The Girl Next Door

Lunch With Thy Neighbor

SCARLET’S POV

I unscrewed the curtain rods to remove the white curtains of my room. I had already emptied the room and laid down the plastic covers on the ground. Radioactive by Imagine Dragons blared as I shimmied to the beats of the song. I placed the rods in the hallway when I heard the rapid knocks on my front door. Hopping and skipping over the placed items, I pulled open the door. Adrian stood in faded denim jeans and a fitted white T-shirt. It looked sculpted on his body. How was that possible? Before my jaw dropped open, I asked, “What are you doing here?”

“You said I could help in fixing your bed. You were interested in my hammering skills.” He smirked.

My face flushed red. I cleared my throat and let him in. “I was just getting ready to paint actually. Your skillset is to be used later.”

“I intend to.” His lips tipped up higher and the blush on my face grew deeper. “I can also help you paint. The faster we finish that, the faster I could get on to business.”

“Are you always like this?” I c****d my head to the side.

“Like what?” He took a step closer.

“Like this. All flirty. Don’t care about other people’s personal space.” Though I wanted my voice to be a little louder, I whispered in a haughty breath.

He raised a brow. “I do. Usually. But you just bring out the best in me. So, where do I put my hammer?” He tapped on the actual hammer in back pocket. My eyes widened. I was sure my face resembled a freaking tomato. Chuckling, he moved away and walked casually into my room.

He flipped the paint can open and poured the liquid into the pan. He picked the paintbrush and dipped it into the paint. “How about I get the corners and edges while you can roll the paints on the walls?”

Even though there wasn’t anything s****l about the things he said, my plastered blush warmed my face again. I quickly picked the roller and started painting. Something wet dripped on my head. Placing my hand over my hair, I saw the Robin blue paint smeared all over it. “Hey!” I cried.

Adrian looked down and saw the little drops of paint on top of my head. Climbing down the ladder, he pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket. “s**t, I am sorry.” He dabbed it on the paint. “I didn’t realize it fell on your head.”

I scowled. I grabbed the hanky from his hands and stepped away from him. I pulled on my hair, trying to remove all the paint from it. “It’s fine.”

“I got to say, you looked kind of cute though.” He smiled.

“Right.” I fiddled with the handkerchief in my hands. “I’ll give this back to you once I’ve washed it.”

“It’s alright. You can keep it. I have tons at home.” He said. “Is something wrong? Did I do anything?”

I frowned. “Why would you think that?”

He shoved his hands in his pockets. “You suddenly seem to be a little distant.”

“It’s nothing. Just something on my mind.” I gulped down the heavy lump in my throat.

He nodded as he turned around to pick the paintbrush which he had left on the ladder. I thought he was going to get back to painting when he flicked the paint in the brush at me. “Maybe this could help you distract.” The paint splattered against my princess pink T-shirt and the old Khaki’s.

I gasped. “You did not just do that!”

He grinned wolfishly. “Oh, but I did. I so did.” He flicked again.

~*~*~

*~

I took a quick shower after both of us voluntarily finished the cans of paint on each other instead using it on the walls. Adrian walked back into the house with new sets of cans and placed them in the room. “Maybe we shouldn’t waste these.” He placed his hands on his hips.

“You’re one to talk.” I grabbed the nearest paint and poured a little of the pan. After few hours, the room was painted and decorated. He was good with the hammer. The bed was fixed in merely minutes. We sat in front of my faux fireplace/TV stand with the Chinese food that I had ordered. “You’re an only child?”

“Yes.” He popped a veg spring roll in his mouth. “And Mom works as a nurse at Gardensville Community Hospital. She is actually at work right now.”

“What about your dad?” I asked.

“He’s not with us anymore.” he replied as he twirled the chopsticks to take a big scoop of his Chow Mein.

“I am sorry.” I said.

“It’s fine. So, what about you?” he asked relaxing on the couch with the take-out box dangling between his fingers.

“It’s just me and my Dad. My mom and my brother passed away a long time ago. Somebody robbed our house.” I said, placing the box on the table.

“I’m sorry.” He placed his box as well on the table next to mine. “This was quite a sad conversation.” He scratched the back of his head. I smiled. “So, what do we do next?”

“What do you mean?” My eyebrows bunched up together.

He turned around in his seat, lifting his legs to cross them Indian style and face me. “A couple of friends of mine are hanging out tonight at The Wave. I was hoping you could come.”

