romance at the bookstore

Chapter 6

Leila's POV - Tuesday night

So I guess singing in the shower with my neighbor is now a normal thing. We always happen to be showering at the same time so when I start singing he always joins in. We don't really talk all that much every once and a while he'll ask me a question.

"So, are you a business student?" my neighbor asks while we shower.

"Ya, third year. Are you?"

"Ya, I'm also third year." He answers.

There's a pause for a few seconds and then he asks

"What's your name?"

I don't answer right away. I turn off my shower and grab a towel. I wrap myself in the towel and then start to answer.

"Le-" I suddenly see a huge spider on the ceiling above me and scream. "OH MY GOD, AHHH FUCK!" I jump up to try and kill it but when I land back on the ground I slip on the water on the floor and fall to the floor. I hit my head on the floor and lay there stunned for a few seconds before I hear someone open my front door and come running in. I quickly stand up and feel extremely dizzy. Someone opens the door to the bathroom and it takes me a minute to realize who it is. Is that Alex? Whoa I must have hit my head pretty hard to actually think that Alex is in my apartment.

"Leila?" my eyes adjust and I realize it is Alex!

"What are you doing here!"

"You're the girl from the shower?"

"You're the boy from the shower?"

Alex was the guy that I've been singing with the whole time. Oh my god. Alex stands in front of me in loose black shorts and no shirt looking me up and down in my towel and wet hair.

"Listen, Leila, about today-" He starts

"You know what it's fine, just go okay?" I cut him off before he can say more because I feel extremely awkward standing here in only a towel with him looking at me the way he is.

"Oh alright" He looks a little disappointed but I need him to leave.

He walks out of my apartment and I close the door behind him. I sit down on my bed unsure of how I'm feeling. Of course, Alex is the boy next door I don't know if I'm more happy or annoyed.

Do I have feelings for Alex? What no way we're enemies it doesn't make sense, but he is super hot and kind of smart. Ughh I don't know what to do!

I guess there's no denying it anymore, I have feelings for Alex.

Alex's POV - Tuesday night

I stood outside Leila's apartment for a couple seconds in utter shock. So this girl I work with, who's insanely gorgeous, who's also kind of my enemy, turns out to be my neighbor who I've been singing in the shower with? It was a lot to take in.

All I knew was that my feelings for Leila were growing over the past week and I couldn't hide it anymore. Even though she annoyed the crap out of me, something about her made me want to get to know her better. Almost like if I could get to know her outside of our work environment, I could get to know the real her and not the uptight work her.

I walked back to my apartment, two steps away and mentally slapped myself that I didn't try to at least talk to her. There's so much I want to say to her about today and to apologize but as soon as I saw her, I couldn't stop blushing. I don't think I've ever met a girl as pretty as her. She was different.

I had only seen her leave her apartment once and I saw her long brown hair, flowing behind her as she walked away. I was excited to know the mystery girl was Leila, but also a little disappointing it wasn't someone new.

If she would've just let me speak I could've explained myself but then again, she was naked and only wearing a towel. Even without makeup, without anything, she was gorgeous and I wish I could've told her.

I got in my room and sat on my bed staring at the floor. I thought about how shitty of a person she must think I am from how I act at work. I have to show her the real me. Prove to her that I'm worth her time because I know how busy she is. I stared at the book, happier than ever that I bought it and got an amazing idea.