This cannot be happening. This, cannot be happening. I can't have left my keys behind, oh god...
The redhead pushed into a speed walk as she neared the apartment complex on the corner of the street, opposite the library. With a hot chocolate from Granny's in one hand and her other hand in her bag, she turned around to push the big door open with her back, pushing herself into the complex, in a desperate search for her keys, heading right for the stairs.
She'd had a rough day all in all, some of the animals from the animal shelter she volunteered at had escaped and were causing havoc, and today was the day she worked alone, so the entire task fell on her shoulders.
Just as she was reaching her level, her hand in her bag connected with a smooth piece of metal, and her hand clasped round it, just as he rounded the corner to head to her apartment.
The next thing she knew, was that she was on the floor and her hot chocolate was pooling next to her, along with the clattering of wood and plastic.
"O- oh my gods, I- I'm so sorry!" She shook her head, looking up in anger at whoever the voice belonged to. Except, when she
saw the person cowering in fear, her face softened immensely. "I- I should have been looking... I was c-carrying my things... and I-"
"Whoa there, it's okay. I mean, it's not okay okay, but I'm okay, and it's just hot chocolate, I can get another one, it's all fine. See, nothing broken." She pushed herself up onto her feet, wiping her hands on her jeans. "Do you need help picking up your... art supplies?" She looked at the blonde woman in front of her, frowning gently. She'd never seen this woman around town before, and certainly never seen her in the complex, although it seemed like she lived here.
"Oh, no, I can manage, thank you." She bent down and started to collect the dropped paint pots.
"Oh no, here let me help." She lent down too, and picked up the dropped easel, propping it against the wall next to them, and grabbing some of the paint pots. "I'm Amy, by the way." She smiled at the woman, motioning with her eyes for the other woman to give her her name.
"Elise." She looked up at Amy's eyes, then swiftly back down, grabbing the last pot, before standing back up to face Amy.
"So, Elise, do you live here? I haven't seen you around, and I'd definitely remember seeing you around. Oh my god, that sounded creepy, I'm not a creep, I promise, you're just gorgeous, I mean-"
"Amy. Chill." Elise laughed, an attempt made to hide her laugh behind her hand was hindered by the numerous paint pots in her arms.
"Chill, yeah, I can do that." Amy nodded, mostly for herself. "So, do you?"
"Y- yes." Elise nodded, looking back at the hallway behind her. "Number 21."
"Are you kidding me, I live right across from you, number 18! How have I not seen you around?" Amy picked up her bag, pulling
the keys out and slinging the bag over her shoulder.
"I don't... I don't leave much. Only to throw out old paint pots," She motioned to the pots in her arms. "and to sell my paintings."
"So you're an artist?" Amy asked, a small lopsided grin appearing on her face. A real life artist.
"Uh, yeah. Look, Amy, I have to get going, sorry, I have to buy new paints." Amy note how Elise was a little jumpy, backing away a tiny bit more every time she spoke.
"Oh, hell, go ahead, sorry for keeping you, I'll let you get on, El." Amy shrugged her bag onto her shoulder again, stepping back from the hot chocolate puddle. Elise nodded and maneuvered to pick up the easel, and quickly made her way down the stairs, Amy raising an eyebrow as she left.
Flighty. Very flighty. And maybe a new friend.
She laughed at her own mind as she turned and headed towards her place, sighing with a little bit of content. Her day just got a little bit better.