love, gloves, and grace. | a.f.i

one.

seattle, washington. 11:33pm

ELLIE DAVIS

i rip the apron from my waist and toss it into my locker, then reach for my bag. "heading home?"

jim, the cook, asks approaching me with a cigarette between his lips.
i nod, throwing the bag over my shoulder and shutting the metal door close. "yup. have a good night, jim!" i sway while clocking out then waving towards the older man. he was around his mid fifties, a good man just trying to provide for his family.
"be safe, darlin!" he replied following me outside the restaurant.

the city was quiet during this time of night, it made it easier for the walk back to the bus stop to catch the last bus on the night back to my neighborhood.

"hey, ellie! wait up!" a voice booms behind me, causing me to stop in my tracks and look over my shoulder spotting a brunette jogging after me.
"since when do you take the bus?" i ask, adjusting the bag over my shoulder.
"since nick crashed it" she grins at me, pushing hair behind her ears then linking her arm with mine.

jude sawyer, the girl i met my senior year of high school pretty much glued herself to my hip. not that i minded, she was a good person to have around. she was a ball of energy, always ready to go and never wanted to stop. though, i don't think anyone could stop her once she's set her mind on something.

she and i went through hell and back after graduation. jude was a kind, caring, and supportive.
jade was there. even if she was on the other side of the country, jade visited me fairly often when i lived in new york.

"he wrecked your car?" i look to her as we finish the walk to the bus stop.
"yup, totally smashed it into a tree" she rolls her eyes, keeping our arms interlocked. "i hated that car anyways. it smelled like vinegar." she shudders, thinking about it.
"yeah, maybe because you spilled a whole bottle of it in your trunk" i grin, gently elbowing her side. "oh well, gone now. out of sight, out of mind" she presses two fingers to her temples and giggle.

a comfortable silence falls on us as we stand there, looking out at the city. water glistened on the blacktop, lights reflecting on the water making for a beautiful sight.

though, nothing would ever be like new york.

"do you miss it?" her voice is soft, she knew she probably shouldn't have asked but i know she means well.
"everyday, jude." i inhale, looking down at my feet as my boot sloshes in a puddle beneath me. "im sorry, babe" she frowns, leaning her head on my shoulder.

"s'okay" i hum, hearing the bus approaching.
"you'll get it figured out, you always do" she grins as the bus stops in front of us and opens its doors.
"to home we go!" she sings, holding out her arm before boarding the bus.
i laugh, trailing closely behind her.

with such a limited budget, it was difficult to find housing in seattle, but i was able to make ends meet. plus, you won't have many options when you decide on a whim to pack up everything and relocate across the country.

but i was lucky enough to land an apartment because of jude. her cousin, trevor, was a landlord and offered me a place until i got back on my feet.

the building was in a quiet neighborhood, about thirty minutes from campus, ten from work, and fifteen from the dance studio. everything was in close proximity and made my life easier in some aspects. i'd leave school and on my way back i was passing right by the diner so i just took the bus there. on the weekends, i'd work at the dance studio teaching young girls ballet until midday and on my way back if i needed to pick up an extra shift i was right there.

though, some days during the week i'd give private lessons to older girls but it still wasn't enough for me to make a living.

i push my door open, kick off my shoes and push them in the corner of the hallway. the apartment was a mere 230 square feet but rent was cheap so that's all that matters. the narrow hallway lead into a tight and cramped apartmeng, with just enough space for the bare essentials. the walls are bare, except for a few cracks and peeling wallpaper.

the living room is small, with a ratty couch and a coffee table covered in scratches. the kitchen is equally tiny, with only a few cabinets and an ancient stove and refrigerator. a bathroom on the west wall and the east wall was my bedroom and bathroom, both have seen better days but i didn't care.

i just needed somewhere i could sleep.

on top of work, i also am a full time student. i spend my nights trying to study while i can. toppled over my bed with books piling on my bed with a computer stuffed in my face to catch up with homework.

i prop myself up against my headboard and start working on the computer to finish drafting my class thesis.
however, my mind was elsewhere.
maybe i could've been on a stage in New York right now. dancing across the stage to an audience of individuals who are all enthralled with my quick movements.

that's where I felt most like myself.

i run my fingers through my hair trying to focus on the work in front of me but i could hear the sounds of huffing, grunting, and faint sounds of thuds coming from the neighbor.

curse these thin walls.

i try to tough it out, focusing my eyes on the computer screen but my bedroom wall was right next to his living room and it was far too distracting.

so, i did the only thing i knew to do.

my knuckles brush against the wooden door with the number '15B' knocking a few times before stepping back.
i hear the locks being undone on the other side, then the door swings open revealing my neighbor.
his forehead creased, looking me up and down. sweat beaded his arms, a few droplets falling from his curl on to his black muscle shirt and a large snake tattoo on his arm that caught my eye.

"yes?" his voice pulls my eyes off his arm and back to his eyes.

"i hate to be this neighbor but can you keep it down?" i ask, peering over his shoulder spotting a large punching bag hung in his apartment.
he moves over to hide it, leaning against the doorframe.

"i'm just trying to study for my exam tomorrow and it's really hard to focus"

he looks me up and down, his eyebrows knitting together. "yeah, sorry." he mumbles.

"great" i press my lips into a thin smile, crossing my arms.
we both fall silent, his eyes still studying me. "s'that all?"
i nod, "uh yeah. yeah, thank again" i nod, taking another step back. "have a good night"
"mhm." he shuts the door in my face and i hear him lock the door.

i stand there, staring at the dingy gold letters on the wooden door. it takes everything in me not to knock on his door again and rip into him.
his demeanor was very off putting, i return to my neighbor hoping id never have to interact with him again.

what a gentleman.