For my 21st birthday, Jude and I moved into a one-bedroom apartment in the Bayview district. I paid the first month's rent and deposit. Jude assured me he would get a job and chip in by September. I gave Jude the bedroom and took the living room for myself, hanging sheets for privacy.

The following day, August and Oliver took me on a road trip. I'd always wanted a pet, and it had been impossible living in the Perramont. But for the first time in my life, I got to decide, and I wanted a ferret. The boys picked me up and drove me to Nevada. Ferrets are illegal to buy, sell, or own in California, so we had to sneak Loki in a box across the state line.

That was what I named him. Loki. He was the most wonderful animal. He had a cage, but I rarely confined him to it. I don't like caging animals in general, so he got to run around the house most of the time. Loki crawled into bed with me most nights. Whenever I took a shower he would come running, because he loved to play in the water. I bought him all sorts of toys and things to climb on. Loki was an incredibly healing influence on me. He loved me. I could tell. And that simple, trusting relationship helped me open my heart again.

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August and Oliver were wonderful. They supported me and believed in me. Oliver slept over most nights because he didn't like his roommate, and he loved Loki. August was always dating someone new, but he never forgot to make time for us.

I got a new job at a nightclub in SOMA called the Golden Cow. Bar support, but it was still good money. Not great, but good.

And that was my life. Two boyfriends, college classes, a job at a nightclub, a pet ferret, and my little brother living in the room over. For a moment, I had a happy ending.

I even finished my book.

Happily Ever After.