I could feel the anger surging though my body. My heart was beating so quickly.
"I'm sorry."
"I don't have time for this!"
Alas hangs up. I hated him now more than ever. How dare he even speak to me. I felt my head throb along with my heartbeat. I just needed to calm down.
The sun is setting just as Alas brings in the rest of her boxes from her car. She struggles to hold the last box while closing the car door. A guy on the first floor is watching her from the walkway.
"Need a hand?" he asks
"No I got it."
Alas stops at the first stair and looks at the flight ahead of her. The guy walks over and takes the box from Alas.
"I'm not much of a gentleman if I can't help a lady in need."
Alas is taken back a moment. The guy is a brunette with light green eyes. He's an older guy probably early thirties but very hot. Alas can't see under his shirt but judging from his arms his build is average yet lean.
"You must be the new neighbor."
Alas and the guy start up the steps together.
"How did you know?"
"Ms. Lovner."
"Is she always such a big mouth?"
"She doesn't mean any harm just watchful. Is your furniture coming soon cause I can help out."
"It will be after I …buy it."
"You don't have furniture?"
"Not yet."
"If you want I could provide you with a few things."
Alas changes the subject.
"No thanks! So you live down stairs?"
The guy nods.
"Just me, apartment ten."
"Ha, been hearing that all day."
"What?"
"Nothing. Never mind."
"Are you always this grouchy?"
"I'm not grouchy."
They stop just outside Alas's apartment.
"Then you seem tense."
"Thank you for helping me."
Alas grabs the box from the guy. She isn't strong enough so the box drops on the floor.
"I see you have everything under control."
The guy crosses his arms and laughs.
"Shut up!" Alas snaps. She kicks the box through her open apartment door.
"Smooth." He says
Alas spins back to face the guy, anger in her eyes.
"Goodbye!"
"Wait! I didn't mean to offend you."
"What makes you think I'm offended?"
Alas is now inside peering out at the guy, she is standing over the threshold. One hand is on the door and the other on the archway.
"I'm just sorry okay."
"Kay."
Her expression is unchanging. The guy holds out a hand.
"My name is Marshall Peters what's yours?"
"Alas."
She reluctantly reaches out and shakes his hand.
"Is there a last name?"
"What is with everyone and names?"
"Just what polite people do."
Marshall keeps a coy smile.
"Hope. Alas Hope."
"That's an interesting name."
"I had it changed. My birth name was LaQuicha Sanders."
"Are you kidding?" Marshall holds back a laugh.
"No I'm not I'm glad it's funny!"
"It's kind of cute…picturing you as a Lakeshia did you say?"
"Uh- I'm done talking now. Thanks for all the help."
"I thought you were having a good time."
"Not really."
"Why are you so rough and negative?"
Marshall leans closer making a cat claw gesture.