Neighbors

{Chapter 8}

   My eyes opened to the sound of plucked guitar strings. I outstretched my arms and rolled over. "Looks like she's finally awake." An unfamiliar voice said. I sat up and saw Luke with a guitar in his lap and a quite tan boy with dark ruffled hair and dark eyes standing beside him. "I'm sorry, did I wake you?" Luke said while his eyes met mine. Under the natural sunlight I finally saw just how blue his eyes were. "Not really. After all I guess that was just you getting back at me." I said laughing. "Don't worry about it. If you hadn't had woken me up we would've never met." He said looking away blushing. "What time is it anyway?" I asked brushing the hair from my face. The brunette boy looked down at the watch at his wrist. "It's almost 1pm." He answered. "Damn, I slept late." I jumped up from the sleeping bag and started rolling it up. Luke looked back up. "This is my friend Calum by the way." He said motioning his hand to Calum. "Hi, Calum. I'm Alice." I gave him a friendly smile. "Yeah, Luke has told me about you while you slept." Luke glared at Calum and elbowed his knee. My cheeks were probably various shades of red and I attempted to hide my smile.

   I threw the bundled sleeping bag to Calum. I picked up my pillow and headed to the door. "Alice, wait. Would you be interested in getting some lunch later?" I heard Luke say from behind me. "I really need to help my mom unpack. Another time would be great. I'll be sure to get back to you." I smiled happily at him. He nodded and said, "Of course."

   As I opened up the door to my room I could hear Calum talking to Luke. "Oh, you just got rejected." He joked. "Hey, shut up! She said another time she'd be up for it." My stomach was tied in knots. I shut the door behind me. I can not be falling for a boy within the first 24 hours of being in the new apartment. But maybe I am. I rubbed my temples and slid down to sit on the carpet. Then came the familiar buzzing from my pocket. I opened the text to see a message from my best friend from back home, Gabrielle. She's been through hell and back, which makes her so supportive at this time in my life. The message read *How's the city so far. I miss you already):* There was so much to tell her.