C.K. Burch's Blog, page 8
June 23, 2017
How a simple apartment move-out turned into a total clusterf*ck.
Had a great job, boss was fired, they scammed me, fell on hard times, nobody’s fault but my own. Had to rent an apartment for a very long, ugly year.
Got a huge, pretty new apartment for about $1,000, but had to meet income requirements, which sadly I did.
Right before move-in find out the garage and water aren’t included, and will cost extra, and that my 1-year lease is actually 5-months. Too late now, fine. Then find out I’m not allowed to use my own washer and dryer, but have to pay $100/month for theirs. $100 A MONTH??? Okay, fine, whatever. Turns out this was all to plan. This is how they get you.
From move-in on, things are bad. Roaches in the kitchen, everything falling apart, and despite being a very new building, the walls are paper thin. Turns out he’s a an unabashed new era slumlord. He gets massive tax-credits for renting to low-income people, but there’s no requirement to actually rent to them (us) for cheap, just that we’re there.
Fifth month ends and I get my lease renewal. That $1,000 jumps to $1,450, which is WAY above market for this place, or ANY place in the area.
I sign for another 6-months but start planning to move out. I start hearing from all the neighbors that I’ll “never get the deposit back,” and it makes sense, considering what scummy dirtbags these people are. I make friends with everyone in the office, keep my place clean and stay out of trouble.
Move-out time comes. Everything is left perfect and I not only take pictures, but a 10-minute room by room walkthrough on video. Literally nothing is out of place. No damage, no mess, nothing. Move-in ready.
Get the letter and my $500 deposit is gone PLUS I need to pay them another $275 for the damages… here we go.
I tell him I documented everything, there’s nothing to bill me for and demand a receipt. He sends over a hand-written, illegible invoice for a company with a name (that can’t be found on Google) and no contact information.
I was prepared for this.
I launched a website about the apartment complex and pre-stocked it with about 50 articles detailing in 100% truthful ways how they are dishonest and unscrupulous. I used screengrabs from their website where it said you could use the cabana, even though you couldn’t. That there was a media room for parties, but no sign up and no way to use it. I showed tenant reviews on websites dating back years even before I was there… and I kept negotiating.
First, he waived the $275 premium, but no way man, I wanted my $500 back, and I was just bitter enough to get it.
Meanwhile, because of my new job (SEO at the time) I was able to out-rank him in searches for his own apartment building. If you Googled it during your apartment search, you founnd my site about how evil it is at #1, not his official site at about #4.
We talked on the phone, and while he was still unaware of the site (rolling out a new article every day,) he set the final offer at keeping $300. I told him I need all of it, and that was that. Anything less would be cause for “continued action,” and I knew he didn’t know what I was inferring by that.
He mailed the $200 check, but still didn’t know about my site… well, have to fix that.
Called a former neighbor and told them the dish. She was a busybody, and sure enough, two days later I got a FURIOUS call, not from the manager, but from the owner. This guy owns a dozen properties like this, each with 300-500 units, and now I’m wasting his time personally. This was getting tasty.
I explained what happened, but he already knew, and at this point 30-articles had run, some of which were picked up by other websites (which I may, or may not have been a contributing editor to at the time.) I never lied, I never exaggerated, I just reported the honest truth. No legally actionable problems on the horizon.
He said, “look, I’ll give you the $300, just take this down!” I explained I couldn’t do that. They had the opportunity to do the right thing before the site went up, but to take it down now would be tantamount to extortion, and that would be illegal.
Over the next week (with another 7 articles dropping like clockwork) he tried ten different ways to goad me into extorting him, but I just wasn’t interested. No, he drew the line in the sand, I was just staying on my side of it, legally, if not morally.
Ultimately, he decided that since I was “so good at web stuff,” he should hire me for $1,000 to do some promotion for him. I said, “Okay, but you know this is TOTALLY separate from my site and our disagreement.” And he agreed.
I met him at his office, we worked up a plan, I did about thirty minutes of work and he cut me a check for $1,000.
So what did I do with the website? Well I certainly didn’t take it down… What? We agreed that was separate!
But I didn’t add any new content and turned off the auto-renewal, so 10ish months later, it faded away.
Fair is fair, right?
I could list for you dozens of ways they were shady as f*ck, but this is already too long.
You don't have to be scared -Aiden Imagine
Requested!
In which a timid reader is stuck face to face with the terrifying yet handsome alpha (Aiden).
A/N: I love getting requests so keep sending some in guys!
We have just learned that an alpha pack has arrived in beacon hills with hopes of recruiting Scott. We aren’t sure how many are in this alpha pack, but we do know two of them, Ethan and Aiden. The twins go to our school and seem intent on trying to destroy our lives there. What we need to do is figure a way to get them out of this town.
While in bio class I was aimlessly doodling in my notebook as our teacher lectured on about something I couldn’t care less about.
"Ahemmm Ms. (y/n), I’d appreciate if you actually paid attention to what I have to say. You wouldn’t want to be unprepared for your test next week.“ My teacher snaps.
I mumble a small sorry as the teacher goes back into his lecture without missing a beat. He has a good point, I should be paying attention. With the late night pack gatherings being a regular occurrence, I have most definitely fallen behind on school work. It feels like ages until the bell rings and when it does I let out a large sigh of relief.
While gathering my notebook and other belongings I hear the teacher call my name, and ask if I can have a word with him. Great.
