(August of the year 2010)
(His POV)
I could hear the noises coming from the next neighbor, which woke me up. Seriously? I checked the time on my alarm clock, and it was nine in the morning. Today is Saturday, and it's the only day of the week that I'm not busy. And this is the day I'm catching up on all the sleep I miss for a week.
I stood up and peeked out my window. Mom told me yesterday that a new tenant was moving in on the unit beside ours.
There was a short girl, well, for me, standing in front of the entryway, looking anxious. Is she the typical new girl in town that I often read in the novels? I shrugged and decided to go back to sleep, but someone knocked on the door.
"Luke, are you awake? I know you are, anyway. Could you please be a gentleman and help our neighbor? I heard that they don't have enough helping hand."
I let out a frustrated sigh, "Okay, mom."
I changed my pajamas into a plain shirt and summer shorts, then went out of my room. My mom is already busy being hospitable to the new tenants.
A woman in her 30s and a young boy, maybe around six or seven years old were having snacks in our dining area. I thought they were unpacking? Why were they here? My mom was overly friendly with them.
"Luke! Let me introduce you to our new neighbor. I forgot to mention it, but we're high school friends!"
"Is that your son? Wow. He's so tall! My Jiana will look like a midget beside him."
"I know. Anyway, go outside Luke, and help your father and uncle Jeff with the unpacking. Jiliana is still with them."
"Mom, I will help dad and sis with the unpacking. I don't want to get an earful with my big mean sister, anyway." says the young boy to his mom.
"You two are always fighting, tsk. Okay, go and help but don't tease your sister too much. She's already not in a good mood today."
"Okay! Let's go, big bro."
(Her POV)
Today is the day we're moving into our new place. We moved into this suburban area due to my dad's work. I understand the situation; what frustrates me is that our moving day was on the day the new volume of my favorite light novel would be released! The first batch will be limited, and it has an autograph!
"Siiiiiiiis!!!"
I rolled my eyes at my approaching younger brother, but I didn't realize he was with someone. The guy with him was a bit surprised by my attitude. God, what timing!
"Have you already unpack my stuff? You didn't break anything on my toys, right?"
"Don't worry, the uncle was the one who brought your stuff inside. Your toys are safe. Since you're here, you should get your bike from the back."
"Okay. Oh, I almost forgot. This handsome TALL young man is going to help us. You have a lot of heavy things, so you should ask him to help you, or else you will never get TALL at all."
I was about to hit him, but he sprinted away from me. Does he have to highlight the tall part?
The guy is just giving a poker face, "Where are the heavy boxes?"
Weird guy. I pointed out the heavy boxes, and he lifted them like he's been doing it every day. Well, whatever, as long as we are done with all the unpacking today.
I'm still frustrated, and I want to eat some ice cream.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I went to the ice cream shop just like I planned today. Good thing that the family next door helped us, or else it would take a whole day to finish. I will clean and organize everything in my room after having my ice cream. I sneak out while my parents are busy talking with the Andersons.
Mom said that Mrs. Anderson was a high school friend of hers, and they lost contact with each other since we tend to move away a lot due to my dad's work. Well, that's also the reason why I don't have friends.
I wonder where the nearest convenience store is? I think I saw one before we made a turn. I'm pretty sure it was across the street.
"Oh, I can see it."
"Do you need something from the convenience store?"
I almost dropped my phone because someone suddenly talked beside me.
"You?" It was the young Anderson next door. I think I heard his mom call him Luke.
"Yeah, me. Anyway, you should've asked me to come with you if you're not sure where the convenience is."
"I'm fine. I have a good memory anyway."
"If you say so."
He walked past me and he went inside the convenience store. Honestly, I am not good with strangers, but the Anderson guy has a familiar vibe with him for some unknown reason.
Once inside the store, I grabbed myself a cup of chocolate ice cream. I will also grab some snacks for Josh, my younger brother.
I went to the cashier to pay but someone grab my hand, it was Luke, of course.
"Can you pay for this, too? I forgot my wallet. I will pay you back later." That kind of irritates me, acting as if we're friends already.
I frowned at Luke, "Seriously? You should've checked first if you have your wallet with you before going out. Make sure to pay me later."
I just shake my head. Anyway, I will make sure to make him pay in double.
"Yeah, yeah."
I rolled my eyes and get my wallet. Eh? Why does my front pocket feel empty? I am pretty sure I put my coin purse on it before I went out. Wait! I remember that I went to the comfort room! Maybe it slipped out?
"What's wrong?"
The cashier looked at me with irritation on her face. "Miss, could you please move aside if you are not planning to pay yet?"
I bit my lip and scratch my head out of frustration with myself.
* * * * * * * * * *
"You should've checked first if you have your wallet with you before going out."
Luke is annoyingly reminding me of my own words back at the convenience store. I have no choice but to return the ice cream because neither of the two of us has money.
"Shut Up, Anderson."
"What? I'm just talking to myself here."
"You're making fun of me."
"Nope"
He snorted, trying so hard to hold back his laughter. But the way he acts now kind of makes me feel at ease a bit, I guess? He was just giving me a deadpan look a while ago but now he was laughing at me. He was annoying but I guess it's fine.
"I want to have an ice cream."
He suddenly blocked my way, with both of his hands inside the back pockets of his pants.
"I have a friend living on the next block and he has a lot of ice cream stock. Would you want to raid him, I mean, meet him?"
Confused, I asked, "Why would I want to meet him?"
He rolled his eyes at me, "You said you want an ice cream that's why I want you to meet him. Anyway, your name is Jiana, right? I heard your mom mentioned it."
"And you're Luke?"
"Yup. So, wanna go? I bet you won't say no to free ice cream?"
Usually, I don't like hanging out with someone I just met, but a free ice cream?!? This is an easy way to kidnap me!
Luke brought me to his friend's house. Luke didn't even knock or ring the doorbell, he just punched the password on the automatic door, as if this is his own home.
"Is that you, Luke? Seriously dude?! I told you to knock or ring me up whenever you come over! What if I'm making love with--"
The young man froze when he finally noticed me. He was busy playing, with his eyes focused on the television.
"Who would want to have you? Anyway, I brought my neighbor with me, her name's Jiana. I think she will be transferred to our school."
"Your new what--"
"And we want some ice cream. You bought the flavor I asked right?"
Luke went straight to the kitchen, leaving me standing awkwardly in the doorway. Seriously?
"Oh, Jiliana, meet my friend and my cousin, Von."
I nod my head to 'Von' awkwardly. He still looked confused but he managed to give me a brief smile.
"Hey, don't stand there. Sit beside Von "
"Don't hey me. Von, right? Would you mind if I sit beside you? And I'm sorry for barging in like that."
"Ey, no worries. That jerk always barges in here as if he owns this place, but it was a shock to see him with you. I've never seen him with a girl."
"Oh. We just met a while ago."
"What?! And he already brought you here? Seriously!? Wow."
I am also surprised. I don't know why I let myself get dragged here. Well, maybe because of the ice cream.
Luke came back and sat between me and Von, holding two pints of ice cream. He gave me the chocolate flavor.
"How about me?" asked Von.
"You? You have a pair of feet, right? Go get yourself an ice cream!"
"What?!?!"
I can't help but laughed. This is a new way of meeting people, huh? Weird.