The Girl Next Door

SCARLET'S POV. I watched the moving truck roll down the street as I unloaded the last box. My father thought it would be a good idea to send me first with all our possessions to our new house as I could unpack the way I want. As I walked up to my new apartment, I heard someone yell “Watch out!” A boy said. His voice was so deep, I could drown in it. A ball hit my head and knocked me down along with the box I was holding. “Oh s**t!” he exclaimed. He rushed towards me. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you come up the stairs.” I blinked rapidly to adjust my eyes. I got up real fast and brushed the invisible dust off my jeans. My hair fell around my face, encasing it. “Here, let me help you.” He tried to grab the box that was nearest to him. “No. Thanks. I’ll take that.” I grabbed the box quickly and hurried inside the house. The house was an open plan. Air blew tenderly threw the French windows. The first item I pulled out the boxes was my old iPod Dock. Plugging in my iPod, I searched through my playlist for a song. As Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz started playing, I took a broom a swept the floor. After three hours of cleaning, dusting, and mopping, I was ready to unload the boxes. I loved how the white of the walls balanced the blue doors and window frames. It was very bohemian. I watched tons of house makeover videos to know exactly how I wanted the living room to look like. I placed our dull grey recliner sofa set in the middle the room, opposite the faux fireplace. The white and orange Evie chairs were placed near the window around a black round table. The songs changed as I continued to work harder to unpack. I was exhausted. I had just completed the living room. The vintage clock upon the mantle of the fireplace beamed half past eleven. I took a quick shower and decided I would decorate my bedroom tomorrow. I sat on the couch with a book in my hands with my hair pulled up in a messy bun when I heard the doorbell ring. The time was past twelve and nobody knew me. I grabbed a pan that was lying on the kitchen counter; wondering who might that be, I opened the door slowly. Just as I was about to strike the person, I see it is the boy who had knocked me over earlier today. “Whoa!" He stared at me with his eyes wide. "Hold it right there. Do you normally welcome everyone who knocks at your door with a pan in your hand, or am I special?” he asked with small smile playing on his lips. “What are you doing here? It’s late.” I snapped. "Don’t worry, I just came by to drop off a little bit of pot roast my mom cooked tonight. She thought you might be hungry and didn’t have food as you just moved in.” He handed me a small lunch box. Feeling guilty for snapping at him, a small blush crawled up my neck. “Oh. Thank you but she shouldn’t have. And neither should have you. Nevertheless thank you again.” I said as I took the box from his hands. His eyes shifted towards my neck and raised his eyebrows in wonder. I quickly pulled my hair down and covered it awkwardly. He looked back at me while I stared at the box in my hand. “Anyway, thank you for this. So, goodnight.” I said hurriedly. Just as I was about to shut the door, he stopped it. “My name is Adrian, by the way.” He smiled politely. “And yours…?” “Scarlet.” With that I shut the door. Staring at the white container in my hands, I leaned against the door. A WEEK LATER. I was running late for my first day of college. I rushed out my door when I dropped the keys to my apartment. “Damn it.” As I tried to pick them up, my bag falls off my shoulder and all the things clattered on the floor. “Son of a…” “It’s not polite to curse in public.” I heard someone speak. I pivoted on my toes and saw it was my neighbor, Adrian. He crouched down beside me and picked up the mess created by my fallen bag. “It’s okay, I can…“ He cut me off. “Can do it by yourself. Yes, I know. But it doesn’t hurt me or you, if I helped.” He threw all my belongings into my bag and handed me over. “If you’re getting late, I could give you a ride.” I looked at the time and realized I had only twenty minutes to reach. Reluctantly, I agreed. By the time I reached the university, my hair was disheveled and I could feel my heart beat, literally. I jumped out of his 2009 blue Mustang Shelby and grabbed my bag in a quick motion. “It wasn’t that bad.” He laughed. “Who said anything about it being bad?” I laughed sarcastically. “It was awful!” I pushed down my hair as I was pretty sure it stood in all directions. “I think