Sudden Neighbors (Part 3 ish)
This is a part 3 (the second part I have written) to @bananashemmo ‘s writing prompt sudden neighbors. I’m still a huge coward about my writing so still on this blog made specifically for the purpose of wanting to respond to something I found interesting. I dunno if it’s good or bad but it like before was written late into the night. Oh and if anyone thinks this part isn’t good they are more than welcome to continue off of the previous part. or if you do you’re more than welcome to continue off of this. Or if you want to try your hand at this story you can go see part one from @bananashemmo ‘s page. I encourage anyone who wants to to do so.
Three days. It had been three days since you’d smoked a cigarette. It wasn’t like you were especially trying to quit or anything. In fact, there was nothing you craved more than a cigarette break. However four nights ago you had ducked out onto your balcony only to run into Vanessa and Calum on their balcony having some sort of romantic dinner. You swiftly apologized and tried to go back inside. However your balcony door had a tendency to stick closed. Usually Calum had little problems opening it. However, that wasn’t necessarily an option right now.
“Is it sticking again?” Calum asked. He sounded like a formal ass, like he didn’t know you at all.
“Yes.” You said huffing in frustration. Calum was supposed to call the maintenance before he left but he never did obviously. Not that you blamed him. He was busy packing. And forgetting important gifts from friends.
“Y/N do you need help?” Calum offered.
“Nope I’m fine.” You assured throwing a small polite smile their way.
“Y/N, you should just let him help you. You don’t want to hurt yourself.” Vanessa said offering a sympathetic smile.” Our door does the same. What are neighbors for anyway?”
You refused to let your smile slip, “It’s kind of you to offer, but I’m fine.” you said jerking the door open at last. “See? Nice to see you” you turned to go inside. As you re-entered the apartment you took a deep breath. The awkward feeling of that moment lingered a moment. It hadn’t occurred to you that Calum and Vanessa might want to use their balcony. You supposed it was their right to use their own balcony. Even if it was right next to yours. If this was the case you decided not to use the balcony to smoke anymore.
This situation wasn’t working however. Your building had a strict no smoking inside rule. Balconies were the only part of the building considered free game. Now that was out. The office building you sometimes worked in had a similar rule. Although you rarely had to go there seeing as you normally worked from home. It used to be one of the things you loved about your job. Do work in your pajamas, got to take a smoke break when you needed one. Your box of cigarettes teased you. “Relax. Relax Y/N” you repeated to yourself.
“Just focus on work.” You began typing again when your stomach growled. With a sigh you switched over to an open internet tab and looked up the restaurants nearby. The same four restaurants appeared. You’d eaten so much take out that you were almost sick. With your lack of cooking abilities what could you do?
‘ I could always call one of my sisters in the city. ‘ You thought, ‘ No, then they’ll just brag. And make fun of my lack of self care.’
As you tried to make a plan for your dinner, your phone beeped. A text. You reached over to your phone and unlocked it.
‘ Ladies night on the moon. 9 PM-3 AM. Ladies get in free until midnight. You should come.” Your eyebrows wrinkled as you went back to check who had sent you the text. You couldn’t help your surprise when the name Michael with a little smiley face emoji was illuminated before you. Sure Michael had your number in case of emergencies. And yes you two had hung out a lot with Calum but only a handful of times had you ever hung out on your own with Michael. He’d scored tickets to your favorite band and offered you his spare as he didn’t have anything else to do with it. You’d had a great time and decided you wanted to do something like that again sometime. Whenever Michael would score a good couple of seats he’d invite you. However Michael wasn’t really a concert goer.
Before you lost all nerve you quickly typed back, ‘Did you send this to me on purpose??’ Within the minute your phone blinked with a new text.
‘Yes. Is that a probem..’ you scrunched your face at the typo but soon cleared it up as he sent a second text correcting himself ‘Problem*’
‘No not at all it’s just I didn’t think you’d want me there.’ you texted back.
‘Why not?’
‘No reason in particular.’ You sat your phone down for a moment as you got up for a glass of water. By the time you came back Michael had already texted back.
‘Just because you aren’t Cal’s roommate anymore doesn’t mean you’re not welcome at the moon.’ He’d texted. The Moon, Michael’s bar. The first time you’d been invited to the moon, you’d been skeptical. You thought it’d be one of two things. One, a seedy little dive bar where drunks and assholes hung out. Or two, a fancy club where you had to be on the list to get in. In reality it was neither. It was a nice bar with a nice floor and a little dance floor that curved into a hill resembling the moon, painted on craters and all. Michael said it was hell whenever he had to replace it. You’d had fun and never hesitated coming back. Until now.
