*TRIGGER WARNING: Mention of Brief Homophobia

Audrey's POV

Two years and eleven months before present day.

"Hello, are you doing okay?" A silky-smooth voice asked me.

"Oh yes, I'm okay. Thank you," I responded quickly before I looked up at the beautiful female cheesemonger with long black hair tucked in a ponytail and a pretty tattoo sleeve on her right arm. I immediately sensed butterflies fluttering in my stomach as she smiled warmly and walked away. I finally decided on the Cranberry Wensleydale and speedily walked away with my shopping cart.

Why does this constantly happen to me? I reprimanded myself.

This has become a normal occurrence for me whenever I see an attractive woman. I consider myself a demisexual, meaning I'm not capable of having sex with a person unless I feel romantically and emotionally connected to them. My friend, Vivian, think I'm too emotionally sensitive and shouldn't restrict sex to feelings, but I could never seem to just hook up with a random person for a one-night stand. I needed that passion, that love, and the fierce eye contact during climax...

I sighed and shook my head. Why the hell am I thinking about this in the middle of a freaking grocery store?

When I arrived home that day after shopping at Whole Foods, my mother must have noticed the expression on my face (whatever it was) because she asked:

"Did you meet a cute boy today? You look like you met someone."

"Yeah, I met someone. But I don't think it's going to go anywhere," I answered as I unpacked the groceries.

Yes, I do still live with my mother. I mean, the economy today and the rent prices?? How in the world can a twenty year old afford to pay for rent, insurance, gas, car payments, food, et cetera, in today's economy? I was aware of the option to live with a roommate, but living with my mother and enduring her constant naggings seemed easier. Plus, safety was a big concern as well.

Until today.

"Has he talked to you?" My mother inquired.

That's when I decided then and there that I would tell her the truth. Enough is enough.

"She, mom. I'm bisexual, okay? I like both men and women. I'm in a good mood because I saw a pretty woman. But like I said, it's not going to go anywhere, so please leave me alone."

My mother's mouth dropped open as she gaped at me in stunned silence while I continued to unpack the groceries. The rustling of packaging and paper bags filled the quiet air. Finally, a maniacal laugh escaped her mouth as she threw her head back and cackled like an evil witch who had just brewed up a potion to lure the unfortunate to her house.

"There's no such thing as bisexual," she finally gasped once her cackling fit ended. "You're either straight and attracted to the opposite gender like a normal person or you're gay and mentally ill, possessed by demons".

I wasn't exactly surprised by her outburst. After all, she is a longtime Infowars listener and voted for Trump.

"What even makes you think that gay people are possessed by demons?" I asked, suddenly curious about that theory.

"Because gay people are the Creation of the devil and are possessed by demons as it's easier for a demon to possess a person who has sex with the same gendered person. Same with those trans people. A body containing two genders makes it a breeze for demons to possess it. Their thoughts and wants are unnatural and ungodly. They can't even produce children the natural way."

"Well, I don't care what you and your fellow conspirators think, I'm bisexual. And being bisexual doesn't even mean that I'll end up with a woman. I like both men and women. And you can choose to accept that, or don't." I seethed, internally enraged. Half the shit that she spit out didn't even make any fucking sense.

"If you want to be bisexual and fuck women like a disgusting satanic pig, then you can be that. But not under my fucking roof. You better find another place, because I'll not have a demon bitch living under my roof, eating my food, and using my water!" She shrieked as her face became distorted with anger.

"Fine!" I said, still keeping my tone normal. "I'll move out. It's time for me anyway to get away from here".

She huffed and stomped out of the room while mumbling obscenities as I finished unpacking the groceries. I knew that she was going to change her mind and allow me to stay, as she always did, but this time I was adamant to find a place and move out.

One month later

Searching for a roommate was a complete disaster. I posted an ad on Facebook and Craigslist, which ended up with me receiving a nightmarish amount of messages and responses from ineligible candidates. Even a couple of creeps attempted to communicate with me. I had to take both ads down after my last phone interview where the man asked me to send him pictures of my knees.

One of my friends, Sebastian, recommended a female acquaintance who was also in search of a roommate. I agreed to meet up with her at a nearby pizza place known for its unique pizzas and the variety of toppings ranging, including feta cheese and sundried tomatoes.

I wasn't even sure what she looked like. The only piece of information that my friend provided me with was that she's a redhead. Which indicates the desperation in my roommate search since I have zero information regarding her. But that wouldn't be any different than from my other previous candidates.

