The boyband next door

Chapter Two: Unwelcome Reality

After my brief, awkward encounter with Jayden Ryder, I was more determined than ever to avoid the circus next door. But it seemed like fate-or bad luck-had other plans. The next morning, I woke up to the unmistakable sound of someone knocking on our front door. I glanced at the clock on my phone. It wasn't even 8 a.m. yet.

"Ethan, can you get that?" my mom called from downstairs, her voice slightly strained as she prepared for her early shift.

I groaned, dragging myself out of bed. The knocking continued, more persistent this time. Whoever it was, they were eager. Probably just a delivery or a neighbor asking for something, I thought. But when I pulled the door open, I nearly slammed it shut again.

Standing there, in all his annoyingly perfect glory, was Jayden Ryder.

"Morning," he said with a bright grin that was way too cheerful for the early hour. "Mind if I come in?"

I stared at him. "Uh, yeah, I kind of do. What are you doing here?"

Jayden didn't seem fazed by my clear annoyance. He stepped back slightly, his hands stuffed into the pockets of a ridiculously expensive-looking hoodie. "I was just wondering if I could borrow your Wi-Fi password."

"You want my Wi-Fi password?" I asked, blinking in disbelief.

"Yeah, our internet's down, and I've got some work to do." He tilted his head slightly, his grin softening into something almost sheepish. "It's just for a little while. I promise I won't hog it."

I crossed my arms, standing firmly in the doorway. "Don't you guys have, like, five million assistants? Shouldn't one of them be handling this?"

Jayden let out a small laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "You'd think so, right? But it's chaos over there. We're still setting up, and the Wi-Fi people can't come until tomorrow. So, here I am." He shot me a look that was both playful and charming, and I hated how natural it seemed for him. "Come on, Ethan. Help a guy out?"

I sighed. I didn't want to help him. I wanted nothing to do with Skyline and their whole production. But refusing felt a little too petty, especially since my mom had this thing about being kind to the neighbors.

"Fine," I muttered, stepping aside. "But don't get comfortable."

Jayden flashed me a grin and stepped inside. "You're a lifesaver."

As he walked past me, I caught a whiff of his cologne-something subtle but expensive. Of course, even his smell had to be perfect. I shut the door behind him, trying not to dwell on it.

"The Wi-Fi info is on the fridge," I said, nodding toward the kitchen. "Help yourself."

Jayden walked into the kitchen like he'd been here a hundred times before, totally at ease. He glanced at the little piece of paper my mom had taped to the fridge, then started typing it into his phone. "Got it. Thanks, man."

I leaned against the counter, watching him with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. "So, what exactly do you need our Wi-Fi for? Downloading the latest boyband singles?"

Jayden snorted. "Hardly. I'm handling some promo stuff for the reality show. Social media, scheduling posts, that kind of thing."

I raised an eyebrow. "You do your own social media?"

"Yeah, well, sort of. I mean, we have people who manage most of it, but I like to handle some things myself." He glanced at me, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Keeps it authentic, you know?"

I bit back a sarcastic response. "Right. Authentic."

He grinned, clearly picking up on my tone. "I get it. You're not a fan."