"I hope you like it," the woman said as she turned the key in the doorknob. She pushed open the door and isaac instantly began inspecting the apartment. It was very little, but also fully furnished.

"How much?" he asked.

"Five hundred a month."

"Yikes," he muttered. Half of his money was going for rent! "I'll take it," he sighed. "I'd like to pay for three months rent."

"Very well," the woman smiled. "Let's go back to my office and file the paperwork."

"OK," he agreed and followed her out of the apartment. This is going to be more expensive than I thought.

Once they reached the office, the woman began pulling papers and having him sign them. "That will be fifteen hundred dollars." He reached into his wallet and begrudgingly handed her the money. "If there are any problems, or if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call me," she smiled.

"I will," Isaac replied and took the key from her outstretched hand. He turned and went back to his room, this time taking the elevator. "Hey, Julie," he greeted as he walked into the elevator and saw her leaning against the wall with her book in hand.

"Hey," she smiled.

"Are you visiting someone?"

"No, I live here," she told him. "What are you?"

"Just moved in," he grinned.

"Cool. Need some help moving in?" she offered.

"I only brought some clothes," he replied, "cause I'll only be here for the summer."

"Oh," she said softly and looked away. She couldn't get close to him. Too many people had left her in her life and she didn't need to add one more to the ever-growing list.

"Hey, would you have dinner with me tonight?"

It was a temptation and Julie actually considered it. "No, I can't."

"You don't want me to eat my first dinner alone, do you?" Isaac asked and put on the puppy dog face.

"I don't know...."

"Come on. I can whip up a great microwave dinner," he persisted and flashed a smile.

"Yeah, I'll come," Julie laughed, giving in.

"Good," he smiled. "Time for me to get off," he told her as the elevator bell rang.

"Me too."

"Really? What room are you in?"

"Eleven, and you?"

"Fifteen."

"Two rooms down," Julie mused.

"Seven o'clock?"

"Huh?" she asked, startled.

"Dinner tonight, seven o'clock?"

"OK," Julie agreed and glanced at her watch. She only had six hours to get ready. "See you tonight, then."

"Bye," he smiled and turned the key in the knob to his apartment and watched her walk to her room. He gave her one final wave before she disappeared into her own apartment.

Isaac stepped into his apartment and closed the door, leaning against it and breathing in the air blowing through the window. A thought flew through his mind that made him scowl. I brought jeans when I needed shorts. "Crap," he said aloud, closed the window, and grabbed his car keys.

.:Chapter 4:.