Something Different - Skitscape and Fawdz

Chicago, Chicago

I set down the last box and take a good look around my new apartment. It's a nice town home in Chicago, Illinois. I came here hoping for... something, I don't know. A change. I want to break out of my shell?

My dad comes up next to me. "Lily, are you absolutley sure about this?" He asks in a typical I'm-worried-about-you-because-I'm-your-dad voice.

"Yes, I'm going to be fine." I reassure him, half-lying.

"Okay. Call me if you ever need anything."

"Okay," I say, pecking him on the cheek.

"And hey," he says before he steps out the door, "if she could do it, you can too."

He's talking about my mom. She died when I was born... I was named after her.

But never mind my depressing history. I'm in Chicago, all by myself! My dad is just a few hours away, but it feels nice to have a sense of independence.

I really don't want to unpack all my crap right now, but I'm a shy person, so I don't really know if I want to meet my new neighbors... after a long time of moving boxes around, arguing with myself, and attempting to tame my wild hair, I put my hair up in a sloppy bun and, sighing, decide to unpack.

Later, there's a knock at the door. Two guys stand there, appearing to be about my age, maybe a bit older. "Hi," I say quietly. I wasn't expecting to talk to anyone, and i dont really want to. Like I said, I'm shy. They introduce themselves.

"Hey! I'm Tony," says the shorter one.

"And I'm Dan." Greets the taller one, with the glasses and deep voice.

"Nice to meet you!" Tony adds.

"Nice to meet you too," I reply with faux enthusiasm. Really, all I want to do right now is sleep. Or read. Or drink coffee. I'm not a people person, even if those people are my really really cute future neighbors. "I'm Lily."

"Nice to meet you, Lily." Dan shakes my hand. "Same," I say, shaking Tony's hand too. "Well, I better go unpack..." I say, moving to close the door.

"Wait," Dan says, "we can help you!"

"No, thanks..." Leave me alone please. You guys are cute and all, but go.

"It's not a problem, really," Tony interjects, and I let them in, sighing to myself.

They start helping me lift boxes and move them around. I don't stop them, mainly because I'm too tired and too shy to speak up. But I really appreciate the help.

Eventually, we get to talking. Very, very slowly. I start to break out of my bubble a little bit as I get to know Dan and Tony. I find out they make YouTube videos and Dan's going to a community college.

I think my dad was talking about that college...

They're really nice and funny. I think I'm going to enjoy living next to them.

We part ways, and I sigh as I close the door. They were helpful, nice, and attractive in a geeky sort of way I guess-I probably would have asked Dan out or something if I had the confidence to speak.

All my life I've been quiet, reserved, shy, et cetera. I take after my dad-he could be considered the "sensitive" type. I never had a mom growing up. I never had anyone to tell me to be comfortable with my body and confident when I speak and to be fearless. I wish I could be that way, I yearn to be like that, but it just won't happen.

I guess I've come to accept that. I don't like it, it don't like myself, I don't like my personality. I guess that's part of the reason why I moved here: to change. Well, that hasn't happened yet. It's only been a day, though.

I call my dad and we chat about that community college.