you’re exaggerating a little bit.” He scratched his nape. “Exaggerating?” I exclaimed. “I thought I was about to die with a major heart attack, and that’s not even possible at this age.” “Uh, no, you can have heart attack.” he said as matter of fact. I looked at him incredulously. “As much as I would love to talk to you about heart conditions, but I think you’re about to get late.” He grinned. My eyes open wide and checked my watch. Three minutes to eight-thirty. “Crap.” I rushed towards the gate. After three hours of the boring class of Psychology and two hour lecture-presentation by a professor majored in Forensic Psychology, I dragged myself to the cafeteria. The cafeteria was an open space eatery. Unlike high school, there aren’t any grumpy lunch ladies who might or not have spat in your food. But, just like high school, there were groups. The nerds, the geeks, the cheerleaders, the cheerleader wannabe’s, the popular ones, the outcasts. I saw Adrian siting with the popular group in the middle. It was obvious. He was spinning a basketball on his finger. I overheard his friend challenging him that he could do the same with a plate. I watched till his friend picked up a plate off the table and tried to spin it but completely shattering it on the floor. The whole table burst into laughter. I pushed open the door to the garden and walked slowly towards the table near a tree with had the biggest canopy. A shadow appeared on my book all of a sudden. I turned around to find Adrian standing behind me with a stupid grin on his face. “Hey neighbor!” he said as he flopped down next to me. “What are you doing?” I asked him. “What does it look like? I’m conversing with you.” His lips tipped up from the corner of his mouth. “Why are you sitting out here?” he asked, to which I shrugged. He plucked the book I was reading from my hands. “Naked In Death? Never pegged you as the kinky type.” He waggled his eyebrows at me. I snatched the book out of his hands. “It’s a mystery book, it’s not what you think.” I placed the book back into my back bag. He chuckled. I checked my watch and realized I had ten minutes for my next class. I picked up my bag hurriedly. “Seems like you have some problem with time,” Adrian said as he got up with me. “You might need to get those watches that have alarms.” I gave him pointed look before I rushed to the class. As I marched towards my Sociology class, I bumped harshly with someone. I heard that person groan painfully. “Oh, god! I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you there.” I mumbled as I picked up the fallen girl off the ground. She picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. As she fixed her glasses, she said, “Ah it’s alright. It’s just not only you, even I wasn’t looking where I was walking.” She gave me a small smile. I smiled back at her. “So you’re heading to Mr. Smith’s sociology class?” she asked me. I nodded. “Me too! Maybe we could sit together?” I was a little flabbergasted. I didn’t expect anyone to talk to me on the first day. But looking at the girl’s expectant eyes, I agreed. It won’t be so bad to have one friend. “The name is Olivia. I’m new in town.” She extended her hand towards me. I stared at her hand and then back at her jubilant brown eyes. Smiling, I accepted her handshake. “Scarlet. I’m new too.” She beamed happily and dragged me into the class. After class, I told my goodbyes to Olivia. She was surprisingly a silent girl. Other than taking down notes as fast as a type writer, she hardly spoke a word. I was glad I made a right decision of being her friend. I checked the time as I boarded the bus. I was heading towards the grocery store to buy some food. I couldn’t expect Adrian’s mother to keep sending me food. Not that I minded her food, I didn’t want Adrian to keep showing up at my house. Finishing loading up the cart, I headed towards the cashier when I noticed a small boy with his father. His face lit up like it was the Fourth of July as his father bought him his favorite candies. “You want anything else, ma’am?” The lady at the cash register asked bringing me back to reverie. “No, that’s all. Thank you.” I smiled politely. I checked my time again and realized it had already been five in the evening. Grabbing the grocery bags, I decided it was better to walk towards the apartment building than hail a cab. The sun was beginning to set and the weather was breezy. The apartment was located in the prime location of Gardensville, Massachusetts. My father was a criminal lawyer, one of the best in his field. We