The Neighbors

Chapter 3

"Oh, Shea! I forgot to get the mail this morning and I need you to run and get it before the mail lady gets upset again!" My mom says and I look at the clock.

"Mom, it's 9:30," I say and play with the string on my pajama pants. I'm wearing grey pajama pants and a white beater.

"Please Shea! I just painted my nails," I sigh and walk out of the door. I open the mailbox and pull out a magazine and two advertisements. No real mail.

"Shea?" I hear a voice from across the street. I look over to see Noah sitting on their porch without a shirt on and he's in a pair of red basketball shorts. I can tell it's him because of the tattoos on his chest.

"Hey Noah," I wave and close the mailbox.

"What are you doing out here?" He asks.

"Getting the mail," I say and wave the magazine in the air.

"Oh, come here," he says and waves me over. Without thinking I look both ways and cross the street. My god, his body is so much more beautiful up close.

"Uh, hey Noah," I smile.

"Come sit with me," he smiles and pats the spot on the bench next to him. Without hesitating I sit down next to him.

"What are you doing out here?" I ask.

"Nothing, I wasn't very tired yet, so I came out here," he smiles.

"Are your brothers sleeping?" I ask.

"Mum is, and I think Logan fell asleep on the couch as soon as we came home," he laughs and I laugh with him.

"Your mom is nice, she's a lot like my mom," I smile.

"Yeah, I think they could become best mates," he smiles at me, "maybe we could be best mates?" He asks in his deep voice.

"I'd like that," I give him a smile. His eyes move down to my outfit. I blush and remember that my beater is white so you can see the black outline of my bra. I cross my arms in an attempt I cover up.

"I like your pajamas," he smiles. Oh god.

"Um.. Thanks.. I didn't realize that I would be seeing people," I smack my forehead and he chuckles.

"I'm glad," he says and I cross my arms tighter. "Would you like to come inside? We've got a lot unpacked now and Harry is probably still up," he smiles and I stand up. I should probably go back home. Mom is probably wondering where I am. His mom is asleep and I might wake her up. I have a boyfriend.

"Sure!" I smile. My lips betray me.

He opens the door and we walk into his new house. It's bigger on the inside. They have hard wood floors and a few pieces of furniture out. There are still boxes around the house and you can tell they just started moving in. I see Logan sprawled out on the couch and giggle at him. He looks so sweet in his sleep.

"I think we should go to Harry's room," he whispers and I nod. We walk up the stairs and he opens Harry's door. Harry is asleep with the light on and he's wearing a black t shirt and grey sweatpants. Noah closes the door carefully.

"I guess we should go to my room," he says and I nod. We tip toe to a room at the end of the hallway and he opens the door. There is a mattress on the floor with one pillow and a blanket. He plops down on the mattress and I sit next to him.

"So Noah, why did you move here, if you don't mind my asking?" I say and play with the string on my pants.

"My dad died when we were freshmen and Mum was offered a job in New York, we lived there for a little while until she got transferred to a job over here this year," he answers and put his back against the wall. I put my back against the wall adjacent to him.

"I'm sorry to hear that about your dad, mine died when I was in eighth grade," I give him a weak smile.

"I'm sorry to hear that, I saw his pictures in your house," Noah says politely, "he looks just like you,"he smiles.

"Yeah, I hear that a lot, people used to call me 'James junior'," I add and remember my dad.

"Your dad's name was 'James James'?" Noah asks. I laugh.

"Yup," I say and smile wide at him.

"Luckily, you are much prettier than he is," he winks and I blush.

"I'd sure hope-" I jump when my phone rings and almost gives me a heart attack. I look at the screen and see my moms picture.

"Hello?" I answer.

"Where are you Sheila?! I sent you to get the mail and I thought you'd been kidnapped!" My mom shouts worriedly through the phone.

"I'm at the Styles' house.. I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you," I blush.

"It's fine Sheila, just come home, I was worried."

"Ok mom, I'll be right over," I say and hang up.

"You leaving?" Noah asks.

"Yeah, mom was worried," I say and stand up.

"Alright, goodnight Shea," Noah stands up and hugs me, "oh, and before you leave, can I get your number?" He asks and holds out his phone. My stomach flutters as I type the numbers into his contact list.

"Goodnight Noah," I say and close his bedroom door behind me. I tip toe down the stairs and past the couch with Logan on it.

"Shea?" I hear Logan say from behind me. I turn around and he is sitting up, his hair is messy from his sleeping position and it's.. very cute.

"Yeah, I was just leaving," I say and open the door.

"Oh," he looks me up and down and I blush, "you look.. Nice," he says and gives me that flirty smile.

"Um, thank you," I say and he smiles wide.

"Goodnight Shea," he says.

"Goodnight Logan," I reply and close the door behind me.