Chapter 2

Mello:

My apartment gets scorching during the afternoons. Especially if it's summer and the AC isn't working. And, coincidentally, that was how it was today.

Lovely.

I lied on my couch, shading my eyes from the fucking sun. I was stripped to my boxers and a white t-shirt. On the floor next to the couch was Matt, who was curled up pitifully. Earlier, he'd tried to cuddle next to me, but I pushed him off. Serves him right. I was suffering from infernal heat because he ripped off the fucking curtains. If he didn't look so fragile I would'a kicked him out.

"What?" I almost growled when the puppy jumped up next to me for the umpteenth time. He whimpered, pawing my chest, as if to say, 'I wanna lie here.'

"No. I don't need anymore heat." I pushed him off of the cushions and he tumbled on the floor. Matt didn't growl or bark at me angrily, because he never does that. To me, at least. Anyway, he just cocked his head to the side, looked at me for a few seconds, then trotted off to God-knows-where.

"Matt," I called weakly from my place. "Don't touch my fucking chocolate." Damn. I forgot to put it in the refrigerator. Now it's gonna melt there, on the table.

I groaned resignedly when I heard the sound of a stool being knocked over. Matt barked enthusiastically twice. So, I hauled myself to my feet. I walked/dragged myself to the kitchen, where Matt was on the counter, nipping at a half-open bar of chocolate. He froze when he saw me come in. I raised an eyebrow at him, doing my best to refrain from swiping him off. Matt pushed the bar at me, his tongue sticking out as he panted.

"No," I told him, walking over. "Throw it away."

Matt looked sad, but he turned to the chocolate bar and pushed it over the edge of the counter, where a trash can sat. The mauled chocolate bar went in swiftly. Yeah, that's right, my puppy knows how to throw away trash!

Matt padded back over to me, then his eyes got this excited look. He drew back, ready to pounce.

"No," I said sternly. "No, no, no--gah!"

Matt leaped from the counter and onto my shirt, his paws scrambling for a foothold. My arms came up underneath him to support him. He righted himself and licked at my cheek gratefully. "Yeah, yeah, whatever," I muttered, absentmindedly scratching his chin. Matt purred(is that even possible?).

When I was about to set him down, he whimpered and his tiny paws scratched desperately at my shirt, a sign that he didn't want to be put down. I rolled my eyes. He was like a baby.

The doorbell ring. I frowned. I was definitely not in the mood to talk to some idiot right now. So I ignored it and went to my couch, sitting on the armrest. I continued scratching Matt, who was perched happily on my lap.

Ding dong.

My eye twitched.

Ding dong.

I refuse to answer.

Ding dong.

This idiot is persistent.

Ding dong. Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong.

Growling, I stood abruptly and marched to the door. Better not be a UPS guy or something, I thought crossly. I remembered the last time a UPS guy came to deliver a leather jacket I ordered online. Since the moment I answered the door, he kept trying to flirt with me. Finally, I flipped him the bird and said, "I'm a guy, you sookin syn*" You should have seen the look on his face when I slammed the door shut.

I yanked the door open, hoping my threatening image wasn't being ruined by the puppy I had in my arms.

The first thing my eyes registered were the goggles that covered the person's eyes. And the first thing that I said was, "Are you wearing goggles?"

The guy seemed like he was glaring, but I couldn't tell because of the orange lenses that shielded his eyes. "Yes," he answered.

"What the hell?" I blustered.

"...Yes?" the redhead said uncertainly.

"Goggles," I said slowly. "Seriously?"

The guy adjusted them on his eyes uncomfortably. "Yes."

"Is that all you can say?" I muttered.

The guy paused, then grinned. "No."

I was not amused. "What do you want?" I spat. In my arm, Matt whimpered and buried his furry head into the crook of my neck. I bristled.

"Well, I was wondering if anyone lived here," the redhead admitted. I took note that he was wearing a long sleeved shirt, with black and white stripes(long sleeves? Is this guy serious?!). He was wearing jeans and black combat boots, which looked somewhat like my pair.

"Hm, what do you think?" I said venomously. Please---

No, pretend I didn't think that. I never say please. Okay:

JUST GO AWAY.

"Not my fault the guy at the front desk has sloppy handwriting." He handed me the key, which I recieved rather not-so-gently.

Well, the handwriting was awful. The numbers looked like '313,' but they were actually '315,' seeing as I lived in 313.

I returned the key. "You're over there." I jerked my thumb to the empty apartment next to mine. Inwardly, I frowned. This nerd was going to be my new neighbor? Damn. He's probably not going to be any better from the fat guy that just moved out two weeks ago.

"Thanks, man." The redhead grinned. I watched him, partly glaring. When he finally got his door opened, he turned back to me. "By the looks of it, your AC isn't working." He looked thoughtful. "If you'd like, mine probably works, and you're welcome to come over."

Like hell I'll come over, I thought sourly. Nerd.

"Oh, and cute puppy," he commented, then closed his door.

I silently seethed, pissed off. Matt licked at my cheek. We stayed there for a moment, in the doorway.

"I don't like him," I informed Matt as we went back inside. "He dresses weird and he thinks he can just be nice to me. That's not normal!" I pressed Matt against me, as if afraid the redhead from nextdoor would come and take him away. Although if that does happen in the future, then I'll be happy to tell you that I've got a shotgun with thirty shells to spare.

"Then again, though." I hesitated, stroking Matt's fur slowly. "He doesn't know who I am. Guess we'll have to let him know, won't we?" I said to Matt. He wagged his tail, barking.

Recalling my new neighbor's earlier words, he'd called my puppy--Matt--cute. I looked at the small form in my arms, curling up to sleep. I softened.

Okay, I gotta agree with you there.

*Sookin syn- 'son of a bitch' in Russian

xD