Next Door || HAMZAH THE FANTSATIC

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟏𝟗

HAMZAH

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊|• 0:19

I stare down at my phone, frowning as Blue and Red crawl all over it, their tiny paws tapping at the screen like they're trying to unlock it.

"Seriously..." I mutter, reaching out to nudge them off gently. But the moment I try to wrestle them away, they scurry off, their tails flicking behind them like they've just been caught in the act.

I furrow my brows, confused by their sudden retreat, until the sharp buzz of my phone fills the air. It's ringing.

I glance down at the screen,

Y/N.

Before I even have time to process why she might be calling, my thumb hovers over the screen and presses accept.

"Hello? Hamzah?" Her voice sounds a little breathless, like she's been running or trying to steady herself.

"Yes, hello. Everything okay?" I ask, my tone shifting to concern. There's a brief silence on her end before she speaks again.

"A museum just—" She stops, her words catching like she's unsure how to say it. Instinctively, I grip my phone tighter and glean forward.

"A museum?..." I mutter, trying to not rush her.

"A museum just bought my artwork," she says, her voice lower now, like she's still trying to believe it herself.

My mind blanks for a second, caught off guard by the weight of her words. "Wait, seriously?" I finally manage, my voice coming out louder than I intended. "Yeah," she says softly, almost as if saying it too loudly might make it less real.

"What— What the hell... that's insane," I let out a small laugh and fortunately she laughs along.

"I know right... like what does one even do when a museum buys your art?"

"Uh, tell everyone you know," I say, only half joking, she lets out a small chuckle before a sigh.

"Well," she starts, her voice quieter now, almost like a whisper, "you're the first one I called."

The words hang in the air for a moment, sinking in. A strange warmth spreads through my chest, unexpected but not unwelcome.

"The first, huh?" I say, trying to keep my tone light, though I can't help the small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

"I mean, I'm going to call Lia right after this," her voice raises a little and I can't help but laugh slightly.

"Right," I say, letting out a soft chuckle.

"Have you told Mandy yet?" I ask.

She sighs, a mix of laughter and thoughtfulness. "Not yet. Maybe I'll tell her in person?" Her tone tilts upward, like she's not entirely sure herself.

"Where are you now?" I ask, my curiosity peaking when she doesn't answer right away.

"At home," 

"So... next door?" I laugh, the corners of my mouth twitching into a grin.

She hums in agreement, and I can almost picture her rolling her eyes at my observation.