“The Wave? What’s that?”

“It’s a bar.” He smiled.

Panic arose in my chest. “No. I can’t.”

“Come on. It’ll be fun. My friend’s boyfriend and his band is playing. They are actually good.” He looked at me with his molten chocolate puppy dog eyes that almost melted my heart. And that was not a good sign. I shouldn’t. “Please. You don’t even have to drink. What do you say?” He clasped my hands with his warm, large paws. This guy had really big hands.

I pulled away. “I don’t know. I really shouldn’t. Also, I would be intruding.”

“You won’t. Trust me.”

~*~*~*~

An hour later, I gave in. I stood in The Wave with Adrian Braxton next to me. I wore a simple blue sweater over my denim jeans. My hair like always stayed down. I didn’t expect the place to look like that. I expect a dive bar instead I was greeted with a large room. It was amazing. They had a skylight. Adrian walked me to a group of people that sat opposite the 3 inches tall platform stage. A couple of people seemed to messing with guitars and a drum kit. I assumed they were getting ready for the show. The table was filled with the people I had seen the first day at the popular table.

“Hey guys!” He greeted the people. A girl with short blonde hair had her hands tangled in a guy with red and black flannel shirt’s hair. They were so into it that they barely realized Adrian and I had arrived at the table. A boy with dark blonde hair hooted which pulled the couple out of their frenzy. I was scared they would get down to business right there. She had a foolish smile on her face as she wiped her mouth.

“Come on. We have to tune the guitars. Also, use protection, kids. We don’t want the babies to have parents like you. Freaking animals, I tell you.” The dark blonde hair boy hollered to which the crowd laughed. The boy with the flannel laughed before kissing his girlfriend sweetly on her cheek. It was adorable. And genuine. Pain constricted my heart. I gulped down a large lump down my throat.

“That’s true. You guys do start anywhere.” Adrian chuckled.

The girl blushed. Her eyes moved to me. “Who is this little lady? Quite a looker. What is she doing with you?” Oh my God! She has a British accent. I’ve always wanted that accent. Everything sounded sexier in that accent. Maybe on a second thought, it was good I didn’t.

“Pretty girls do hang around me, Kenna. You do too.” Adrian smirked.

She rolled her eyes. “If you hadn’t saved me in Mr. Gilbert’s freshman History class, I don’t think we would have been friends.”

He mocked gasped. “You bleed my heart with such daggered words.”

“You’ll get over it.” She giggled. She turned to me and extended her hand. “Hi, we haven’t been formally introduced. My name is Kenna Lovelace.”

“Scarlet Clarke.” I shook her hand.

“Pleasure. This is Madison, Cooper, Blaine, and Felicity.” She introduced the group. “Where is your boyfriend?” She asked Adrian.

“He is caught up with some personal things.” replied Adrian, taking his seat at the table. I was surprised that neither the table, chair, nor the floor was sticky. The lights dimmed and the band appeared in the stage. The spotlight beamed on their happy faces. I quickly took a seat while Kenna sat next to me.

“That’s my boyfriend, Griffin.” Kenna pointed at the boy she was making out with before. “They are a cover band. But they also produce some originals.”

“How are all of you doing?” Griffin spoke through the microphone. His Ibanez AX Gio guitar hung around his body. “Hope you’re all settled in. As you’re about to be blown away.” He signaled the drummer who did a quick count with his drumsticks before they started their own rendition of Forsaken by Dreamtheatre. The crowd went nuts as they began singing the lyrics to the song.

A couple of covers and a few originals later, the band had taken a break. While I had two virgin Pina colada, Adrian had two beers. He had ordered for some finger food for which I was grateful. Even though I had dinner, my stomach had grumbled. I devoured the onion rings in minutes. Adrian looked at me with an amused expression but didn’t say anything and ordered another plate of onion rings and fries. Griffin hurried back to his girlfriend before kissing her. “You would think that these two just starting dating.” Adrian stated.

“They didn’t?” I frowned.

“They’ve been together for five years.” He smiled at the couple. “They are outrageously sweet. It’s a shock I haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes just yet.”

“Wow. Five years. That’s a long time.” I said as I sipped on my drink.

“Yeah.” Adrian had the smile carved into his face. I wondered whether he ever felt sad in his life. I wished he never did. He was so beautiful. It was almost unreal. His smile was infectious. He could make anyone feel better. Even me. I am afraid that it won’t last. I am afraid I would lose this. Because I know I will. Like how I lost everyone else in my life.

