Girl Next Door
By
Sam Chapman
Chapter 1: That Happened
Each person can think what they must about the way the world works. Up until this moment I had a very rational way of thinking about the way things work, particularly in the area of love. I chose to not even think about it. I lived my life as calmly and as quietly as possible; Work, home, work, home, work, home, and the occasional movie that was my whole life.
Then like most good things something changed. I was standing outside with the children out in the yard of the school I worked at when a taxi cab dropped a man off. He had one single duffle bag. I assumed maybe he was a soldier return home from the war, but then again were was his uniform and why would he want to be dropped off outside of a school of all places. He walked down the sidewalk, past the fence was I was standing. He looked at me and I couldn't help but to look back at him. I could feel my mouth turning up in a smile. He was very handsome, but I never smiled at a guy no matter how handsome he was. He looked rather lost in his own thoughts so I rather doubt he was looking at me. He walked out of site and around the corner into a neighborhood street.
I finished out the day still thinking about the handsome stranger I saw that afternoon. I began my short but brisk walk home. I turned the corner and saw the handsome stranger sitting on a raised concrete fence. His feet were pressed firmly on the pavement. He was looking down at the ground, his hand grabbing his bag firmly.
"Excuse me?" I spoke up as I walked by. His voice was deep and it tickled my ear as I head it.
"Yes" I said looking at.
"Do you know of any house for rent around here?" the question hit me as a little strange. He didn't even look like he could afford a hotel far less a house, but nevertheless I pointed out a house which was for rent on the same street I lived on. He thanked me and we both went on our way.
I pushed the key in the lock and opened the door. The house was quite and my dog was sleeping behind the table. He was a fat and happy German Sheppard who loves to take walks in the sunshiny weather. I walked over to put my things down. I could see King's belly rising and falling with every breath he took.
"Hey big fellow," he wagged his tail without even opening his eyes. Fat and laze, but I loved him.
"You wanna go for a walk, its nice out," I said and he jumped to his feet and rushed past me to the door. I got out his leash and walked over to the door. Secretly I hoped to see the stranger from earlier. I hated myself for wanting to see him again. When I opened the door my mom was standing outside of it with her keys in hand all her bags at her feet. My mom was a college professor, the best I know. She was applying to be the Dean of the University she worked for which meant longer days.
"Hi mom," I said and King rushed past me out to the porch. I reached down ad scooped up my mother's bags. I looked past her into the street and there he was walking by. His bag slung over his shoulder. He was on his phone; I don't think he would ever notice me even if he lived right next door. I brought my mother's bags into the house. I was the kind of girl that was beautiful the real girl next door. Every part of my body was my own nothing was face or added on. I was short but curvy, my green eyes matched my caramel skin perfectly, but I just was not the kind of girl guys wanted to date. And the guys that noticed me were the worst society had to offer in looks and personality. I guess I decided to stay all alone. I look but never want that's my motto.