When I entered the restaurant, the smell of freshly baked pizzas, the savory aroma of tomato sauce, and the tantalizing scent of various toppings filled my nostrils. I deeply inhaled the delectable air as my eyes immediately fell on a redhead woman whose back was turned away from the entrance. I nervously straightened my shoulders and hesitantly walked up to her, in case she was the wrong person.

"Hi, um, excuse me. Are you--?"

"Oh! You must be Audrey!" The redhead exclaimed in a heavy Australian accent as she turned towards me and sprang up from her seat to air-kiss me on both cheeks, which took me by surprise.

My breath caught in my throat when I saw her face. Her electrifying blue eyes, defined cheekbones, and soft auburn hair completely captured my awe and attention. Her accent flowed into my mind like euphoria, which wasn't a surprise since I absolutely adored gorgeous Australian women and their phenomenal voices. She was wearing a black leather jacket, black skinny jeans, a beige button-down shirt, and a gold watch that dangled daintily from her wrist.

"I see Sebastian didn't tell you anything about me," she lightly chuckled, the cuteness of the sound sending an incredibly warm feeling in my chest. "Why am I not surprised."

"He purposefully does these things," I slightly laughed as I took my seat at the table, "And you are---?"

"Julia," she answered, giving me another one of her breath-taking smiles.

We ordered our food, and the conversation flowed smoothly. Somewhere along the way, the topic of our habits came up, as it was an important aspect in finding an eligible roommate.

"What is your cleaning routine?" I interrogated, hoping that her response will be the one I was looking for.

"I'm actually kind of a neat freak," she chuckled. "I absolutely can not stand dirty dishes in the sink or stinking piles of clothes. I do hope that you're not messy or anything."

"Oh, not at all. I mean, sometimes there can be a bit of a mess in my own room when I'm in a hurry or whatever, but I don't think that should bother you?" I raised my eyebrow.

"No, you can do whatever you want in your room. I actually will be more than happy to clean it for you if you want," she eagerly offered. "And if you can't cook, that's no problem, because I can whip up an amazing homemade meal."

Okay, well, that's not so bad... I thought, A personal cleaner and chef who is also magnificently gorgeous? Who wouldn't like that?

"Okay, that sounds good---"

"I also still use the twenty-four hour clock," she cut me off. "I understand that Americans use the twelve hour one."

"That's fine! I mean, I won't pressure you to change the way you tell time," I assured her with a smile.

I took a bite out of my pizza that had just arrived. The aroma of the feta cheese and mushrooms was enough to make me quietly moan as I closed my eyes, savoring the gooey texture of melted cheese and the sweetness of the sundried tomatoes.

When I opened my eyes, she was staring at me with a weird expression on her face.

"What?" I asked with a small laugh as I wiped my mouth with a napkin.

"Are you always... um... intimate with your food?"

I raised both my eyebrows at that, although I wasn't exactly surprised that she mentioned it. But I was sure that I had hidden my vivid appreciation for food.

"Is that a problem?" Dread began to fill my heart, because what if I just screwed up...

"I mean... kinda? I just find it weird to have such a reaction towards food."

I could tell that she was weirded out by it, and usually I would never change my habits for anyone. However, for some reason, she was different in a way that if she told me to fix my habits, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

"If you don't like it, then..."

"No, just... maybe don't do it in front of me?" She shrugged her shoulders. "I mean, you can moan as loud as you want when I'm not around."

I smirked a little at the last part. I found that amusingly inappropriate.

"Sounds good to me."

We finished our food and when the check arrived, I insisted on footing the entire bill, but she was extremely persistent in paying for her own food. So eventually I gave in, and we paid separately for our meals.

"So... I really enjoyed talking to you, and if you're still interested, I'd love to be roommates," I spoke up once we exited the restaurant and stood on the sidewalk.

"Of course I'm still interested!" She brightly smiled. "I think you'd make a great partner... roommate I mean." She quickly corrected herself as a pink color appeared on her cheeks.

Partner huh... I thought as I found myself smirking on the inside.

"I think so too!" I handed her an already-prepared torn piece of paper containing my name and phone number. "This is my number. Just call me anytime, or text, whichever works for you."

"Sounds good! I'll call you soon. Unless you will be too busy moaning at your food," she commented with a devilish smirk.

I laughed at that, appreciating her humor. As I watched her walk away, I inhaled a deep breath of fresh air to calm down the tornado of emotions swirling in my head. Conversing with her brought up a magnitude of emotions which I've never experienced before.

She's the first woman who absolutely stole my breath away.