Moving In
Girl Next Door
As Jessica placed her last of the remaining boxes on the ground, she straightened herself and took a look at all of her belongings. Everything was labeled; clothes, cutlery, CDs, books and magazines, and various decorations and pictures of family and friends. The new place wasn't extravagant, but it was hers and hers only.
"Finally done..." she mumbled to herself and wiped her brow with a sense of pride. She earned that feeling, after all.
A buzz caught her attention. It took a few seconds to recognize it and she dove into the pile of boxes in search of it. She pushed aside the one marked as photos and let out a relieved sigh at the sight of her precious iPhone. She grabbed it and saw the caller ID.
Tiffany.
She accepted the call and put it on speech. "Hey, what's up?"
"Took you long enough," came the joyful voice of her best friend.
"The place is a mess at the moment," Jessica responded and pulled a hand through her hair, messing it up even more than it already was. She sat down and put her phone on the closest surface; another box.
"That doesn't surprise me," Tiffany giggled. "Are you doing alright?"
"Just great." She put her face in her hand, feeling the exhaustion finally catching up. "Could use nap, though."
More giggling. "Weird to be out of the old place?"
"A little," Jessica admitted.
"You haven't forgotten anything, have you?"
Jessica snorted and shifted onto her knees. "Want me to take inventory?"
"Yes, please," was the playful reply.
She rose to her feet and looked over the entire apartment space. It wasn't much, really, with a combined kitchen and living room, a door on the side leading to the bedroom and a bathroom next-door. The walls were white, making it easier to decorate. Jessica liked it simple with a splash of color here and there. It gave the place some personality.
"I have everything I need, Ms. Secretary Hwang."
"Clothes, books, kitchen supplies?"
"Yes, yes and ... yes."
"Photos?"
"Oh, yes."
"Your grandmother's old Tiffany lamp?"
Jessica's eyes grew wide as she searched the entire space, finding nothing matching the description of her granny's colorful lamp.
"I have to call you back..." She ended the call quickly and ran out the door. She hurried down the stairs and out through the exit, gasping in relief and lack of air at the sight of her final, sadly forgotten box.
Good, still here, she thought and grabbed a hold of it. She inhaled and exhaled deeply before entering the apartment complex for the umpteenth time that day. She looked towards the stairs, whining internally at the thought of climbing them once again. Hearing a small ding! in the background, she noticed her savior.
The elevator.
She wandered into the holy box of no-need-to-climb-anymore and clicked the number to her floor. The doors were about to close when a person stopped their process and entered. Jessica waited a few seconds before looking over to the person next to her.
Straight dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail, flowing down her white-clad back, which contrasted against her dark skin. Simple black yoga pants revealed some curvy hips and slim legs. Jessica's own legs moved the slightest bit, as if jealous of their neighbors.
"H-hello," Jessica greeted cautiously, looking up in order to meet the stranger's eyes. "I'm Jessica Jung, the new resident." She reached out a hand, but was given no reply. "It's a hot day, isn't it?" she tried, but looking at the girl's sweaty appearance, she quickly added, "But I guess you already noticed that."
The girl gave her a quick, subtle look-over and removed her eyes as quick as they came. "Are you a resident here, too?" Jessica asked in a final attempt, feeling a bit let down by the lack of response.
"How annoying," the girl muttered under her breath as the doors finally opened and she made her exit quickly. Jessica stared after her when she realized this was also her floor. She hurried off before it closed and walked in the same direction as the Dark Pearl, as she had dubbed her in a final attempt of identification.
The Black Pearl rounded a corner, and Jessica felt her steps become longer as she wanted to get a final glimpse of the girl. When she came around the corner herself, a door was shut and everything was silent. She saw her own apartment door, right next to the recently closed door and realized something once again, What the... she's my neighbor?
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