Under A Paper Moon |N.H|

8

I stayed at Bloom for a little while longer, after Niall had arrived, and then left once he made a plan for a second date tonight.

I came back to my apartment, finding a few packages with my name, all of which were things I had shipped from back home, hoping to be here when I moved in. Some of them took a bit longer.

Each time I think I'm getting caught up on moving in and getting settled, another half dozen boxes arrive and throw me off yet again, placing me back at square one. I'm beginning to wonder if I will ever get this apartment in its decorative place.

I do enjoy this process though – the settling and making everything my own. It's refreshing. It's new, and while I used to find comfort in the things I could hold onto, I now like starting over.

I got through one box before finding my record player in the next, which obviously stole my attention all at once. It only took one glance for me to want to set it up in a nice area and play some vinyl on it to listen to music as I cleaned. Although, I was fully expecting to become distracted and ignore all things productive as I listened to music instead.

I wouldn't let myself lose focus, though. I'm happy about that.

It's when an old motown record is on that I hear my phone go off. I ignore it behind the sound of the music until I hear the second chime, my phone begging me to open up the unread conversation after just one message.

From Niall Horan (cute guy from Bloom):
We still on for tonight?

It has only been a few hours since I saw him last, but for some reason I still feel some relief that he remembered our plans and wanted to follow up to make sure I still wanted to go. Of course I did.

To Niall Horan (cute guy from Bloom):
If you're still available, yes.

From Niall Horan (cute guy from Bloom):
I'm definitely still available. See you then.

I toss my phone onto my bed and dig through my clothing that I have finally unpacked, pulling out a pair of brown corduroy pants and pairing it with a white tank top. I take a claw clip from my dresser and pull my hair back behind me, twisting it up and securing it with the clip before pulling some pieces out in front to frame my face.

From Niall Horan (cute guy from Bloom):
Did you want to meet somewhere?
I was under the impression I would
be picking you up, but I realize now
that I didn't ask for an address.
Are you okay with me stopping by to
pick you up?

To Niall Horan (cute guy from Bloom):
That's fine. I'll send you my address,
and I can buzz you in.

I'm in the bathroom adding the final touches to my outfit when the buzzer sounds throughout the apartment. I curse to myself when I hear it, knowing it's Niall and I don't have my things together yet. I only meant to bring a small purse and my phone, but I would have wanted a few extra minutes to gather myself before leaving.

I rush to the front door, finding the microphone screwed into the wall right beside it. "I'll be down in a second," I say into the speaker, letting go of the button and hurrying away from the door so I can finish grabbing my things.

I hear another buzz.

"Brianne, our chariot awaits," he says in response, his voice echoing through my small apartment.

I stop in my tracks, turning around and press the button again to respond to him. "Chariot?"

"Fine," he sighs audibly. "There's no chariot. You caught me. No rush. Take your time."