*Sammie’s POV (7am, Friday the 24th)

My phone is ringing. Why is my phone ringing this early? I feel for my cellphone on my nightstand and answer. “Hello, Samantha this is your supervisor from Hollister. I was calling to ask you again to consider being a lingerie model for us.” Not again. “I’m sorry, but my answer is still no. You know how I feel about showing off my body.” I say this for like the millionth time to this woman. “I won’t subject myself to being a sensual object for the pleasure of men! I am beyond that.” I state proudly.

Soon after I started working at Hollister, they asked me to model. It actually wasn’t anything too skimpy so I took it. More money in my pocket anyway. For a while now, they’ve been trying to “upgrade” me to lingerie. Naturally I’ve refused but they keep bothering me about it.

“I should point out, miss, that I first started out in lingerie modeling. If you don’t take this job, will be back at the register.” “Yes, so clearly you weren’t beyond selling out and modeling for males everywhere so they could gawk at and jerk off to you!” I shout. “Okay, Samantha that is enough.…If you don’t retract that statement, I’m afraid I’m going to have to let you go.”

“Fine, fire me! I don’t need this job! I don’t care if it’s more money, I would rather get minimum wage and still have my dignity!” I say hanging up on her. …but I do need this job. Literally. I need this job to keep my apartment! What did I just do?! I wasn’t thinking! I sit down on my bed and cry.

I cannot believe this happened. Now I only have my job at Applebee’s and that won’t be enough even for my rent. I could try calling her back but they won’t hire me back when I talked to her like that. And on top of this, Savannah called me yesterday to tell me that she’d only be back for the day and then she’d leave again this morning to go to LA for 3 months, so I only got to see her for a day and it was to help her pack her other things. I don’t know what to do. I need to see Louis. I have to see him before I do something stupid.

I quickly dial his number in my phone. This is too important to text. He answers on the first ring. “Sammie? You never talk to me this early, let alone call me. What’s the matter?” “I lost my job at Hollister.” I say through my tears. “Oh my gosh…I’m so sorry Sammie. Why??” he asks.

“Can you come over? I need someone.” “Of course, I’m on my way. You didn’t hurt yourself, did you?” he questions concerned. “No no I’m not hurt I just don’t wanna be alone.” “Okay good. Hang tight I’ll be there soon.” He says before hanging up.

I don’t even bother changing out of my pajamas. I just sit on my bed and cry until he gets here. As soon as he knocks, I run to the door and open it, throwing myself into Louis’ arms. He immediately wraps his arms around me tight. He leads me to the couch and we sit. “Now, tell me what happened.” he says.

I tell him all about the phone call and how I’m worried about finding another job that pays just as much. “Well I think it was right for you to refuse the position. I just wish they wouldn’t have fired you.” “I know…I just don’t know what to do now. As long as I’m only working at Applebee’s at night, I won’t be able to afford living here.” I say.

We’re both silent for a while, probably just thinking trying to figure out what my next move should be. What feels like an eternity later, he finally speaks up. But what he says, I never would have expected to hear from him. Especially since we haven’t known each other very long yet. “…why don’t you…maybe…move in with me?” he asks.

“Seriously? Louis, I couldn’t ask you to take me in. I wouldn’t be able to contribute to the rent or anything. I can’t mooch off of you like that.” “Don’t be silly, Sam. It’s not a problem. I make so much money from doing shows that I don’t even care. It would be great to live together, don’t you think? I mean we already spend the time we aren’t busy with each other so why not?” he says excitedly.

Really, I have no excuse to not move in with him. It would work perfectly. I know where his apartment building is and it’s pretty close to Applebee’s and my high school. It’s not like I have a ton of stuff to take there either. All I have is my bed, nightstand, a couple lamps, a couch, a chair, toiletries, linens, and my clothes. Why the hell not?

“Okay, I’ll move in with you!” Louis cheers and hugs me. “Awesome! Wanna spend the day moving your stuff?” “Okay! Let’s start packing!” I exclaim jumping up to get out my suitcases. Louis chuckles and follows after me.

All day we pack my suitcases and get a van to load my furniture into. By noon, we have my car and the van loaded up and my apartment is empty. I leave my key on the counter and Louis and I get in our cars and the van and I follow Louis to his building. When we get there, the furniture is brought up little by little and I bring up my suitcases.

When everything is there, I get the bed situated in the spare room before I have to get ready for work. Once I’m ready, I see I have a couple more hours so I have Louis help me arrange his furniture and mine so that it all looks good together. By 4:30, we’re satisfied with how our place looks and we collapse onto his couch.

“Oh man, I gotta start heading to work. …Don’t you have a show tonight?” I ask Louis. “Oh shit! I forgot in all this excitement. Yes I do. I’ll leave now too. See you at 10:00 sharp at your work!” he says hugging me goodbye. “See you then, Lou!” He leaves and I quickly fix my ponytail before heading out.

Somehow I feel like this was the best move for me to make right now…and maybe the best one I’ve made in my life so far. I don’t have to worry about making enough money, and this building is close to my job and my school. It’s the best set up and right about now, I couldn’t be more thankful for meeting Louis Tomlinson.

Notes