Troubles

Alex was speechless at Austin's shamelessness. Austin had come to his door and asked for money several times before but he would leave after throwing few demeaning remarks after seeing the paper but Alex never expected Austin to be so lawless. Alex maintains composure despite feeling indignant.

'I won't stay in this shitty place if I could find a better one.' He thought.

"Sir, perhaps you didn't read the paper properly, I will give the copy I printed out tomorrow. I have kept few copies incase I lose one." Alex was just lying to Austin hoping that he would not demand him for the copy. Alex never lost his things so he never made any copies of receipts. It would be a waste of money.

Austin was embarrassed at Alex's remark.

'I didn't think this brat would have copies of these.' He didn't ask for the copies as Alex expected. But what he didn't expect was, " You have stayed here over a year. It's time to raise rent." Austin said.

Alex's heart dropped at this.

"You said that you won't raise rent when I first came." Alex said." That was a year ago. Prices are increasing, and we don't have any contract. Pay an extra 1k credits from this month or get lost from my apartment." Austin said and left.

Alex was standing in the corridor for a few minutes and made up his mind. He went inside his apartment and slammed the door. He was usually gentle with it because the door was very old and could break anytime. The entire apartment had several flaws and needed repairs but Austin never bothered the complaints. He was busy wasting away his money in gambling. His wife would just take some money for essentials from the rent to keep the family running and the rest would be taken by Austin. Alex didn't want to confront the lady who was having a hard time herself with this.

'The rent is 2k which is already a lot for this. I can rent far better place than this with just 2.5k let alone 3k.' Alex could afford the raised rent with his earnings but it would eat up his savings for the future. Plus he would have to pay for the electricity and water including 'maintenance fees' for this apartment.

'It seems that his gambling got worse.' Alex thought. Trying to cheat money and raising rent showed at his greed had already consumed him.

"He only tore the receipt today. But what about tomorrow? Will he raise the rent or some fees again? What if he collides with thugs to extort me or use his key to trespass into the apartment to steal my things?" Alex shudders at this thought.

'It's better to move out of this place. I can look for places to rent for 2.5k. Although it would be more expensive than the current rent; it would be a lot safer and I can afford it.' The current apartment's rent should be about 1.8 or 1.9k due to various problems but Alex couldn't find any other place just after leaving the orphanage so he chose this. He used plastic tape to secure few wires, sealant for cracked pipes etc.

He went to pack few of his stuff. 'I wanted to wait until the sale to purchase the luggage bag but it seems that I have to buy it now. It's better to leave as soon as possible. Safe than sorry.'

Alex hit the bed after packing few things. Next morning, he delivered the newspapers and took a leave from the school to search for a place. He went to different places but could not find a apartment. He also took the opportunity to buy a luggage bag.

Alex finally found a decent apartment. His apartment is in 3rd floor. His unit consists of a bedroom with a small balcony, a kitchen and living room close together and a bathroom. The wires and pipes seemed to be maintained properly. The lack of natural sunlight and dilapidated walls along with the busy road nearby devalued the apartment.

'I can manage to sleep with earplugs. It's closer to the restaurant and the community here seems to be nice so I can walk back at night instead of taking a bus thus saving money. The other apartment doesn't have much sunlight and I will be staying here for about 2 years only so there is no need to worry about long term effects.' He paid the deposit to the kind old man who seemed to be taking care of the property in his daughter's place. The man was kind enough to further reduce the rent to 2k from 2.5k after hearing about Alex's situation.

"You are a young man. You should spend more money on food to keep yourself healthy. My daughter is living with her husband in another city and the rent is used by me. How much money could I spend on myself and my old hag?" The grandpa smiles kindly and turns to walk away.

Alex was happy at this offer but was also a bit conflicted because he felt that he was taking advantage to their kindness. 'Let's not think about it right now." Alex borrowed cleaning supplies and cleaned new new apartment and left the luggage bag there and went to his old apartment to wash himself before heading towards Shelly's home.

'I will bring the luggage bag at night to avoid Austin. He might understand what I am up to and stop me if he sees the bag. I can pack today night and move out tomorrow morning. Lady landlord(Austin's wife) would be the only one up early in the morning. I can leave the keys with her and leave without meeting Austin.' Alex was not scared of Austin but was reluctant to argue with him. Austin might cause trouble and kick up fuss if he knows. He might even demand money with some unreasonable justification.

Meanwhile, Shelly was walking home. She saw few thugs in the direction of her home near her school. She was not scared of them since they were near school but took a detour to be on the safe side. While walking, she saw Brad going towards them and heard him say.

"That bastard Alex didn't come today." Brad was visibly irritated.

"Do you think he got to know our plan to beat him up?" One of the thugs asked. Shelly was shocked by what she heard. She went back around the corner and acted as if she was looking at her phone.

"No, that's not possible. He might had something going on. We can try tomorrow. I will get Brendan expelled at all costs." Brad rejected that possibility.

Shelly was confused about what she heard but walked away after getting information. She was thinking about what she heard while walking home.

'Who is this Brendan? Why does Brad want to beat Alex?" Shelly thought.

'Brendan might be the second year senior. Brad wants to frame him of hurting Alex and get him expelled!!' Shelly came to this conclusion from what she heard.

'Good thing Alex didn't come today. But why is he absent?' Shelly checked her phone for any messages from Alex and saw that she received none.

'I will call him if he is not at home.' Shelly decides.