~*~*~*~

As we walked back home, I realized it had been a while since I went out at night. Just enjoying the evening stroll. The cool breeze on my warm cheeks and the bright moon lighting the roads. Adrian’s musky cologne swathed my mind as he walked beside me. “So, did you like the band?” He broke the silence.

I nodded. “They were great. Especially the lead singer. He has an amazing voice. I loved their cover of Wonderwall.”

“Yeah. It was great.” He smiled. Small wrinkles around his eyes made him look like a child. “You don’t mind walking, do you?”

“No. It’s actually nice. I kind of miss going out. Last time was when I was just a kid.” A small smile appeared on my face. I sighed deeply.

“Why? Didn’t you go out with your boyfriend?” he asked. I shook my head. “Wait, have you ever dated?”

I scowled. “Why? Do you think I haven’t?”

“It just seems you haven’t.” He shrugged.

“I had a boyfriend once.” I revealed. The pain of the memory stabbed my heart.

“And?” He stressed.

“And what?”

“What happened?” He shoved his hands in his pocket.

“He died.” Adrian stopped mid-step. I turned around and faced him. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

“How?”

“He was murdered.” A lump formed in my throat. It was getting harder to swallow it down.

“I am so sorry, Scar! You’ve lost so many people in your life.” Adrian’s face was contorted to sorrow. His thick eyebrows knitted together in the middle as he walked towards me. He wrapped his arms around and engulfed me in a warm embrace. I was taken back. My body froze. My mind screamed at me to push him away but my arms wrapped around him, hugging him back. “Tell me the murderer was caught.” I shook my head. I could feel Adrian inhale sharply.

I pulled away. “It happened a long time ago. I don’t think about it.”

“Fine. We will not talk about it. Let’s talk about something else.” Adrian quickly changed the subject. He spoke about basketball and his mother. Also about some guy he was childhood friends with.

~*~*~*~

On Sunday morning, I decided to clean and invite Adrian and his mom over for lunch. They had been so kind to me, by giving me dinner almost every night. After I finished cleaning, I rushed over to the next door. I knocked a couple of times. I heard vessels clattering on the floor. Two minutes later, the door opened, a woman in red t-shirt and worn-out jeans with dusty blond hair looking disheveled stood before me.

“Hi?” she said. I realized my mouth had dropped slightly. She was Adrian’s mother? Wow she was so beautiful. No wonder, Adrian looked so handsome. It was all his mother’s genes.

“Hi.” I croaked. “My name is Scarlet. I’m your next door neighbor. I’m sorry for introducing myself so late. I just wanted to call you and Adrian over for lunch at my house.” I blabbered. I actually blabbered. I was no surprise that is mother looked slightly surprised. “You’re Scarlet?” I nodded guiltily. I felt embarrassed that I had been staying in this apartment for over a month and I had never met my neighbor, well except for Adrian. It’s hard to miss him. He was so hot!

Wait! What am I thinking? Get your head out of the gutter, Scar!

“Well we would love to come over for lunch. What time?” she asked.

“By two-thirty, will that be okay?” I said.

“Yes it will be. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you Scarlet.” She smiled at me before I left.

Exactly at two thirty, the doorbell rang. I shoved the chicken inside the grill and rushed towards the door. I saw his mother standing wearing a navy blue blouse and beige pants holding a bottle which I presume is a bottle of white wine. Adrian had once told me his mother loved white wine. My eyes sauntered towards Adrian and I wondered how anyone could look so good. He wore a black shirt with black jeans that is hung loose on his hips. His sleeves had been rolled up and I could see the veins over his arms, slightly protruding. Why hadn’t I noticed this before?

I was startled when his mother cleared her throat. I realized I had been staring at him like an i***t, I looked around shyly. I moved aside to let them in. I heard the click of the grill. “Why don’t you settle in the living room? I’ll just get the food ready and on the table?” I said as I rushed back to the kitchen.

~*~*~*~

ADRIAN’S POV.

“She seems lovely.” Mom said as she gave me sly smile.

“Yes she is.” I said. I turned and looked inside the kitchen. Scarlet wore a red dress that fell right above her knee. It matched her flaming red hair; which was beautiful, just like her. Every time I looked at her, my d**k would start to wake up. Her beautiful smile, her cute ass, everything about her made me a little nauseous. Scarlet bent down to get the chicken out of the grill and I got a nice peak of her soft skin just below her ass. I adjusted my pants little so that it wouldn’t be weird in front of my mom or her if they saw a hard on right now. I looked back at my mom and saw her typing on her phone with a small smile.

