𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐒

5

I hear a knock on my door for the fifth time today. I just got fired from my job, I no longer live in the city, and my life is in shambles right now. I don't want to talk to anyone. The knock continues and after a while I angrily push myself out of bed and rush to the door.

"What do you want Kingsley!" I yell at my security guard, but instead it's my next door neighbor.

"You have got to be kidding me," I sigh out in frustration.

"I heard the news and decided to come over," she says while budging through the door.

"How did you get through Kingsley?" I follow behind her, looking off into the distance before shutting my door.

"He let me through," she smiles. She looks around at all the pictures on the wall, and a few decorations that I kept up from my mom's teenage years. The further she walks through the house the more anxious I become.

"Hope you had fun with the house tour! You can leave now," I sarcastically smile.

"Let's watch a movie. I'll make dinner tonight," she says while making her way towards my kitchen.

She walks to my fridge but I get in front of it before she can open it. Our faces are in close proximity to one another so I gently push her back to create space.

"What do you want!" I whine, stomping my feet.

"Do you really think nobody here knows who you are, Delilah?" she questions. I feel goosebumps arise on my skin.

"Everybody's fave princess is digital. We may live a bit far from the city, but we still have magazines, TV's, newspapers, and other stuff. Plus, I think you have every right to see this," she continues, digging a magazine out her orange overalls.

I see my face for the second time today and I start to heats up out of anger. You get drunk for once and all of a sudden everybody is on your ass.

"You came back home early. I saw you rush inside with tears on your face while I was playing with Lilly," she finishes.

"Can you get out!" I yell at her, causing her to back up a bit.

"Why do you even care?" I say frustratedly, trying not to cry all over again.

"Directors daughter gone wrong. Why is it that the media acts as if I'm not a human because of my stupid dad. Some of the movies he directs are not even that good," I wipe a few tears that manage to escape. She tilts her head before sighing.

"Delilah, if the world wants to talk about you give them something good to talk about," she whispers out.

"In this community we do not care," she guides me towards the couch where I happily plop down and sulk.

"Tomorrow at five the neighborhood is meeting at the creek to swim. We do this every week just to gather around and have fun. I'd be happy to see you there," she comments.

"I don't even know you. What is your name again?" I pout.

"It's Ash. Ash Meadows," she laughs. I focus on her pretty white teeth.

"Now can I make you dinner? Usually I bring my new neighbors some food but you are not the welcoming type," she smiles.

I roll my eyes and point to the kitchen area. When she walks past I take in her wooden scent. I relax further into my couch and since the first time I've been here I've felt a sense of peace.

⊱✿⊰

Ash made a homemade pizza out of the ingredients in my kitchen. She even went to her garden and grabbed some fresh tomatoes and basil. The meal was delicious and was honestly the best thing I've had in a while.

One of my favorite shows plays in the background and I laugh at one of the characters. The sunset was not too long ago so the sound of crickets, cicadas, and the creek could be heard throughout the house once night took its place. Ash sat next to me, still munching on her side of the pizza.

"Today I got fired. I honestly don't know what to do. I was an assistant stylist, but that dream got taken from me," I blurt out. Ash looks over, her face stuffed with pizza. I notice some sauce dotted on her chin. I reach over instinctively and wipe the tomato sauce off with a napkin. It was a habit of me to keep things clean. Her eyes widen from my action as I back up a bit confused.

"I'm sorry to hear that. You do know there are plenty of job openings in the area?" she gulps down her pizza after a bit of silence. I notice the pretty silver rings that decorate her fingers.

"Maybe I'll work at the bakery," I convince myself. I always wanted to open up my own bakery, but my stylist dream being shut down still made me upset.

"You bake?" Ash questions, pausing the show with my remote.

"A little," I giggle out. It feels good to laugh with someone.

"You should bake me something some time," Ash moves closer into my space. I find myself becoming fidgety, instantly looking for a way out.

"I think you should leave," I stand up, dusting my pink skirt off.

"It's getting late," I edge further.

Ash takes the hint and gets up to leave. Saying a quick goodbye I close the door behind me. I hear a knock at the door and I open it up, ready to curse out Ash.

"Ma'am, I'm starving," A big muscular male says in a whiny voice.

"Kingsley!! I have a bone to pick with you," I yell at him before pulling him into my house by his ear.