Hey, people! So this is just a little one-shot I decided to write. There will be more, don't worry, but my computer recently died and this was the first day I could get online again. I won't be able to update as often, but I'll do my best. Anyway, like always, I own none of these characters. Leave a review if you like it, and maybe request ideas for more one-shots. I'm just gonna write them down as I think of them. Hope you like it! :)

Strangers

He lived across the street from her.

The boy who never laughed, or smiled, or sang, or danced. The boy who never did any of those wonderful things, who never hated, but didn't ever love either.

The boy with hair like black cat's fur, with eyes like snow at dusk.

Alina never spoke to him, though she saw him nearly every day, leaving his house for one thing o

r another. She couldn't explain why she was so curious about him. She supposed it began when she first moved in and noticed him stepping outside into the cool afternoon air. It was a beautiful spring day without a cloud in the sky. Sunset lit the trees aflame and washed the side of her humble little house in glorious orange light. She was outside in the yard, studying the lone tree there and wondering whether she should have it cut down or not. Her hands were planted thoughtfully on her hips, head tilted slightly to one side, her dark hair falling over her shoulder. That was the position she froze in when she glanced over and glimpsed the door of the house across the street open.

She stared as he appeared in the doorway, a tall figure in jeans and a black T-shirt. She knew she shouldn't look for this long, but it was nearly impossible; it was her first sight of him, after all, and she hadn't expected him to look so...beautiful, she thought absently. Men weren't really supposed to be "beautiful," but he was. His coal-black hair swept down into his eyes and his skin was touched to gold from the dying sunlight. He was leanly built, but with broad shoulders and noticeable strength in his arms. He moved like water, walking with a confident grace she'd never seen before.

He was turning, heading for the gleaming black motorcycle waiting in his driveway, and as he did, his gaze flicked to her. Heart jumping, Alina tentatively waved a hand in greeting, offering a friendly smile. She was his new neighbor, after all. He blinked and his walk slowed slightly. The barest ghost of a smile quirked his mouth and he raised his hand to return the hello.

Then the moment was gone. She watched in silence as he swung a leg over his motorcycle and the engine roared to life. In the next instant, she was alone again.

Aleksander

Alina learned his name in a way that embarrassed her to no end.

3:30. That was the time her digital clock told her it was when once again, the thunder of his motorcycle shook her awake. She jerked into a sitting position in bed, her hair a rumpled mess and a bleary-eyed scowl on her face. The rumble of the engine outside seemed to mock her, growing louder as he drew closer and pulled into his driveway across the street. Tiredness dragged at her bones. This was the fourth time she'd been woken up by his stupid bike. God knew what he did, coming back at this hour. But she couldn't stand it. Despite the fact that she wore only short shorts and an old gray T-shirt, she flung off the covers and stomped into her shoes. The stairs creaked a protest beneath her as she stormed from the house.

The streetlights spilled pools of yellow onto the pavement and above, the sky was the deep blue of night nearing dawn. The air was chilly, with just a hint of coming warmth later. She strode across the street with her arms crossed. The annoyance in her grew with every step. I haven't been able to get a full night of sleep for a week. The thought pushed her on.

The motorcycle's constant growling had been cut off earlier and now she could see him approaching his front door. He made it to the doorstep at the same time she did and halted in faint surprise. Then she was glaring up at him, standing there with her bedhead while he looked down at her in all his blue-jeans-and-leather-jacket glory. She was a mess and she knew it. And he was a hot mess, which she also knew, which also irritated her even more.

"Hi," she began harshly.

His eyes were gray. Quartz-gray. She hadn't noticed them as much before, but up close, they were stunning. His voice was low and disinterested when he replied. "Hi."

"Do you know what time it is?" she demanded.

He arched one eyebrow. "Do you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're at my house, looking ticked, at four in the morning."

Her jaw dropped. Who did this guy think he was? "You're driving a motorcycle down the street at three-thirty in the morning!" she pointed out, correcting him contemptuously. She jabbed a finger toward the place where his motorcycle would be, unseen in the darkness. "I haven't gotten any sleep with that thing around here! What're you even doing this late?"

"None of your business," he returned simply. He didn't look bothered at all by her reaction, regarding her through hooded eyes.

"None of my—" she repeated, breaking off incredulously. "I want to sleep!"

"So sleep."

"I can't with your motorcycle always tearing through here."

"No one else seems to be complaining."

"No one else lives across the street."

One corner of his mouth turned up, taking her off-guard. It was a half-smile and nothing more, but it was more than she'd ever seen on his face. He cocked his head as though she was a difficult problem that needed solving and he couldn't quite figure it out. "What's your name?"

"Alina," she answered, mostly out of habit. Her irritation still boiled inside.

The irritation was almost swept away completely when he unexpectedly held out a hand to her. "I'm Aleksander," he said.

Her eyebrows flicked up. How could he have changed to being friendly after her outburst? Reluctantly, she took his hand and shook. His palm was warm, soft instead of callused, like she'd imagined. Her cheeks blushed inexplicably when she let go. "I...it's...what?"

Aleksander's half-smile widened. It was the most attractive thing she'd ever seen. "Don't act so surprised," he advised in amusement. "We're neighbors now; I was going to introduce myself eventually." He gestured toward his driveway. "Sorry about the noise."

She gaped at him. "You...it won't happen again?" she strutted uncertainly. She didn't want to sound mean, but she wanted it to stop.

"It won't happen again," he confirmed. His gray eyes flickered.

"Oh. Okay then." She took a step back, suddenly aware of her surroundings and the time, and her clothes. And her hair.

His smile stayed in place. "Goodnight, Alina."

"Goodnight, Aleksander," was all she could think to say.