The Boy From Two Doors Down

Chapter 1

"Hey baby..I just got here."

Su-mi holds her phone up to her ear with her shoulder as she rattles her keys with one hand and clutches her luggage with the other. She wiggles the key into the hole of the doorknob, struggling to get the lock to turn.

"Everything alright?"

The voice on the other line could hear Su-mi's grunts of frustration.

"Yeah...I just..--Shit!" She exclaims under her breathe as the keys slip from her fingers. " Ugh, i'll call you in a few minutes ok?"

She bends over while accidentally knocking over her luggage. The obnoxious sound echoes through the hallway, making her cringe. Her breathing increases and huffs of frustration escape through her nostrils. The person is still on the phone line hearing all the commotion.

"Susy...baby... maybe this wasn't--"

"Look, Don't start with me, Nate. I said i'll call you later." *beep*

After what seemed like an ongoing battle, the doorknob cooperated and she was finally able to get the door to open. She drags her things inside and takes a few moments to take everything in. She leans against the door behind her as she reflects on everything going on.

Her relationship with Nate had been rocky ever since she told him about her plans to move to South Korea. He didn't like it and tried his best to discourage her. Her parents were the same way. The only one who had a different opinion about it was her best friend, Carlo. He was a lot more neutral about it. He was the first one that she told.

"I ought to go get the rest of my stuff before the sun goes down." She throws her head back, letting out an exhausted groan. "This is such a drag." She grabs her bag before heading out again.

Su-mi begins to battle once again with the doorknob as she locks it before stepping away. But sudden, loud knocks are heard not too far down the hall.

*bang* *bang* bang*

"Oi! Hyung! Are you home?" A male voice calls out loudly, but there's no response from inside.

"Hold on. Let me call him." Another male says calmly.

"Agh! it's no use. I tried calling him when I was on my way over here. Damn it...'and I thought I was the non-punctual one." The first male murmurs at the end.

"Oh that, you are... But seriously, I wonder what's going on with--"

"—Oh! Um wait, excuse me!" One of the males calls loudly when he sees Su-mi stepping away in the opposite direction. He waves his hands to catch her attention.

She stops on her track at the unexpected call.

Footsteps are heard rushing towards her way. Hesitantly, he glances over her shoulder at the stranger now standing a few meters away from her.

"Hello there." He greets her with a slight bow.  "I don't mean to bother you, but I was wondering if you've seen the guy who lives over at that apartment? He told us to be here but-" He shrugs, pointing down the hallway to where his friend is standing.

The other male was tall and lean with a toned body. He stood leaning against the wall while fiddling with his fingers. He curls his lips in and turns away timidly when Su-mi looked over his direction.

Su-mi shakes her head and faces the stranger in front of her. "Oh No. I...I just moved here. I'm Sorry. I can't help you." She stuttered as she dragged her feet away, not wanting to engage into more conversation.