Neighbors

68

Quinn POV

It's near the end of January now and the weather is still very much cold outside.

Harry and I are good, which is always a good thing.

We're supposed to hangout tonight actually. He told me he just needs to wait until his Dad comes home from work, which should be soon.

I'm seated in my living room, watching mindless TV. What startles me is the sound of something loud slamming from the house next door. My eyebrows furrow by the sound, and I get off of my couch and see what the corruption is.

What makes my heart race a little is the sound of my doorbell going off.

I get off of the couch and head to my front door. I drape my cardigan around my body and slowly pull the front, heavy door open.

My eyes land on a small girl holding a teddy bear against her chest and tears streaming down her face. My heart pinches and my eyes burn a little bu the sight.

My sad eyes look at Alyssa and I open the door wider for her body to fit in. I ignore the loud sounds of her house next to mine, and make sure she's okay.

I close the front door behind her, and kneel down in front of her. Alyssa's arms wrap around my body and she nuzzles her face into my chest, gripping onto me tightly. My heart swells by her actions, and hearing her cry makes my eyes sting.

I stroke her long, brown curls, and hold her tightly against me. I don't know what happened over there, and I'm scared to find out if I'm being honest. I don't even know if Harry is home.

"Do your parents know you're here?" I ask.

"N-No." Alyssa stammers.

I pull away from her hug and cup her rosy cheeks. I wipe her tears away and give Harry's little sister a gentle grin. "Is Harry over there?" I ask.

Alyssa nods. "He's yelling too." She says through a pout. My heart pinches by her words.

"Well, there is no yelling here, and you're okay," I tell her. She nods. "Did you eat?" Her head shakes 'no'.

"Okay, well I'll go make something. Do you know if you're allergic to anything?" I ask.

"My Mommy says nuts." She says. I nod and stand up. Alyssa takes my hand in hers as we walk to my kitchen.

Her eyes stare around my house, observing it. I lift up Alyssa, placing her on the counter to sit. She smiles by being so high up, which makes me grin.

I open my freezer door and pull out a frozen pizza. I turn on the oven to heat it up, and wait beside the girl who's swinging her feet back and forth.

"Are you cold?" I ask her.

"A little," She answers. "But I'm okay." Alyssa answers quickly.

I go over to the thermostat and raise the temp to make her more comfortable. "I get warm easily so I tend to live in an ice box." I say to her. She giggles which makes me smile.

"You have a pretty home." Alyssa compliments.

"Thank you," I say. "Wanna go look around?" I ask. I see the curiosity on her face. It's the same look that Harry had on his face the first time he came over.

"Am I allowed?" She asks timidly.

"Of course," I lift her up and place her down on the floor. "I'll give you a tour." She nods and takes my hand again.

I walk her over to the most interesting room in the house, and that's the movie theatre. Her eyes widen by the view and she looks around. "You have a popcorn machine?" Alyssa asks me with wide eyes.