The pavement ahead of me seemed to stretch into a gloom of darkness occasionally dotted with dim streetlights. Every streetlight I passed under gave off a foreboding feeling of what lay ahead in the next interval of darkness. I think the light was what scared me the most because anything lying in wait could see me clear as day as I trudged up the sidewalks. I've always had a feeling that someone or something was watching me but I guess that was reasonable considering my neighborhood. My body began to relax as my apartment loomed up ahead under a glaring streetlight. I lived on the outskirts of Corona, New York, most people around here just call it LeFrak City. No matter what it was called, it was a rough neighborhood. I grew up around here though so I know the ins and outs of this place. Even though my apartment building wasn't the best in Queens, it was still far better than anything on the block, I felt safe as I closed the door to my apartment building. The entryway was flooded with light so you can see every corner, to the right was the super attendants' apartment and the staircase leading up. To the left was the rows of mailboxes that ran the length of the wall and on the far wall was the elevator that always seemed to be out of order. I quickly gathered my mail and made my way to the second floor to my apartment, 2B. Surprisingly it was super quite this morning, or night whichever you prefer. On a normal morning when I would come home at 3 a.m. there would be a dog barking somewhere on the top floor, a couple fighting somewhere below that, and then music blaring from the apartment across from mine, but this morning it was eerily quiet. I looked at my watch as I unlocked my door and sure enough I was way latter than my normal time, 4:15 glared back at me from my watch. From behind me I could hear the apartment door across the hall squeaking open as I pushed my way into my apartment I turned to look. A man well over six feet stood in army fatigues staring at me blankly, well I didn't expect you either elusive music man of 2A. I cocked my eyebrow at him as I shielded myself with my door.
"What?" I said as he stood motionless in his doorway "No hello from the noisy neighbor?"
He seemed to loosen at my snarky remark and grinned down at me.
"Sorry, but I was just surprised to see someone actually lived there" he said, a southern drawl prominent. On a closer inspection his hair was weird golden blonde and his eyes were a dull green but what stood out most was a scar that ran from one side of his chin to the opposite side of his temple. He stepped out from his doorframe as he realized I was staring at his scar, this made me inch my door shut a little more. He saw my movement and threw his hands up while stepping back.
"I'm Riley, I've been living here for a couple years now" he said as he leaned back against his door frame "But in these couple of years I have not once seen you leave your apartment" he stared at me expectantly, willing me with his eyes to tell him why.
"I go to school and work at night, so I'm usually asleep by now" I said but by time it left my lips I was mad for even falling for his little coaxing skills " you should really learn to keep your music down at 3 a.m. by the way" I snapped before realizing it. My willingness for wanting to tell him about myself was infuriating. I don't do people, ever.
He nodded and smiled at me. He was about to say something when his phone sounded from somewhere inside his cargo pants. He sifted through his pockets locating his phone and brought it to his ear. His eyes went to the floor and a serious expression crossed his face.
"Yea, I'm on my way down now Willow" he said into his phone as he nodded his head. This Riley guy had to be in his early thirties but he was hot. I wonder what was under those army fatigues….
He cleared his throat bringing me back from my fantasy land, he had caught me checking him out. Mental face palm was accurate right about now.
"I will try to remember that when I am getting ready for work in the morning…" he floundered for a second "What was your name again?"
My face flushed red as I met his eyes which were smiling with amusement.
"Harley" I said as I slammed my door, disconnecting myself from one the most embarrassing moments of my life.
I could hear him chuckle on the other side of the door "Nice to finally meet you Harley" he said as his footsteps resounded on the stairwell.
UGH! I inwardly groaned… could I get any more awkward? I can muse about this tomorrow, right now I need to put on sweats and a t-shirt then climb my behind into bed.
To Be Continued….