4am | c.h.

Chapter one

Coming back from my run I notice two things that have changed since I'd left an hour and a half ago. 

The first is that Calum is no longer perched on the steps of his home, but that is normal. He's never outside when I come back, only when I'm leaving. Now that I think about it, I've never even seen Calum aside from in the early mornings. It makes me wonder if he goes to work at all or if he just stays up all night and sleeps through the day. 

The second thing that I notice is a huge moving van parked in front of the vacant house next door to me. I'm stunned when I see a man with shaggy dirty blonde hair that has been tied back with a deep burgundy bandanna walking out of the home. I pause in my step, watching him from a distance as he grabs a box from the van and makes his way back into the home. 

The house has been empty for quite some time and I haven't heard any whispers of someone new moving in so I'm clearly confused as to why this man is here. I also don't understand why he is deciding to move in at 5:30 in the morning, which is why as soon as he is walking back across the front lawn I am walking towards him.

He looks startled when he looks up to see me approaching him and places his hand over his heart,"Jesus, you scared the hell out of me." My lips turn up into a small smile as I reach my hand out to shake his own,"I'm sorry about that, I didn't mean to scare you at all. My name is Rilee and I actually live right next door." My index finger raises and points to my house directly next door. 

The sun is barely beginning to peak over the trees and the sky is painted in all kinds of purple and pinks. The clouds look soft and plush and I imagine myself laying on top of them. It reminds me of a painting that I'd seen Michael painting years ago before everything happened and I can't help but think about how happy Michael would be to see such a beautiful sunrise. 

I tear myself from my thoughts when I realize that I'm in the middle of having a conversation with my new neighbor. He's been talking the entire time I've been zoned out and I can't help but feel bad for not having heard any of it,"- and honestly I fell in love with the house as soon as I saw it." 

I nod my head as though I've been listening to everything he said,"Well it's great to have someone new around here. If you don't mind me asking, why are you moving yourself in so early in the morning?" 

A bashful look crosses the man's face and it's at this moment that I notice the two deeply engraved dimples in his cheeks. He's a very attractive man and I don't think I will ever find another person to disagree with me. Though I'd never pursue him due to being fully committed to my boyfriend. 

His hazel brown eyes twinkle as he opens his mouth to speak,"I'm an early riser so I figured I might as well do something instead of just sitting around."

My head moves up and down as I nod in silent agreement with his words. I understand what he means by being an early riser, though up until a year ago I didn't wake up until noon unless I had to.

"Well I'm all sweaty from my run so I'm going to go clean up. It was nice to meet you. . ." I trail off realizing that I had never actually asked for his name, although he probably told me what it was while I was zoned out. 

He realizes that I'm waiting for him to tell me his name so he sends me a goofy grin that deepens the dimples on his cheeks,"Ashton. My name is Ashton." I nod my head,"Well, Ashton. It was nice to meet you. I'll see you around." 

He raises his large right hand and waves to me as I walk away then turns to lift another box into his arms. I'm surprisingly excited to have a new neighbor. Ashton seems like he'll be a nice guy to have around the neighborhood and hell, maybe we'll even become friends.