moved from Chicago because he thought I needed a change of place, also I had gotten admission in Gardensville University. He was still back home, living in our old house, as he had to wrap up his cases. Gardensville was a small, tiny speck of a town which is probably not found on the map. The population was accurately 1,259. It was a very sudden change in scenery from high buildings and bumper to bumper traffic to trees everywhere and people who were surprisingly sweet. I was passed out with drool dripping out my mouth and one arm hanging out of the sofa when the clock chimed three. The blaring noises of the clock could wake the dead. Groggily, I pushed myself off the couch and got ready for bed, when suddenly I heard the doorbell ring. Opening the door, I saw Adrian leaning on the door frame, just staring at the floor. He glanced up at me from under his thick, long eyelashes with a sloppy smile. “Hey!” His breath reeked of alcohol. Taking a step back, I replied, “Adrian, are you drunk?” “Wow, you caught me way too fast. You are better than the cop who caught me.” He laughed. My jaw dropped open. “Adrian, a cop caught you? What happened? How did you…“ He cut me off. “How did I get out of it? Well, let’s see. He came up to me and asked me if I was the birthday boy? And the remembering the actual birthday boy had passed out in his boxers, I said yes. Didn’t want to get him in any trouble. Then the cop started to strip his clothes and things just got way too bizarre for me, so I ran out. I don’t think he followed me.” If it was possible for my eyes to open more widely, I think I just surpassed all that. I bit my lip from laughing. “Adrian, I don’t think he was a real cop. I think he was a stripper.” I said as I bit back my smile. “No, it was a cop. Definitely a cop. He wore the uniform.” He shook his head furiously. His longish brown hair flopped side to side at his movement. “No, Adrian. He was definitely a stripper. I don’t think any cop would just take off his clothes like that, would he now?” I crossed my arms in front of my chest as I leaned against the door. His mouth shaped into the letter O and tried to stand straight, instead he tripped over his leg and fell onto me. Shocked, I’m about to pick him up, when he pushed himself off. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t see that clearly.” He blinked rapidly and looked at me. Just when I was about to ask him why was he at my house when he lived just next door, he placed his hand over my cheek. “You’re beautiful, you know.” He smiled at me. I was taken back. He leaned in and whispered. “Scarlet. A name as beautiful as the person who has it.” My cheeks were bright red. I was blushing like a small schoolgirl. Removing his hand off my face, I took a step back. “Um, do you want to come in? I could get you some water.” “Oh, I thought you would never call me in. I thought I would have to swoon you on your doorstep.” He smiled toothily. I opened the door wide enough for him to pass through. He sloppily entered the house and into the living room and slumped down on the couch. I went to the kitchen and got him a glass of water. “Your apartment is empty. Other than the necessities, you have nothing.” He looked around my living room. The iPod Dock laid on the mantle next to noisy clock and the 34 inch flat screen TV was propped up inside the fireplace. The vase of dead roses stood on the side table next to the couch, which reminded me to buy some new flowers. “It’s called minimalism. But I have ordered for some furniture. It has been quite difficult finding for it in this town. And I have to get some stuff done. Here’s your water.” I placed the glass in his hands. I sat on the other side of the couch keeping a huge gap between us gulped it down in one big sip. Maybe he was dehydrated. He placed it on the side table. Shaking his head, he asked, “What kind of work do you still have left?” “Painting and fixing up my bed. I can’t seem to understand how it was put together. Probably, this weekend I’ll get around.” I said. “Maybe I could help?” He rested his head on the back of the couch. “No. It’s fine. I’ll do it. I am sure there is a manual or something, somewhere in those boxes.” I said as I moved my hands, flippantly. “I insist.” He smiled. “I am pretty good with a hammer.” My neck twisted at the phrase. His wolfish smile made me smile as well. “Fine. You better be good with that hammer as you claim to be.” He mock gasped. “Dear God! Did I just hear Scarlet flirting back with me?” “I wasn’t flirting.” I scoffed. I so was. But