Fire Next Door | Evan Buckley

chapter one

Three knocks on the front door, enough to wake Katelyn up from her sleep. Her best friend stirs beside her, unable to find comfort on a windy night. Katelyn wiggles out from under the covers, irritating her friend,

"What are you doing?" she mumbles, half asleep.

"There's someone at the door, I swear if its that boy from next door I-"

"Yes , I know but seriously at midnight he's over here?"

"He is the worst next door neighbour someone could have, how many freaking fire alarm tests does one need. He always finds a way to make a racket."

Katelyn groans, slipping on a blue dressing gown, providing her with the warmth her body ached for on a cold night. She makes her way to the front entrance, slowly peaking out the door peep hole. Angrily she swings open the door,

"I cannot believe-"

"You left your lights on," he interrupts.

"My lights? Seriously at this time?" she questions, not on his wavelength.

"I noticed the lights in your car were still on, could cause a real problem for you tommorow morning." He says, ignoring her attitude. Katelyn pears over his shoulder, and yes her car lights  were still on.

"Okay, thanks i guess. But why are you up and about this time of night?" she adds.

"On my way to work, anyway you're welcome." Katelyn watches him walk back to his house, and get in his car. She wonders what job could be important enough to require him there at midnight.

__________________________________________

The morning sun shines through the blinds, calling out for Katelyn to get up. She nudges Kiara, groaning at the thought of work.

"I have to get up, I need as much time possible to prepare for today," Katelyn explains to Kiara, as she gradually pulls herself away from the bed. "Thank you so much for staying over last night, it's good to have someone to help calm down the first day jitters."

Kiara smiles, "I get that you're nervous, but seriously today you will rock this. You are gonna get in there and show everyone who is boss. Like literally who is boss." 

Katelyn glances at her phone, "shit. It's already half past, i'm gonna be late."  She quickly gets ready for the day, choosing her best and most professional outfit. "I reckon it's too much black."

"It's perfect, but you have to go because you will be very late." Kiara is practically pushing Katelyn out of the door, shoving her hands with the necessities. "Car keys, phone, bag and water, now good luck and goodbye!" 

On the drive over, the speaker is blasting the perfect playlist made by some random Spotify user which consists of the ideal balance of happy and sad songs. When Katelyn pulls up to her destination, she observes the huge sign painted in brick red, 'Glendale FireStation.' Nervously, she pulls her stuff together, almost dropping her keys and makes her way into the station. Or at least tries too, when he strides into her path.

"Careful there, you're gonna drop something." 

"Seriously? You are here, out of all places. You have got to be kidding me, just excuse me I have somewhere important to be." Katelyn breathed, now he was following her to work. Worst next-door neighbour ever.

"No, I-" his voice is drowned out by the thumping in Katelyn's chest, as she walks away. Why out of all places, is he outside a fire station. Trying to focus on her new job, just became a whole lot more difficult.

Inside the station, Katelyn makes her way to the reception, "Hello, I'm the new administrator, and i'm supposed to meet the fire chief at-" she peers at her phone, "nine, which is now."

"Yes of course," the lady behind the desk beams, "very lovely to meet you, right this way."

She follows the lady down a narrow and dark hallway, deciding to put 'new lights' on her to do list. They stop outside a door labeled, 'fire chief, DO NOT DISTURB.' Feeling tense, she brings her hand up and knocks twice, hearing a loud, "come in!"

"Hello, Im Katelyn, the new-"

"Yes! Welcome, it's nice to finally meet you. I heard lots from corporate," the man exclaims. "I'm Bobby, but feel free to just call me Chief, that's what all the crew does."

"Okay Chief, where should I put my things?" she jitters with her keys, surveying his office.

"We have an office just for you! but first come meet the crew, they've all been excited to have another girl around." Katelyn's nerves don't ease at that comment, maybe she just needs to ignore the stereotype that all firefighters are egoistic. Chief lets Katelyn out to the main garage, where the firetrucks are parked along with couches filled with people in big, bulky gear. Imagine having to wear all that gear this often.

"Here we are, team meet Katelyn, the new administrator," Chief is still faced towards Katelyn, expecting her to say something but her eyes are fixated on a familiar face, oh no. He's heading straight towards her, with a smirk plastered on his face. "Katelyn, this is one of our best firefighters, meet Evan Buckley." 

It hits Katelyn all at once, late night shifts, hyper fixation on safety and running into him right outside the station. How stupid could she be right now, her next-door neighbour is a firefighter, at her new station. 

"Nice to meet you Evan Buckley."