Muse

1.

Looking outside, I open the window, drag a chair to it and get the only thing I have in my kitchen - a plain mug and a bottle of wine. This wine was here when I moved in 3 years ago, probably forgotten by the previous owners.

I pour myself a cup and plop down onto the chair. I continue looking out the window, realising it'll be the last time I'll see these streets from inside this apartment at this exact angle again.

I've finally finished college and it's time for me to move out of this shitty little apartment. In depth reminiscing, I realise my responsibilities and turn to check the time on the wall. I've packed everything, including the clock. I get up to check my phone and my mom has texted me to remind me the movers will be here at 4pm.

I have nothing to do for the next hour, all my belongings are packed away into boxes. I'm not opening any boxes since 1. I worked so hard to pack it all and 2. I can't remember where I put what.

I decide since the sun is settling nicely into the evening, I'll go for a walk around the park. I set my mug on the counter, half filled and go to grab my coat but then remember again that everything has been put away, all I have is an old Adidas sweatshirt that is in the throw away pile. I shrug and put it on anyways. I've got no one to impress.

I make my way out and lock the door behind me. Playing with the keys, I reach the elevator at the end of the hall and press the button. While waiting I search for my pocket to put the keys in then realise that I don't have one. And if I don't have any pockets I must have surely forgotten my phone. I quickly go back to the apartment and grab my phone from the countertop before running out the door. In such a rush I bump into my neighbour and immediately start apologising as I've pushed him into the wall of the narrow hallway.

"Oh I'm so sorry! I was just in a rush", I scramble for words.

With his dark cap on looking down I can't see his face. He then looks up and says "don't worry about it", in a husky voice.

This is the most of a conversation I've ever had with him. I've seen him before, he's attractive and I've smiled before but never seen him smile back. He's always kept to himself and not really interested in being best buds as neighbours so I just went along with it.

He goes to unlock his door, a few metres from mine and I leave, making my way to the elevator again. He turns and says "can you keep it down from now on?".

"Sorry?".

"Your music, it's too loud and kinda trash". Rude but true. The walls in this building are so old, there's pretty much no sound proofing and his apartment is next to mine.

"Oh, sorry. You won't be hearing again since I'm done packing now. In fact you won't hear it ever again since-". I realise I'm rambling and stop, smile and take a step to make a way back to the elevator.

"You're moving out?", he asks.

"Yeah, today", I confirm.

"Shame. I never got to know your name." he says fumbling with the keys.

This takes me by surprise. Surprisingly. I thought he had no interest in knowing anyone in the building.

"Oh, it's Elle. And you are?"

"Adrian", he nods.

I look at my phone and realise it's already quarter past 3. The movers will be here in 45 minutes so I'd better just stay and kill time on my phone.

I unlock the door, Adrian is still struggling with his keys. This whole building isn't the greatest, being on the outskirts of the city and all, this was all I could afford since being, you know, a student.

"These doors aren't great", I say seeing him struggle.

"Ha they're a joke, I don't even know what I'm paying rent for".

I begin to open my door, assuming the conversation is dead now but he continues talking.

"One time I came home late and couldn't be bothered dealing with this shit, so I drove back to my friend's place and just stayed there the night".

"Really??", I said laughing. "Wait I think I remember that night. Was it you yelling in a fit of rage and trying to kick down the door?"

"You heard it?"

"Yes I sure did. I thought someone was trying to break into one of the apartments but at the same I wanted to go out there and tell them to keep it down so I could finish my assignment.

Finding him a nice guy to talk to I decide to invite him in. "Would you like to come in? I just found an old bottle of wine", I smile as I keep the door open.

To my surprise he agrees and we both enter and stop when we arrive to the small living space at the end of the short corridor leading from the door.

"I forgot I don't have furniture". I say as we both look at the empty room filled with scattered boxes.

"I also only have one mug". I say in embarrassment. I've invited this person and I have nothing to host them with.

"I'll take the bottle, you keep the mug", he says as he uses his toned arms to slide onto the counter.

I join him, a bottle of old wine and a mug between us, we are deep in conversation. He's a relaxed person, not as tense as he seems from the outside in his all black outfits.

The conversation dies down and I'm playing with the empty mug in my hands. All of a sudden, the door unlocks and my mom walks in. Perfect timing.

"Mom? Does it cost you anything to knock? This could've been a stranger's apartment". She ignores my question but it was rhetorical anyways.

"You were drinking wine without me?", she jokes sounding offended.

"Who's your friend darling?"

"Who? Oh this is.. Adrian", I almost forgot his name but you can't blame me. I just met the guy 30 minutes ago despite living next to him for 3 years.

"Adrian, this is my mom". I answer

"Adrian is my neighbour mom". I say slowly and sternly in response to the cheeky look she has on her face. 

"I met him 30 minutes ago", and I see her face change. Disappointed.. I think?

"I'd better let you get back to your packing", he says, making his way out.

I walk him out to have a chance to say something one last time without my mom there.

"Hey... it was nice to meet you ?". There was a spring of uncertainty in halfway through, ending the statement in a raised pitch as if it was rather a question aimed at myself instead of him. I guess I felt confused. Do I acknowledge having just met another human or say goodbye knowing I'm leaving this place and probably never returning? 

He laughs, "It was nice to meet you too".

I smile, responding with a soft 'bye' before going back inside. He's still fighting with that door.

I walk back to the counter, picking up the mug. My mom has already thrown away the bottle. I should've given it to Adrian. But what would have been the point? I'll forget about him and he'll forget about me as soon as I leave this place. I get the feeling however, that I'll not even remember his face, let alone the words we exchanged, but him. The small part of a person I had the chance to discover.

I wash the mug and instead of stuffing it in a random box, I place it back in cupboard where the wine was.

A gift for the next, his next neighbour.