CHAPTER ONE
1043 Words
Roman Ellis prided himself on a few things: his spotless apartment, his perfectly timed coffee, and the absolute quiet of his early mornings.
This morning, all three were shattered by a single, high-pitched bark.
He froze mid-sip. Not again. Except… he’d never heard this bark before.
He set the mug down, ears straining. A squeaky yelp followed by tiny scampering paws and the faint jingle of a collar. And then a voice, impossibly cheerful, cutting through the silence.
“Oh no! Sorry! Sorry! I didn’t mean to—he’s—oh, Killian!”
Roman opened his door just in time to see a small, fluffy Newfoundland puppy — barely bigger than a basket of laundry — wriggling free from the grasp of a young woman juggling boxes in the hallway. The puppy yipped excitedly, tripping over her own paws, while the woman tried to regain control.
“Hi! I’m Juniper,” she said, panting slightly as she scooped up Killian again, “but you can call me June. Just moved in next door. And apparently Killian thinks he’s in charge of the building.”
Roman blinked. She was… radiant. Messy braid, paint-stained sweater, a bright, chaotic energy that made his chest tighten for reasons he didn’t want to analyze. And utterly, maddeningly cheerful.
“I’m Roman,” he said, voice clipped. “Ellis. Apartment 6B.”
June grinned. “Nice to meet you! Killian’s usually better behaved. Usually.”
She shifted, hugging Killian closer, and added nervously, “I hope I’m not… disturbing—”
Before she could finish, Killian wriggled free again. Roman barely had time to blink before the tiny Newfoundland lunged straight at him, paws hitting his chest, claws sinking lightly into his shirt, and warm puppy fur brushing his face.
“Hey!” Roman shouted, stepping backward, arms flailing to keep the tiny furball from tipping him over. Killian yipped happily, tongue lolling, and bounced on him like he’d been waiting for this moment his whole life.
June’s mouth dropped open. “Killian! No! Stop—Roman, I’m so sorry!”
Roman froze, still holding the edge of his coffee mug like a shield, trying not to panic as the tiny, surprisingly strong puppy pressed against him. “Your dog!” he said, voice a mixture of alarm and disbelief.
June lunged forward, grabbing Killian and lifting him off Roman. “I swear he’s normally calmer than this! I don’t know why—he just—he’s excited!”
Roman stepped back, adjusting his shirt, hair disheveled. “Excited doesn’t begin to cover it,” he muttered, glancing down at the tiny fluffball now squirming in June’s arms.
June laughed nervously, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I’m… really sorry. He’s six weeks old. Tiny, adorable, but… completely untrainable. First day in the building, and clearly, he’s making a strong impression.”
Roman pinched the bridge of his nose. “I see that.”
June tilted her head, puppy bouncing slightly in her arms. “Don’t worry, 6B neighbor. You’ll get used to us. Or Killian will. Probably him first.”
Roman blinked. I don’t get used to people.
But before he could say it, Killian yipped again, wiggling in her arms, and June grinned helplessly. “Welcome to the building,” she said, offering a small wave.
Roman closed his door slowly, leaning against it. Morning coffee ruined. Perfect quiet destroyed. And somehow, inexplicably, he couldn’t wait to see what kind of chaos she would bring next.
June turned to maneuver her first box down the hallway. Killian squirmed in her arms, squeaking excitedly at Roman’s apartment door like it was a secret enemy fortress.
“Uh—uh, do you need help with… that?” Roman asked, voice tight. He didn’t want to help, but the box wobbled dangerously, threatening to topple Killian out of her arms.
June hesitated. “I mean… I could manage. But you don’t have to…”
“I don’t have to,” Roman said. “But I’m going to.”
Before she could protest, he stepped forward and steadied the box with precise movements, while Killian wriggled happily in her arms. June tilted her head, studying him. “You’re… surprisingly helpful.”
Roman narrowed his eyes. “I’m not… helping because I like you.”
June grinned brightly. “Sure. Of course not. Totally believable.”
She nudged the door open, and Killian immediately made a break for freedom, darting under the boxes like a furry missile. Roman groaned, grabbing the puppy mid-leap and holding him at arm’s length.
“Seriously! He’s tiny! How is he this… destructive?” June exclaimed, laughing.
Roman stared at her. “He’s a tiny tornado. And you… brought him into my hallway.”
June’s grin widened. “Well, he needed an audience. And honestly? You’re exactly the kind of neighbor who deserves a chaotic puppy in his hallway.”
Roman pinched the bridge of his nose again, trying not to groan aloud. I hate this. I hate her.
And yet… he couldn’t deny that even through the chaos, her laughter was contagious. And maybe—just maybe—he didn’t completely hate the puppy either.
By the time June finally wrestled the last box into her apartment, Roman had retreated to his doorway, arms crossed, Killian safely in a blanket in June’s lap. The puppy yipped once, looking up at Roman with wide, innocent eyes.
“Go on,” June said, smiling at Roman. “Say hi to the newest building member.”
Roman froze. He didn’t know why he was bending down. He didn’t know why he extended a hand to pet Killian. And he definitely didn’t know why he was thinking, I’m in trouble.
June laughed. “See? He’s charming. Just like his owner.”
Roman stared at her, not sure if she meant Killian—or her.
“Okay, June,” he said finally, backing away. “Welcome to the building. Keep the chaos contained… if possible.”
June winked. “No promises.”
Roman closed his door slowly, leaning against it, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Morning coffee ruined. Perfect quiet destroyed. And somehow… he couldn’t wait to see what kind of chaos she would bring next.
- Writer