“Is that Gerald?” I asked. Mom had been seeing this guy named Gerald from her work recently. Ever since Dad had gone away from our lives, Mom seemed a little better. Just then Scarlet called out for lunch.

“Yes, it is. Adrian, do you mind if I’m seeing him?” My Mom looked at me.

I hugged her and said, “Never, mom. If he makes you happy, I’m happy. But if he hurts you, well the rest is unknown to him.”

My mom scowled at me. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing let’s have lunch.” I led her to the dining table.

The food prepared by Scar was delicious, the chicken, the mashed potatoes, the salad and even the gravy that she had prepared was absolutely awesome. “So what do you Scarlet?” My Mom asked, trying to make small talk.

“I’ve take a Major in Forensic Psychology at GU.” She says. “But I’ve taken music as one of my minor courses.” Music? Why hadn’t she told me about that? And how did I not know of this being in the same university?

“Music? Wow, do you sing?” Mom asked.

“Well, I’m not that good, but I can strum a few strings of the guitar.” Scarlet looked slightly flushed. Was she embarrassed to say it?

“How about you play something for us after lunch?” Mom asked politely. “Don’t you think Adrian it would be great?”

“Yeah it would be, definitely.” I smiled.

After lunch, Scarlet went into her room to grab her guitar. I then realized that her house had three rooms and it was bigger than that of ours. How did I not realize it with the ‘n’ number of times I had been in her house? And why would she need thee rooms? It was not like she had any roommates living with her. She came out with a guitar and then settled down in the living room. The guitar I had seen while fixing her room. “If you don’t like my singing, please be free to say stop. I’m not really good at it.” Placing it on her lap, she started strumming the strings of my Mom’s favorite song.

“We both lie silently still,

In the dead of the night.

Although we both lie close together,

We feel miles apart inside.

Was it something I said or something I did?

Did the words not come out right?

Though I tried not to hurt you

Though I tried.

But I guess that’s why they say.

Every rose has its thorn,

Just like every night has its dawn.

Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song.

Every rose has its thorn.” With that she strummed the last string. I looked over my mom, her eyes were little bit tearful.

“I’m sorry.” My Mom wiped out the tears from under her eyes. “You sing so beautifully. Why did you say you didn’t?” I pulled her to my side and hugged her tight. I was dumbstruck. She, indeed, could sing well. My girl was perfect!

Wait! Had I call Scarlet, my girl? God, what was wrong with me. Maybe I was not wrong. I looked at Scar and she gave me a worried look. I just gave her a reassuring smile so she wouldn’t be concerned.

After a while, mom and I left Scar’s home. “Adrian.” My Mom called out to me.

“Yeah mom.” I said as I went into my room to change out of my formals, which Mom had forcibly made me wear.

“I know you like Scarlet. I don’t really mind. She’s pretty and kind of cute.” she said. Eh? I got stuck in one of the leg of my pants because of which I tripped and fell. What the hell did my mother just say! Kicking them off my legs, I hurriedly changed into sweatpants and rushed outside.

“Mom! That isn’t true. She’s nice and all but she’s just a friend. It’s just been two months since she came here. I can’t possibly like her in that duration of time.” I said as I plopped down on the couch next to her.

“Oh, come on. Who are you possibly thinking lying to? I’m your mother. I noticed you noticing her so much that most of the lunch time you hardly spoke. If that’s not called liking someone, son, I’ve given birth to an idiot.” Mom snatched the TV remote out of my hands and switched on the TV.

I got a little offended. “I did talk during lunch.” I said defensively. Mom gives me an ‘are-you-serious’ look. Was I really not talking during lunch?

Next day, I heard banging at my door that felt like it was going to rip it out of its hinges. “Hey, Braxton! Get off your lazy ass. We gotta head down to the court. The Coach wants us training for the next season. Wake up, shithead.” Groaning, I got off the bed. I’m going to kill Xander.

Xander Hastings had been my best friend since the first grade. But sometimes I wish he wasn’t. Mom and he were close. Everyone thought he was my boyfriend the first year of Uni. He does at times come across a little gay. Not that it was any problem to me. He could be a freaking butterfly for all I care.