”(Y/n), your changing behavior has not gone unnoticed. I’m sorry to do this, but I’m going to have to give you a detention.“
"What, Mr. Harris, please I don’t have time to go to Detention. I’m really sorry, I’ll work harder, I promise” at this point I’m practically begging my teacher. I have too much to deal with and adding a detention in there will only make things worse.
"I’m sorry, but I think it will be a good opportunity for you to try and get caught up on your work.“ That was all he said as he walked out of the class, leaving the purple detention slip sitting right in front of me.
As I walk out of the class room I notice Scott, Stiles, and Lydia standing by the lockers so I go to join them.
"Hey guys” I greet.
"Hey (y/n)“ Scott replies. “Hey is something wrong, I can smell the stress all over you.
"I’m fine, it’s just that Mr. Harris gave me detention so I don’t think I’ll be able to make the pack meeting tonight."
"Really. That’s weird, Isaac, Ethan and Aiden all got detention today too. Hopefully this isn’t some plan of their’s.” Lydia spoke with curiosity laced in her tone.
The four of us spoke briefly about any ideas we may have for the alpha pack and then we parted our ways. I shove the majority of my items into my locker and close it with a loud bang letting out all of my frustrations.
"Woah, someones not happy.“ The voice was familiar and arrogant. It was a voice I dreaded to hear. Aiden.
"Yeah well, looks like I’m just not having too much fun playing all these games against your annoying pack” I retort with aggravation.
A small chuckle escapes his lips as he begins walking side by side with me. I quicken my pace a bit to give off the idea that I don’t want to talk, but the tall boy matches me step for step. I stop for a moment and just send him a glare. A smile grows across his face, but fades quickly as he sees his brother Ethan approaching.
As Ethan pulls his brother to the side, I take this as my chance to get away from the two who are trying so hard to destroy mine and my friends lives. I hear what sounds to be like an argument through hushed whispers and for once wished I had the super hearing of Scott.
Ignoring the conversation between the two boys, I walk over to the library where I’ll be serving my detention. Shortly after I arrive, I see Isaac walk in and give a small wave. At least he’s here with me too. Moments later the twins enter the room along with coach Flinstock.
"Alright you delinquents, I know normally this time is spent being quiet and working on homework, but I need you to do something for me. Two of you are going to clean my office, while the other two are going to clean all of the teams padding and practice clothes. So get to work” coach Flinstock says in his usual loud voice.
With a unanimous groan, we all get up and head towards the boys locker room. Thankfully during the walk over here, coach insisted that I don’t have to clean any of the gross lacrosse padding and that my skills would be more useful when cleaning the office. For once I was thankful for his typical sexism.
As I was alone in the office I heard arguing outside the door that peaked my interest. I heard the familiar voices of Ethan, Aiden, and Issac, and wondered hat it could be about. I had hoped Isaac would be the one coming in to clean the office with me, but was shocked when I saw Aiden walk through the door.
“Happy to see me” Aiden says mockingly.
"If only" I mumble. I begin rummaging through the endless piles of papers on coach’s desk as I feel something draw closer to me.
"You know, even though you aren’t a part of my pack, I still hear your heart rate going wild.“ Aiden says amused.
"Yeah well that’s what happens when you’re super stressed and trapped in a room with a known killer” I snap back.
"Please (y/n), I can also smell your chemo-signals. You don’t have to be scared of me, you know that right.“
"Right, so don’t be scared of someone who kills innocent people and who is trying to corrupt one of my best friends. Great idea. Not to mention I’m some weak and defenseless little human. But sure I won’t be scared of a 5’ 10” monster with fangs and claws" I sass.
" I would never hurt you.“ It was a whisper, but even without super hearing I could easily tell what he said.
"And I don’t believe you.“
"I know it doesn’t mean much coming from me, but I assure you, I made it very clear to my pack that we do not harm you. You are to be safe and untouched. I promise” Aiden said, not breaking eye contact.
"Why, I don’t understand, you hate me” I say confused.
"Hate you?“ He questions. “I don’t hate you. Far from it actually. I have feelings for you, (y/n). Feelings that I don’t know how to express. Feelings that could get me killed by the other alphas, even my brother. They tried to warn me of the consequences if I were to do anything with you, but I don’t care. I can’t just act like there is nothing between us."
It was in that moment that I’m sure Aiden could hear just how loud my heart was. Everything felt like a blur as I felt his strong arms embrace me and the heat radiating from his body. He looked into my eyes for a moment, almost if telepathically asking me for permission. I swiftly close my eyes as I feel his lips meet mine.
I have never experience a kiss like this before, in fact, it felt like so much more than just a kiss.
It felt as though all of my stress and fears melted away. I felt safe where I was and that this is where I’m supposed to be. The kiss was filled with not only passion but a want for one another. I didn’t know that this was what I needed at first but now that it’s happening it feels so right to me.
Our lips depart from one another’s as we hear the door creek open.
"Oh come on guys, this is not what detention is supposed to be.” A blush filled my face as I hear coach’s voice. “Aiden, next practice you’re doing twice as many laps as everyone else, and as for you Ms. (y/n) you can help me with grading some of my Econ class assignments.”
develop-your-oc:Which OC does everything in their power to leave the cleaning to someone else?
Which OC does everything in their power to leave the cleaning to someone else?
