Before You Met Me

Chapter 1

Y/n had just moved into a new apartment a few blocks from the hospital where she worked. She'd been on the night shift for the past month, and it seemed like her manager had no plans to move her back to days anytime soon. There was no way she could survive a forty-five-minute commute after twelve-hour shifts anymore.

With the help of two friends, she'd finally hauled the last of her moving boxes up four flights of stairs. After celebrating with pizza eaten straight off the living room floor and talking for a while, they headed home, leaving her to start unpacking.

She worked through the boxes one by one, pots and pans, clothes, books, and what felt like an endless collection of posters. By the time she finished organizing the kitchen and hanging up enough clothes to get through the week, exhaustion won. Thankfully, she'd swapped a few shifts around and managed to give herself the next four days off to settle in.

The next morning, Y/n finished arranging the apartment. Once everything was finally in its place, she lit her favorite pumpkin candle, turned on the TV for background noise, and got to work in the kitchen. Baking was her sanctuary. With the weather finally cooling down and the leaves beginning to change, she could finally make all the apple, cinnamon, and pumpkin recipes she'd been saving since summer. Today's mission was to bake welcome treats for her two next-door neighbors.

Two hours later, she had a fresh pot of apple tea brewing, a pumpkin cinnamon cake cooling on the counter, and a tray of homemade cinnamon rolls wrapped up and ready to deliver. Slipping into her fuzzy slippers, she carefully picked up the first tray and headed into the hallway.

The neighbor on her right had turned out to be a sweet old lady in her 50s who worked at the post office. Their conversation was short but warm; a quick introduction, a thank you and a welcome to the building. She had also invited her to stop for tea if she was ever free.

y/n walked back to her apartment smiling. One down, one to go.

Hopefully the other neighbor was this nice as well.

She grabbed the second tray and knocked on the apartment across the hall. Several seconds passed before the door slowly cracked open. A man stood partially hidden behind it. He was taller than her, though not towering, dressed in a plain black tank top and gray sweatpants. His curly brown hair stuck out in every direction, and a pair of oversized glasses rested on his nose. He looked slightly out of breath, a light sheen of sweat covering his forehead like she'd interrupted him in the middle of something.

"Can I help you?" he asked, pulling y/n out of her staring.

"Oh- yes, sorry." She laughed awkwardly. "I just moved in next door and baked some things for my neighbors. My name is y/n."

He held the plate out to him with a smile.

"Oh... that's really nice of you." He carefully accepted it. "Thank you."

He started to close the door.

"Wait!" Y/n blurted out. "What's your name?"

"Oh." he paused. "Peter. Peter Parker." He awkwardly held out his hand.

"Well, Peter," she said, smiling, "it was really nice meeting you. I work nights at the hospital around the corner, so I'm usually home during the day. If you ever need anything, just knock."

"Mhm" he nodded. "Okay, thanks... for the food."

Then the door quickly closed shut.

y/n blinked at the wooden door in front of her. What a weird guy. She turned back towards her apartment. At least he's cute.