Neighbors - A xBayani Fanfic

Chapter One - Small World

I toss and turn, to the sound of rain smashing against my window. I can’t sleep. Too many thoughts clouding my mind. I lay there in silence, trying to sort out everything in my head.  You would think moving out to be closer to the one you love would be exciting, but I cant help but doubt myself as I lay in bed, shivering. Then, my phone buzzes. It’s Drew.

‘Sorry it’s late babe, but I cant wait to see you tomorrow. I love you.’

A feeling of reassurance surges down my spine all the way to my toes.  I slowly begin to feel at ease. I’m on the right path.  My life begins tomorrow, with the love of my life by my side. I fall asleep, taking in the smell of my old home for the last time. But in the back of my mind, there’s still a glimmer of doubt.

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Faces pass me as I walk the streets of my new home. Seattle. Cold. Wet. I shove my hand in my pocket searching for my phone, realizing I’m freezing.  It’s winter. Beautiful, but absolutely ice cold. Opening up the maps on my phone, I stare at it, puzzled. I have no idea where I am.  I start walking up and down streets I’ve never walked before, my head spinning. I can’t think straight. My hands are frozen. I feel as if they could snap if I moved a finger. My breathing becomes heavier, I’m panicking. I’m almost sprinting now, trying to find my way around. I don’t even know where I started.  My vision becomes blurry. I’m stumbling, when I feel like I’ve been hit in the head with a baseball bat. I blink my eyes, and I’m staring at the ground.

“Oh sh- are you ok? I’m so sorry I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

I’m at a loss for words, still dazed. The stranger’s hand reaches down and lifts me up.

“Oh my god, you’re so pale. And freezing.”

He takes off his jacket, wraps it around me, and takes me into a coffee shop across the street. We sit together in a corner, for a minute I regret allowing a complete stranger take care of me, but I’m so far deep in my own mind, anything would help.

I swallow hard, and manage to speak.

“I’m- I’m sorry. I just-“

He cuts me off.

“Don’t worry about it. Lets just get you warm. I’ll get you some coffee.”

There’s such care in his voice, which makes me feel safe. At home, almost.

He returns with two cups of piping hot coffee. “I’m Jordan. So, what’s your name?”

I take a sip, and the warmth runs through my body. I can already feel myself coming back.

 “I’m Isabelle.” I run my fingers through my hair. “I was, just lost. “

“Yeah, you sure looked lost when I picked you up off the ground…” He took and sip and the sun hit his eyes. He voice was so safe, yet I could see danger in his eyes.

I felt embarrassed. “It was really cold, and I kind of just freaked out. I was just looking for my new apartment.” I could feel the red rise to my cheeks. I just hoped he saw it as me warming up, rather than utter embarrassment.

He chuckled, “No worries, we all have our freak outs. “ I sank in my seat. 

“I can help you find your apartment. Wouldn’t want to have another stranger knock you over and rush you into the corner of a coffee shop.” 

He smiled at me. I giggled, releasing some tension I hadn’t realized I built up.

 “Uh, do you know where 2nd Street is?”

 He raised an eyebrow, staring at me, shocked. “What a small world.” He said humorously.

 “What?” I questioned. I sat up in my seat.

“I live on 2nd Street. I moved in with my brother a few months back. Good thing you bumped into me.” His eyes flickered. I caught myself staring into them, I snapped out of it when I realized we’d been sitting in silence.

 “Yeah!” I faked a small laugh, “Good thing.”

 We both got up when I realized I was still wearing his jacket. I took it off and started to give it back to him when he refused. 

“We’re just going right back into the cold. Might as well keep it.”

 I smiled and nodded, trying to keep myself from babbling and saying something embarrassing.

 The walk to the apartment wasn’t long. And we didn’t talk much. Mostly because I was too cold to say a word. And Jordan didn’t seem very interested in small talk.

 “Here we are.” He said standing in front of five-story brick building.

Each brick was tarnished with age and concrete stairs led into the lobby area. The dark green paint on the railings was chipping, exposing the metal underneath. The detail of the white crowning around the windows was incredible, almost out of place. The few trees surrounding the entire building gave it the illusion of being small. When in reality, I felt like an ant under a microscope.

We stepped into the lobby when I felt a buzzing in my pocket.  I reached inside, Drew was calling.

“I gotta take this its-“ I hesitated. “It’s my boyfriend.” His face fell flat.

“Hey babe!” I said to Drew on the other line. I looked over at Jordan and cupped my hand over the bottom half of my phone. “I’m gunna go, but thanks for everything!” I couldn’t help but feel guilty, until a smile spread across his face.

“Anytime! I’m in apartment B if you need anything.”

He turned without another word and started up the stairs. His gentle hands grazed the rails on his way up and before I could say anything else, he was gone.