Next Door Neighbor

CHAPTER 1: BOXES

BOXES

SPENCER'S POV:

I'm exhausted. I've been working nonstop for a week, I've barely slept. I was about to fall asleep while driving home. It's only eight, but I'm ready for bed. I can't wait to get to my apartment and sleep in my own house. I climb the stairs, my legs aching. When I reach the top, I see a stack of boxes with feet underneath. I blink a few times, making sure I'm not imagining things. I walk over to the stack of boxes and I hear a female voice mumbling various curses. "Stupid door's jammed." she groans. "Um. Hi. Would you like some help?" I ask. The boxes shift a bit. I still can't see who's behind them. "That would be wonderful! I can't seem to get the door open." she tells me. The boxes move back a bit, giving me room to get to the door. I give it a good shove with my shoulder and the door swings open.

I hold the door to let the woman through. Once she's inside, I hear a shouted "Thank you!" I'm about to leave when someone comes running over to the door. The mystery box lady is in fact a young woman. She's short, maybe 5'4. Her brown hair is tied back in a braid that reaches just below her shoulders, hair flying out everywhere. She's wearing a bright yellow sweater and a pair of worn jeans. She looks at me with beautiful bright green eyes, her lips pulled into a smile. "Hi. I'm Stephanie, Stephanie Healy. If you didn't guess from the numerous boxes, I'm moving in." Her voice is light, almost like honey. I know that doesn't make any sense, but it describes it perfectly.

She sticks out a hand for me to shake and I grab it. "I'm Spencer Reid. I live next door." Her smile grows even wider at this. "I'll try not to be too loud, then. Thanks so much for your help, I didn't know how I was going to get inside." I shrug my shoulders. "No problem. If you need anything, let me know." I send her a quick smile. She wishes me goodnight and her door closes. I walk into my apartment and don't even bother changing. I'm too tired for that.

I want so badly to sleep, but my mind won't stop thinking about Stephanie. I don't know why. Stephanie, a female name that comes from the Greek name Στέφανος (Stephanos) meaning "crown". Healy, derived from the word "sealadach," which means "ingenious." I didn't know I was getting a new neighbor, but she seems nice.

STEPHANIE'S POV:

I hate moving. Usually, I would have friends that could help me out but I'm moving to a different state. I had to unload all my boxes, carry them up the stairs all on my own, and now I have to unpack. I managed to hire someone to bring up my major furniture, so I have a bed, couch, and coffee table. The apartment feels and looks empty, no personality anywhere. I dig through my boxes to find a pair of PJs. I slip them on and go to the bathroom where I brush my teeth and hair. I then head to bed, laying down. I have trouble falling asleep.

I didn't want to move. I liked life in Ohio. But then I got that job offer to work as an editor at a big publishing company here, a big step from my old job, writing part time for a small newspaper. The best part of being an editor is that I get to read books before they come out. I love books. Half the boxes I have are full of books, which might explain why they were so heavy. I wasn't sure how to get inside since the door jammed and my hands were full. Then Spencer came along, helping me get inside my apartment.

He's cute. He has this shaggy brown hair and inquisitive eyes. He's tall and lanky, the opposite of me. He seems sweet. He helped me without hesitation. I'll have to do something to thank him for helping me out.

A/N: Hope your enjoying this so far! I have a bunch of Criminal Minds stuff up on tumblr, @chaoticgremlinwholikescheese if you want to see some more of my CM writing :)