FIVE

He tried replaying their conversation in his head to know where he had gone wrong but he couldn't find any and so he plopped on his chair, scratching his head. He had just met the weirdest person ever.

He wondered why he had always been considered weird when he was nothing compared to the woman next door. As he would not let anyone bother him again in his house, he shoved all that had happened to a corner and retired back to bed. 

He sat up after a while, groaning a bit.  It was all her fault sleep eluded him. She had woken him up only to say antic things and return to her house.  He should had known the moment he saw her by his door.  What else had he thought she had come for?

Not knowing what else to do since he couldn't sleep, he fetched a novel which he had gotten from the library from his bag and began reading. He groaned again when he noticed he had been on the same page for about thirty minutes.

His mind was filled with all that had occurred that morning and all he could think about was she deserved an apology.

 "What for?" He asked himself and when he couldn't find an answer to that question,  he fell with his back on his bed and sighed heavily. Now he couldn't concentrate because of her. How much damage would that strange girl bring to him?

The sound of footsteps approaching jolted him up and he glanced at his window. He had never known her room was just right beside his and he watched her as she stood at the middle of the room, looking confused.

Her window was wide open and he tilted his head a bit to avoid being caught. That would be very embarrassing.   

Her long hair which he never knew were wavy at the tip fell to her back and she tied them up in a bun. She had taken her hood off and was now tugging at her black tight in reckless abandon.

Drake's mind went black as he realized he was about seeing something he shouldn't see.  With the strongest of his willpower,  he averted his eyes and fell back to his bed, covering his face with his pillow as his heart beat increased.

He knew he wouldn't be able to stop himself from looking if he took his face off the pillow but he couldn't stop himself from pushing the pillow aside and peeping at the window once more. This time, he saw nothing but white faded walls and he sighed in disappointment.  

Remembering his novel, he picked it up and forced himself to concentrate. He was tired of thinking about her so he sought for a distraction and the novel felt like the only solution to his problem.  It sure was for it was evening when he finally dropped the book.

He had intended to read just a few pages to still his mind from stupid thoughts but the book had been so interesting,  he found it difficult to put it down; he had read to the end. He made a mental note to stop by the library and pick another later.  

The rumbling in his tummy reminded him he hadn't eaten anything neither had he freshened up. His Saturdays were always this way. He ate very late as he would either wake up very late or bury himself in the world of fiction.  It was fun and he loved it that way. 

An almost empty cupboard greeted him when he got to the kitchen to prepare something to eat. He had forgotten his drafted out plan to go shopping that day and he sighed deeply. 

He picked a pack of juice - the only one left - and rummaged through the cupboard for any edible thing to eat. The knock at the door made his heart skip a bit. Why was she at his door again?

He thought; however, excitement filled him as he headed to the door. He couldn't tell why he was getting excited at the thought of seeing her again when he should be very angry. 

He faked a frown as he opened the door but when he saw Nicole instead, his frown became real and his brow furrowed in disappointment.  Nicole was standing with a huge grin on her face, a plastic bag in her hand and her short black hair shooting out of her cap.  

"Drake!" She began in her high pitched voice and she drew him into a fierce embrace, knocking the pack of juice from his hand. Drake almost screamed at this but he willed himself to be quiet as he watched the last sweet liquid he had, go to waste. 

"My goodness.  I'm so sorry." It was Nicole trying to apologise but he shook his head.

"It's fine." He said through gritted teeth as he got a mop and mopped away his last treasure. His jaw clenched as he watched her sit, patting her side for him to sit by her. 

Why was he acting this way? He wondered. It was Nicole - sweet Nicole; She deserved more than his cold attitude.  Trying to warm up to her, he sat by her side and allowed her interlock her fingers with his as she brought it to her lap.

He relaxed a bit, her soft fingers providing warmth to his sweaty ones. Though, it felt awkward to be holding hands with a lady, he couldn't deny the comfort.  

"You said you would call." He pronounced when it got too silent and uncomfortable.  

"Yeah,  but it was quite late when I returned and I knew you would be in bed then. I didn't want to wake you." She smiled at him and he nodded. She had always been so caring and considerate unlike the lady next door who did nothing but confuse and provoke him. She was not only evasive but elusive.

"What business did you have to finish at work?" He tried to concentrate on Nicole and not the stranger. 

"I had to finish a job that had been given to me two days ago. I had no time to properly edit it then so I stayed back to do so. Besides,  boss was looking for you." She placed the plastic bag on the table and Drake eyed it as he asked why his presence was needed by his boss. 

"I don't know. He wanted to tell you something but you left early so. . ." She shrugged.

"I didn't leave early. I left when it was time to leave." Drake countered with a slight frown on his face.  

"Yea, that's considered as leaving early." She smirked at him, breaking into a chuckle when she noticed the furrow on his forehead deepen. 

"I bought pizza. Your favourite." She pulled the pack of pizza from the plastic nylon and Drake couldn't help but squeal. That was who Nicole was: an angel.  It was like she knew when he was in need and came to his rescue always. He wanted to hug her but didn't know how so he sat still, watching her pull a slice.

"Open your mouth!" She ordered and Drake obliged, even when he found it quite absurd.  

His eyes shut as he savoured the meal and Nicole couldn't help but smile at his cuteness as she watched him eat.

The knock on the door disrupted their moment and Drake got up immediately - like he had been expecting a knock for a while. He slowed his pace when he noticed how fast he had been walking and turned to look at Nicole who looked surprised.

He couldn't blame her. It felt like his life had taken a drastic turn as he was entertaining more visitors than usual.

He turned the door knob and the never smiling face of his neighbour greeted him. Drake chuckled inwardly at the perfect contrast his visitors had: one as bright as the sun while the other as cold as the moon. 

Nicole's lips parted immediately she saw Maeve by the door and she wondered who she was. It had always been her so it was quite strange to see someone else - a lady for that matter.

Holding the lady's intense gaze,  Nicole wondered how her eyes could be that dark and cold, speaking of so many secrets and stories untold; eyes that made her very uncomfortable. 

"I didn't know you had a visitor. I'll come later." Maeve turned to go but Nicole spoke up.

"You can join us.  You don't have to leave."  She turned to look at Drake who was standing by the door like a confused man before smiling at Maeve whose brow was slightly raised.  There was an intimidating aura hovering around her but Nicole was never one to chicken out, so she held her gaze even when it sent shivers down her spine. 

"We have pizza." She continued, smiling brightly while Maeve nodded. 

"I'm Nicole. What's the name?" She watched her sit on the next chair, some distance away from where she was sitting. 

"Maeve."