The Boy Next Door

Moving Boxes

Danielle's P.O.V
First day of school, not too bad. Seeing Kyle with another girl hurt like hell, but first loves are firsts for a reason. But one thing is for sure, that the brown eyed boy was still on my mind. Not only was he in my AP History class, but in AP English and Math too. This cutie not only had the looks but the brains.
Walking off the bus, the warm breeze hit causing my blonde hair to strike in all different directions and my romper to flow. Although I looked like a dork, maybe this day was not so bad after all. I mean I got out of shopping with Kaitlyn and Adriana, so I'm no longer broke!
"Hey honey, how was your day?" My mother questioned kissing me on the cheek. She seemed kind of anxious.
"Hey, it was good!" I answered leaving out the dream boy predicament when Mr.McKinley thought I was into him.
"Well the neighbors are home and I figured I would wait for you to get home first to help them move in and give a little house warming gift. Maybe even have them over for dinner later if they are friendly?" My mom offered.
"I guess, mom, why are you so interested in the neighbors?" I asked suspiciously but with good intentions. My mother usually kept to herself these days.
"Well, if you must know, I actually know this family from my days in high school when I met your dad. Lisa, was one of my best friends and she has two boys that went to your school today. Grayson and Ethan. She called to tell me she was coming into town, that Grayson and Ethan wanted to finish high school here. I figured you could help them adjust to the new school.
"I mean, I guess so-"
The brown eyed boy came out of the house next door.
"Aw look, there's Grayson! Let's head over there now."
My heart started skipping beats with short lived breaths in between. Is his name Grayson? He also has a brother. They are living next door? My mom knows the mom already? Is this real life-
"Oh my god it's so nice to see you Michelle! How have you been?" Lisa stepped out of the doorway. Grayson was heading towards a truck outside with loaded boxes.
"It's so great to see you too!" My mom replied. My mom and Lisa hugged with joy.
"Oh my gosh, she is such a beauty! Is this your daughter?" Lisa was astonished.
"Yes this is my daughter, Danielle."
"It's nice to meet you Lisa." I smiled and waved.
"Tell you what, why don't you come inside?" Lisa told my mom. "We have so much to catch up on."
"Right, Danielle honey, how about you head towards Grayson, he's by the truck and introduce yourself? Help him with the boxes." My mother smiled and walked inside.
I have to help him with the boxes? I can't even open my mouth around him. I get total butterflies.
Danielle, you can do this. Just walk over and tell him your name. Do I mention I saw him today? Ugh what do I even do, stop overthinking. You always overthink. Stop. No don't. He's so cute. Go over there! No, it's too risky. No just do it.
My body chose the path over my mind and I quickly walked over towards the truck where he was standing before I changed my mind.
    "Hey, you need a hand? I'm Danielle." I spoke trying not to stutter. Quickly he turned around, I swear up close he was even more beautiful.
   "Oh hey, I'm-I'm Gray. Yeah-that would be-that would be great." He replied stuttering almost every word. He was just like me. I hope I don't scare him. Was I staring too much this morning? Did I forget to brush my teeth?
   "Okay I'll grab some. Where do you want me to put the boxes?" I asked politely.
   "You can just follow me." He replied with a smile. He was so shy yet so calm at the same time, and his nose twitched a little. I broke out into a smile and my dimples dug deep into my cheekbones. My heart felt like it was bouncing around in my chest. I carefully grabbed a box and followed him into the house up the stairs.        
    The house was beautiful. It had lots of bright colors and archways and the whole house was lit up by the sun coming down through multiple windows.
    "Here's my room, you can set the boxes down on my bed and wait here if you want, I'll get the rest." He smiled and walked away. Leaving me in his room? Do I snoop? I looked around and not much was in the room. But I saw a note on the table. It read, "From Brielle." Who was Brielle? I set the note back down carefully in its place. I soon heard footsteps walking up the stairs.
    Another boy, with slightly darker hair and a strip of green on the side smiled. "Hey, I'm Ethan, your mom told me to introduce myself." He gave a quick smile and sat down on the bed with me.
    "I'm Danielle. It's great to meet you. I hope you're liking California so far."
    "Yeah it's great. Listen Danielle this is important. My brother, Grayson-"
    "Grayson what?" Grayson popped back in the room with the last box. They looked pretty identical. Minus the green strip in Ethan's hair. Thank god for the color.
   "Hey Gray, I was just mentioning you! Get over here!" Ethan said confidently. They looked so much alike but had such different personalities. Yet both so cute. But Gray gave me such unwanted butterflies, I haven't had them since Kyle.
    "Yeah yeah, that was the last box Danielle, that should be good for now."
    "Okay great!" I replied shyly. What did Ethan have to tell me about his brother?
   "Kids, come down here, we are going to order pizza, what kind do you want?" I heard my mom yelling from the bottom of the steps. I guess this conversation was over. All of us got up to run down stairs and join the grown ups. But the question still lingered: what did Ethan need to tell me about Grayson?