Clouding My Judgement

The silence of flat 156 was a welcome relief, if a little unnerving. Naomi, phone still pressed to her ear, confirmed to her mum and sister, "Yeah, pretty sure I'm the first here." A small victory, she thought, avoiding the awkwardness of being the last arrival. Yet, the emptiness also meant she'd be waiting.

Just as a heavy exhale escaped her lips, the distinct sound of a front door opening echoed through the hall. Someone new. Without hesitation, Naomi made her way to the sound, finding a man, a boy, and then a pretty blonde-haired girl emerging from one of the rooms.

"Hi," they both greeted, a shy excitement in the air.

Naomi beamed, "You're the second one here!" The other girl, with a soft Birmingham lilt, smiled back. "Oh really, well I guess we have more time to get to know each other better then."

The conversation flowed effortlessly, as if they'd known each other for years, until an older voice interrupted, belonging to the girl's father. "Hey, hey girls, why don't you introduce yourselves to each other, you don't even know your each other's names yet."

They laughed, realizing their oversight. Her name was Olivia, Liv for short. The rest of the day was a blur of unpacking and introductions as other flatmates—Harriet, Charlie, and Andrew—trickled in. Naomi, nestled in her all-white flat, hoped the usual, tiresome questions about her race wouldn't start.

A knock at the front door pulled her from her thoughts. A petite brunette, looking shy, stood on the threshold. "Hi, my name is Eliza, I'm your next-door neighbor, I just wanted to say hi and meet all of you," she explained. Naomi, despite Eliza not being her usual type, felt an instant connection.

"Hey, we're all sat in the kitchen talking," Naomi offered, a spontaneous idea forming. "Why don't you and all of your flat come over and we can play some drinking games and get to know each other?" Eliza's quick nod and retreat signaled the beginning of what promised to be a lively night.