The Jerk Next Door

Chapter 1

Hey guys !

So, here it is. The official beginning of this story. If you see any mistakes, please tell me. I need to know if I want to eventually stop making any :)

Please vote and comment. ;)

Chapter 1

        A shrill noise sounded, allowing Eliza in. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the doors of the building and walked straight into the unfamiliar hallway, tossing aside at the same time the shyness that was menacing to overwhelm her.

        It had been a week since her birthday, a week since she was declared major by law and was finally able to leave her foster home for the first time. She hadn't lost any time before buying a one-way plane ticket to Montreal with the money she had managed to put aside over the years. She came back where it all started to pick up the life she had left all those years ago.

        She wasn't sure she was strong enough. Her breakdown in the graveyard the day before was a proof of the fact that she wasn't as prepared as she would have liked to be.

        "That doesn't matter," thought Eliza. "I'm not doing this for me." Then, to fight the sudden urge she felt to turn around and run away, she repeated, under her breath, like a prayer, her motto of the last few days. "For Matt's sake. Come on, Eliza, you can do it. For Matt's sake."

        Eliza climbed up the stairs, took a sharp turn and stopped abruptly in front of the apartment 203. Before she had a chance to start second guessing her mere presence there, she knocked on the door.

        Hearing a sound behind her, Eliza turned around and watched as the newcomer walked very slowly down the hallway. He was carrying around about ten grocery bags and kept muttering to himself.

"Why am I always the one carrying everything around ? ... I could use some help from time to time, but nooo... He has problems and needs a break... A break my ass. It's been months and he's still on his damn break... I'm not even asking for much... What would his mother sa... ?"

        Eliza stood still and watched, unsure about how to react. Should she offer him some help with his shopping gabs ? Or should she pretend she didn't see overheard him talking about his issues ?

        "Need help, Noah ?" asked a new voice. Eliza looked in the direction of the sound and realized that a girl about her age had opened the door and was now standing behind her. Eliza blushed madly, hoping the girl didn't caught her staring at the man. "Oh, God, please don't let her think I'm a rude country girl because I didn't offer him any help", she desperately prayed.

        The boy, Noah, met their awaiting eyes coolly before giving them a small nod and turning his pack towards them. He reached in his back pocket, took a set of keys and opened the door of the apartment next door. He then faced the girls and gestured for them to wait a minute before slamming the door shut behind him.

"Well," said the girl "That was weird. Can't say I'm not used to it, though. I'm Caroline, by the way."

"Hi," said Eliza, weakly. "I'm Eliza Hamilton."

Caroline raised her brows. "Oh ! You're here for the free room in my flat ! Didn't expect you this early."

Eliza shrugged. "Well I had to fill in a few papers at the university. I decided to come straight after."

"Not a problem. We'll do a tour of the apartment... Well, as soon as Noah will grace us with his presence." Caroline smiled, humour dancing in her eyes.

        Suddenly, somebody cleared their throat loudly, making Eliza jump for what felt like the hundredth time that day.

        Nathalie giggled. The boy, Noah, had a smile playing on his lips. "Jumpy, aren't we ?"

        Eliza rolled her eyes. Without his packages, Eliza could finally see Noah clearly. He had deep blue eyes and short blond hair, combed in stylized spikes. He seemed tall and fit enough, but Eliza stopped herself before she really started checking him out.

        "Really Eliza, you're supposed to be here for Matt, not to check out random guys," she scolded herself.

        As if sensing her annoyance, Noah talked again. "So, girls, do you mind helping me bring up the last few bags ? I left them down the stairs..."

        "You left them there again ? Noah ! The last three times you did, somebody stole half your groceries !" Caroline started running down the stairs, Noah hot on her heels.

        With a shrug, Eliza decided to follow them. She heard a snort coming from bellow, followed by "Jesus woman. Nothing happened, see ? Don't get your panties in a bunch. "

        "What did you ju... ? And stop laughing at me ! Argh ! You're so infuriating !"

        Eliza grabbed a few bags and made her way back to Noah's apartment. Caroline and Noah were glaring at each other, still bickering.

        Fortunately, Noah had left his flat door opened. She let herself in and went in search of the kitchen. She easily found it and placed her burden on the counter. Spinning around to leave, she ran straight into someone. Loosing balance, Eliza smacked into the counter and let out a hiss of pain.

"I'm... Oh... Sorry... " She blushed and looked up. Meeting the eyes of the boy she almost killed, Eliza felt her cheeks flare. His annoyed emerald green eyes stared right back at her. A mess of brown curls hung wildly over his forehead. Eliza couldn't stop staring at him. "Hum," she tried to say. "Uh"

"Do you suffer from a speech impediment or is my presence so mind blowing that you can't even manage to form a coherent word ?"

Humiliated, Eliza narrowed her eyes. "And are you always a jerk to people you don't know ?"

"Actually, he is." Caroline's voice came from the doorway, Noah nowhere in sight. "Eliza, this is Nate. Nate, this is Eliza."

"I'd be lying if I told you it's a pleasure to meet you" Nate rudely said. Turning to Caroline, he added "Now, would you mind explaining what she's doing in my flat ?"

"You don't have to talk lime I'm not standing right beside you, you know." Eliza said, a hint of frustration in her voice.

Slowly, Nate turned to face her. "Fine, Emily, what are you doing here ?"

"My name's Eliza."

"Whatever. Eliza. Now will you answer my question ?"

Eliza straightened and smiled a polite smile. "I was helping Noah and Caro with the groceries, seeing as you couldn't bother."

        He didn't say anything, only continued to stare. Eliza didn't back up and stared right back at him even though she could feel her cheeks burning.

        Finally, seeing the growing amusement in his eyes, Eliza rolled hers and tried to walk past him. She only managed to trip on her own feet and fell.

        Nate  reached out and caught her, his arms wrapping around her waist as he steadied her. Eliza jerked out of his grasp. "Thank you," she mumbled.

"Difficulties talking... difficulties walking... " he was counting on his fingers "Yes. Definitely abnormal. A girl your age should be able to do both without even trying."

With a heavy sight, Eliza stormed out of the kitchen. As she was walking towards the door, Caroline caught up with her and slung her arm around her shoulders.

"My Hero ! I never got the chance to tell him how much of a jerk he is !"

"Never ?"

"No. I figured that since he is friends with Noah, he must have some well hidden qualities... somewhere. "

        Eliza let out a giggle, her anger forgotten. "Yeah, somewhere. The boy's drop dead gorgeous. It's too bad the interior doesn't match the exterior.. "

        She looked back around one last time and glanced at Nate. As if he could feel her watching, he turned and his emerald orbs stared back at her. The last thing Eliza saw before exiting was his cocky grin.