The Way We Burn

02

I walked up to my apartment, arms full of flowers. It had been too long of a day. We'd gotten the wrong order of flowers, and on top of that they were double the original order. So, we had flowers to the brim of the backroom and sent at least ten out to the other employees. 

I walked up to my door, struggling with my key. I saw a note on my doorknob, along with a bag. I picked it up, frowning at the strange writing. It was from Emilio. 

Hello Neighbor, 

I know you're busy with work and moving into your new apartment. I've noticed several pizza delivery men coming to my door, when they're supposed to go to your door. I figured you missed home-cooked meals, so I made you one! Eat well :)

Love, Emilio.

I smiled and opened my door, dropping the flowers by the door and opening my bag in the kitchen. It was a collection of containers. The first one was four Cinamon rolls. The second was a collection of small sandwiches. The third was a lasagna looking thing. And the last was a tiny cake, decorated with a smiling cat. 

"He's sweet, isn't he?" I showed the cake to Carl, who swam away from me definitely. "Don't worry, he hasn't replaced you." 

I headed back to the door and took one of the containers of flowers. They were all white and pink tulips, by the way. I placed a container outside his door, and placed a post it on the side: 

Hi Emilio!

Thank you for the meals, I haven't had time to cook yet. Here are some flowers, as a returning gift!

Love, Simon. 

I closed my door and went over to the meals. I put the lasagna in the microwave and started to unpack some of my living room. I'd gotten the couch set up, along with a carpet. I didn't have a TV yet, or any shelves. All my plants were sitting on the floor by the windows. 

When the food was done there was a knock on the door. I went over praying that it was John A or B. I opened it and saw Tripp standing outside, a big grin on his face, with two cases of beer. 

"Hey Moni! Haven't seen you in ages man!" He walked into my house, oblivious as ever. "Wow, nice place. Hey, why haven't you ever had me over?" 

"How did you get my address?" I frown at him. 

"Scarlette gave it to me." He's searching through my empty drawers for a bottle opener, then just gives up and hit the tops of the bottles on the edge of my counter, popping them open. "Here, have a drink. What smells so good?" 

"My neighbor made me lasagna." I went over and pulled it out of the microwave, setting it on the counter and grabbing a fork. "Have some." 

"You have a neighbor?" 

"Well, the door wasn't mine." I shrugged. "He's nice, looks my age. His name is Emilio." 

"Emilio?" Tripp frowns with a mouth full of lasagna. 

"Mhm, he's got a three-legged cat and I don't know much else about him." 

"Well, he makes a damn good lasagna." Tripp downs the food with a swig of beer. "So did you hear Scar got hired as a model?" 

"No way, she's been wanting to do that forever!" I gasped, regretting not talking to my friends as much. "What else is new? We need to hang out sooner." 

"Well, she has a new boyfriend." He grinned slyly. "His name is...Tobias. I think. I haven't met the man yet. He's a bartender and supposedly her perfect match." We looked at each other and chuckled. "Oh, and Sam went on tour." 

"How have I not heard about this?" I stand up with a gasp. "Tell me more, but you have to help me unpack, got it?" 

"Got it."