I pushed open my door, slammed it behind me and sank in my couch feeling like a zombie from lack of enough sleep. My head hurt, the stupid music still banging through the damn windows, I shut them and plugged my earphones, Young thug's Die Today was playing. My head throbbed alongside my heart, and the heart beat to escalating pulses, the music was working miracles. Pulled the damn earphones off, the neighbour whose name I did not know had finally reached a consensus with her inner demons and turned down the music.
"Damn new people" I cursed under my breath.
Another song was booming through my earphones, I hadn't stopped the Playlist, Blackpink How do you like that. I smiled to myself, partly because I was happy the damn neighbor had finally licked her wounded pride when I turned down her invite.
"look at you now look at me, how do you like that?" The lyrics pounded in my ears and now I was appeased. If she turns up her music, probably I will walk to that door, kick it open, and jump on her stereo accidentally a few times until it crashes under my weight, stereo she apparently doesn't know how to use. But since she is behaved, I will send her a thank you note. Sarcastic though.
It was six in the morning, still had to work out before coffee. Music was my all time aesthetic and I wouldn't want to trade it for anything or anyone. It was now my time to relax through work out, it helps me release tension and angry feelings clouding my system. One hour straight passed while still working out.
I played crosswords after I hit the shower, grabbed coffee on my way out of the kitchen, I was still hungry but I wasn't in the mood to cook pancakes, the sun was now through the windows, I drew the curtains to let a new life shine in. Music my all time drug. I played J Cole's Love Yourz. I settled on the couch when I heard a soft knock at the door, I peeped once then cursed under my breath.
"I just came by to apologise for the loud music"
She looked so sincere and seemed sorry enough, but I wasn't in the mood to argue so I nodded and almost shut her door in her face but ushered her in half heartedly with a weak smile. She was carrying a tray with a plateful of pancakes. My stomach rumbled, damn I was hungry.
"I guess is okay, things happen, have a seat, you are welcome." I was in a better mood now, just pretty hungry.
"Thanks, please have these pancakes, I figured you didn't have time to make something to eat, and also apologise, don't say no." She offered.
"Thanks, would you like a drink maybe, milk, coffee?" I was being too nice to this nuisance of a neighbour but I was fine in weird way, way too calm.
"Coffee is fine" she beamed as I placed a cupful in her hands. She was smiling and answered in a soft voice. "Thank you for the coffee."
I ate the pancakes, they tasted some lemon, a bit of sugar, tantalising in all perfection. Downed a glass of milk in a couple of seconds, I was looking at her through the glass, smiled and a thought came in mind, time to go.
" Since everything is in order, I will take my leave, by the way my name is Charlotte" she offered her hand for a shake.
"Good to know, and I'm your neighbor from down the hall." I said softly shaking her hand and she laughed, there something about that voice, it was deep and erotic. I shook my head to fade the thought away.
"Nice to meet you mysterious neighbour from down the hall, and sorry for the noise, I promise not to wake you again." There she goes again, why does she even make a promise she won't keep?
"Nice to meet you Charlotte" I dismissed her and shut the door. My heart was thumping as I recalled her pretty face without makeup, with a nose piercing, sharp nose, sweet body scent, her height almost the height if my baby, Val, but she was a bit plumper. My head was full of weird thoughts about that neighbour, Charlotte.
Pretty, yes but too bad I had a girl that I was committed to and wasn't ready to leave her for another random chic who just showed up with pancakes on my door as a way of making up got the nuisance she caused. I was blinded by her simple act of coming to make things right. I smiled that finally walking to her door paid off.
This day had started on a high note. I picked up my notebook and scribbled something, a line from a poem I had read.
Look at my face, you will swear you have never seen evil until this day. This line cemented the encounter I had with the mysterious woman who was now my neighbour until I move out. I had sworn to make life hard for her but she had a change of heart notwithstanding.
***
CHARLOTTE'S POV
She was hyperware of the strength in the arms that held her tight. Super sensitive to his calloused fingers as he touched her skin and was completely susceptible to the warmth of his breath in her neck, it had so affected her that she ran like a scared rabbit inside where all her insecurities lay. Her heart visibly lurching against her chest.
She woke up sweating. Beads of sweat on her forehead and she felt hot. She was daydreaming.
Charlotte always had her life in check but this feelings she'd been experiencing weren't in her favour this time.
It was noon now, she felt dehydrated, confused but at the same time smiling at the dream she just had. Life's good was all she could conclude. A good day to start living again and hide tears and troubles behind a smiley face.
Closing her eyes, she let the dull ache of not having him for herself wash over her, a little bit of pain tugged at her heart. What she felt was special.