I would never tell him. “You don’t have to lie. I know you were. The cute blush on your face says it all.” He grinned. I shook my head lightly. He sighed. “Your bruises seem to have almost disappear.” Taken off guard by his remark, I realized my hair, which is normally down had been pulled into a ponytail. I squirmed in my seat as I pulled on the hairband letting my hair to fall down. “Bruises?” I asked innocently. “Yeah, the one you had on your neck and arms.” He moved his hand towards my face. I jumped off the couch. “I didn’t have any bruises on me. You’re delusional.” “I’m not delusional, you had bruises. I know what a bruise is, Scar. And you definitely had them.” He crossed his arms in front of his broad chest. s**t! He’s onto me! Oh god! How could I be so stupid! “You don’t know anything!” I yelled. “You should leave, it’s late and we have college tomorrow.” Adrian sighed and got up. He walked toward the door, before he left, he turned and said, “You know, if you want to talk about it, I’m here for you. When I tell, I know what a bruise is, I’m not talking in reference to a wound or fall. You know where I stay, I’m just a door away.” With that he left me standing in the middle of my living room. I stood there astonished. What did he mean by that? I avoided him for three weeks. Every time he would try and talk to me, I would scamper away from the place. As much as I hate to admit but I kind of missed seeing his jovial face. He didn’t come at night to give his mother’s delicious cooking, nor did I ask him. At college, he would look at me, not like a glare or a scowl, more like a hopeful wishing. On Friday, my afternoon classes had been cancelled. I walked down the pavement to catch the bus back to the apartment when I realized I was forty-five minutes early. I sat on the bench at the bus stop when I saw a familiar Mustang rolling in front of me. “Hey.” Adrian hollered. I ignored him. I got up and started walking towards the direction of home. Adrian slowly moved his car beside me. “Scarlet, please just talk to me. I only want to apologize to you.” Adrian begged from the inside the car. “Even if you don’t want to forgive me, it’s fine but just let me take you back home. The apartment is too far to walk anyway.” The apartment was too far to walk. I looked up to him and he gave me his best puppy dog eyes. I opened the car door and put on the seatbelt but didn’t say a word. He gave me a victorious smile. “Scarlet. I’m so sorry for that night. I shouldn’t have sprung up like that at you. I swear I will never talk about it. Give me a chance. I am utterly sorry about it. I was drunk and I said things I shouldn’t have. I’m very sorry.” Adrian went on about how sorry he was. I started to feel guilty about it. I mean it wasn’t his fault at all. It was mine because I was not careful enough to hide my flaws. I should have known that one day or another, someone would definitely see those scars and ask me about it. “It’s alright Adrian, it’s not your fault. I overreacted.” I gave him a reassuring smile. He wasn’t sure if I meant it or just saying to get rid of him. “Are you sure?” I nodded and smiled at him genuinely this time. Adrian grinned happily. “Well on that note, let me take you somewhere.” Surprised by his sudden change of plans, I asked, “I thought we are going back to the building.” “We will, but just not right now.” He shifted the gear and pushed down the accelerator. Few minutes later, he slows down on a rocky road. “I am just saying you could have driven a little bit slower. There was no hurry.” I panted as I unbuckled the seatbelt and got out of the car. “Where’s the fun in that then?” he chuckled. I rolled my eyes. “Where are we?” I asked as I looked around. I could see trees around us and gleaming sun that was setting behind them. “To the edge of the world.” He smugly said. He started walking on a narrow dirt road. “Well, come on.” “Are you planning to kill me here and bury me so that no one could find my body?” I asked. Adrian let out a throaty laugh. “And why would I do that here?” “So no one can find my mangled body. I just said it.” I answered stupidly. Adrian bit his lower lip before he doubled over with laughter. I felt my heart beat fast. It thumped loudly in my ears. Hearing Adrian laugh so easily, made butterflies fly around my belly. “Scar, why do you think I would want to kill you? Especially after I spent last fifteen minutes apologizing to you.” He reached out and ruffled my hair. I flinched back by the gesture out of reflex. He didn’t seem to be taken