Love Next-Door - A Matt Sturniolo Story

one 🚪

    "Caroline! Where the fuck is my box of books?" Dani yelled from her room. "In the truck, there's no way I was carrying that thing up." I yelled back. She emerged from her room, her long blonde curls bounced as she walked. She put her hands on her hips and whined, "Carolineee! Please help me!" I rolled my eyes in response.
    "Fine, let's go. I need to grab my portfolio anyways." I said in an annoyed tone.

     We ran down the two flights of stairs, not bothering with the busy elevator. The U-Haul only had a few boxes left, all belonging to Dani who brought everything she's ever owned. I slid my portfolio on the top of the box, we both lifted it and carried it to the elevator.
    Once the doors opened, we set the box down heavily. I turned and pressed the button to the third floor. Definitely not the best view, but such a good price for a two bedroom apartment.
    When the elevator dinged and the doors slid open, we hoisted the box up from the floor and carried it to our apartment. We struggled all the way to her room. "Never again will I help you move a box full of books you will never read!" I said grabbing my portfolio and heading to my room.

     "Does that mean you won't help me with the last three boxes I have?" She asked, following me with a pout on her face. "Dani, I really need to unpack and get registered for classes next semester." I said whining.
    "Fine, I'll go stand around waiting for a strong man to help me." She sighed as she headed to the door. "Hey maybe you'll find a hot one!" I yelled. "You're so right!" She yelled back. I heard the door click behind her. I started unpacking and putting away my clothes, sliding different articles of clothing into their places. I moved on to the other boxes, and one by one I unpacked them.

     I had finally sat down to register for my classes when Dani swung my door open. "Okay you're so smart, I met the hottest guy on earth! He's tall, he has this long gorgeous brown hair, and the prettiest blue eyes!" She said flopping down on my bed. "So what's his name, when are you getting married?" I asked jokingly. "His names Chris, I'm thinking an early June wedding." She responded whole heartedly.
    "You're such a dork!" I giggled, turning in my chair. "Care- you have no idea, he was so gorgeous! He was so sweet and funny too!" She said sighing, kicking her feet.
     "Did you get his number?" I asked. "Not yet, but he does live right next door. So that'll be super easy to get." She said rolling her eyes.

    After about an hour of joking around with each other, I finally finished registering for my classes. I had finished the first year of college, and had a few credits done while in high school. I wanted to graduate and start teaching as soon as I could. All I've wanted to do was teach art to younger kids, for the last three years. I think it's because I had such a great art teacher myself.
    I closed my computer and started getting ready for bed. I pulled on my white tank top, and flannel shorts. I pulled my long, overdue haircut long, brown hair out of the tight ponytail it had been in all day. I scratched my scalp and sighed at the satisfaction. I crawled into my bed, the sheets cold and the comforter warm. It was perfect.

    And then it wasn't. I heard loud yelling and laughing in the room next door. I waited a few minutes but it continued. I kept trying to wait. I kept trying to be patient. I kept trying not to be the bitchy neighbor that complains about noise.
   I couldn't stand it anymore. It's been an hour and a half of loud murmured noises. I got up and sighed. Fine. I slid my glasses on my face, and pulled my robe on over my shoulders. I was freezing. I walked out of our apartment, socks and slippers to keep my feet warm.
    I reached the room next to ours and knocked loudly. I was angry and tired. All I wanted to do was sleep.
    I heard the door unlock before opening slowly. It creaked open, a pretty boy with brown hair and blue eyes peaked out. His hair wasn't exactly long but Dani said gorgeous, brown hair, blue eyes. And she was right. He was gorgeous.
    "Hey, what can I do for you?" He asked softly. "Um, are you Chris?" I asked. "No, Im Matt. Chris is my brother, why?" He asked looking confused.
    "Im sorry, my roommate mentioned meeting a Chris and the way she described him- I just thought it might be you, anyways I didn't come here to talk to Chris sorry." I stammered.

     "So, what's up stranger?" He asked jokingly. I stared at him for a second, it was hard not to, he was just so pretty. "Im sorry for bothering you, Im just trying to sleep and my room is like right next to you guys. Could you maybe quiet down a bit? I hate asking and being that neighbor but-" I started, but he cut me off, "Of course! We're so sorry! That apartments been up for rent for a few months and we didn't even think about you guys hearing us! And if we get loud again don't worry about telling us to shut up, we can get out of hand a little bit."

     "It's okay! I was so worried about coming over here for no reason, Im honestly embarrassed. Anyways Im gonna go get some sleep, goodnight Matt." I said awkwardly. I realized how I looked and all I wanted to do was get back to bed and hide in embarrassment.
    "Of course! We'll try to keep it down, goodnight neighbor." He said smiling, stepping back, and closing the door. I walked away, my face was warm, I knew I was blushing which made the entire conversation even more embarrassing.