To be her

Chapter 2

New Neighbor

It was exactly 2 p.m. when I walked through my front door after dropping Daniel off. But before I could even kick my shoes off, I noticed something — or rather someone — new in the neighborhood. Curiosity prickled at me as I set my bag on the couch and went to freshen up.
Half an hour later, I emerged from the shower, wrapped in the familiar comfort of my black shirt and white pants. The house was quiet, so I grabbed a quick snack before deciding to take a stroll around the neighborhood.
I spotted Mrs. Lilly almost immediately. Her figure was unmistakable as she stood by her garden, hands busy with her plants, the sunlight casting a warm glow around her. "Hi, sweetheart," she called when she saw me.
"Hey, Mrs. Lilly," I greeted back, my voice light.
She leaned in conspiratorially, her eyes twinkling. "There's a new guy moving in next door," she said, lowering her voice, but not enough to hide her excitement. "Very good-looking, if I do say so myself."
I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Oh, yes," she said, her lips curling into a knowing smile. "So, keep your eyes open, sweetheart," she added with a wink.
I laughed, shaking my head. "Oh, come on, Mrs. Lilly. You know I'm—"
"Yeah, yeah, I know, you're not looking for anyone," she interrupted. "But maybe, just maybe, you will be."
I rolled my eyes. "Okay, Mrs. Lilly, I'll see you later."
She didn't let me go that easily. "Oh, there's a party for him tonight, at eight. You should come. It'll be fun."
I nodded, agreeing to show up, though I knew I wasn't one for socializing. But tonight was an exception. For Mrs. Lilly, if nothing else.
The walk continued, and I couldn't help but notice the house next door. The guy Mrs. Lilly had mentioned was out in the garden, watering his plants. His back was to me, but even from behind, he was striking. Brown hair, tumbled with just enough disarray to look casually perfect. His brown shirt and black pants looked like they'd been made for him. Mrs. Lilly wasn't exaggerating. He was absolutely gorgeous.
By the time I got home, it was 5 p.m. I'd managed to get ready for the party — a quick touch-up here and there — and when I checked the clock again, it was 7:30. I was wearing a simple blue dress that hugged in all the right places, just enough to make me feel put-together but not like I was trying too hard.
It was going to be an interesting evening.  I knocked on Mrs. Lilly's door, my heart pounding from the effort of both anticipation and nerves. When the door swung open, Mr. Kim greeted me with a warm smile. "Welcome," he said, stepping aside. I barely had time to respond before Mrs. Lilly appeared, her eyes lighting up the room.
"Oh my God, sweetheart," she exclaimed, rushing forward to pull me into a hug. "You look absolutely stunning." She beamed at Mr. Kim. "Doesn't she, darling?"
He chuckled, nodding. "Yes, she does."
My cheeks flushed under their praise. "Aww, thank you," I mumbled, feeling my nerves melt a little.
Mrs. Lilly waved me inside. "Come in, sweetheart. Could you please help Mr. Kim with the plates?"
"Of course," I agreed, my mind still buzzing.
While I was assisting Mr. Kim in the kitchen, the doorbell rang again. "I'll get it," I volunteered, more to escape the awkward silence that had begun to settle than anything else. As I opened the door, I found myself face-to-face with someone I'd noticed earlier in the neighborhood—a guy, but now I could see him clearly. His glasses framed those stunning brown eyes, which gleamed under the dim light of the porch. He wore a simple black T-shirt and grey pants, yet everything about him seemed effortlessly captivating.
"May I come in?" he asked, his voice low but confident.
"Yeah, sure," I replied without thinking, stepping aside to let him in.
Before I could catch my breath, Mrs. Lilly appeared, her smile wide as she introduced him. "This is, our new neighbors."
I nodded in acknowledgment, but my mind was still racing from the unexpected encounter.
Before I could be lost in the depths of her gaze, I quickly asked, "May I come in?"
Inside, the air was thick with anticipation. Mr. Kim motioned for me to sit beside him. We both sank into the silence that followed, the tension palpable. I was about to speak when he broke the ice with a simple question.
"So, what's your name?" he asked.
I took a breath, meeting his eyes. "Malva. What about you?"
"Glanville," he replied, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
I tilted my head. "Glanville, like the butterfly?"
"Exactly," he said, the warmth in his voice making something inside me shift. "Like the butterfly."
"That's really sweet," I said softly, my voice almost a whisper. "And you, Malva... What does that mean?"
I felt a small smile tug at my lips. "It's a flower.."
"That's cool," he said, his voice sincere.
"Yeah," I agreed, looking away for a moment to catch my breath. But before I could ask him anything more, Mrs. Lilly called me into the kitchen.
As the evening unfolded, more guests arrived. We gathered around the dining table, laughter filling the air. Conversations flowed about the neighborhood, how they were all thrilled about my arrival, how I was now one of the only young faces in a neighborhood full of older residents. And then there was Glanville—his presence seemed to change everything.
The night ended with us helping Mrs. Lilly clear up the dishes. As I wiped the table, Glanville leaned in, his voice low and uncertain. "Would you like to go out with me tomorrow?"
My heart skipped a beat. "Yeah, sure," I replied before I could stop myself.
After finishing the chores, he said goodnight and left, his words lingering in the air like a promise.
I returned to my house, changed into my night clothes, and slipped into bed. But sleep didn't come easily. My thoughts were consumed by the evening—the conversations, the people, and especially Glanville. The night felt alive with possibility. And for once, I allowed myself to wonder where it might lead.
It was already late, but I didn't mind.