Chapter 1 | A New Neighbor
This morning, I heard sounds of things being dragged and moved in the apartment next to mine.
Could there be a new neighbor? I didn’t meet him this morning, but my mind keeps wandering about it when I’m at work.
Luckily, I need to pass their apartment door to get to mine. When I get home, I see the new neighbor unlocking his door.
Our eyes meet as I walk past, and he gives me a little nod. Suddenly, I feel nervous, so I just nod back and hurry to unlock my door.
That’s the first time I saw him. He’s tall, and has gray-brown hair. His expression is mostly unreadable, but what I’ll never forget is the moment my gaze meets those beautiful blue eyes.
I’m not sure why, but I keep thinking about him. Where is he from? I feel so curious.
Chapter 2 | Visit
Several days have passed, and he seems already settled in. We haven’t run into each other again, but I keep thinking about that first awkward encounter. Ugh, I don’t want him to have a bad impression of me just because of my awkwardness.
I want to be a good neighbor, so I decide to bake him a chocolate cake. Everyone likes chocolate, right? I don’t know why, but I find myself smiling as I make it. It just makes me feel happy. I add a cherry on top, and the cake is ready.
Gathering my courage, I knock on his door, my heart beating faster, hoping it won’t be awkward again.
I hear the sound of the doorknob turning, and my body tenses a little. He opens the door, looking a bit sleepy in a white sweatshirt.
“Hello,” I manage, my voice a bit nervous.
He rubs his eyes and replies, “Oh, hello.”
His voice is soft and sleepy, and when he sees me, his gaze softens a little.
“Sorry, did I disturb you? Did you just wake up?” I ask.
“It’s okay.” He seems to focus more on me now.
“Uh… I live next door. I brought you a cake to welcome you. I hope you enjoy staying here.”
He takes the cake, a faint smile appearing. “Thank you. Did you make it yourself?” His finger brushes over the cherry on top.
“Yes, I hope you like it.” I glance toward the balcony and ask, “The view here is beautiful. Do you like to sightsee?”
“Not really,” he says, shrugging. “I usually just sleep, but sometimes I look out at night to see if I can spot a shooting star.”
“Oh, that’s nice,” I say, then I hold out my hand. “I’m Nancy, by the way.”
“I’m Xavier,” he replies, shaking my hand gently.
“Nice to meet you, Nancy. Would you like something to drink?”
“Oh, it’s okay, I’m good. I’ll get going now.” As I say that, Xavier gives me a confused look.
“Have a good day, Xavier!”
Chapter 3 | Small Talk
It’s been a few weeks since Xavier moves in, but we don’t have many chances to meet. Sometimes, I hear him leaving, but I rarely seem to hear him coming back in. Once, he’s already in his apartment by the next morning.
Did he come home from the balcony?
One warm morning, I run into him in the laundry room, he is waiting in front of the dryer. I wonder what he does, or if he has a girlfriend—or at least any friends. I haven’t seen anyone visit his place.”
As our eyes meet, I greet him with a smile. “Hi, Xavier!”
“It’s you,” he replies, a small smile forming. Just then, a beep sounds from the dryer.
He starts to unload his laundry from the dryer. “Thanks for the cake the other day,” Xavier says suddenly, breaking the silence.
Watching him take out a hunter uniform, I ask without thinking, “Xavier, are you… a Deepspace Hunter?”
“Yeah.” He nods, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Cool. I used to want to be a hunter, but I know I’d fail the test.” I laugh while telling about me.
“What about you?” he asks, his gaze curious.
“You mean my job? Oh, I work in the subway office. It’s… kind of boring, not like yours,” I reply, pouting a little. “Do you like to hang out with your hunter friends?”
He is quiet for a moment, realizing I might have made things awkward.
“Uh… not really,” he answers reluctantly.
“Uh, sorry I ask too many questions.” I say quickly. “It’s just nice to get to know you a little more.”
“It’s okay. It’s nice to know you too.” Xavier answers slowly while he stares at the washing machine.
“Do you like coffee, Xavier?”
“Huh?” He seems confused by my sudden question.
“Would you like to come over tomorrow afternoon? I have some new coffee beans from a friend, but it’s a lot, and I need someone to help me finish it before it expires.” I don’t know why I invite him so suddenly. “It’s okay if you’re busy…” I continue, but Xavier responds instantly.
“Sure,” his gaze softens. “I’m free tomorrow afternoon.”
I don’t know if he’s being nice, but I’m so happy that he accepts my invitation. Now I feel kind of nervous.
Chapter 4 | Getting Along
Since this morning, I’ve been rushing to tidy up my apartment. Lastly, I prepare the coffee set for Xavier when he arrives. Everything seems to be ready now.
