Arya's POV
It took a while before I crossed paths with my intriguing neighbor again. In the following days, I attempted to check in on her, but my knocks on her door went unanswered. I grappled with the desire to be a friendly presence and the worry that I might intrude too much. Yet, despite these conflicting thoughts, I couldn't shake off the curiosity she had stirred within me.
Her erratic comings and goings at odd hours didn't escape my notice. I often wondered how she managed any semblance of sleep with such a schedule. The clock on my stove read just past 5 p.m. as I stepped into my apartment, sighing for no reason in particular. I'd had work to do. I was hungry, and my mind was still annoyingly mulling over the mystery of my neighbor.
I relished the quietness of my apartment. When I was alone, it was a sanctuary of elegance. It was my own. I was proud of how far I'd come.
Since I was a little girl, I'd looked up to my uncle with admiration. He was more than a family member; he was my mentor and protector; surprisingly, I'd never seen him as a father figure but as a friend, filling the gaps my somewhat absentee parents left. His fashion empire was a testament to his hard work and vision, and it became my beacon of inspiration. So, I leaped at it without hesitation when the chance came to move closer to his headquarters. The following week, I was on a plane, ready to immerse myself in the world that had captivated me since forever.
Isaiah and Xander, my constants, soon followed suit, and together, we found a place not far from my dream job. Life seemed to align perfectly, except for one persistent challenge—my perpetual dance with all-nighters and the endless encounters with ignorance that came with the territory.
Keeping things in order at home became an ongoing mission, especially with Isaiah's knack for leaving a trail of open cabinets, doors, and windows behind him. Cleaning up after he felt like a part-time job amplified further when he and Xander teamed up. Their consistent commitment to creating chaos was impressive.
With Isaiah's looming return, likely with Xander beside him, I couldn't help but feel the weight of shared space. As much as I cherished their presence, I yearned for a sanctuary where my artistic spirit could roam freely. The constant buzz of their energy demanded a level of focus that I struggled to achieve in our bustling abode.
I adored them without question. Yet, I craved a bit more breathing room, a space to let my creativity flow unhindered by the delightful chaos they brought with them.
~~~~~
The hours stretched like a time warp, wrapping us in a cocoon of shared memories. I felt like the days when Xander and I were younger, left to our own devices while our parents worked late. Those times could have been lonely or even traumatizing if not for my brother and uncle Nino, who filled the void.
"Ry, get out of your book," Xander playfully knocked my headphones off. "We haven't seen you in forever." I glared at him, annoyed by his shit. I was sitting on the end of the couch, my notebook in my lap.
"She always does this. It's her thing, babe," Isaiah smiled at Xander. "Let her be." He waved him off, turning back to his friends. Everyone seemed to gravitate to my apartment despite its size. Zay had invited a few friends from work to sip and gossip. They had introduced themselves, but I wasn't paying attention.
Xander made a face after Isaiah scolded him. "Listen to your man and leave me alone, X." I pinched him out of irritation. "I'm not even bothering you." I wanted to throw this notebook at his face but restrained myself because of the company.
"I'm not even bothering you," he mimicked in a high-pitched voice. When I gave him a straight-faced look, he backtracked, laughing a little. "Alright, I'm done messing with you, Arya, but look at this." He pulled out his phone and showed me an article. I looked at him, confused about the fuss. "Ry, you got name-dropped in GQ! That's huge!"
