Wild Ivy

Something New

Author's Note:
This is the first time I've written in a thousand years so it might be a little rough, but I hope you all enjoy this little ditty :)

It was nearing 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and Stevie had been drifting in an out of sleep for an hour. The sound of a loud moving truck pulling into the driveway next door disrupted her peaceful sleep. Slowly, Stevie propped herself up on her pillows and leaned against them. She scanned the room, looking from left to right before she decided to get out of bed. Stevie ran her hands through her bangs, causing them to flip up and go awry. Stevie quickly fixed her bangs and moved her hair off her shoulder. She slid off her giant, wooden bed that was almost too tall for her to climb on and landed on the floor. Stevie's lace night gown rode up as she slid down, exposing the back of her thigh. Smoothing her dress, Stevie walked to the circular window that was on the wall to the right of her, giving her full view of the neighbor's driveway.

She could barely make out any of the people's faces with how quickly they were moving items off the truck and into the house. Stevie noticed the amount of vintage sound equipment being moved in, enticing her curiosity. She counted the boxes as they made their way off the truck until a petite, curvy figure came into Stevie's view.

Stevie could only see the girl's profile, and much of it was blocked by her voluminous, dark brown curls. Her face was revealed every so often when the wind blew her hair out of her face. Stevie could tell that she was young, that she couldn't be older than 20. The woman was simple, but strikingly beautiful. The girl walked up the moving truck ramp and stopping at the top. She was wearing black skinny jeans that were ripped at the knees, a maroon, cotton t-shirt and black, leather ankle boots. Stevie couldn't help but stare as the girl talked to one of the movers and pointed to the house, directing him where to put some boxes. She was holding a crate full of records, and Stevie watched as the girl smiled, thumbing through the LPs. She found herself being completely entranced by the young woman. It was the first time in a long time that Stevie actually stopped and looked at something, or in this case, someone.

Stevie admired how the girl's olive skin glowed as the sun kissed her face through the trees, causing Stevie to stare more intently and take in every detail of her that she could. The way the girl commanded the movers made Stevie giggle while she watched the brunette direct the man holding what looked like a vintage turn table towards the house. Suddenly, Stevie's gawking was disrupted by a knock at the door, causing her eyes to flutter and take a deep breath before she spoke. Stevie turned her head around and called out.

"Come on in, I'm awake." Stevie's voice rasped as she tried to regain her focus.

Karen, Stevie's assistant, opened the door and entered. Stevie's little yorkie, Lily, followed in behind her. The tiny patter of Lily's nails hitting the hardwood echoed in Stevie's bedroom. Karen had been Stevie's assistant for almost 30 years now. She was one of the most loyal and consistent people in Stevie's life, and Karen knew everything there is to know about her. No one else could sense when Stevie was distracted or up to something better than Karen.

Stevie scooped up Lily in her arms and kissed her repeatedly, burying her face into Lily's soft fur, muffling her coos. Stevie lifted her face and placed the dog on top of her bed, letting out a quiet chuckle.

"Did you sleep well?" Karen posed.  "I know the new neighbors have been loud all morning. I thought about saying something but--" Stevie waved her hand and chuckled.

"No, it's fine, I actual slept pretty okay. I've been lying awake for the last hour, so. Really, it's fine." Stevie assured Karen. "I don't have any appointments scheduled tonight, do I?" Stevie hoped the answer was "No."

Karen unlocked her iPhone and opened her calendar. "Nothing, we can do anything you want tonight." Karen smiled and Stevie sighed in relief at her response.

"Thank god," Stevie rejoiced. "I am honestly so beat after that shindig last night. There was SO much wine," Stevie's face fell into her hands as she laughed, "I think I'll stick to tea today."

"Good idea." Karen contended, nodding her head.  Karen answered a text while Stevie looked over her shoulder to steal a glance out the small window.

Stevie peered out the window, a burning feeling growing in her stomach. She couldn't help but ask Karen.

"Karen, do you know anything about the neighbors? I thought they moved in months ago?" Stevie tried to sound as nonchalant as possible.

Karen looked up from her phone and clicked the lock button. "Oh, they did move in months ago. It's a couple, but their daughter is moving in for the summer or something. I talked to her briefly this morning on my way out to the market when they first started unloading the truck. She was very sweet and lovely to talk to. I didn't catch her name, though."

Stevie smiled at Karen, then looked down at her feet. "That's okay, I'm sure we'll find out soon enough." Stevie looked back at Karen. "I'm glad to hear that she's sweet. Hopefully they won't always be as loud as this morning." Stevie cleared her throat, looking out the window again. Karen smirked at stevie, and raised her eyebrow as she watched Stevie hold back a grin. Karen walked over to Stevie's bedside table and grabbed a thick folder filled with papers.

"I'll send these out when we run errands tomorrow." Karen said seemingly.

"Sounds great!" Stevie watched while Karen left the room, leaving her bedroom door slightly cracked.

Stevie was absolutely beaming. She couldn't believe the someone she hadn't even met could make her feel so warm. Something strong had come over her, and exactly what, she didn't know. She contemplated going next door and introducing herself to her mysterious new neighbor but quickly brushed the idea off, shaking her head as she smirked. She dreaded the thought of putting on her flowy, chiffon garb and make up. Still, she pondered the thought of the young woman, and why she felt so drawn to her. Stevie picked up Lily again and headed towards the door, stopping in the doorway to look back at the window one last time before she left the room. Stevie headed down the stairs to the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea.