About you

Chapter 1

Melody Venus Stone

"You have to do better than this, Melody." My publisher says over the phone. "The beginning to the end was all over the place. Find new material and make it work. I'm giving you five months to give me something worthwhile. Something I don't fall asleep while reading." He hangs up without allowing me to answer.

"Oh fuck you. I'll give you something worthwhile when I shove my-

"Yes sir I did know you were still on the phone." I answer his muffled voice through the phone. "No sir, I was not speaking about you." I palm my face. "Yes sir, I understand that you do not tolerate disrespect. Have a great day." I hang up and throw my phone on the couch releasing a herd of curse words.

Knock Knock

"It's open!" I yell as I grab the good wine from the cabinet.

My best friend Kalani walks in holding Chinese takeout. "Breaking out the wine already? Oh and it's the good shit, what happened?"

She sits the food down on the coffee table in the living room and take off her shoes. I carry the empty wine glasses along with the bottle and sit them on the table. We both sit down and start to dig in.

"Issac's giving me five months to write a flourishing and worthwhile book." I roll my eyes as I pour me a drink.

"He's insane. What did I tell you huh? I told you not to choose that pedophile. He's only turning your book down because you won't go on a date with him." She takes a bite.

"I'm not going out with him." I scrunch my nose up in disgust. "He's almost 41 and yes I know I tend go for older men, an 18 year gap is not the dream." I take sip.

"Oh yeah, I remember Sebby." She raises her eyebrows up and down and bumps shoulders with me.

"Sebastian was not that much older than me." I turn on our show we've been binging.

"Sure, you were twenty and he was going on thirty."

"Shut up, he had many assets. You weren't complaining when he bought you your Audi." I laugh and she gasps.

"You're one to talk with you brand new Jeep." She smacks my thigh.

"Stop, I really did like him. He was the sweetest."

"Then why did you guys break up?" She takes a drink. "No fucking way!" She yells as Cassandra gets shot.

"I knew it was gonna happen." I shake my head. "And I just needed time to myself." I lie going back to our conversation.

"Yeah okay, time to yourself as in Cameron." Kalani continues to eat.

I smack her thigh this time. "Yeah because your so innocent." I begin to count on my fingers. "Benny, Trey, Iverson, Malik, Beck-

"Okay okay." She holds up her hands in defeat. "I'm a different woman now."

We continue to eat and watch the show in peace. It was getting late. We notice bright headlights shinning through my window.

"Expecting someone?" Lani stands up heading to the window and I follow.

I shake my head no as we watch through my fully open curtains. It was a black vehicle backing into the garage of the house across from mine.

"New neighbor?" She looks back at me. "At night?"

"I guess so, that house has been empty for years now." I continue to watch as Kalani goes to put her shoes on.

I watch as the lights come on in the kitchen then in the living room. It was a man. I watch as his broad shadow comes into the clear window.

"See you later babes." She says before hugging me then heading out.

"Bye." I smile. "Thanks for the food!"

I turn my gaze back to the mysterious man in the window. Although now not only was I looking at him, he was watching me.

He closes the curtains in an instance and I feel embarrassment overcome me. I clean up the empty boxes and take the glasses to the sink. A quick wash and load into the dishwasher.

I turn off all the lights and the television and head back to my study room. Flicking on the light and plopping down in my comfy 'writing' chair. I open my laptop, click on google docs, where I start all of my drafts, and begin.

Untitled

'Twas the night before- erase

"What am I doing? This isn't a Night Before Christmas story, Melody." I rub my temples.

It was a cold, winter morning- erase

"Ughhhh." I groan to myself. I was unmotivated. I needed something, anything to boost my brain and give me at least a starting point.

I decide to give it a break and take a bath. Ten minutes in and I already needed a break. I am never going to finish in time. Walking past the living room I couldn't help myself from glancing out the window one more time.

Typically people move into houses in the morning or afternoon. I wasn't able to be the friendly neighbor who brought cookies over hoping to make a good first impression.

I peaked through the curtain not expecting to see anything, yet hoping I would. The lights were off, every single light in the house was off. What did I expect, it's almost eleven o'clock. Half the town is knocked out sleep. I close the curtain all the way and head to my bathroom. Running the hot water, I go grab my bag of epsom salt and pour inside. Once the water was high enough, I turned the faucet off and hopped inside.

His eyes were hazel with a tint of green. His smile, god his smile, it revealed his pearly whites that shown his one dimple. His skin, his golden skin was being kissed by the sun. His hair held curls loosely and was as dark as the night. I had never seen this face before. Not up close at least. Who the hell is this man. I pick up a book and pretend to read as I watch him scan the room. His eyes meet mine. Shit. I curse to myself. He walks over to me. His mouth begins to speak but no words are coming out. I shake my head in confusion letting him know I do not understand. I look around the room and everyone was talking but no words were coming out. I-

I jerk out of my sleep and realize I had fell asleep in the tub. I dry off and throw on a large t shirt and underwear. Putting my hair in a braid, I head to the kitchen. I grab a bottle of water and sit down in my chair. Opening my laptop once again.

Untitled - erase

Who are you? - draft 1

A silhouette of your body is all that was revealed to me. Mysterious Neighbor is the name I have provided to you. Mysterious, because you came out of the dark and into my mind and I cannot get you out. Your name, face, personality, all unknown, yet you've caught my attention.

It wasn't much, but it was a start that I was satisfied with...for now at least. I make my way to my room. I turn around to make sure all the doors are locked first and I slip into bed. Can never be too safe.