Forever...?

3

My brow furrowed, I unlock the door, and Hope is there, wriggling her tiny body. "Hey, hope darling, how are you??" I baby talk to her, and look up when I hear footsteps. Jacob walks down the hall and crosses his arms. "Hey. How was school?" I look at him, and my eyes well up. "Harlo, no. Come here." I put my head in my hands and cry, not moving. Jacob sighs, and walks over, picking me up and carrying me to the couch. He sets me down, and puts his arms around my shoulders, holding my head to his chest while I cry. "Shhh, it's okay, I've got you." He waits till I've settled down, and he pays my head. I sit up and sniffle, before looking up at him. He wipes away my tears with the back of his hands, and he smiles gently. "What's up?" He asks, ruffling my hair, like he did when I was a kid. I sigh and tell him about my school day.

He scratched the Bach of hi head, and looked out the window. "Is that the guy that dropped you off?" Jacob asks. I nod my head, then duck my head, realising that I've started to blush. "You like him." Jacob says simply. I nod and peek up at him, and he's looking down at me amused. "What? Why are you eyeing me off like that?" He laughs. "I've never seen you like this, that's all." I smile, and look down, a thought popping onto my head. "Jake?" He looks at me and smiles. I  haven't called him that since the... Yeah. "I don't remember telling him our address though." He furrows his brow, and shrugs. "Maybe you have a stalker." I shove him and we laugh. And Jake gets up to go make dinner.

We sit down, and watch trashy T.V shows, for the first time in what feels like years. After dinner has finished, Jake tells me to go rest. "Go kiddo. I'll clean up, you can make dinner tomorrow night." He winks at me and I laugh, rolling my eyes. I head up to my room, and closing the door, I get ready for bed. I shower, and put on a bra and underwear, but head back to my room to get fully dressed. I look out the window, and see Griffen next door. I look away, and look back shocked. Wait. He's my next door neighbour! I pull my short over my head, and go to shit the window, when Griffin looks up and locks eyes with me. I pull my shirt down as much as I can. He waves, and turns around, holding up a hand. 5 minutes. I pull on some shorts, and brush my hair. When he turns back around I wave sheepishly, and smile. He laughs, and holds up a piece of paper. His number written in bold letters. I write it down on my phone, and send a text.

Harlo:
Hi 👋

Griffin:
Hey there neighbour.

Harlo:
You didn't tell me you lived next door!

Griffin:
I didn't want to creep you out.
I'ma get some sleep. Night neighbour

Harlo:
Goodnight