The New Neighbor (PART 1)

Do you know the feeling where you wake up from a peaceful sleep in the morning, open your eyes and smile thinking that today is going to be a great day! But not even an hour and you remember that you have five long unfinished story to edit that is due in two days. That is, I got today and tomorrow. I quickly had a bowl of cereal and prepare a cup of coffee to begin my long day. So here I am sitting in front of my laptop since morning, going through the stories one by one and line by line.

The stories are interesting but there are quite some grammatical mistakes and errors here and there. Each story has the word count of more than 2500. I huff and thought it's going to take some time. After hours of hard work, two- bathroom breaks and a half pizza I finally finish three stories and kept the other two for tomorrow. I look through my window and it was evening. I got up from my table, stretch my arms, legs and walked towards the window and open it, immediately a fresh air hit my nostrils.

The sun was setting, the sky turned orange, the birds were flying back to their home and a few people were taking their evening walks. It was a really nice weather. I close the window, went to my closet and took out a black- jeans, the Riverdale hoddie, white converse shoe and went to the bathroom to freshen up. After I was done, I went out and lock my apartment door behind me. I walk towards the elevator and press the button to come up to the fourth floor.

It was a nice weather to go for a walk after a long tiring day. As I waited for it, a boy came and stood beside me. He was wearing a black hoddie, silver sweatpants. I couldn't see his face properly as his hood was up and he was looking at his phone. I have not seen him here earlier, probably he is new or someone's guest maybe. The elevator digs and the door opened. The boy gestured me to go first, I mumbled thanks and went inside. He pressed the button for the ground floor.

"Hi" I said to him.

"Hey" he replied.

"Are you new here?"

The second those words left my mouth, I face palm myself in my mind and thought 'What a great way to start a conversation'.

"Yeah, just moved yesterday to 24A. You?"

"I live in 23A. Been here for almost a year now."

"Cool we are neighbors. I am Kleiny."

"Pearl"

"Nice name"

We reach the ground floor and the door open. We came out and headed outside.

"Where you going?" he asked me.

"Just going for a walk" I said to him and put on my beanie as it was quite windy. Like I said just the perfect day to go for a walk or sit in your favorite coffee shop and enjoy the evening.

"Cool if I join you?"

"Sure, let's go"

We started walking towards the park. We talked about how things are going on in our life. I got to know that he is a Youtuber and runs the channel with his best friend. We reach the park and sat on a bench. There were a few children playing on the swings and on the slide. Few people walking around the lake, enjoying the beautiful view. The reflection of the sun setting can be seen on the lake. The water was glistering from the light of the sun. "So, you are an editor and a student?" Kleiny asked me, amazement in his voice.

"Yeah. When I applied for it, I didn't think that I would get selected but when I got the email that I was selected I was so happy" I said.

"I am impressed. Miss Pearl"

"Why thank you"

"Hey can I ask you something?"

"Yeah"

"Do you want to have coffee with me?"

"Okay sure"

"Let's go"

He got up and motion his hand towards me. I grab his hand and walk towards Monet's. He didn't let go of me. Both of us talked the whole way. We reach the café and went inside. The smell of fresh coffee bean surrounds the whole shop. Usually at this time the shop is pretty crowded but today its quite empty. We sat in a table near the window. "So, what will you have? My treat" he said. "No, you don't have to" I said. "It's alright. Consider it as a first date" he said that to me with a nervous look. I smile at him and said "First date?". "I mean if you want to. I can totally understand if you don't.

I mean we just met…" he was mumbling very fast. I laugh lightly and said "Sure okay". "Yeah. So, what will you have?" he asked with a huge smile in his face. "Can I get a Double Chocolate Mocha?" I replied to him. "One Double Chocolate Mocha for you and one hot chocolate for me. Coming right up" he said that and went to place our order. As he went, I thought he is so cute. He has short spiked hair, a little scruffy and he has a very cute smile. I was checking my phone as he came and sit in front of me with our order. "Here you go" he gave me the cup and I took a sip from it.

He also took a sip from his. We talked to each other while having our drinks. After a few minutes, I looked outside and saw the weather has changed. The sky was filled with dark gloomy clouds, rushing wind and it was started to drizzle a bit. "We better get home before it rains heavily" I said to him and as I took the last sip from my cup. "You right. Let's go" he said and finished his too and we walked outside. The walk to home was great but as we reached both of us were half soaked.

As I was about to press the elevator button, I saw a paper stick on the door saying 'SORRY OUT OF ORDER'. This happens most of the time, either the elevator stuck on some floor or its not working. I looked towards Kleiny, he was pushing his wet hair back when he saw the paper. A smirk appears on his face and he said "The last one to reach our floor is the loser and gives the winner 50 pounds" as he finished his sentence, he ran towards the stairs. I followed after him.

I was about to pass him on the third floor but he skips a few steps and climb pass me, winking towards me. Of course, he wins. Both of us were huffing as we reach, he smiled at me and said "I win". "Sure, you did by cheating" I said to him. "No, I didn't" he said to me. I raised one eye brow and looked towards him. "Okay maybe I did" he said with a cute smile. I gave the 50 pounds to him and he put it in his purse. "I really had a great time" I said to him and took out my keys.

"Yeah, me too. Maybe we should do that again. A second date maybe?" he said and put his hands in his sweatpants pocket. "Yeah, I would like that" I said and we exchanged numbers. "So, I will see you around" he said. "Of course, you will" I said with a smile and put my hand on his left shoulder and kissed his cheek "See yeah" I said and open my door and went inside. But before I close it, I saw a glimpse of him. His cheeks were flushing red and he touch the area where I kissed him, he smiled and went towards his door. I close mine properly and went towards my bedroom.

Smiling and thinking where this will take us. I put my phone on my bedside table along with my-not-so-wet-money from my pocket and went to the bathroom to have a warm shower. After I was done, I put on some shorts and a black t-shirt that belongs to my brother. I like to wear his clothes because they are really comfortable. I came to my bedroom and decided to take a nap before dinner. As I was about to plug my phone to the charger, it chimed.

I saw it was a message from Kleiny "Second date this Sunday. Get ready by 5 pm" he send this with one heart eye emoji and one smiley. I smiled reading it and send him a reply "Can't wait" with a heart emoji. I plug my phone to the charger and lay on my bed, covering my body with my comforter and before sleep consumes me, one thought was in my mind, Kleiny and our first unexpected date.