Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 66518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
After we ended the call, I crossed the studio to investigate. Sure enough, Kit had made himself a cozy little hidden bedroom. Besides a nest of blankets and pillows on an air mattress, there was a stack of books, a half-empty water bottle, and a flashlight. There was also a little teddy bear sticking out among the bedding, which made my heart go out to him.
A key clicked in the lock just then, and I straightened up and turned toward the door as Kit entered. His hair was damp, and there was a backpack slung over his shoulder.
He froze when he saw me, and I blurted, “I didn’t mean to snoop. You left the sheet folded back like this.”
“You’re really early.”
“Kit, have you been living here?” He hesitated, but then he nodded. “For how long?”
“Since the start of the school year. Please don’t tell anyone.”
“I won’t, but what led to this?”
“I sprained my ankle last summer and missed too much work, so I lost my job. Then I got behind on my rent and couldn’t catch up, so I got evicted. I thought this would only be temporary, but I haven’t been able to find a place I can afford.”
“How have you been getting by?”
“After I got evicted, I sold most of my possessions and used some of that money on a discounted gym membership. It’s right off campus, and I go there to shower. I also got myself a student dining pass, and I rely on the cafeteria for my meals. Those two things have been a huge help.”
“Wasn’t the cafeteria closed over spring break?”
“Yeah, but I’ve learned how to get by without much money. One of my favorite tricks is heating up water in the coffee maker and using it to make ramen,” he said. “That stuff’s really affordable.”
“I feel awful.”
“Why?”
“Because you’ve been struggling, and I was totally oblivious.”
“I made sure to hide the fact that I was living here, so please don’t feel bad,” he said. “It seemed unfair to ask you to keep my secret. Now I guess I don’t have a choice.”
“I want you to come live with me. I’ll ask my landladies if it’s okay, but I’m sure they won’t mind. My room’s a little cluttered, but I can move some stuff around, and we’ll make it work.”
“That’s sweet, but I’m pretty broke. I wouldn’t be able to pay my share of the rent.”
“You’ll be my guest. I don’t expect you to pay anything.”
He looked hopeful as he asked, “Are you sure about this?”
“Absolutely.”
“That would be amazing! Trying to hide the fact that I’m living here has been pretty stressful. I was so afraid I’d get expelled if anyone found out.”
“You’re going to love the pink Victorian. Everyone is really nice.”
Kit threw his arms around me and whispered, “I can’t thank you enough for this.”
“I’m happy to help.”
When he let go of me and stepped back, there were tears in his eyes. He quickly dabbed them away and smiled at me. Then he tossed the backpack under his worktable and dropped the makeshift curtain.
“You don’t have to hide that anymore,” I said.
“Force of habit. Besides, what if someone from our program happened to drop by? It’d be a bummer to get caught on my last day of super-secret studio squatting.” I grinned at the name, and he said, “Okay, enough about my crap. I want to hear about your week off with your sexy cowboy. How was it?”
“So great.” I told him about Ryder and the ranch and all the animals, and then I said, “But now I need to get to work on my collection, because I’m totally behind. I guess I need to go with those Japanese-modern designs I sketched at the start of the school year.”
“The sketches you showed me were pretty, and since you’re half-Japanese, it’s cool that you’re tapping into your heritage.”
“I just wish I was more excited about it. But I haven’t had any other ideas, so I guess it’s better than nothing. I also wish it was more creative and original, because that’s what brings in the best job offers.”
“I decided not to worry about trying to land a job with my collection,” Kit said. “I fell in love with this field by working freelance and designing costumes for drag queens, and that’s how I want to make a living. So, this final collection is going to be big, bold, and totally over the top, because that’s what makes me happy.”
“I admire you for following your heart.”
“It might be a huge mistake. We both know the year-end fashion show is heavily scouted, and a few years from now, maybe I’ll regret missing my chance at a good job. But it feels wrong to do anything but this.”
He gestured at a very elaborate red gown on one of his dress forms, and I said, “Your collection is going to be spectacular.”