Ok I'm sure I made some weird mistake in here somewhere, but I read it like 3 times and can't find it. So if you do, I apologize. Sorry for the delay in the chapter I went on vacation, then it just wouldn't let me upload for a few days! I've been so pissed! Anyway, here is the next chapter, a little short, but I'll put another one up by Saturday! I promise!
"Hilde, what was his name?" Trowa asked, turning around to face her.
"Quatre," she replied. "He's a regular, just the same as you. He's a little more frequent than you are. He'll be back tomorrow, probably around 4," Hilde said.
"Did he say Silver Garden?" Trowa asked. Hilde nodded slowly and cracked a smile.
"Why do you ask?" she teased.
"That's the building I'm in. On 14," Trowa replied.
"Oh Duo is on floor 14 with Heero! You might know them. Duo has a braid, and Heero's very quiet. He doesn't really talk to anyone except me and Duo," Hilde rambled, feeling special that Trowa was now talking to her.
"What floor did he say he was on?" Trowa asked, now standing at the counter, leaning over it.
"Why are you so interested in Quatre anyway?" Hilde asked.
"He's perfect. He'd just the one I've been looking for to start painting again," Trowa said almost breathless. Hilde's eyes widened at the prospect. She would love to see some of his painting.
"If I tell you, will you promise to let me come see some of the paintings before you sell them?" Hilde asked. Trowa sat back in confusion. He wouldn't have anything finished for at least a month, and that was only if the blonde agreed to model for him… He would probably need her help to convince Quatre. It probably wasn't wise to just show up and start knocking on doors on his floor to find him…
"If you promise me something," Trowa requested. Hilde nodded. "Convince him to be my model. We live in the same building, and I don't go out much. I'm in apartment 1412. He can come meet me anytime he likes," Trowa said.
"You live right next door to Duo and Heero! They live in 1414. I can't believe you've never met them!" Hilde said. She was purposely avoiding the subject.
"I don't really like people all that much. I had a friend living with me and since he left there are all these rumors going around. I don't like people to assume things about me. I'll go introduce myself to them right now if you want, but please help me Hilde," Trowa begged. Hilde blushed as Trowa leaned over the counter further and held her hand.
"Yeah, sure. It just might be a little weird for him. You'll have to guide him through everything, and I know a lot of people think it's tedious," Hilde answered.
"No. It's the best thing. You get someone with fresh blood, someone you can draw or sculpt or paint in the rawest form. Something is stolen from a model's first artist, something no artist can ever claim from them again. It's a lot like being a virgin I guess," Trowa said, getting flustered as he tried to explain it.
"I think I understand. I'll give him a call in a few hours. He's gonna be teaching a lesson for almost 3 hours today. Would you like me to call you and let you know?" Hilde asked, motioning toward the napkin he'd given her.
"You have his number?" Trowa asked.
"Yeah, I was toying with the idea of taking violin. He was going to teach me, but I got busy with essays and finals. I'm sure he wouldn't mind me calling. Would you mind me calling? I won't if you'll be bothered," Hilde said.
"I guess it's not a big deal. Just, you know, don't…" Trowa began, not wanting to hurt the girl
"I'm not gonna call you up all hours of the night or when I'm bored. If we become better friends here, then maybe I'll change my mind. Until then, I will respectfully burn this after I call and send it to Cathy," Hilde said, crossing a finger over her heart.
"Thank you," Trowa said. He took out 20 dollars and put it on the counter. "For the drink, and your help. I know I don't usually tip you, but I'd like to today," Trowa said when she stared at the money. She smiled brightly.
"Your conversations are what I value over a tip. Besides, you'd be broke if you tipped me every other day you're here," Hilde joked. "But I am looking for a little extra money to get some clothes. So yes, I'll take this today, but don't think you can just give me money every time you ask a favor of me. You'll have to get around to being my friend if you want anymore favors."
"Deal," Trowa said, putting his hand out. Hilde shook it and smiled.
"Now finish your hot chocolate. I'll get you another one, my treat, while you wait," Hilde offered. He graciously accepted. There was a rush of people seeking to wind down after work, so for a while she got distracted. She sent him home, assuring him she'd call Quatre and call him later. As he got off the elevator and walked toward his room he paused. He wasn't sure how much time he had to kill, but it couldn't hurt to introduce himself to Hilde's brother. That girl was just too innocent and nice. Duo, he recalled, must be the only reason she's still walking around with that light in her eyes.
