A Simple Hello

Chapter One

"I'm all set, thank you." I tell my landlord, smiling softly before closing the door.

I turn and look around my new apartment. Boxes are stacked along almost all of the walls, making the space seem even smaller. There are a few stray pieces of furniture strewn around the room, starting to form the apartment into 'home.'

I slowly trudge around the room, my tired, aching feet forcing me to start unpacking.

I had just finished serving five years in the Marine Corps. I was ready to go for a full twenty, but an injury forced me to take an honorable and early discharge. For as much as I hated leaving, I was happy that I had the chance to move to Boston.

I had fallen in love with this city years ago, and had always wanted to move here. It was a huge difference from the country area, where I had grown up. I loved it nonetheless.

I managed to get a few boxes emptied and tossed aside before falling asleep on the floor.

***************

A sharp knock on the door jerked me awake, kicking a box from the top of a stack to the floor.

I quickly shuffled to the door, hoping I didn't look absolutely awful. I cracked the door, and saw a soft, smiling face on the other side.

"Hi, you must be our new neighbor!" A cheery voice greeted me. "I'm Emily. Welcome to Boston!" She sticks her hand out to me, still smiling.

"Hey." I reply, sounding half asleep still. "I'm Phoebe, nice to meet you."

"How's everything going? Settling in okay?"

I look over my shoulder to the piles of boxes behind me, "Slowly. Getting there." I laugh.

"Alright. Look, I live next door, so let me know if you need anything, okay?" Emily offers, waving before walking away.

I close the door, leaning back against the wall.

I decide to go for a quick run to check out the city. I throw on some shorts and a light jacket, grab my headphones, and head outside.

The crisp, cool October air hits me, and I sigh happily. The sounds of the city fill my ears before I put on my headphones. With that, I take off, not exactly knowing where I'm going.

I spend an hour dodging people and cars, hopping over curbs, and waiting for forever at crosswalks.

After my run, I head to a coffee shop I saw down the road, and decide to grab a drink and something to eat before heading home to tackle more boxes. The aroma of bagels and other baked goods fill my nose as I step inside. The woman working the register smiles at me as I step up to her.

"What can I get for you?" She asks, tilting her head.

I quickly search the menu hanging over her, trying to pick something fast. "Can I just get a hot chocolate and a plain bagel?" I ask, looking back down to her.

"Sure, anything else?" She questions, scribbling something on a cup.

I shake my head, and reach into my pocket to grab my credit card. My heart sinks when I don't feel it in there. "Crap..." I mutter, digging into my jacket pocket, desperately trying to find my card. "I, uh, think I lost my card..." I say, sounding completely flustered.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I can't get you anything without a card." The cashier says, offering a sympathetic smile.

I hold up my hand, "No problem, thank you tho-"

"I got it." A deep voice offers from behind me.

Before I can decline, a card is handed to the cashier, and she swipes it.

"Oh, thank you! You didn't have to-" I cut myself off this time, turning to see who just paid for my meal. I find myself staring at a tall, handsome man. His dark brown hair fell in waves, coming down slightly over his forehead. Matching brown eyes looked down at me, shining as he smiled.

"It's no problem." He says, shaking his head. "My pleasure." He turns back to the cashier, and goes about making his own order.

I slowly walk away, heading to grab the food. Something about him as familiar, but I couldn't figure it out. I looked over at him again, trying to figure out why I felt like I knew him from somewhere.

"Ma'am!" A voice calls, grabbing my attention. Someone is waving my bagel in the air, grinning towards me.

"Thank you." I say quickly, grabbing my food and drink.

I pass the man who paid for me on my way out. "Thank you, again." I say, stopping before I walk out.

He holds up a hand, smiling again. "Don't mention it."

I nod, smile, and walk out the door. I turn to head back to my apartment when I see another familiar face sitting on the curb, playing on his phone. The sharp angle of the jaw breaks into a smile as he succeeds in something in his game.

 "There's no way..." I think to myself.

That's Brandon Carlo, from the Bruins.

Suddenly, I want to smack myself for not realizing it sooner. I knew why that guys face had looked so familiar.

Adam McQuaid had just paid for my breakfast.