His mother passed away when he was very young and his dad bailed on him. His brother and he mostly stayed at my place. Last year, his brother, Drake, went pro-football. Xander finally moved out of my house and shifted in with him and his girlfriend, Alisha.

I opened the door only to be jumped on by a little girl. “Fiona!” I exasperated. Fiona was Xander’s little girl. When we were in high school, Xander got a freaking airhead knocked up. That girl couldn’t take care of the baby so she left it at my doorstep as Xander was staying at my place. He was not the kind of person who would bail on his child like his father did.

“Uncle Adi! Why don’t you come home? Daddy got me new presents for my birthday.” She gave me a toothy smile. I checked the calendar. s**t! It was her birthday. I had forgotten the birthday yet again.

“Happy Birthday, kiddo! What did Daddy get you?” I lifted her in my arms.

“Daddy got me a new motorbike toy. I can control it with a remote and a new dress.” I looked up at Xander who was laughing about something Mom had told him.

What’s up with girls these days? Didn’t they like toys that are actually meant for girls? First Scar loving action movies and now Fiona in love with motorbike toys. Times were changing and it was getting weirder. Maybe she was right. I should really stop stereotyping girls.

After a quick shower, Xander and I ran down to the court. The court wasn’t too far from the place where I stayed so Xander and I usually jogged to it. I see the Coach already lining up the guys.

“Braxton, Hastings, get your lady butts over here.” Coach Turner yelled.

Coach made up run three extra laps because our Captain, Garrett Hopkins had been late. An extra hour of conditioning and no practice game had been our punishment. Exhaustion was not what I had felt. My feet could barely move. Our walk back home would be strenuous. “Adrian, what you up to? I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.” Xander said.

“Dude, I met you on Friday evening. It’s just been two days.” I heard Xander gasped. “Two days! I can’t believe I was away from you for two entire days! Come here, let me love you!” Xander jokingly jogged towards me.

“Gross, dude. Get away from me.” I started to sprint. I heard him laugh loudly. When all of a sudden he stopped dead in his tracks. “Whoa! Who’s that hot girl?” I saw Xander walking in the other direction. “Hey, where you going?” I screamed.

“I’m going over to that hot babe, and introduce myself to her.” I looked in the direction Xander was walking to and I noticed it was Scarlet he was talking about. Unknowingly, I felt a growl rumbling inside me. I ran where they were.

“Hello lovely lady, my name is -…” I cut him off. “Xander, dude we need to get home” I looked up at Scarlet and she had the funniest poker face I’ve ever seen.

“Adrian, you’re totally c**k-blocking me here.” He whispered as he kept smiling at Scar.

“Hey Adrian.” Scarlet smiled. Oh man! Her smile! Xander raised an eyebrow to me.

“Hey Scar! What you doing out here?” I said, ignoring Xander.

“Just going back home with groceries.” She lifted her hands showing me the bags she was carrying. “Here, let me help.” I suggested.

“No, it’s alright. I can do it.” She smiled innocently. But the thoughts in my head about her weren’t innocent. She wore a pair of maroon yoga pants and a black tank top that says, ‘party’s here’. I sighed deeply. Her ass fit perfectly in those pants and her tank top were molded perfectly on her breasts. God if only I could just- No Adrian! Damn, you cannot have those thoughts right now, especially in front of her and my man-w***e of a friend!

Xander gave me a ‘what-the-hell’ look. All three of us start to walk towards our apartment. “So, your name is really Scar? Were your parents into Lion King or something, or is that an abbreviation for…?” Xander started to small talk.

“Scarlet.” She walked almost a feet away from us.

“Scarlet. That’s hot!” Xander smirked. Scarlet blushed. My jaw clenched. No was allowed to call my Scar, hot! I mentally slap myself. There I went again, called her my Scar!

“So, Scarlet, how do you know my boy Adrian?” Xander threw his arm around Scarlet, a low growl escaped my mouth. Xander’s smirk grew. Scarlet shrugged his hand off her and distanced herself more.

“We are neighbors.” She said shyly.

“Neighbors, eh? Is that why I don’t get to see Adrian anymore?” Xander snickered.

“Shut up.” I said. “Let’s hurry up, I need to buy a gift for Fiona.”

“O-righty! Shall we sprint?” Xander challenged me.

“You’re on!” I winked at Scarlet who looked slightly relieved that Xander was moving away from her.