My name is Lukas, and I'm a 17-year-old high school student. To be honest, life's been pretty easy so far. I'm doing well in school, not exactly popular, but I've got a lot of friends. Things have been smooth, and I'm just trying to enjoy this summer
As I head home after another long day, I feel the usual exhaustion setting in. It's just another normal evening, or so I think.
But as I get closer to the door, I notice something odd. It's slightly opened.
"Did I forget to close it when I left?" I wonder to myself.
My stomach tightens a little as I step inside, and immediately, I get the strange feeling that something's off. My eyes scan the living room—nothing's out of place, no signs of a break-in. But then, my gaze lands on something unexpected: a person sitting on the couch. Someone I've never seen before.
"Who are you, and what are you doing in my house?!" I snap, unable to contain my confusion and frustration.
The person jumps, clearly startled by the outburst. "Jeez... Can you be more quiet, whoever you are?" they respond, irritation in their tone.
"No, I cannot be quiet when there's a stranger in my house!" Lukas shoots back, his frustration mounting.
The stranger raises an eyebrow, clearly unfazed. "Your house? So you're the weirdo I have to share this house with?"
Lukas, stunned, glares at them. "Excuse me, but this is my house."
The stranger shrugs nonchalantly. "The people who brought me here said there would be another person living here. I expected a girl. Or a handsome guy, at least."
Lukas narrows his eyes. "Well, I don't know who said you could live here, but get out—" He pauses, a thought suddenly clicking in his mind. "Wait a minute… My mom did mention something about some exchange student stuff… Nah, that doesn't make sense."
The stranger, now scrolling on their phone, cuts in. "Well, look, I've been brought here, and now I live here, whether you like it or not."
Lukas, feeling a headache coming on, rubs his temples. "Yeah, sure. Anyway, why are you here?"
The stranger looks up, finally offering an explanation. "Exchange student program. Some teachers said they had a place for me, and here I am."
Lukas's jaw clenches. "You're kidding…"
He pauses for a moment, trying to wrap his head around the situation. "So… there might have been a misunderstanding. You see, there's a chance the teachers who promised you a place were my parents… and this is my house."
The stranger raises an eyebrow. "Did you buy it?"
Lukas, growing more exasperated, sighs. "No, but—"
"Who did?" the stranger presses.
Lukas's patience is wearing thin. "My parents, but I don't see how that's relevant."
"It's their house," the stranger says dismissively. "They said I can stay here, so I will."
Without further acknowledgment of Lukas, the stranger turns back to her phone, scrolling as if nothing happened.
Under his breath, Lukas mutters, "Bitch…" He leaves the living room, heading for his bedroom.
Once inside, he grabs his phone and dials his mom's number. The phone rings a few times before she picks up.
"Hi," his mom says, her voice casual.
Lukas, still frustrated, asks, "Mom, can you Tell me what's with this weirdo in my house?"
"That's not a nice thing to call your roommate, Luke. I raised you better," she scolds him, her tone stern.
Lukas rolls his eyes. "Alright, so what's with her, and why is she here?"
"She had no place to stay, and our house is too crowded. Sorry, hun," his mom explains.
Lukas sighs, rubbing his forehead. "No, it's n—"
Before he can finish, his mom hangs up. Lukas throws himself onto his bed, muttering a string of gibberish as he tries to process everything.
Hours pass, and the stranger seems to be doing nothing of importance. Lukas barely notices her, feeling the weight of the day dragging him down.
Suddenly, there's a knock on his bedroom door. Lukas groans, rolling his eyes. "That damn stranger can't even let me sleep."
He drags himself out of bed and opens the door, ready to snap at whoever's on the other side. But it's the same person from the living room, looking tired and impatient.
"What?" Lukas asks, glaring.
"Move, I'm tired," the stranger demands, trying to push past him.
Lukas glares back, his patience completely gone. "Get lost."
He attempts to close the door, but the stranger sticks her foot in the way, blocking it. Lukas's irritation flares up. "I will crush your foot," he threatens.
The stranger smirks. "No, you wouldn't. Now let me in. I wanna sleep."
Lukas, frustrated, finally realizes what she wants. "No."
The stranger sighs dramatically. "Well, then where am I gonna sleep?"
Lukas thinks for a second. "We have a couch?"
The stranger rolls her eyes. "Oh, right. Go sleep there."
Lukas stands firm. "This is my house. I won't let a stranger sleep in my bed."
The stranger raises an eyebrow. "Your parents' house."
Lukas grits his teeth. "Leave me alone."
The stranger stares at him for a moment before shrugging. "Fine," she says, and walks away, heading back to the living room.
Lukas shuts the door with a huff, then jumps back onto his bed. Slowly, exhaustion starts to settle in, and he drifts off to sleep, but the events of the day still swirl in his mind.