‘ I know.’ You typed,’ I just don’t want it to get awkward if he’s there. And you know he probably will be.’
‘It’s ladies night. He most likely is having a night in with Vanessa.’ Michael texted. You debated yourself for a moment. If that was true then perhaps ,maybe. you could go.
‘Besides, we both know you can’t cook. I’ll offer one free meal. Good for tonight only.’ He texted. How could you refuse that? Your stomach wouldn’t let you.
‘Fine but it better be the good stuff.’
‘You got it.’ You could just imagine Michael’s shiteating grin as he typed. What could be so bad? A free meal and a chance to get out of the house. You glanced at the clock 8:39. Leave it to Michael to wait until the last minute to tell you to come by. You didn’t waste time. You took a shower quickly, avoiding washing your hair for lack of wanting to do it afterward. You’d use dry shampoo later.
A quick glance at your closet deciding whether you wanted to wear pants or not. Of course the answer was no. Pants were restrictive and as you worked from home eight times out of ten you didn’t usually wear jeans or seven times out of ten pants at all. Even when Calum lived with you he wasn’t usually around during the day so you still didn’t wear pants. But you couldn’t show up to the moon in your undies or yoga pants. You got a laugh out of the fact that you owned five pairs of yoga pants because you were nowhere near being a yogi but you like the feeling of yoga pants.
You settled for a nonrestrictive cute black skirt with lace trim and white top with a patterned loose open jacket. You looked okay for a quick night out. Most likely you’d be home before Midnight even hit. By the time you were done it was almost nine. You’d made great time. The moon was such a popular bar that parties there were packed within thirty minutes and ladies nights were even more so. You got on the bus to get there. Normally you would walk with Calum or take your bike if you were just there to talk to Michael. However you had no doubt you’d have a drink or two while you were there. You’d have someone walk you home. Maybe one of the workers or a friend. You didn’t want to think about later yet.
By the time you got there there was a small line. You let out a huff. There was no way you were waiting in line just to get onto the roof of your friend’s (acquaintance?) bar. You took out your phone and texted Michael. ‘Here’
‘On my way. At the front?’ He responded quickly.
‘Yeah.’ You texted back. Within five minutes Michael had come to get you and you were sitting at the bar having a conversation as you looked at the menu.
“So baby bird what have you been up to?” Michael asked.
“Not much. Just going through everything.” You responded nonchalantly looking down at your menu.
“That’s vague.” Michael chuckled.
“Well..” You mumbled. “It’s weird living on my own now. “
“How so?” He asked.
“For one, I’ve begun to tire of frozen pizza and takeout from Golden Palace.”
“You should really take a cooking class.” Michael laughed, You glared at him playful.
“Michael, I’d rather not pay to rebuild a cooking institution thank you.” You half joked. At this point your lack of ability to keep yourself alive without the help of restaurants or frozen pizza was becoming a running gag.
“Well I could teach you a couple things like pancakes or cheeseburgers.” Michael offered.
“ Great then I’ll know how to make frozen pizza, pancakes and cheeseburgers.” You laughed. “ Speaking of cheeseburgers, that’s what I’ll be having with fries. And gin and tonic to drink before.” You smiled brightly with a wink.
“I gotcha. ” Michael said flagging down his bartender and turning to go to the back.
“Don’t you need to know what I want on the burger?” You asked.
“You want provolone cheese extra pickle and tomato. “ Michael said confidently. He’d gotten it right. You laughed.
“ If I’m that predictable I should think about a lifestyle change.” You said as he went to the back. You scrolled through your tumblr dash for a few minutes to pass the time.
“Excuse me, Miss is this seat taken?” A rather deep voice said from beside you. You looked to your right with the intent of telling them yes it was, even though it wasn’t.
The smug grin that greeted you was nothing less than friendly, warm and familiar.
“Luke! You’re back!” You said getting up and extending a hug to him.
“Hey Y/N, how are you?” He asked happily hugging you back.
“Good, I’m good. Sit, talk, let’s catch up.” You said hopping back onto your bar stool. You and Luke had a good twenty minute conversation before your food came.
