30 Days Of Us

It was the beginning of spring.

Lily Bakers, an 18-year-old country girl, was riding a taxi toward her new apartment. She had dark brown hair and black eyes that sparkled like crystals. Her skin was slightly tanned from days spent working in the fields. A small mole rested beside her left eye—something her beloved grandmother always called a sign of good luck. Petite in build, Lily wore a green, sunflower-patterned dress that fluttered slightly with each movement.

She gazed out the taxi window, awestruck by the unfamiliar sight of towering buildings, elegant boutiques, upscale restaurants, and bustling city streets.

Her hometown was the complete opposite—simple living, quaint little stores, and a tight-knit village where everyone knew each other by name. Now, in the heart of the city, Lily felt like she had stepped into an entirely different world. Nervous yet excited, she was ready to begin a brand new chapter of her life.

The taxi came to a stop. Lily stepped out and paid the driver, then grabbed her luggage—just a couple of suitcases.

"Good thing I sent the rest of my things ahead of time," she thought. "I wonder if the movers have already arrived."

She stood in front of the five-story apartment building, smiling at how small it seemed compared to the skyscrapers she had passed on the way.

“Okay, let’s do this,” she whispered to herself.

She took the elevator to the third floor. “Room 305,” she murmured, walking past cream-colored walls and stepping lightly on the light blue tiled floors.

As she approached the door to her new apartment, she noticed something strange—it was already open. A sudden wave of caution washed over her. "Hmm... maybe the landlady is here?" she thought, trying to calm herself.

Lily pushed the door open slowly and saw a pair of black sneakers by the entryway—clearly a man’s shoes. Her heart skipped a beat.

"That’s definitely not the landlady," she realized, now even more on edge.

She reached into her suitcase and pulled out her foldable umbrella, gripping it tightly—just in case.

Tiptoeing inside, she scanned the living room with wary eyes, then headed toward the bedroom, where she heard rustling.

Carefully, she opened the door—and there he was. A man, unpacking boxes.

Startled by her sudden appearance, the man gasped loudly. Equally startled by his reaction, Lily let out a scream and, in a reflex, swung her umbrella—accidentally smacking him in the face.

“Ouch!” the man yelped, grabbing his cheek. “Why did you do that?!”

Standing in front of her was a man who looked to be in his twenties. He had black hair, piercing blue eyes, and a rugged yet handsome face. Even in baggy clothes, his muscular build was hard to miss.

Lily gasped. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to. I was just startled!”

The man removed his headphones and rubbed the sore spot on his face. “No, it’s okay,” he said, approaching her. “So… how can I help you?”

Seeing the boxes he was unpacking, Lily assumed he was one of the movers.

“Oh, no need to unpack. I can handle it myself,” she said politely. “You can go now.”

The man blinked, confused. “And why would I let you unpack my stuff?”

Lily furrowed her brows. “What? These are my—” She paused as her eyes scanned the contents of the open boxes.

None of the items were hers.

“Where is all my stuff?!” she exclaimed.

“What stuff? I think you’re in the wrong apartment,” the man said calmly.

“No, I’m not. I even have the paperwork!” she insisted, her voice rising with frustration. She held up her apartment key and rental contract.

“Okay, let’s calm down,” the man suggested, raising his hands. “How about we contact the owner and figure this out together? Sound good?”

Lily sighed, slightly less agitated. “Alright. Go ahead and call.”

The man dialed the number he had been given, but a recorded message informed him the line was no longer available. He tried again—and again—with the same result.

Lily gave him a doubtful look.

Noticing her skepticism, the man said urgently, “I swear, this is the number I used! Look, here’s the call history and our messages.”

He showed her the proof on his phone. Lily, now worried, took out her own phone and dialed the number of the landlady—who also happened to be her great aunt.

The call connected, and Lily breathed a sigh of relief as her aunt answered.

She asked whether anyone else had rented the apartment, but her great aunt denied it.

“No, dear. You're the only one,” she confirmed.

Lily’s eyes widened.

"Oh no," she thought.

She thanked her aunt and ended the call, choosing not to mention the man currently occupying the apartment.

That’s when a memory hit her—an episode from a show where a woman was scammed into an investment fraud.

This poor guy… he’s a victim too.

The man, pacing around the kitchen while Lily made the call, noticed she was finished and walked over.

“So?” he asked, hope in his voice.

Lily gave him a sympathetic look. “The landlady is my great aunt,” she admitted gently. “And she said no one else has rented this place.”

The man’s mouth dropped open in shock. “Oh my God,” he muttered, pacing anxiously and placing his hands on his head. “I can’t… I just can’t believe this.”

Lily felt awful. “I’m really sorry. I just moved here and don’t know of any other apartments. But… if you want, I can ask my great aunt to help you find one.”

The man shook his head with a defeated look. “Even if I wanted to… I can’t,” he said.

Lily looked at him curiously. “Why not?”

He sighed. “I paid a six-month deposit for this place. That was my last bit of savings.”

Oof, Lily thought. He was in a bigger mess than she realized.

She didn’t know what to say.

Then suddenly, the man’s face lit up with an idea. He stepped closer, clasped his hands together, and looked at her with big, pleading eyes.

“Please…” he begged. “Let me stay here for just two months—no, even one month would be enough. I just need time to save up again for a new apartment.”

Lily was stunned by his request. Sure, she was new to the city, but she wasn’t naive enough to let a stranger—especially a man—live with her.

“Why would I? I don’t even know you! Do I look like I’m that naive?” she said defensively.

Realizing his mistake, the man scratched his head and quickly responded, “No, no! I’m not saying you are. It’s just… I’m desperate.”

He sighed deeply. “You know what? I get it. Never mind. I’m sorry I asked.”

He turned away, shoulders slumped, heading toward his things.

Lily stood in silence, watching him. Something tugged at her heart. He really did look desperate. With a deep sigh, she called out:

“Hold on.”

He stopped and turned.

“I don’t trust you,” she said bluntly, “but… my grandmother always told me to help people in need, and to trust my gut. And right now… my gut says you’re not dangerous. At least… not yet.”

Hope flickered in the man’s eyes.

“Your grandma is a wise woman,” he said. “And I promise your gut is right too.”

Lily gave a faint smile, amused but still cautious.

“To be safe, let me take photos of your IDs,” she said sternly.

“Of course, officer,” he joked, handing them over.

Lily snapped pictures of the IDs, then pointed her phone at his face for one more.

“If you try anything funny, your face is going on every wanted poster I can find,” she warned.

“Yes, ma’am!” he said with a grin. Lily chuckled.

“We haven’t even introduced ourselves,” she said. “I’m Lily Bakers.”

She reached out her hand.

He shook it, smiling warmly.

“Leo. Leo Miller.”