chapter 1: moving into a new flat + discovering anaheim

Back in college I was a swimmer. I’d practice daily, and was in incredible shape. Graduating in June 2019, I was excited to start a new job as an engineer at a local startup. The cheapest clean apartment I could find was at the Cantabria apartments which was directly across the street from Knotts Berry Farm. With $100,000 of student debt, even with my athletic scholarship, I had to be frugal. To stay in shape I joined the Anaheim YMCA which was conveniently proximate to my office.

My first weekend in the new apartment I simply moved in my meager possessions into the apartment. While I was paying for a studio, the building manager gave me a flat with extra space for an office. My kitchen not yet set up, I treated myself to In-N-Out Burger and drank a six pack of beer while browsing Facebook on my first Saturday in the new flat; Loads of people congratulated me on the new flat. I woke up the next morning slightly hung over, but still ready to enjoy the new neighborhood. I had Taco Bell for breakfast, and saw an intriguing comment: Ann, one of the other members of my Swim team was also working Anaheim and was looking for roommates.

This opportunity was exciting for a bunch of reasons, first off I had always thought she was quite cute. While I was not particularly small at a solid six one and 220 pounds, Ann was a little taller than me at 6’2 and muscular without an ounce of fat on her body. (I’d later learn she was 230 pounds at the time.) Enjoying my Grande Breakfast Burrito, Pepsi and hash browns I was drooling not just from the food. I sent her a message, saying that she should reach out when she comes to town---at the very least she should crash at my place until figuring out what she wants. She responded with a smiley face saying she had a post-grad grant to make an art project, but would be in LA after Burning Man.

I did a quick shop at Grocery Outlet and picked up some meat to BBQ that afternoon, a case of beer, eggs, etc so I’d have a few meals ready. By the time I was done shopping it was almost noon, and quite warm. I unloaded the car, and decided to check out the pool by the apartment complex. I put on my Men’s medium bathing suit, grabbed a bag of Cheetos and popped a nice IPA into a Yeti can coozie. Walking downstairs there was one last chair available, so I sat down and set up an umbrella for the shade. Cracking open the beer, I decided to check out my fellow residents. It was clear that this place attracted people just out of college---everyone was looked under 30. The other thing I noticed was that it was clear I was the only athlete sitting by the pool.

Everyone looked soft, or a little chubby. A couple other people were drinking beverages, but it was a little strange that no one else had snacks. As the clock struck noon, the pool gradually started emptying and by 12:45p there was just another guy next to me. He looked about five years older than me, I’d guess 27, and had a small cooler full of beer. He glanced over and said, “Hey, looks like your beer is empty. Want a PBR?” Of course I said yes and we started talking. Sounds like lots of people were attracted to the building because it was next to Knotts Berry Farm and their water park. My fellow residents would spend the morning by our pool, and then drive over to the water park and hang out all afternoon. Apparently for just $200 I could get a season pass for both parks! Seemed like a nice affordable way to hang out, and at least I’d make a few friends. He said it was about time for him to head over, and offered me a ride. I responded in the affirmative and we agreed to meet downstairs in fifteen minutes.