“Luke, you made it!” Michael said happily giving his friend a clap on the back. The conversation went on as you tucked into your burger and drunk your gin and tonic. The night had been surprisingly fun so far. You decided to leave around eleven thirty, much to Michael’s amusement.
“It’s not even midnight. He’d mocked. Luke had offered to walk you home, and after your two gin and tonics plus three shots you were a bit dizzy and accepted.
“So Calum moved out huh?” Luke finally said on your walk back.
“Yeah.” You said remembering your lack of roommate. You pouted thinking of going back to the empty apartment. You’d have to start having people apply for the extra room soon. Your job paid well but not well enough for you to afford the apartment and takeout every night. Lost in your thoughts, you didn’t hear Luke talking.
“-Naomi.” He finished
“Huh?” You said looking over.
“You weren’t listening?” He asked laughing.
“No was it important?” You asked embarrassed.
“I asked if you were looking for a roommate.” He asked again.
“Why, Mister Traveler, looking to settle down for a while?” You joked. You both laughed at that. You and Luke often talked about his travels. He’d never left Australia before he was seventeen but once he started traveling he love it so much he decided to continue doing it. He got a job as a landscape photographer and got popular off of a photo of a sunset from a mountain.
“No, not me. I have a friend, her name is Naomi. She’s looking for a place to stay and since Calum isn’t there. I figured.”
“Oh. Yeah, I’ll meet with her just give her my number.” You said sobering up as you arrived at your apartment complex. Luke opened the door for you and you went inside. You set your keys down and looked over at the balcony. You turned back to the clock. Midnight. Calum and Vanessa had probably finished their nightly scream session and you could probably get away with a quick cigarette. You quickly grabbed the box from the kitchen counter and made your way out to the balcony. After lighting your cigarette you sat on one of the folding chairs and smoked slowly. A sigh of relief came to your body.
The sound of the sliding door interrupted the silence. You looked over to see Calum sneaking out onto his balcony. Quietly like he didn’t want to be caught. Perhaps it was the little bits of alcohol running through your system but you got curious.
“Hi there.” You said louder than expected. Calum jumped before realizing it was just you.
“Y/N. Hi.” He said slightly nervous.
“Any particular reason you are sneaking onto your own balcony.” You laughed, Calum’s eyes scrunched.
“Um.Vanessa doesn’t like when I smoke.” He said.
“So you sneak out as to not hurt her.” You caught on.
“Yeah, do you mind.: He asked. Your eyes flicked to the cigarette in your hand.
“Have I ever minded you smoking? Besides since when do you need my permission to smoke on your balcony. Since when do you need my permission to do anything?” You rambled.
“Y/N are you drunk?” Calum asked.
“No, just tipsy. I’m okay. Luke walked me home.” You mumbled.
“Luke? I didn’t know he was back in town.” Calum said lighting his cigarette.
“He got back in last night, at least that’s what he told me. “ You said taking another drag.
“Oh. “ There was a silence that left the air permeated with an awkward feeling.
“So I haven’t seen you much this week.” Calum observed. You nodded awkwardly with a shrug and a small sigh.
“Yeah, well work due. Bills to pay.” You said nervously.
“Yeah, yeah same here.” He said sitting on a patio chair and putting his feet on your shared railing.
“Well I’m finished up here.” You said putting out your cigarette and standing.
“Oh. Okay.” he said wavering a little. You turned to open your door. As you tugged at the door you noticed the door had stuck again.
“Aghhh!” You grumbled.
“Stuck again?” Calum asked.
“Yeah.” You mumbled, your cheeks heating up.
“Let me help you.” He said. Before you could say it was fine, he was already climbing over the shared railing and walked close to you. You stared at him for a moment. A cigarette stuck between his lips. he looked back down at you a small smile gracing his face.
“Y/N, if I’m going to open the door you kinda need to back up.” Calum said chuckling around the cigarette in his mouth.
Oh right, you thought. With three swift tugs your door was open. “Thanks.” you smiled.
“Sorry for the inconvenience.”
“Hey, um, Vanessa and I are having a small get together, a little housewarming party. Kind of semi formal I guess. If you wanted to come,,” Calum offered.
“Oh, um, I’ll see. You know with deadlines and everything.” You offered.
“Yeah, right, okay. If you can. It’s next Saturday at seven.” Calum said before climbing back over the barrier. “Goodnight.”
“Mhm.” You said closing your balcony door and moving the curtain back into place. A party huh? You thought. Maybe.