back by that gesture, he turned around and started to walk. We walked for a while, almost tripping over broken branches on the ground and twigs getting twirled around my ankles. He, then, suddenly stopped walking. He turned around and held his hand out for me. I stared at it for some time before reaching out to it. He pulled me gently towards him, but being the clumsy person I am I trip over a broken branch. I smacked straight onto his broad chest. Breathing in his musky cologne, the warmth of his body blanketed me in. I looked up and I can’t stop myself from staring at his soulful, brown eyes. My breath hitched by our close proximity. He gave me small smile. “Look!” He whispered as he pointed towards my right. I slowly turned my head to see the most beautiful view in my life. It was literally the edge of the world, or the town, to put it more precise. The view was spectacular. The sky was bluish-pink which indicated that the sun had set. The lights were just starting to light up the roads. The Grapewood Garden could be seen in its entirety. I could see the entire Gardensville. I could hear the faint noise of the traffic, the chirping of the birds. The whole scene was breathtaking. “Wow, this is… beautiful.” I said. “How did you find this place?” He took my hand gently and led me up to rocks that were situated at the edge. “When I was a kid, my dad and I loved camping. Every time we would find a new spot to camp. Dad used to say life is an adventure. If you don’t live it the fullest, you haven’t lived it well. So one day, when I was 12, Dad took a wrong route and we got lost. Our car broke down and it was getting dark. Dad said to just camp here. We walked for a while and we ended up here. Since then this place has been our spot. Sometimes mom would come too. She wasn’t the camping type. But she was ready for a fun picnic.” he said. But as he told me the story, his eyes were glossy. Even though I noticed he had spoken about his father for the first time, I didn’t want to press about it. Unless he wanted to tell me by himself. “Anyway, what about you? Tell me something about yourself. It’s been almost a month you’ve been staying here and I don’t know anything about you.” He asked me, changing the topic. I was happy that he did. “Well, I love the color orange.” I said as it was the first thing that popped in my head. He chuckled. “Orange? Who likes the color orange?” “Well I do. It isn’t a bad color. It’s not too bright nor too dull. It’s moderate.” I tried to give him a logical answer. He laughed. “Okay… what else? Favorite movie?” “I love Bruce Willis movies, any movie. Let it be Die Hard, Red or Armageddon, I love them.” Which was true, I loved Bruce Willis movies. Action movies was my thing. Adrian looked at me as though I had another head. “What?” I asked. “Nothing. You like action movies? I didn’t expect that. Normally girls like romantic movies like The Notebook or The Last Song or something.” He chuckled again. “You’re just stereotyping girls. But a lot can say about you when you are naming all Nicholas Sparks movies.” Adrian laughed. “And not all girls like Rom-Com movies. My mom used to love horror movies. Let it be silly ghost movies or gory, eye-popping movies. She adored them all.” I smiled remembering the time mom had put on Texas Chainsaw m******e to watch with my brother and I, me and my brother hid under the blanket the whole time, while she just laughed and made funny comments at the movie. “Wow, the females at your house are definitely not the clichéd women you hear.” Adrian said. “But if you don’t mind, can I ask where your mom is?” My smile faltered at the question. Had to see that coming, especially when I spoke about her. I hung my head down and replied. “She died three years ago.” Adrian gave me a small smile. “I’m sorry to hear that that.” I shrugged. Soon after that he diverted the atmosphere by asking me whether I liked bacon or beef, which was an odd question to ask someone. We spend half n’ hour asking silly questions about each other that we didn’t realize it was getting late. I was reluctant to leave but Adrian promised me he would bring me back here some other time. When we reached our respective homes, as I put in my key to unlock the door, Adrian hollered. “See you tomorrow, Scar.” He winked at me and he went inside. I stood there shocked, whilst my heart beat in horsepower speed. I started to feel more normal and more relaxed around him. His excited behavior made me feel excited too. My emotions changed when he was around. What was happening to me?