Building 01005

him.

He seemed very lost in the lobby, that's why I approached him that day. When he said my name I was taken aback a little bit. Turns out he had a letter for me. At first, I wondered if he was a postman out of uniform, but he held a brown bag of supplies for something, a project of the sorts. I'd seen him in the parking lot and another time entering the elevator, but I'd always thought he was visiting somebody. Specifically the wealthy woman on the top floor. I guess he is the wealthy woman upstairs.

I jiggled the knob and hit the door open with my hip. I should've really gotten the damn thing fixed by now, but money can be stupid. It is stupid.

I opened up a small tin of roasted almonds and began devouring them. Shifu, my cat, eyed me from the hallway. Shifu's a small Scottish ear-fold and he really likes almonds, but they can't be salted. I guess he was mad at me for not buying his favorite. I sighed and decided to open the letter.

Lullah,
You might be wondering where I am. I've headed to Lyon, France and haven't been able to leave! I'll grab you a sticker or something. Your monthly allowance will be transferred into your account soon, I promise. See you around!

–Ashton Z.

I grumbled. "I was expecting it last week, stupid man..." I tossed the letter onto the nice marble counter I'd just cleaned. Then I scoffed. "Monthly allowance... pfft," I walked to the white sofa and collapsed into it. I hated the white furniture in my home. Though it was genuine nice white leather, it made everything else look dirty.

I didn't see the postal-looking boy for a while after that. Until very late one night. There was a gentle but urging knock at my door and I shot up from the stupid white couch in which I'd passed out on. I glanced over at my phone. 12:37. What the...

I stumbled over to the door and opened it up a crack.

"Hm?" I moaned. From the other side, I saw his taller silhouette, the same wavy short brown hair and narrow shoulders.

"Lullah? Did I get it right?"

"Hm?"

"Lullah?"

"Yes?"

I did not know what he wanted from me.

"Another letter," he handed it to me and I barely took it. It fell to my feet.

"Oh, thank you," I mumbled.

"Sorry if I woke you up..." My eyes got used to the darkness and adjusted to his face. They seemed apologetic so I flashed him a smile.

"It's okay! Would you like to come in? We are neighbors aren't we?"

"I'd be glad to, didn't know neighbors visited this late," he chuckled.

"Me neither, yet here we are, " I said almost in a whisper. I never knew what it was about the night time, but I always felt like I needed to whisper. I opened the door up a little so then he could enter. He wore dress pants and a white V-neck shirt that was heavily stained with... paint I guess.

"So, what's up with all of those letters that are for you? I know it's not my business, but it is ending up in my mailbox so I figured I somewhat had a right."

"Well, I'll be frank. It's money," I went over and sat down next to him not thinking.

"Ah... for?"

I looked at him for a little. His nose was a very strong feature of his face. It cast a shadow on the rest of his face which glimmered in the dark.

"I'd say but you'll laugh," I mumbled getting up to turn on a lamp.

"Why's that?" he leaned back, oddly relaxed, even if it was a stranger's home.

"Well it's silly, but my father can't pay my rent for a few months so I have a friend who'll do it for me."

"And you don't work?" he asked placing a long finger across his lips. He was analyzing me and I felt it.

"I don't like people telling me when I will do what I need to survive," I replied coldly while I went to turn on a very dim lamp. I turned and sat in a chair with a very tall back and velvet red cushioning.

"Survive, huh?" he chuckled.

"Yes, you don't have a job, no money. No money, no food or house or anything. You just have yourself," I curled my knees to my chest.

"I guess you have a point. I'm an artist so I choose my own hours," he smirked. My face heated up and I felt like I needed to lightly smack his face.

"You seriously sell that well to the point where you can keep up an apartment on the tenth floor?" To this, he nodded.

"You should come to see my works sometime," he groaned a certain way as he got up from the couch. He outreached his hand from his pocket. There was an address to the pricey part of town that I loathed. I wouldn't go.