Kaida frowned as she crunched the numbers, the last thing she had wanted to do on her birthday. Their landlord had given them two months of notice that their rent was going up, and it was...frustrating. They could still get by with just the three of them, but they’d need to cut back on things. With a sigh of defeat, she noticed her Skype winking at her from her taskbar. Hm? Who would be pinging her at this hour? Curious, she opened the IM up...and everything seemed to fall into place.

Her friend Abby hadn’t been able to find someone to replace her roommate that was moving out in a couple of weeks. She couldn’t afford the apartment on her own. Kaida had the best idea click into her head.

She was quick to get approval from Matt and Yuki before responding to Abby.

They had a fourth room they’d been using as a guest room. Abby was welcome to it if she wanted to contribute to rent. The details were hashed out quickly enough, and a plan figured out.

Abby would take the free room. It was in a perfect spot for her, and she could move in as soon as she went through the appropriate paperwork and stuff. Dates were hashed out for her to meet with the landlord, and all was well with the world. The girl leaned back, feeling much more accomplished. She’d solved two problems with one stone. Things figured out, she moved to let Matt and Yuki know…

Only to be waylayed at her door and marched back in by two of her cousins. Melisande grinned at her, holding up an outfit Kaida had thought she’d LOST FOR GOOD at the older girl’s house.

“Come on. It’s your twenty-first birthday, and like hell you’re spending it at home since you have the night off.” Kaida made a squeaky noise as her other present cousin, Aceline, giggled.

“No, no. You’re coming with. Yuki’s also coming along, as the DD. We’re going to a good club, with good music, and good drinks. And I know the doorman and bouncers on duty tonight, so you’ll be nice and safe. No worries about anyone stealing you away from MIster Cute Scientist.”

“WHY DID YOU HAVE TO BRING HIM UP?!” Melisande laughed, helping Kaida get changed.

“Because it’s so obvious you have the biggest thing for him. Really...it’s good to see you fall again after that a*****e. You’re so precious when you’re in love. Or lust. Whichever this is.” The blonde groaned, face bright red.

“Meeeeeeel. You are a butt, you know that right?”

“Yup~. Been called worse things, too. But I give no shits. Now, stand straight while I zip this up.” Kaida sighed and did as told. This was going to be a weird night.

[Word Count: 471, according to Google Docs]