Seeing Blind |NH|

Chapter Five

For the next few days, the only time we talked to each other was through text.  Nothing too exciting, just banter back and forth, which was a refreshing break from the four idiots I was stuck in a recording booth with. 

Because we were putting the final touches on our album, which was due out in a month, I was so busy with recording that I got home at late hours and was too tired.  Plus, I assumed she was asleep.  I did, however, figure out when Jace had gotten back because I heard them arguing about her losing her job.  It was one in the morning.  Too tired to be a nosy neighbor, I went inside my own apartment and passed out.

When I woke up the next morning, I did shoot her a text, asking if she wanted to hang out later.  She didn't respond.  Hours later, when I decided I was done for the day, I texted her again, asking if she wanted to get some food and watch more movies.  It took a while, but she finally responded apologizing and saying she was too busy but that there was something she wanted to tell me.

A couple of days later, getting home rather early from the studio, again, I decided to knock on her door, having figured Jace was at work.  I knocked on her door but no one answered.  I texted her and went inside my own apartment.  A few hours later, I tried again.  And I tried the next day and the next day but she never answered the door or any of my texts.

On the fourth day of having not heard from her, I actually got a little concerned and tried calling her only to discover her phone had been cut off.  "Well, shit," I mumbled.  "Guess that's why she isn't answering texts.  But why not the door?"

"Looking for Esta? Or Jace?" A voice behind me asked.  "Either way, they're not here."

"Oh....okay," I said, turning to go into my own place.

"Stupid girl."

"What?" I said, turning around.

"Sorry, I don't mean it that way.  I like Esta.  I do.  Can't stand that asshole of a boyfriend she's got but, then again, they're always assholes."

"What do you mean?"

"She's a smart girl, flighty, but smart.  She just chooses stupidly when it comes to guys.  She's always got her head in the clouds when it comes to them.  She's never single long and when she finds someone new, she dives in head first and jets off to wherever with him.  The one she's with now, unfortunately, keeps making return visits into her life.  He'll break up with her again, but in a few months, he'll be back."

"Jace?" I asked, intrigued by all this new information.

"Asshole, more like it.  He treats her like shit but she keeps letting him back in.  One day, I hope that girl ditches him for good.  Until then, she's here maybe once a month, at most, for a week or so, and then gone again."

"But how does she afford it?"

"Oh, she's got some money.  Inheritance.  Not a lot, but enough.  This place," he said pointing to her door, "This place she got when her grandfather died.  He owned the place, so she's rent free."

"Oh, wow.  Her grandfather owned this building?"

The guy laughed, "No, the grandfather owned that apartment, she inherited it."

We both looked at her door.  "How long is she usually gone?"

"Sometimes days, sometimes weeks, sometimes months.  She usually comes back when she's no longer with whatever douche bag she left with.  Once she was gone nearly six months.  Longest relationship I've seen her in and I've been here five years, now.  She's great.  Really sweet and very helpful, until some dumbass comes along.  A shame, really."

"Hmmm," I said, "Well, I guess that's that, then."

"Yep." 

We stood there in silence for a moment, "I'm sorry, where are my manners.  I'm Patrick.  I live in 409," he said, reaching out to shake my hand.

"Niall.  Nice to meet you."

"Likewise.  Sorry to have bombarded you with all that information," Patrick said.

"No, no, it's okay.  Good to know I guess.  Jace did say something about how they're never here."

"Yeah, I wish he was never here.  Dick."

I had to laugh a little, finding it interesting that someone other than myself found this guy to be a prick.  "What does he do for a living?"

"His parents own and operate some architecture firm.  Wealthy as shit, which is probably the only good thing about him.  He's not here for her money. Which makes me wonder what he really wants, because it sure as shit, isn't her."

"Why do you say that?"

"Like I said, he's always in and out of her life.  He ditches her, she comes back broken hearted, finds some other guy who turns out to be an even bigger dick, she leaves with him, comes back after one of them breaks up with the other, and then boom, Jace is back!  She's just like her mother, in that regard."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, her mother has horrible taste in men.  Often doing the same thing Esta does now, meets some guy, thinks she's in love, leaves with him, returns when it's over."

"How do you know all this?"

"Like I said, I've been here for five years. And she's a perfectly sweet girl; has always helped me out when I needed it.  I'm obviously not the youngest of men, and about two years ago, I broke my shoulder, and she basically took it upon herself to take care of me.  I think she got that from having taken care of her grandfather for so long.  We got to know each other.  She's come to me for advice but, typical girl, she never seems to take it."  Patrick laughed a little.  "I shouldn't say that.  She's a lovely girl.  Actually, wait a sec, she left something with me to give to you.  Hold on." The guy opened his door and went inside momentarily, returning with an envelope.  "She told me she lost her job, again, but that the new neighbor had been wonderful and made her feel better.  She left this for you."

I blushed a little at the comment. "She seems really sweet.  I didn't like seeing her so down, especially after seeing her so cheerful," I said, taking the envelope.

"I hope you stick around, Niall.  Usually that apartment becomes vacant within a year and there's not a lot of younger folks living here.  She could use a good friend her own age.  That way she doesn't have to hang out with old folks like myself."

"Well, I signed a lease but will be gone an awful lot myself here shortly."

"Ah, well, it was nice to meet you, Niall."

"You too, Patrick.  I'm sure we'll be seeing each other.  And, if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to knock on my door," I said, smiling before I went back inside.

"That's a lovely offer.  Have a good rest of the day."

"You, too" I said, opening my own door and going inside.  "Well, shit."  I looked down at the envelope.  Opening it up, I read what she wrote,

Niall, Sorry I'm leaving without saying goodbye.  I wanted to tell you in person so you wouldn't think badly of me but I guess I never really caught you when you were home.  Please don't be mad at me.  I'd like to think I can keep a friend, despite my flightiness.  Movie marathon when I return?  Esta

Her concern over losing me as a friend made me smile a little.  'I hope she returns before I leave for months on end,' I thought.