More Than Neighbors - JM

Just Kiss Me|1

"I'll be downstairs in 10" Aubree shrieks through the phone. I say my goodbyes and grab the keys from my table. I give my lovely apartment a quick glance and close the door behind me. My dark curls wave from left to right as I run for the only way I want to go down stairs with. The damn elevator.

In the elevator I walk into a red haired girl, her eyes quickly checking me up and down. I smile kindly to her, just something I do to everyone I walk past. But her face keeps the straight expression and I feel uncomfortable the next few minutes till we hit the bottom floor. She walks out first, giving her hair a flip and I roll my eyes. What a bitch, why can't people be nice for once! I meet Aubree outside of my building. Aubree is my best friend here in New York City. But when I first got here, I met Archie.

Archie is my boyfriend. When I was done with college and moved into my apartment, I met him here in New York. I didn't know anyone here and he was such a gentleman to lead me around the city. We fell in love and can't live without each other. I did made other friends, I'm good at making new ones. I met Aubree at work, my new job. I work at the restaurant at the bottom floor of this building I live in. Aubree lives across the street and we always make phone calls staring out of our windows to see each other talking through the phone. It's called being weird but smart.

"Reggie works today, so let's get coffee" Aubree says as she hooks her arm into mine. The cold NY wind bites into our faces. It's march, still winter.
Reggie is an employee at Starbucks and one of my closest friends. Me, Aubree and Reggie are the dynamic trio. We have sleepovers, drink wine and beer together and share every single details in our fucking lives.

"Did you saw that red haired girl walking with me out of my building?" I ask Aubree as we take a seat in the cafeteria. Reggie smiles at us from the counter and we both wave back. We just made our small talks with him and I wrap my hands tight around my coffee cup. Although it's iced, I still hold on to it like it's warm chocolate milk. Aubree nods and takes a sip of her drink.
"I did saw her, she looked great" Aubree says when she stares outside. I sigh and roll my eyes. Not the type of answer I wanted to hear.
"When are you and Archie meeting again, I feel like it has been ages" Aubree smiles and I feel her searching for eye contact.
"Well it does feel like ages if you ask me! I haven't seen him for about a week!" My knuckles start whitening around the red christmas Starbucks cup and I breathe out to not let loose. I feel like he's avoiding me and it annoys me.
"Ladies, I have my break. Let's meet at the back" Reggie smiles as he suddenly stands next to our table.
"Fine, bring your cigarettes" Aubree waves him off and Reggie let out a laugh.
"That shouldn't be a command sweetheart" He winks at her and we all laugh.

Reggie is the most muscular guy I know. I bet he hits the gym every fucking day. And he smokes like a chimney. Don't ask he how he combines it. We meet him at the back of the Starbucks building and he hands us a cig. We all three lit one and a moment of silence continues. As we blow out our white smoke, Reggie starts talking.
"How are you and Archie?" Reggie's eyes pierce on my skin and I shift on my feet.
"Haven't seen him in a while" I just mutter, looking at the asphalt underneath my shoes.
"Listen, I don't want to start anything Rub, but friends of mine saw him hanging out with a girl the other day. It wasn't you" Reggie says and Aubree tenses up. I sigh and finally meet Reggie's eyes.
"What does she looks like?" I ask Reggie, trying not to sound desperate as fuck.
"Red hair, bright green eyes, small waist. She has freckles on her nose and plumped lips. Maison described her as a true beauty" Reggie scoffs. I close my eyes and the girl from the elevator crashes through my mind. The girl knew who I was. I'm the girlfriend of the person she's hanging out with. I knew there was a weird feeling when we both stood next to each other, waiting till one of us left the other.
"I'll call him tonight, asking if he can come over" I smile. It comforts me telling myself Archie only loves me.

We've been in a relationship for over a year now and even with up and down moments, we came through those. Reggie pulls me into a hug and kisses my hair. Aubree hugs us both and we stand there for a minute or two.
"Okay ladies, I have work to do. Maybe we can all meet tomorrow?" His eyes switch from me to Aubree and back with a questionable look. Me and Aubree nod.
"Great plan, my shift stops at 6, maybe we could go out for dinner?" I smile. Aubree works at the same place as me, I know her shift also ends at 6.
"Great, see you then ladies!" Reggie blows us a kiss and winks, only to disappear back into the back of the building, continuing his job.

"Why is he still single?" Aubree laughs as we stand in front of my apartment complex. I shrug and we both giggle. Reggie is the one night stand king and loves to share a heated night with everything that has a boobs and a hole to put his dick in. Shemales not included. He never went for a serious relationship and I think that won't happen anytime soon. Reggie lives for the freedom life is giving him and he's enjoying every single part of it.

As I step out of the shower, I hear my doorbell. I asked Archie to come over at 7, it's already 8:30 past morning. So I decided to shower and wait on him later. I quickly wrap a towel around my waist and dry my feet. I run to my door and when I open it, Archie storms in. As he passes me, a strange scent hangs around him and it's definitely not a new perfume of him. It's a woman's.
"Why are you so late?" I ask sweetly, letting my hands run over his tight shirt. Archie is ripped because his hobby is football. When we first met, our first date was watching a match. I loved how passionate he was about the sport.
"Because of work, I had a few more meetings" He smiles down at me. He kisses my forehead and I hum. He steps away from my now glowing body and only now I see his lips are a bit red.
"Dry lips? I have lipbalm in my drawer if you wa-" I start walking towards him but he flinches and steps back. I frown and when I want to walk closer, he walks around me.
"What is wrong?" I ask, hearing him opening my fridge behind me.
"Nothing, I'm stressed about work" Archie tries to smile but I see he's forcing it. What is going on here?
"Do you want me to massage you?" I say biting my lip. His face shoot up to mine and his dark brown eyes pierce into my skin. I stand behind him and run my fingertips along his arms. He's resting against my counter. I hear his breath hitching and I grin deeply at the effect I have on him.
He suddenly turns around and I slightly fall in his chest. His breathing is heavy and his eyes look everywhere except in my eyes. Is he panicking?
"Kiss me Arch" I mumble and I press my lips against his freshly shaven jaw.
"Just kiss me" I whisper and I run my hand over his chest, slowly going down. He totally freezes in front of me. I look up into his eyes and see they're not looking straight into mine.
"Archie" I speak out loudly. He sucks in a breath and for a second I think he'll start crying. Instead he pushes me off him, grabs his jacket off my table and reaches for my doorknob.
"WHAT THE HELL!" I yell at him but he left. He left me in hot flames. Want and need. I feel desperate and alone. My whole apartment remains quiet and I only hear myself breathing. What the hell ran into that boy? Or may I say who?