Afire Love (h.s)

one

2 weeks later.

I sigh in relief as I slump down against the wall and onto the floor of my new apartment. The past two weeks have flown by, as I've stayed in hotel rooms whilst looking for an apartment in my price range. 

After I got off the coach, I rang my mum to tell her I had moved away for my job. This was a small lie, but I will get a job soon anyway. She transferred over enough money when I told her I had found an apartment, and so I moved in this morning. It is now 1:37pm, and my stomach growls in hunger as I sit on the floor. 

The apartment is empty - white walls shine brightly from the sunshine coming through the windows, and the kitchen is pristine. Apart from a double bed, the bathroom and the kitchen, there is no other furniture in this place. 

I decide I should go and pick up some food, and explore Greenwich, seeing as I can now relax a little more. I grab my keys off the kitchen counter and head for the door. As I lock the door and turn to head for the lift, I notice there are three other doors on this floor, identical to mine. Be polite, Lili, my subconscious tells me, so I decide I should introduce myself to my new neighbours. 

I knock on the door next to me and the one opposite mine, but there is no one home. I debate whether to knock on the third door, diagonal to mine, as I am probably just wasting my time, but I decide to be patient and bring my knuckle up to the door and knock three times. 

For a while I hear nothing, but then the chain on the door is unlocked, and the door opens slowly. My eyes meet light green ones, which are complemented with pale pink lips and dark, curly hair. My neighbour looks in his early 20s, same as me, and is wearing grey joggers and a loose white tee.

"Hi, my name's Lili and I've just moved in across the hallway," I smile at him, waiting for a response. He's hard to read as he doesn't show much emotion, and after a period of silence I'm about to say goodbye. "Harry," he pauses, "I don't want to be interrupted again as I am busy," he says casually, his slight northern accent is audible through his raspy voice. "Oh, and keep the noise level down, I would appreciate it," he adds, before smirking  slightly and slowly closing the door. 

I am slightly taken aback at our short encounter, and think at how rude he has just been to me. Arsehole, I think to myself as I head towards the lift. 

I ended up going to Greenwich Park and walking into town to see what food was on offer. I got a Costa and ordered a panini and tea, before going to the supermarket to pick up some essentials. I am now struggling to carry four shopping bags along with my apartment keys and my handbag. 

I finally reach the 3rd floor, where my apartment is, and the lift doors open. I walk out and put my bags down outside my front door. I fumble for my keys and put it in the lock, opening my door as I hear another door open. I turn around in excitement at the thought of meeting a new neighbour, but my smile drops as I'm met with those vivid green eyes again. 

"Are you feeling better now?" I question to Harry, trying to be polite as he looks to me. "What?" he asks, an annoyed tone present in his voice. "Well you just...seemed.. I don't know," I rambled, internally cringing at myself for making this situation awkward. "You seemed annoyed earlier," I finish my sentence, and he laughs dryly, "I'd be better if you weren't here, but hey ho. Nice seeing you Lili," he snapped, before walking away towards the lift, and down to the lobby. 

Turning back towards my apartment, I enter and turn on the lights. At the shop I had bought a cheap TV and a beanbag for the time being, whilst I find a sofa and more furniture. 

10pm had rolled around and I was ready for bed. I turned the TV off and locked my door before making my way to my bedroom. I made my bed with the new sheets I had bought from the shop, and I climbed in, turning on my phone to check for any notifications from friends and family. 

I had one missed call from an unknown number, which led me to confusion so I clicked on the notification and rang the number. It rang a good four times before the line was connected. It was silent for a few seconds, before I heard the familiar, dominating and deep voice, "I will find you Lili, and I will get revenge on you for leaving me here," he said, before hanging up.

My heart rate increased as memories from Bath, my hometown, came flooding back. He won't find me, he can't find me, I say to myself repeatedly. I got myself out of that nightmare by moving to Greenwich, and he will not bring me back into it. 

It is now Monday morning, the 1st of July, and it is currently 8:12am. I am off to the gym today, before I go job hunting online.

After eating breakfast which consisted of Special K and a cup of tea, I change into the only gym clothes I brought with me. I pulled on my NikePro leggings and Adidas tee, before slipping on my running trainers. I google the nearest gym and turn on maps on my phone, before heading out to walk to the gym, which is an 8 minute walk, according to my phone.

As I round the corner at the end of my walk, I see the gym right in front of me, and smile to myself, as I've missed working out. I walk through the double doors and up to the front desk, and ask how much a membership is. The receptionist smiles as she talks me through the options, and I pay her the right amount before heading into the gym. I find an empty running machine and plug my earphones into my phone and blast '7' by Catfish and the Bottlemen, my favourite band at the moment.

After half an hour on the machine, I decide to go to the vending machine to get a bottle of water. I find some change in my purse, take my earphones out and walk to the machine, putting the money in and selecting the still water. As I'm waiting for the machine to give me my water, I pop my head round the corner into the other gym room, and notice a boxing ring in the centre, much like the ones you see in movies. The big room was dimly lit, and had the radio on quietly in the background, as fighters trained with their leaders and the equipment.

I turn around to collect my water from the machine and step back into the boxing room, to look at what is happening. I admire the physiques of the men training, and I suddenly recognise the physique of one in particular; Harry.

Who would've thought? My neighbour is a boxer, and I am currently admiring his torso, which is covered in tattoos and muscle. My eyes then trace over his arms, which are deeply defined with muscle as he works out. As I'm in my daydream, I hardly notice that he has spotted me at the door, that same smirk on his face as yesterday.

"Take a picture Lili, it'll last longer," he calls from across the room, as him, his trainer and the majority of the room look over and laugh at me. My cheeks flush red in embarrassment, and I mentally curse at Harry for behaving so immaturely. I roll my eyes and turn around, and head out the door to walk home.

On the walk home, I passed a furniture store and pick up one of their leaflets to look at once I'm home, and I am currently sat on my kitchen counter, flicking through the pages of dull, wood furniture. I sip the bottle of water from the gym as I check my phone for the time, 12:06pm. I decide to google jobs in the area, to see if I could apply for any when there is a knock at my door.

I jump off the counter and open the front door, confused to be met with those emerald eyes once again. "I got this post through my door addressed to Liliana Jones, and guessed it was for you, don't let it happen again," he snapped at me. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, "thank you Harry, but how is it my fault? And please, don't call me that", I'm interrupted by his Northern accent, "I said don't let it happen again, Liliana," he said in a more serious tone before turning his heel and walking back into his apartment.

I curse at him under my breath before closing my door and opening the letter. It's a letter from my mum. She explains that she has heard about some local shops which sell furniture and everything that I need to decorate in my apartment, and my heart warms at how thoughtful she is, as I mentally note to call her later.

Night time quickly comes around and I'm tucked up in my bed. I think of the last few days I've had at my apartment, and am so happy compared to two weeks ago. I shut my eyes and try to get some rest, and end up falling asleep, with a trace of emerald eyes and brown curly hair in my thoughts.