The Boy Next Door 🏡

Lily Anderson had always believed that moving house was supposed to be exciting. Apparently, nobody had told her that excitement also came with carrying six heavy boxes up three flights of stairs. "One more box," she muttered, struggling to balance a cardboard box against her hip. "Just one more." The box slipped. "Oh!" Before it could hit the ground, a hand caught it. Lily looked up. A tall man stood in front of her, holding the box effortlessly. "You alright?" he asked. Lily blinked. He had messy brown hair, warm eyes and the sort of smile that was annoyingly charming. "Yes. Thank you." He glanced at the box. "Kitchen?" "Yes." He walked towards her new flat and placed it inside. "There." Lily followed him. "You didn't have to do that." "I know." She raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you?" "Because you looked like you were about to lose a fight with a cardboard box." Lily stared at him. "Excuse me?" He laughed. "I'm Ethan." "Lily." "Nice to meet you, Lily." Before she could say anything else, he walked towards the door. Then he turned around. "Oh, and I'm your neighbour." Lily looked at him in surprise. "You live next door?" He pointed towards the flat beside hers. "Unfortunately." She smiled sarcastically. "I was about to say the same thing." Ethan laughed. "I think we're going to get along." "I'm not so sure." "We'll see." He disappeared into his flat, leaving Lily standing in the doorway. She shook her head. "Annoying." But despite herself, she smiled. That evening, Lily sat by her new bedroom window with a cup of tea. Through the window, she could see Ethan watering the plants outside. As if sensing her gaze, he looked up. Their eyes met. He smiled. Lily quickly looked away. She had only been in her new home for one day. Yet somehow, she already had a feeling that the boy next door was going to make her life rather interesting. And she had absolutely no idea how right she was.