Author’s Note: ChloexNino – I’m not sure where this came from. And I didn’t really ship these two before, but all is well now.
This had to stop. Chloe wasn’t sure how much longer she could deal with the blaring music that came from the apartment next door. She would kill. Her body began to shake with her rising blood pressure, and it was becoming impossible to pretend everything was okay.
She had promised her dad before that she would behave herself. He had already decided she couldn’t live at the hotel anymore because of some more, rambunctious parties. If she threw any more tantrums or caused any sort of ruckus, her father might begin to take more drastic measures, and Chloe wasn’t sure she was prepared for sinking any lower than she had already gone.
But this was the last straw. Day in and day out, music screeched from the wall in her bedroom, vibrating the very core of her body. And it wasn’t even good music!
“Enough!” she shrieked, launching the crumpled magazine she had been attempting to read to the floor. Slamming her own door shut as she left, she banged loudly at her neighbour’s door. “Turn! Off! Your! Stupid! Music!”
The door opened so suddenly Chloe’s fist nearly went through someone’s head.
“What!” he yelled back, annoyed. The area was silent now, the booming of the base subsiding dramatically. Both residents gaped at each other, shocked at the person that had come face to face with. “Chloe?” Nino asked.
“Nino Lahiffe,” Chloe replied, stating his name with a slight tone of disgust, all shock passing.
“What are you doing here?”
“I can’t believe you’re my neighbour,” she sighed. “Turn down your music or I’ll have you evicted faster than you can beg for mercy.” Nino never had the chance to respond as she left so hastily her pony tail whipped him in the face.
This, of course, did not sit well with him. Retaliation came in the form of a newly purchased subwoofer and tracks of bass filled EDM. Angry text messages came from Chloe over a public messenger. She had complained so quickly he was almost alarmed.
Last chance Lahiffe. Shut up.
Come over and make me.
Angering Chloe had become his new favorite pastime, right next to actually listening to music. Soon, he found himself listening to music he did not even like, if only just to annoy his neighbour. He almost felt guilty for bothering the other people in the apartment, but he remained within reason, respecting the quiet hours. Chloe just had the shortest fuse he had ever seen.
She came to his apartment several times a week to tell him off, and yet he never received a warning notice or threat beyond her words. Eventually, he blasted music just because he wanted the company. It was not as if he had ever enjoyed her presence before but living alone did come with some distance that he sometimes didn’t want. And even though Chloe often only came to yell at him, it was nice to have someone to talk to.
“Do you want to come in?” Nino asked suddenly one day. Chloe halted midsentence and blinked, confused.
“What.”
“I have coffee, or tea. Got pop or drinks if you’re interested too.”
“What are you planning Lahiffe,” Chloe muttered, her eyes narrowing.
“Nothing! I just wanted some nice company.”
“Me?” she scoffed. “Yea right. Try again.”
“Why wouldn’t I invite a pretty (albeit snobby) girl into my apartment.” To this, Chloe was left without comment.
“One cup of coffee,” she ordered. “Black. With a shot of liquor. You owe me.”
“Fair enough, but only if I get a kiss.” She glared daggers at him, though he couldn’t help but notice the tinge of red that coloured her cheeks. “On the cheek!” he amended quickly, not wishing for an early grave. Her head snapped away and she strode into the apartment regally.
“I’ll think about it. Better be the best damn coffee I’ve ever had.” Nino laughed.
