Page 9 of Definitely Not a Thing
“You are way too pretty for jail,” I told myself in the mirror, then picked up my phone again, navigating to theProxyapp. I’d already used the app to schedule help getting the truck unloaded, but I needed to check just one more time to be sure.
Good.
I was confirmed, and my timeframe wasn’t until early afternoon, so I had time to get some things done. I got dressed, put the mattress and my other things away, then grabbed my laptop and bag to head to Urban Grind.
Usually, I worked from home, but an empty apartment wasn’t quite “home” yet.
Although… this one was already morehomethan I’d ever gotten to feel at Hunter’s place, having to field his input on every little thing – and conceding to his opinion nearly every time -- despite the place being supposedlyours.
But, whatever.
I spent a few minutes before stepping out the door on morning greetings via text with family and friends and then stepped out into the hall, ready to make it a great day – or, at least as good as possible.
So obviously the first thing I saw – nay,walked into– was bags of trash right next to my door.
The rage wassoimmediate it kinda scared me.
Walking around pissed off was simplynotmy default, and it was annoying at this point, actually.
I blew out a cleansing breath, letting logic prevail.
There was a party last night – of course there was trash to be taken out.
Multiple bags.
The dumpster for the building was a bit of a trek, soof coursesomeone might stow them outside the door for a bit while they made sure they had them all, so they could try to make just one trip.
This was no big deal.
And had nothing to do with me.
This was not an issue, or my problem at all – I was leaving right now anyway, to go have a great day!
I plastered a smile on my face and started walking, glancing up as the door next to mine swung open while I was passing.
“Good morning,” I greeted, in the brightest tone I could fine as my neighbor stepped out of his door.
“Ah, Scream Queen – whassup?”
Immediately, the smile slid off my face, and all my faux-positive energy oozed out through my feet.
“Nothing much… mister… uh…Noise Violation,” I countered, the only thing I could bring to mind in enough time to not be awkward.
A little smirk spread over his lips as he stepped a bit closer – salty and sweaty from whatever workout he’d been doing earlier, glistening like a damn sports drink commercial. “Noise Violation, huh?”
“That’s what I said!” I shot back, indignant – which, really only seemed to be even more amusing to him. “Are you finished with the petty payback now?”
He chuckled as he turned to grab his trash bags, tatted muscles flexing ever-so-slightly from the effort. “You think I’m being petty?”
“That’s the generous read on your behavior thus far, yes,” I replied as he turned to face me again.
“What’s the not-so-generous one?”
I bit my lip, thinking about it for a second before I shrugged. “That you’re just an asshole, and it has nothing to do with me at all.”
“Oh, it’s goteverythingto do with you, neighbor.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, am I at leastneighbornow? NotScream Queen?”
