Tag Archives: elenaofgawant

Summer put her hands on her hips and surveyed the room. False spiderwebbing in all the corners, little dishes of snacks and nibbles on every table, orange, purple and white fairy lights strung about in place of the lamps, faintly spooky or hallowe’en music cued up on the computer … yes, it looked like everything was ready.

She put a hand to her chest, willing her heartbeat to slow down. Even if no one came, she had done good unpacking and cleaning and arranging everything, so it wasn’t a total waste. Doc sat by the door, pale-tipped tail wrapped around her feet, looking for all the world like she was ready to greet any guests instead of go darting off the moment some stranger came in.

Summer smiled and tightened the laces on her leather coat once more. Scooping up the little calico, she unlocked the door and opened it just an inviting touch.

Summer taped a note to each door on the hall.

Hallowe’en Party!
Come to [flat number] and meet your new neighbor!
Saturday, 8pm BYOB

She’d probably spend the night alone, twitching at every sound, and eat all the snacks out of nervousness, but hell, it was worth a try. And maybe the cute blond guy from a couple doors down would turn up. He’d seemed nice enough.

Summer glared after the departing van, then eyed her boxes, piled on the sidewalk. Fine. Fine; she’d just — go inside and ask her new neighbors for help. Squaring her shoulders, she marched to the first door she saw and knocked. “Uh, hi?” she said to the person who opened it. “I’m your new neighbor, and I have a huge favor to ask.”

Arthur looked at her, raising an eyebrow – great. Just another factor to the madness they called their floor. He sighed, forcing a smile.

“And what’s that?” he asked; he was in his pajamas still, a grey tank top he had thrown in, and Merls was still asleep in the bedroom.

She made a disgusted face. “The movers just left all my boxes piled out in the road and drove off. Could you possibly help me carry some of it inside? I know it’s a lot to ask, but I’ll pay you in pizza and beer.”

“Fine, no need to pay me, though,” Arthur said with a crooked smile, his eyes still half closed. “Just let me go throw some.clothes on, I guess.”

She grinned. “Don’t be silly, I can’t ask you to do a lot of hard work and not offer something in return.” Smothering a smirk and glancing up and down, she went on, “You do look pretty cute with all your muscles showing like that, but you probably had better get dressed. And /I/ had better go see if I can recruit some more help.”

“I uh- thanks?” he said, with a crease in his brow.

Chuckling, Summer said, “Go on, now. I’m at the end of the hall. The door’s open.” She went to the next door along and knocked on it too.