess.
Crystal huffs. “I’m not paying for shit.”
My head snaps to meet her gaze. “You’re kidding, right? This is a joke? You come into my room, without permission, steal my shit, then break it, and you won’t take accountability? That’s the kind of shitbag person you are? That’s who I’m living with?”
“Dude. Chill out.”
“Chill out?”
“Leave the acting to us, yeah?” She waves a hand over her shoulder and that’s when I notice we’ve gathered a crowd. Kari Ann, Andrea, and some guy I’d never seen before—scratch that, I think I’ve seen him on a billboard ad in a pair of Calvin’s. Jenni is the only one missing, but she left for work an hour ago.
Crystal rolls her eyes. “You’re so dramatic. You’re blowing this out of proportion.”
“You’re a real—” Bitch. Piece of work. I grate down on my teeth and try to calm my inner rage. But it’s no use. I am so angry I could scream. I hate Crystal. I hate living here. I hate all of this. “Ugly person.”
Everyone gasps, including Crystal.
“I told Kari Ann not to pick you,” she says as the doorbell rings. “You’re old, and stuck up, and I don’t know what you’re doing to make money for rent, but it’s not playing with makeup.” Crystal is beautiful on the surface, but right now she’s showing all her nasty. Not that it matters, because by the glares on the rest of my roommates, they’ve already taken her side. They’re either mean like her, or scared of her malice. The doorbell rings again.
“Someone get the fucking door!” Crystal snaps.
Shit. Jude. I don’t have time to deal with any of this. Not when I’m due on set in an hour.
“We’re not done with this conversation,” I say in her face, passing by the rest of my roommates. I stomp across the living room and yank open the front door. “I’m not ready yet.”
Jude’s eyes widen, glued to my bare legs, while his jaw falls open.
“Jude. Act as if you’ve seen legs before.”
“None like those.” He blows out a breath and runs a hand through his hair before straightening his tie.
I grit my teeth together, not in the mood to deal with his ogling or teasing. “I need five minutes.” I shut the door on his still-stunned face and stomp back to my room, glad to see the drama squad has cleared to their corners of the apartment. I slam my door and lock it. Fuck Crystal. Fuck all of my roommates. I need to make enough money so I can get the hell out of here and rent my own studio.
Peeling off my T-shirt, I slip on a simple wrap dress, then tug on a pair of black boots. I don’t have time to apply my own makeup or fix my hair, so I grab the essentials into a travel case and decide on jewelry—going for big hoops and a statement necklace. I wish I could lock up my stuff—now that I know my roommates like to help themselves, but there’s nothing I can do. Not at the moment. Not without my own vehicle. Besides, I can’t be late to work, or worse, miss my ride with Jude. I don’t even glance in the mirror on my way out, because I’m certain I’m a hot mess.
After my earlier reservations about letting Jude drive this morning, it turns out I’m thankful. It leaves me two free hands and all of LA’s lovely traffic to perfect my face. Can’t show up my first day on set as a makeup artist not wearing makeup.
“Rough morning.” Jude chuckles as I storm past and head straight for where his SUV is parked at the curb.
“Whoa!” Despite wearing a three-piece suit, he catches up to my side and beats me to the passenger side, opening my door. “Slow down, Andretti.”
I shoot him a glare.
His brows shoot up, and I almost feel bad for directing my anger his way. He didn’t break into my room and steal my makeup. I seethe just thinking about what Crystal did this morning; Andrea’s shitty move to ditch me on Saturday; the dickweed photog who left me high and dry after a full day’s work—a job I never would have booked if it weren’t for my awesome roomie. Grr! Anger rattles through my body, spikes my adrenaline, and in turn my entire body shakes with rage.
“Still hungover?” Jude hops into his seat and latches the belt.
From Saturday night? Does he assume I’m such a lightweight? Or is he giving me an out for our almost kiss that never was. I grit my teeth. “No. I didn’t drink that much.” I don’t want to unload all my feelings on him, but if he pushes, I just might burst.
The cab is silent but for the radio. Thank goodness.
