My girl Neighbor

8

Are you coming?

It's 07:30 in the evening and I'm still staring at my phone screen and not sure what to do, the text came from the girl next door. I wanted to see her so bad but the image of her and her date last night was still taunting me.

I'm not mad, I mean, I don't have any right to be, right? Ok yeah, I'm a little bit mad, she didn't text me back when she came home last night and to be honest I have no idea how to approach the situation.

After 30 minutes of self-debating, I decided to go and see my neighbor, I must admit, I kinda missed her.

I changed my PJs to comfortable pants and a shirt and made my way to my neighbor next door.

I rang the bell twice and still she hadn't answered the door, is she out already?

I was about to turn and decided to go back when I heard the door open and there she was, with her big hazel eyes, her hair was in a messy bun and she was still wearing her office attire. What was she doing and it took her 2 minutes to open the door?

"H-Hi." Trying to break the awkward silence, my voice breaks instead. I cleared my throat and gave her a pretend smile.

"Jen, hi. I thought you weren't coming, you didn't reply to my text." Did I hear the sadness in her voice? Nahh, can't be. I must be imagining things.

I went straight inside and sat on the couch.

"Well, I was actually doing something. You had dinner already?" My eyes flew into the kitchen where I saw her plates still on the bar table, I stood up to get a clear view. 2 pans were at the sink, some vegetables were out and the island counter was a mess. What the hell happened here?

"I didn't know if you were coming so I cooked." She said defensively when she saw the look on my face.

I was holding my laughter and looked at her in disbelief and for a minute, I forgot that I was a bit mad at her.

"Are you sure you just cooked?" I followed her in the kitchen where she started cleaning everything.

She glared at me and didn't say anything, she continued washing the dishes.

I sat on the stool and didn't bother to help.

"So, how's the party?" she asked without looking at me.

How did she know about the party? Did I text her about that? Confused was written all over my face when she spoke again.

"I ran in with your Mom this morning and told me about it."

I think this is the first time I have hated my Mom, why would she even tell that to her? I guess I still have a confused look when Emma turns to me, her hands are in her waist.

"I ran on her and asked about you, she told me you're still asleep and might wake up late coz you were at a party last night."

Oh, so she asked about me.

"Ohh, I see." The only words I could muster.

I realized she already finished cleaning everything and went to the living room and sat on the couch, I followed her and sat beside her.

"So, how was your night?" I asked her and to be honest I'd been meaning to ask her that the moment I saw her.

"Hmm, nothing special. You?" she was flipping through the channel and not even looking at me.

She was denying it or she just didn't want to tell me about it. I didn't say anything and just kept quiet, pretending to watch whatever she was watching.

I swear the awkwardness is killing me but I don't want to be the first to break it.

Maybe I should just go, coming here is definitely a mistake.

"I went for a date last night." Before I could say anything I heard her speak, though she still wasn't looking at me I could almost sense her holding her breath while waiting for my reaction.

I can say that she's waiting for me to speak and say something about it as she stops flipping the channel and just fidgetes through the remote control.

"Well, that's great. How was it?" It is a normal reaction, right? I mean, what should I say but to ask about it?

"It's fine, I guess." She continued flipping the channel and I swear it's irritating.

I snatched away the remote control in her hand.

"It's driving me crazy, Em, and can you just look at me?"

She finally looked at me and her face was flushed. Was she shy? Embarrassed? But why?

"I guess you could say I'm embarrassed. I mean .." She stopped in mid-sentence and I guess she's trying to find a word to justify why she is embarrassed.

"You don't have to be, ok? I think it's great you're putting yourself out there, I mean, now it may not be serious but you never know until you try, right?" I tried so hard to sound so convincing. I couldn't say I was happy but I couldn't even be disappointed and it's not like something can happen between us. She's an adult, just like how she says it and I'm a minor. Also, let's face it, she's sooo out of my league so what I could do is just to support her in her love life. She wasn't still speaking so I tried to open up a joke.

"I would tell you about my love life too but since it's non-existent .." I smiled at her and she seemed to relax.

She pinched me in my waist and started laughing.

"Thanks, Jen, for a moment there I thought I was speaking with someone my age." Trying to tease me, I scooted closer to her and wrapped my left arm around her shoulders. I still couldn't get used to this feeling whenever I was very close to her.

"You know, just remember whenever you feel desperate, I will date you." It was a joke for me but a part of me meant it. I grinned at her and squeezed her shoulder, she smiled at my joke and put her arms around my waist. I closed my eyes and savored this moment.

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