third floor ➳ post malone

one

Apartment 304.

I look at the gold plate beside the door as I unlock it and step into the apartment I just finished moving into this week. My two sisters stand behind me, waiting on me to move out of the way so they can see the finished product of what we had all been working on.

"It really came together," Indiana says as she looks around. I smile and nod in agreement. The small space is very me.

"Yeah," I sigh, turning to my sisters. "I just wish mom could be here to see it."

"You can't count on Mom for anything and you know that," Arizona pats my back and walks past me to the living room. I sigh again and turn around, following her.

"I know, Ari but it would be nice for her to care. For once, at least," Indiana backs me up and I agree with her.

"Yeah, but touring is more important to her than her daughters," Arizona says and I roll my eyes. Some may say she's protective of us but I think she's just negative.

"She sucks," I nod, smiling at them softly. "But I'm so glad she gave me you two."

"I'm glad, too," Arizona smiles and pulls Indiana and I in for a hug. All of us have different dads, but that doesn't matter at all, we can't get any closer. "And I'm also glad that our whore mother gave birth to us in three states that can actually be first names."

"Yeah, dumb idea on her part," Indiana nods, looking between Arizona and I. "I would much rather be named something normal than after a state I've never even been to. Well, besides being born in it."

"Same," Arizona and I say at the same time and laugh.

"So, Georgia, what is your first priority as a solo tenant?" Arizona asks me with a smile and I think about it.

"Probably gonna introduce myself to the neighbors on this floor," I tell her and she gags.

"That's so weird," She tells me and I chuckle.

"Yeah, but you gotta admit– that's really on brand for her," Indiana says to Arizona and she agrees by nodding her head.

"Come on, it's the nice thing to do," I say, silently asking them to stop teasing me. "I'm a Virgo, we're nice."

"Whatever, just please don't bake brownies," Arizona say as she looks at her phone.

"Oh, I'm baking brownies," I nod, walking towards the kitchen.

"Ooh, I'll help!" Indiana says, walking behind me.

"Indy! Do not encourage her!" Arizona groans as she also walks behind us.

"Okay, see, that's what's wrong with America," I say to her as I open my halfway stocked pantry, grabbing some of the ingredients I need for my homemade brownies. "No one takes their new neighbors baked goods anymore."

"It's 2020," Arizona says, leaning on the counter. "People are crazy as hell."

"That's true but you can't go through life assuming everyone is out to get you," I tell her as I open the refrigerator, grabbing the rest of what I need. Indiana nods in agreement, impressed at how deep I am being, I'm sure.

"Yeah," Arizona lets out a chuckle. "You're a definite Virgo."

————

"Do you want us to come with you?" Arizona asks as I wrap the Pyrex dish of brownies in saran wrap.

"No, I'm good," I say, as I place them on the counter and smile at her. "I think three of us could be a bit overwhelming."

"Yeah, you're right," Indiana agrees and then looks down at the dish. "So you have three other neighbors but there's only one pan. What are you gonna do with that?"

"I plan on introducing myself one at a time," I explain. "I really don't feel like baking that much in one day."

"Use box brownies," Indiana suggests to me and I give her a disgusted look.

"Or don't give them brownies at all?" Arizona also suggests and I shake my head.

"I've been baking for fifteen years," I tell Indiana. "You should know I would never touch pre-made brownies."

"Whatever," Indiana groans. "Hurry back so we can watch The Bachelor please. I want to break this new TV in."

"Jesus, okay," I laugh, sliding on my shoes I had left by the door. I walk out and across the hall, knocking on apartment 303's door. No answer. I knock again and wait. Still no answer. I sigh and decide to try another unit.

I walk over to the door that is directly beside mine, 302, and knock. It takes a second but the door is soon opened to reveal a rather tall guy with curly brown hair and so many tattoos littering every inch of his body. He is around my age and honestly really intimidating.

"Hi, I'm Georgia," I smile at him as he gives me a blank stare. "I just moved into the apartment next to yours and thought I'd introduce myself."

"Okay," he nods, still giving me the same blank stare. "I'm Austin."

"Nice to meet you," I say, still smiling. It is mainly to try to get even the smallest smile out of him.

"So you new to Chicago?" He asks, crossing his arms and leaning against the door frame. The strong smell of cigarette smoke flows out of his apartment and I am honestly repulsed but try to look past it.

"No, just new to the complex," I smile at him, trying to not let the cigarette smoke bother me too much.

"Oh, right," He nods. His eyebrows are furrowed and for a second, I find him attractive. Although, face tattoos are not on my turn on list. "Well then. See you around."

He starts to close the door but I put my hand up to stop it.

"Wait," I say and he pulls it back open, seemingly annoyed. I hold up the pan of brownies and smile hopefully once more. "I made you brownies."

"I hate chocolate," He says before closing the door in my face.

That went a lot worse than I expected it to.

I don't really know what to do so I walk back over to my apartment and slam the blue door behind me once I step in.

"Oh, your neighbor didn't want your homemade brownies?" Arizona laughs as I sit them down roughly on the table.

"Shut up, Ari," I sigh, walking into the living room and sitting in the middle of Arizona and Indiana.

"Chill," she says, sipping on the white wine she had helped herself to. "What happened?"

"Dude next door hates chocolate," I sigh as I stare at the TV. It is on the home page of Hulu but I don't care. I am sort of upset.

"Well, maybe bake him some cupcakes," Indiana suggests as she gets up and walks away.

"No, you guys were right," I tell them, shaking my head . "It's stupid."

"Stop being so sensitive!" Arizona slaps me lightly on the arm. "Don't let him be a dick to you. Bake him cupcakes, your bomb ass pumpkin ones, and work your magic."

"The only magic I have is baking and he didn't like it," I laugh at her.

"He just hates chocolate, Georgia," Arizona says to me and I laugh.

"The only magic I have is eating this entire pan of brownies," Indiana says as she comes back from the kitchen with the pan.

"At least someone likes them," I joke. "Anyways, it's whatever. Let's just watch The Bachelor."