The girl next door

Chapter 10 - Heather & Sebastian

Heather

"And that's why I'm here now," I finish my story and drink the last of the alcohol out of my shot glass. Slowly I add it to the others I've already emptied with Ava, and lean on my elbows with a slightly sour look. The thought of the past years doesn't make me happy.

"Men are just pigs", Ava also pushed her own little glass away and tilted her head slightly. "Not all", I disagree, because I already had many good friends in my homeland. After a few seconds she nods in agreement: "That's probably true, but somehow I always get at the assholes". "Oh, you're not the only one," I sigh, "My neighbor, for example." Her expression on her face means she's on fire and wants to hear all about it: "Seriously? Tell me! I grin at that reaction, but then nod, "All right."

But before I can really start telling the story, she waves to the bartender and asks her for another round. I watch her do the research. I don't think for a second about rejecting her. But I can probably stand a little bit more. Besides, it's the weekend, which is why I could stay longer in bed in the morning and don't have to go to work. And there has to be some fun too.

The bartender nods confirming and we turn again to the topic 'men'. "So my neighbour", I start and can't help thinking about him: "Right on my first day I met him. Well, or rather his best friend." "Uh, his best friend", she wiggles her eyebrows: "Is he single?" I roll with my eyes grinning: "How should I know that? You don't ask that." "Well, I'd do it," she assures me, but I don't really believe her. At least when Aiden stands in front of her, her zest for action is probably over.

"In any case, he opened the door for me and I somehow automatically assumed that he was my new neighbor. But wrong thought," I continue with my story. Meanwhile, the drinks have been brought to us and I grab them: "But wrong thought. My real neighbor turned out to be an asshole right away." "Oh God, you poor thing. I probably wouldn't want that," admits the blonde with critically raised eyebrows.

I sigh. Unfortunately, I can understand this attitude well. After all, Sebastian didn't make a really good first impression. "But he tried to make it up to me," I admit to the man, although I probably shouldn't do that at all. In the end, he behaved really badly at first. "Really?", actually Ava seems quite surprised by this fact. "Yes, he showed me a bit of the surroundings and in between he even had his charming moments. However, he is already an asshole and he probably knows that, too." "I can only advise you never to start anything with your neighbour. This can only end badly", Ava sips her glass: "I speak from experience". Surprised, I look at her. I really didn't expect that.

"Really? I don't know. You had started something with your neighbor?", my tone let it be known that I really didn't trust her to do something like that. "Only very briefly," she explains quickly: "But afterwards it was quite strange between us and I was quite happy, to be honest, when he moved away. I can't hide a grin: "This is bad." "You can say that out loud," she replies honestly and sighs. "We both don't seem to have any real luck with men," I note with a laugh. Normally I probably wouldn't laugh about my past relationship, but I'm somehow more open and appreciate the relaxed atmosphere between us.

Sebastian

Aiden has been with me for several hours now, when his mobile phone suddenly starts ringing next to us. He then raises his eyebrows and takes the phone in his hand in surprise. Apparently he has no idea who is calling him.

I watch him in amazement as he answers and listens to the voice on the other side. When said person seems to have finished speaking, he asks, "Is she all right?" He sounds worried and the way he frows his forehead tells me that something seems to be wrong. His question also tells me that it seems to be about a woman.

Although I know it is wrong to listen to a private conversation, my curiosity is simply too great. So I continue to listen to his words and try to recognize the other voice.

"Well, I'll come and pick her up," he says quickly and then makes preparations to rise: "Where are you anyway? He hangs up with these words and puts the mobile phone in his pocket.

"Who was that?" I ask in amazement and stop him. "Heather," he says, briefly tied, as he touches his jacket: "Or rather a friend of hers. "What?", I sound more surprised than I actually wanted. "Yes, her friend asked me if I could pick her up, because according to her she seems to be quite full," he explains to me as he searches the living room for his car key.

My head is slightly crooked. I really didn't expect that. Heather and full? Actually, she seemed like someone who doesn't drink that much. On the other hand, it could also be that she just had a bad day and needed it today just to relax.

"Wait?", suddenly I pause in the middle of the movement and look at him with slightly pinched eyes: "Where did she get your number from? "Uh ...", immediately I notice how he tries to evade my gaze: "We had a short chat outside the door and she asked me about it."

For a moment I am speechless. Is she serious? She really asked him for his number after I told her she wouldn't get it from me. I can't say exactly why, but somehow this fact bothers me. I just don't like the fact that he shows interest in her and so does she in him.

Without really thinking about it, I announce: "You know what, stay here. I'll pick her up." Surprised, he stops and looks at me in surprise: "Really? "Yes, after all she is my neighbour", I try to justify myself a little. I deliberately emphasize 'mine' especially strongly.

"Good, then have fun," he shrugs his shoulders indifferently and throws his car key over to me. I catch him in the air and nod before I ask him about the address. I can't say exactly why I insist on picking them up, but I don't hesitate. Instead, I put on my jacket quickly, slip into my shoes and tell Aiden that I'll be right back. Then I take my apartment key and leave my apartment.

I climb down the stairs, open the apartment door and step out onto the sidewalk. Outside it is surprisingly humid, which is why I regret having put on my jacket. But how can you count on it if the weather in this city keeps changing!

It takes a few seconds, but then I discover Aiden's car on the road and get in. Fortunately, I know the bar where Heather seems to be staying, according to Aiden, so I'm sure I'll find her soon.