Chapter One: Small Talk on Stage

"Finally, living alone!" You cheer as the last of the moving company moves your stuff into the apartment. You step into the small room and look around. "Not too shabby, if I do say so myself."

You then start unpacking everything in your room, which was small as well, but you absolutely loved it. Humming quietly to yourself, you turn on some jazz.

•••

"We need to get Ja'far on stage in ten minutes!" The director shouted, urgency and impatience clearly shown in his expression. He clapped his hands two times as loudly as he could. "Hurry up, people!"

The crew increased their pace. In about five minutes, Ja'far stood near the door where he would appear on stage. The direction motioned him to go on, so he did.

Ja'far winced at the spotlight. "I'll never get used to that, no matter how many times I go on stage," Ja'far muttered before making his way across the stage to the chair next to his co-hostess. The door he used seemingly closed by itself, probably locked, too.

"Hey Ja'far, how's it going?" The co-hostess grinned. "Did you forget my name again?"

"Honestly, I'll never get used to that spotlight. Hurts my eyes. And yes, I did forget your name. Sorry." Ja'far would never admit it, but he's glad that he found a good friend on stage. Working with all these strangers gave him a headache.

His co-hostess laughed. "I could never agree more. Just refer to me as Hatter. It's weird that I don't even make hats and that's my nickname. Oh well." Hatter gave another hearty laugh. Ja'far joined in.

"Three more minutes!" The director shouted. Hatter stuck out her tongue at the camera before continuing the conversation.

"Are you finding a new apartment okay? Ya know, I can always hook you up in some fancy neighborhoods like Sindria and the Kou Empire. But then again, rents there are really expensive," Hatter mused.

"Are you suggesting I can't pay rents with how much I get paid?" Ja'far raised an eyebrow in a joking manner. "That sounds like a challenge."

Hatter rolled her eyes. "I know checks are going down because not much people know about our show."

Ja'far sighed, not responding.

"We're going live in a minute!"

"Besides all of that, did you find an apartment yet?" Hatter grabbed a magazine off the table separating them and opened it.

"Yes, I did. It's quite nice. I finished packing rather quickly so I'm happy to go home and rest." Ja'far yawned to make his point.

Hatter put down the magazine and focused her attention on the camera pointing at them. "You know, a lot of scams are going around. You might be a victim of one of those scams and get a roommate you don't know or like."

Ja'far didn't get a chance to respond, for the show started almost right after. "Hello everybody, welcome back to Ja'far Reacts to Ships!" Hatter's voice rang loud and clear while she grinned.

He sighed and waved half heartedly at the camera. A scam, huh?

__________

You fell on the couch, exhausted. "So.. much.. stuff.." you groaned before grabbing the remote and turning the TV on to something random.

"Hello everybody, welcome back to Ja'far Reacts to Ships!" The TV boomed confidently. A pair of good looking teenagers, a boy and a girl, sat on two chairs. The girl seemed to be the main hostess.

The show dragged on, and before you knew it, you had fallen asleep. Your phone vibrated on the table.

Koumei Ren

Answer - Decline

•••

"Finally home." Ja'far stretched before opening the door and almost falling. "Huh? Why is this open?"

Dismissing the thought, he continued until he reached the couch. Ja'far shook you awake. "Oi," he frowned. "Get up."

You groaned, sitting up and unwillingly opening your eyes. You looked up at the person you barely recognize from the show. "What are you doing in my apartment?! I saw you on the show thing!" You shout, while pointing a finger at Ja'far accusingly.

"Your apartment? Don't make me laugh. This is my apartment, not yours," Ja'far walked to the small table near the kitchen with only two seats and sat on one while looking at you. You grab a pillow and hug it while glaring. Ja'far continues, "show me your room key."

You grab your keys from off the spot next to you and walk over. "Show me your key first!"

"At the same time."

"Fine!"

Then, the both of you showed each other the keys. You looked on the red tag and at yours. Room 305. You look again and again. "Well shit," you mutter.

Ignoring your usage of language, Ja'far sighs. "Let's go see the agent again."

•••

Real Estate, closed for good. The note the both of you stood in front of read. You stayed silent.

"Aren't you even concerned with the fact we were scammed?!" Ja'far placed his hands on his hips and turned his attention to you. You squint. "My co-worker warned me of this-"

"Oh, you mean that girl on stage with you?" You curiously question.

"Yes, now let me continue," your companion grumbles, irritated. "As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, my co-worker warned me of this and I quote "a lot of scams are going around. You might be a victim of one of those scams and get a roommate you don't know or like.""

"Right. Let's go check out the next place," you promptly ignore him and start walking away. Ja'far chases after you.

"Hey!"