My Roommate Is My Baby Daddy

"Please, sweetheart... not again," Jade murmured, staring helplessly at her laptop screen.

It was the 31st of November. Christmas was coming fast, and the streets outside Jade's apartment were already exploding with music, lights, cinnamon-scented vendors, couples taking photos, and kids chasing fake snow.

But Jade wasn't a part of any of it.

Inside her cramped apartment, Harper's cries scraped through the air.

Harper had been fussing for almost twenty minutes, but Jade kept her eyes glued to the laptop screen as if staring hard enough would magically fix her life. The cursor blinked back at her, impatient and loud in the silence of the tiny apartment. Behind her, Harper let out another frustrated whine... loud, tired, and frustrating.

"I know, baby. I know." Jade pinched the bridge of her nose. She ran a hand through her hair as she stared at the empty can of formula, completely rinsed out.

"I can't buy more," she whispered. "Not without losing the rent."

The baby's formula have been empty for days now and every time she thought about replacing it, her gaze always landed on the spreadsheet tracking her savings. The numbers were terrifyingly low, ravaged by the sudden, hike in her apartment rent right before the holidays.

The Christmas holiday is fast approaching and the increase is a crazy one.

If she bought the formula now, the meager safety net she was knitting against the developer's threat would be shredded. She was already working two jobs, running on fumes, and still losing ground.

She placed her hands on her face and let out a deep breathe. "I need a lifeline."

She picked up Harper and bounced her lightly as she walked back to seat in front of her laptop.

Harper sobbed harder.

"Okay, okay... think, Jade. Think."

Her eyes drifted over the glowing screen. And then... an idea hit her so suddenly that she stopped moving.

"A roommate," she breathed. "Half the rent. That's... that's enough to survive."

Harper hiccupped in her arms.

Jade sat down and typed quickly:

ROOMMATE WANTED... Female only, private room... pay and move in immediately.

She hesitated only for a second before clicking Post.

"There," she whispered. "Please let someone answer."

She rocked Harper while humming a shaky lullaby... until her laptop dinged.

Jade froze. Then rushed to the screen.

New message: J. Morrison

Her eyes widened.

"Already?"

She clicked.

"Is the room still available? I can move in tomorrow payment is ready."

Jade didn't have the time to think as she typed back fast:

"Available. Payment confirms reservation."

She sent her account details and two seconds later... she got the money.

Jade exhaled a small, choked laugh. "Harper, you're eating tonight. Thank you Jess...oh sorry or maybe Jenny?" She laughed again as a surge of relief washed over her. With the deposit secured, she could breathe, even if it just for a moment. Happy, Jade quickly pulled on a coat,

She grabbed her purse and ran out the door.

By evening, Harper was fed, warm,