"Yes?" he heard someone call as he knocked on the door. He heard a lot of movement and some giggles before a boy with violet eyes opened the door. "Can I help you?" he asked, squinting at Trowa, like he recognized him.
"I'm Trowa Barton, I'm your neighbor next door. I'm friends with Hilde, she told me to introduce myself," Trowa said, feeling like an idiot. The boy's hair and clothes were disheveled, they'd obviously been…
"Oh! I've seen you talking with her in the coffee shop! We were just wrestling. You know, boys will be boys," Duo joked. He opened the door wider. "Would you like to come in?"
"Not now, I'm waiting for a phone call. Hilde's doing me a big favor, and she thought it was funny that we lived next door to each other and have never met," Trowa replied.
"I'm Heero, and this is Duo," Heero said, putting an arm around Duo's waist. "You're the one playing the Moonlight Sonata every day huh?"
"Yes. My best friend Wufei used to play all the time. He's in the process of moving out. He helped me through a very hard time in my life, it's really his piano. He taught me how to play just a few weeks ago."
"Wow you learned in just a few weeks? I hear it takes years to perfect a song like that," Duo said.
"I have a talent for the arts," Trowa said.
"So Wufei, he used to play all those songs huh? Why is he leaving, if you don't mind me asking?" Duo said, looking regretful at prying.
"No, it's fine. Wufei met a girl. He's really just moving out of here and moving in with her for a while. He's going to come back if it doesn't work out. It probably won't last forever. Most romances never do. People jump into relationships too quickly. He's known her just six months," Trowa rambled. He didn't realize how much he was saying, or that he might be offending the couple before him.
"We've been dating a good 3 years. We're hoping it'll work out," Heero said to bring Trowa out of his rant.
"I'm… I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to offend…" Trowa began. He quickly realized why Heero was being so hostile. "Actually, your sister is trying to help me get a boy in the building to model for me."
"You paint?" Heero asked.
"Is it a purely business relationship you're looking for?" Duo asked, trying to get Heero to back off. He got very defensive when he thought someone looked down on them for being gay. He knew that was not what Trowa was doing.
"I had a bad experience with a previous model. He seduced me and then just up and left. I thought he loved me… That's why Wufei brought me here…" Trowa revealed. Heero bit his lip as Duo glared at him.
"You happy now?" he whispered, shoving Heero back into the apartment.
"I'm sorry," Heero said, wandering back into the house.
"Me too, I'm sorry," Duo assured him. "For your…loss and for Heero."
"Don't worry about it. I was just never the type to care what anyone else thought. Your sister's changing something in me. It's probably for the best. She just makes me want to talk to people and make new friends. She's got that light in her. I'm surprised for someone who's been living in the city," Trowa said.
"She's happy that I'm here with her. I try and keep her spirits up. She's getting to be a strong independent girl. She's got that type of effect on people," Duo said with a laugh. "She's a great kid."
"Well I think for now, I'm going to retire. Perhaps I can have you over in my doorway next time," Trowa joked. Duo laughed and nodded.
"And maybe you can come in the next time," Duo joked. Trowa's phone was ringing before he got into the apartment. He rushed to answer it.
"Hello?" Trowa said.
"He said it's a weird request, but since I think you're such a good guy he's willing to try it out. He's gonna come down to meet you at 9:30 and ask to meet you again for tea tomorrow at the shop. You two can work out the times," Hilde said on the other end.
"Great. I just talked to your brother. He said you're a great girl," Trowa offered her in return. She made a small satisfied noise on the other end.
"Now you'll making 4 friends all at once, and start talking with your sister again! Are you sure you can handle that Mr. Antisocial?" Hilde kidded. Trowa laughed a little.
"I'm sure with your help it won't be a problem. Thank you so much Hilde. I feel like I have a lot to look forward to. I haven't felt that way in a long time," Trowa said softly.
"You're most welcome Mr. Barton. I'll be seeing you tomorrow," she replied. They said their goodbyes and hung up not moments before there came a soft knock on his door. He opened it and there stood the blonde. He stared into those entrancing eyes a few moments before he realized he had said nothing.
"I'm Trowa," he said, offering a hand.