Seeing Blind |NH|

Chapter One

I heard the ding of the elevator, but couldn't see anything as I heard the doors open onto the tenth floor of my new apartment complex.  I struggled to get the dolly over the gap between the elevator and the floor.  I had entered this thing backwards and was now unable to go forwards.

"Shit," I mumbled.

"Do you need some help?" I heard a soft voice come from the other side of my boxes.

"Uhh, I think I've got it."  I pushed the dolly once again and this time, three boxes went flying to the ground.  "Shit."

I heard soft laughter as I saw a female figure bend down to pick up one of the boxes that had just fallen.  "Seems to me you could use some help?" She stated as she looked up at me for the first time.

I smiled, sheepishly, before saying, "I guess I do.  Thanks."

She bent down to help get the wheel of the dolly unstuck as I lifted it just enough to help her out.  The wheel came unstuck and the dolly rolled out into the hallway.  I turned it in the direction of my door and saw that she had already made her way to it.

"How did you know this is where I was going?" I asked, as I pulled up in front of my door.

"It's not a large building, and not many places on each floor.  Plus, this is the only one available on this floor.  So I took a wild guess," she said, smiling at me, her hands full with two of my boxes.

I fiddled with my keys before I finally managed to open the door, stepping aside to let her go in first.

I rolled the dolly in behind her and stopped it as we entered the living room area.  She placed the two boxes on the floor and stood up, turning to face me.

"Thanks," I said.

"No problem, at all.  Once in awhile, I try to be a decent neighbor.  When I'm here."

"You live on this floor?"

"Yep.  Right next door.  411."

"Cool."

"Hopefully."  She smiled, looked around and appeared a little unsure of what to do.  "Do you need help with anything else?  I'm about to head out but I can maybe grab another box or two?"

"Oh, no.  It's okay.  I've got my mate helping me out.  Although, I'm not sure where he went.  Probably chatting up some girl, somewhere."

"Much like you?" She raised an eyebrow before letting out a little giggle.  "Just messing with you.  Anyway, if you're good, then I guess I ought to be going."

"Okay.  Thanks," I said, as I walked her to the door that I was about to head out of again.

As we reached the hallway, the door to 411 opened and a guy walked out. "Hey, babe, you ready?" he asked as he noticed me for the first time, "Who's this?"

"Oh, Jace, this is, uhh, hey, I haven't gotten your name yet, neighbor."

"Oh, sorry.  Niall.  My name is Niall," I said, sticking my hand out to shake Jace's.  He ignored me but she took my hand.

"Nice to meet you, Niall.  I'm Esta.  This here is Jace.  Jace, Niall, here just moved in, thirty seconds ago." She laughed a little, "I was helping him get a couple of his boxes that had fallen off."

"Hi, Jace.  Nice to meet ya," I said, sticking my hand out to him again.

"Likewise.  Ready, babe?" He asked, ignoring my outstretched hand once again.

I saw her give him a look, "Yeah, I guess.  Why don't you get the elevator for us, please?"  Jace gave her a rather irritated look but did what she asked.  "Asshole," she whispered before turning back to me, "Sorry about him.  Manners don't seem to be a thing for him."

"It's okay.  Thank you for the assistance, Esta. I don't think I've ever heard that name before."

"It's a variation of Esther. And, of course, again, no problem at all."  We both heard a loud cough from Jace,  "Well, Niall, I've got to get going," she started as she headed towards the elevator, "But I'd love it if we got to be friends.  I've lived here for years and hardly know anyone in this building.  Then again, I'm rarely here, but when I am, I hope we can be friends."  She smiled at me.  Her smile was incredibly sweet and endearing.

"I'd like that.  I don't know too many people here yet."

"I'd guess not with that accent.  Irish?"

"Yeah."

"I knew it!  I've got a knack for accents.  Pretty good at them, too."

"I've been told I'm pretty good at accents, as well."

"Well, perhaps we should hear each other out some time?"

"I'd like that..."

"Esta, let's go, elevator's here.  We're going to be late."

She just rolled her eyes.  "Ignore him.  It was nice to meet you again, Niall.  See ya around."  She smiled at me as she met Jace at the elevator.  "Don't be rude, asshole."

"Why do you have to talk to every guy you see?" I heard him say to her, barely above a whisper as they got on to the elevator.

"Asshole," I said, under my breath, as I saw the doors close.  I waited a minute before making my way back inside.  I spent the rest of the day bringing everything up from the moving truck and slowly started to unpack.