There’s a knock at my door. My heart jumps a little then I quickly brush my hair and adjust my clothes, hoping I don’t look too flustered.
When I open the door, Xavier stands there, holding a small box of chocolates.
“Hi, Xavier, you’re here,” I greet him with a smile.
“Hi… uh, I got you some chocolates. They are on sale when I go to the grocery store earlier, so I thought I would pick them up for you.”
I’m surprised by his gift, I only get to say, “Thank you! Please come in.” I step aside and ask him to sit, and then he settles onto my sofa.
I prepare the coffee my friend gave me, “So, you don’t have work this afternoon?”
“Um, no. Wanderers tend to come at night,” he replied.
“Oh, so that’s why you’re always sleepy?” I teased him as I came in with two cups of coffee and set them on the table.
“I guess,” he said, scratching his head. I joined him on the sofa, and we tasted the coffee together.
“This coffee is good; the amount of sugar you put in is perfect,” he commented.
“It’s a bit bitter for me, ugh.” As I made this comment, he laughed softly.
We ended up talking for hours. He mostly listened to me, and when he spoke, it was mostly about books, music, and movies; I was surprised he knew so much about old films. He said he was only 23—I’m glad we are the same age.
He didn’t talk about his family, friends, or work, but I enjoyed the moment with him. I don’t know why, but I hope I wasn’t blushing as I was listening to him talk; his voice is so soft and soothing.
And of course, I can’t stop staring into his eyes while he talks. His eyes are mesmerizing and I’m drown into them.
***
Now, every time I run into him, we get along well. We talk a lot—or maybe it’s just me rambling about everything while he listens.
He also seems to trust me. Sometimes he borrows supplies from my fridge, and I like to play games at his place on the weekends or borrow books from him—he has a lot of books.
We only meet when I’m not at work or on the weekends, but I enjoy every time I spent with him. I feel like I’m accustomed to him.
Chapter 5 | Under Starry Sky
It is late at night, I had to work late due to some trouble at the office. It’s almost midnight, and the streets are dark and quiet. I am walking two blocks away from my apartment when I hear footsteps behind me.
My heart races as I speed up, but the footsteps only get closer. A rough hand grabs my arm and pushes me into an alley. I try to scream, but the large hand covers my mouth.
Suddenly, a bright light flashes, and I hear a familiar voice.
“Leave her alone.” It’s Xavier. The man looks at him out of the corner of his eye but doesn’t move.
“Leave her alone now, or there will be trouble for you.” Xavier says in a deep tone, holding a sword and pointing it at the stranger’s neck from behind.
The stranger grunts as his hands release me. Xavier’s sharp gaze follows him as he rushes away.
I try to catch my breath after the man releases his hand from me. Xavier turns to me as I try to control my breath.
“Are you hurt?” he asks while his blade fades away from his hand.
I shake my head, still breathless. “No, I’m okay.”
“I was nearby and saw you being followed,” he says softly. I nod, feeling a surge of relief.
“Let’s get you home. Can you walk?” When he asks, I realize my knees feel weak, and before I know it, he leans down and offers me his back. “Come.”
My arms wrap around his neck, allowing him to carry me on his back. He stands up and carries me effortlessly under the starry night sky.
The night become silent again. My fear fades away, and I feel warm and comfort in this piggyback ride.
While he carries me, he speaks to me softly, breaking the silence. “You shouldn’t walk alone at night,” he says, his voice a mixture of warmth and concern.
“I know,” I reply hesitantly. “But I have no one to walk with.” He listens to me as I ramble about why I go home late.
He carries me along the street, my arms wrapped around his neck. I feel warm and safe with him, like I don’t want to let go.
Then we arrived in front of my apartment door.
“Thank you, Xavier,” I whisper as he sets me down.
“Don’t get into trouble again.” Xavier voice soft to my ear. When he’s about to leave, suddenly I hold his palm tightly.
“...? What is it Nancy?” Xavier looks confused.
“Xavier, I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep tonight. Can.. can you stay for a while?” I ask shyly.
“Sure.” Xavier nods with a little assuring smile.
We spent the rest of the night in my balcony. We sit on the beanbag and just watch the starry night sky.
“Look, it’s a shooting star.” Xavier’s hand point out to the sky, breaking the silence.
I rarely catch a shooting star before, but now that Xavier point it out, I see it. “It’s so beautiful.” I was mesmerized, and then I look to Xavier, his face is bright under the starlights.
Something about him under the starry sky is very charming. I feel safe, and this comfort makes me yawn and I feel my eyes really heavy.
The next morning I’m awake in my bed. Xavier must have left last night, but my heart feels full and I smiled.
