"Rule Sixteen: No Immoral Acts"

**Cornelia POV**

We were now sitting in the living room as he placed an ice bag on his head.

I explained everything to him the rent situation, the roommate thing, all of it.

He only scoffed. "Why can't you just pack up and leave?" he said.

I glared at him. "What did you just say??? There's no way I'm leaving this apartment," I said, standing my ground literally and figuratively.

"But I'm the one who paid for it first," he said. "And I'm the one who's lived here and still pays for it."

"This is meaningless. There's no way I'm staying with a stranger," he said.

"Me too," I said, still glaring at him. I thought he'd be nice clearly I overestimated him. He's a jerk.

He groaned. "I can't believe that landlord was this foolish," he said, getting up and walking off to who-knows-where.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Away from you," he said, climbing the stairs like he was the wronged party here.

I scoffed. What the hell.

I stood up. "You can't just walk away we're not done," I said, trailing after him like a very annoyed shadow.

"Can't you just keep quiet?" he said, still walking.

What was wrong with this guy? Was this how he planned to treat me like an inconvenience he hadn't ordered?

"Hey, wait!" I said, running in front of him.

"What now?" he said, crossing his arms.

"I know you're kind of annoyed after finding out a complete stranger is staying in your apartment, and that you now have to live with them. And I get it." Then, muttering the last part under my breath: "Considering it's happening to me too."

"So can't we just talk it out and set some rules? Besides, you've only got a year left before your rent's up anyway," I said, raising an eyebrow.

He was quiet, then sighed. "Okay, fine."

"Okay," I said, smiling a little too victoriously.

"Let me just get my pen and notebook," I said, heading into the room while he went downstairs presumably to sulk on the couch like a man who'd lost a war he started.

As soon as I stepped in, I leaned my back against the door and breathed out.

Ahh, that was a relief I actually got him to listen, I thought, walking to my bag for the notebook and pen.

But then I remembered the kiss, and it flashed straight back into my mind.

Ahhhhh, I can't believe my first kiss was with that big-headed jerk-face, I told myself, practically near tears over it.

I groaned, slowly opening the door and looking downstairs he was sitting on the couch already. I groaned even harder. Of course he beat me down there. Showoff.

I walked downstairs and finally sat across from him.

"Okay," I started, "let's make some house rules," offering him a smile.

But his face stayed completely blank unreadable, like a man who'd never smiled in his life. This is getting awkward, I thought.

I wonder what I'll even write, I thought, staring at my blank paper like it owed me answers.

"Okay, let's get to know each other," I said.

"My name is Cornelia Lockwood," I said, offering him my hand. "And you are...?" But he looked at me like I'd just asked him to join a cult.

He didn't even shake my hand. I smiled awkwardly. What the hell was wrong with him, I thought, trying very hard not to glare.

Then he cleared his throat. "I'm Andrew Ashford," he said.

"Wow, what a nice name for someone who acts like such a dick," I said out loud without meaning to.

"What did you say?" he asked.

Did I just think out loud? I thought, shaking my head and saying nothing, laughing awkwardly instead.

"Okay, let's state the rules," I said.

**Rule one:** Knock before entering rooms. Don't borrow stuff without asking.

**Rule two:** If someone's at the desk or on a call, keep volume low no loud music or TV in that zone.

**Rule three:** No guests on beds, no messy food there, and keep your sheets and linens to yourself, since we'll be taking turns sleeping on the bed.

**Rule four:** Clean up right after you use the kitchen, bathroom, or living room.

**Rule five:** Dishes don't live in the sink wash, dry, and put away within 24 hours.

**Rule six:** Trash and recycling go out on schedule. If it's full or smelly, whoever sees it takes it out.

**Rule seven:** Bathroom time limit during rush hours mornings and evenings, 15-20 minutes max if someone's waiting.

**Rule eight:** Guests are a group decision ask first, set an end time, and you're responsible for anything they mess up.

**Rule nine:** Label your food. If it's not labeled "free," hands off.

**Rule ten:** Share costs for shared items toilet paper, cleaning supplies, soap split it.

**Rule eleven:** Communicate issues early. Small annoyances become big fights. Talk calmly before resentment builds.

**Rule twelve:** Don't turn the living room into your personal storage unit.

**Rule thirteen:** Thermostat and light rules agree on a temp range, and turn off lights and fans when you leave.

**Rule fourteen:** Lock doors and windows. Security is everyone's job. Last one out, double-check.

**Rule fifteen:** No parties.

**Rule sixteen:** No immoral acts.

I said that last one as he burst out laughing.

"What??" I said.

"What do you mean by that 'immoral acts'? You think I'm going to do something to you?" he said, looking at me.

But before I could say anything, he added, "You're not even that attractive not exactly my type."

"Excuse me?" was the only thing I could say.

I can't believe this dick wasn't he the one who kissed me?

"You really are a dick," I said.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

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