Next Door

Chapter 1

*Lyla's POV*

"And that's the last of the boxes, miss," The nice mover chimes as he puts down my box labeled 'textbooks' on my wooden floor. He is a tall, middle aged man with a beard and piercing grey eyes. His name tag reads 'Hank."

"Thank you, Hank," I acknowledge his name as I hand him a twenty dollar tip.

"Thanks," He says as he walks out and shuts the door behind him.

I start school at Seattle University in a month, but I decided to move in early so I can get used to my surroundings and explore the town before I actually start going to school. I'm originally from Los Angeles, but after my mom passed away and my dad found a new wife, I decided to pick up my bags and move away to start a new life. I don't know what I'm actually expecting out of this, but I hope I actually like it here.

Seattle is a beautiful city with amazing views and excellent opportunities for my career path. Growing up with a lawyer as my father, I practically lived in his office. It made me want to get into business and finance.My mom would always be in and out of hospitals, and after school I'd have to keep myself entertained in a cubicle since my mom wouldn't be able to take care of me.

As I sit down on my couch, I decide to call my dad to let him know I'm settled in. He and I are pretty close, but since him and my stepmother Alice are expecting a child, I felt it was necessary that I become independent myself.

The phone rings a few times and he picks up.

"Hello pumpkin," He says with his warm voice. I hate when he calls me that, but I smile. I miss him already.

"Hi dad," I laugh.

"How's Seattle! Alice and I want to come down with Emeline when she arrives," I can feel him beaming through the phone. My dad really does love Alice, and even though I find it quite weird that he is naming his daughter after my mom, I appreciate how much respect Alice has for her to do that. 

"It's really nice! My apartment is all I've seen of it, really. The floors are ashy wood, and the walls are white. I just got my couches and most of my furniture today, and I've ordered some plants and a few things to place as decorations." I say as I scan around my apartment. There's so much more to it that I can't describe. It has a very nice comfortable vibe to it.

"I'm so glad, Delilah," He calls me by my full name. 

"Please don't call me that," I joke as I laugh.

"It's a beautiful name, D. Your mom was head over heels for it," He reminisces the days that mom was around. She is such a distant memory. All I remember of her is the amount of times we were in hospitals, calling paramedics in the late hours of the night, and losing her when I was ten. My dad has been my main provider and my guiding light for my entire life. I wish I could remember more of her, but I just don't. 

"James came by today," I stay silent so he creates more conversation. James is my ex boyfriend, who thinks that staying in contact with my dad will get me to fall in love with him again.

"Why?" I question.

"He's been helping us decorate Emmy's nursery, he's a helpful one!" My dad also thinks that a long distance relationship with James would work, which would never.

"Interesting," I say as I examine my fingernails. I need to get a manicure.

"Have you talked with your neighbors? How are they like?" He's always been iffy about my neighborhood, but I think its perfect.

"Not really. I think the guy to my left is some type of jock, and the girl to my right is sleeping with him." I laugh.

"Delilah Elizabeth, you don't speak of such actions," He firmly commands.