Chapter 6 | Mistake
This weekend, I bake chocolate cookies to thank Xavier. Again, I brace myself at his front door. I knock on his door, and he opens it, his face softening when he sees the plate in my hands.
“It’s you, Nancy.” His expression soft as he opens the door.
“Hey, Xavier. I thought you might want some cookies I made,” I hold out the plate to him.
“Thank you, but why all of a sudden?” he asks, taking it with a small smile.
“It’s a thank you for the other night.”
“Oh. You don’t have to repay me for that night.”
Avoiding his gaze, I notice some wounds on his arm. “Xavier, are you hurt?”
He shrugs, brushing it off. “It’s nothing, just a scratch.”
“But it’s deep, and you put the bandage on wrong.” I grab his palm and pull him quickly inside his apartment. “Where’s your first aid kit?”
“It’s over the counter,” he answers, still confused.
A moment passes as I tend to his wound on his sofa. “There, you need to take care of your wound more carefully, or it will get infected.”
“Thank you, Nancy.” There is silence again, and I try to break the ice.
“Hey, why don’t you try the cookies?” I open the jar and push it toward him. He takes a cookie and shoves it into his mouth.
“It’s really good!” His eyes brighten as he munches on the cookies.
“Really? I haven’t tried it, actually.”
“Here, quick take a bite.” Xavier quickly responds.
Xavier impulsively grabs another cookie and tries to shove it in my unready mouth all of a sudden. The cookie crumbles as it crashes against my lips and scatters all over my lap.
“Uh oh, sorry.” Xavier tries to brush the crumbs from my face. His face nears mine as his soft hands brush my cheeks.
My heart races, and suddenly I feel this urge to move my face closer to him, my eyes drifting to his lips.
Our gazes meet in that short but slow moment. I can swear that I feel his face leans closer to me too; I almost close my eyes.
Suddenly, he turns his head, looking away.
“...” Xavier looks flustered.
“I... I’m sorry...” I reply, backing away from him in my seat.
“Don’t. Please forgive me,” Xavier replies, and we both avoid our gazes.
There’s some silence between us, then I bravely ask, “Do you... have a girlfriend, Xavier?” My face is red, but I’m just curious about how he’ll reply.
“It’s... complicated,” Xavier replies softly.
“I see.” My heart sinks a little, but if he does have a girlfriend, I should respect that. I shouldn’t see his kindness as affection. “I should get going.”
We say goodbye, and he thanks me again for the cookies.
That awkward moment replays in my mind every time I pass his door. I feel so embarrassed.
***
The next of days I started timing my trips out so I wouldn’t run into him. But in my heart, I expect to bump into him again just once
.
Chapter 7 | Goodbye
A few weeks later, I get a notice that I’ll be transferred to another city for a promotion. It’s about time I got promoted at work. I look around my apartment room, I realized I’ve grown to like this apartment—it holds special memories since I moved here last year.
Should I tell Xavier that I’m moving? But I feel so nervous, and we’re just friends.***
Moving day arrives, and I’ve spent the past few days packing. They only gave me three days to prepare. The big boxes has been delivered, and now it’s time to move the small boxes into my car.
Xavier appears in the hallway, looking a bit confused. “Hey, are you moving out?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I reply. “I got promoted, but I have to relocate to another city.”
“Congratulations,” he says, with a faint smile.
“Thanks, Xavier.”
“Do you need help with the boxes?” he offers.
Xavier then helped me moves the boxes to my car trunk. When we were finished, I release a big breath. “Phew, all done.” I close my car trunk.
“Nancy.. the other day..” Xavier speaks to me suddenly. I feel my heart skips a beat.
“It’s been very nice knowing you, Xavier.” I quickly interrupt him, afraid if things get awkward.
Xavier moves closer to me. ”You didn’t have to hide from me, actually. Now you have to move out all of sudden.” He seems a bit upset. I feel caught.
“Uh, you noticed, I’m sorry. Maybe because I...I..” I felt my cheeks burn. ”Never mind. Also, they only give me three days to move out, sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.”
He looked at me, his gaze soft. “You’re a good friend, Nancy.”
I smile and I nod while I gaze at his blue eyes— for the last time.
“I’ll miss you—and your chocolate cookies.” He continues.
I laughed softly, my finger brush away a tear that suddenly appears from my eyes. “I’ll send you a whole truck if you let me.” I tease him while I get into my car. He nods and then help me close my car door.
“Good bye, Xavier.” I say my last goodbye to him through the window, and then start to drive.
As I drive away, I saw his figure in the rear view mirror. He’s standing and waving as his figure gets smaller and smaller.
Goodbye, Xavier. I hope we will meet again.
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