SIX-Red and Blue

      CHARITY      

    I think my life just did a 360 degree split right in front of me. Don't know the possibility but that's pretty much how I feel right now as I stared back at the towering figure in front of me while letting my fisted hand that had intended to knock the door senseless fall back to my sides. I was gaping no doubt , drawn like a magnet to the set of eyes that seemed all too familiar to a dream. It ultimately reminded me of how I got here in the first place.

           "Looks like you have a knack for naming with colors"

It was the kind of savage statement that usually comes with a smirk but no—the man in front of me wasn't smirking, his face was expressionless and accentuated by those icy blue eyes.  And then that deep voice, smooth and rough all in one and it sent chills down my spine realizing I've heard it somewhere before. Somewhere other than a dream.

The words snapped me out of my trance and I shook my head vigorously.

"Wh—what?" I said absentmindedly snapping my eyes away from his entrancing ones. It was then that I noticed his other features and slap me silly isn't he the most attractive man I have ever set my eyes on.

I unashamedly run my eyes all over him. His face was graced with perfectly groomed brows that were slightly raised as he stared—no glared—no—shit! I couldn't decipher that look.  His black silky hair cut so low that he was almost bald only added to the masculine look he beared with cheekbones  as high as Eiffel and jaw looking so sharp they could cut if you ran your hands through it. His lips are plump and full and so beautifully carved on his face.

His looks could pass him out as one of those badboy next door characters in movies and books but the stubble on his jaw proved otherwise. This was no boy and I know him!

He was surprisingly calm and quiet as if studying me too, I felt my neck heat up to my cheeks at the thought of a man as fine as Adonis probably checking me out. It made me regret being in my wonder Woman pyjamas immediately. Jesus! Char! . He towered over me and I've never been more insecure about my height than I was at the moment.

     "It's you" I whispered .

       " What do you want red? "

His tone was sharp and dismissive but I found myself being lured into a whirlpool of beautiful blue eyes.

   "Er—I —" Words failed me. What was I supposed to say? I know you! You rescued me a week ago and beat a man half to death. For all I care, he might not even be the one! But that deep voice still rang in my ears a freaking million times and those eyes?I've never come across one so different.

He didn't pick a better time to cross his hands over his chest and my mouth goes dry immediately at the amount of muscles and masculinity on display as it rippled  in his black tight fitted T-shirt. My head became light again searching for words to say.

       "I---errmm----I'm your new neighbor, charity—charity Everton" I said expecting him to return the greeting. Way to go char! Like he doesn't know he has a new neighbor already.

   "That doesn't answer my question red"

That sensual voice again, commanding and sending tingles in all the wrong directions. No!

   "The noise, just wondering if you could-----wait red? "

I didn't bother to hide the confusion I felt. I can't believe I almost missed what he called me while oogling him. I started to wonder, was it because I unknowingly named him by the color of his eyes ? That name was reserved for my car, unless....

    "It's you! "

   I said  a little louder this time and he practically rolled his eyes as if it was the most obvious thing and I was the dumb one here. My next-door neighbor was the one who laughed while I was venting out my frustration on my car. It  was supposed to annoy me, with the added fact that he polluted the air with so much noise but somehow, it doesn't anymore.

All I saw was the man who saved my life. I wondered if he recognized me. I could recognize him whilst only looking at his eyes, he probably saw my face. Doesn't he remember me? Of course char! As if everyone is as obsessed as you.  But still I ask quietly.

    "You don't remember me?"

He only looked at me surprisingly patient—too patient that I thought he was amused by me showcasing my stupidity and awkwardness but he didn't show it. It was like he could see through me directly, I felt naked under his open scrutiny.

   "Right... " I said quietly shifting on one foot even though I had tons of questions swarming in my head. Why was he here? Why is he my neighbor? We met in Connecticut and now he's in Riverdale? Is fate pulling some crazy trick on me?

His eyes left my frame for the first time since I stood at his door. It made me wonder, how long have I been here? Standing like a statue while making a fool of myself in front of my drop dead gorgeous neighbor.

His eyes finally fell on the well packed food in my hand. I almost forgot that I had my mother's tuna casserole in it as a peace offering for him to reduce the volume of his speakers.

I stretched it forward to his eye level. His eyebrows raised as he looked at it. That's the only movement his pretty face had made since I started talking to him.

   "Here! It's the best tuna casserole you'll ever have, my mum's special recipe. Let's say it's my offering of peace as your new neighbor"

I said in a rush unable to stop the nervousness I felt. He didn't take it from my hands. Well ouch! He looked at the well packed meal and back at me. This was a bad idea. This was my cue to leave.

   "It's fine if—if you don't wa—want it, I'll just—"

  He suddenly grabbed it off my hands and shut the door right in my face. Hard.

Well you're welcome!

I stood dazed , trying to figure out what the heck just happened. He was rude no doubt but that didn't bother me, somehow. I think I was at the door for a few more minutes before I drag my legs off to my apartment, shutting the door behind me and resting my back on it.

I didn't realize how fast my heart had been beating when until I was  left alone to actually feel it hammer hard against my chest. It's him! I know it is!I was so sure of myself that it scared me. Unanswered questions and thoughts suddenly swarm around my head.

The music didn't stop. If anything, it got louder. I hissed in frustration. I couldn't believe he took my peace offering , shut the door in my face and still won't turn the freaking music down!

I was about to let out all the obscenities and profanities locked somewhere in my head when the music stopped abruptly. It doesn't come on for a few more minutes and I can't help the smile that formed on my face. It worked!

I stood by the door;having lost the focus to continue with what I was doing , and intent on hearing whatever comes from the other room. A few shuffles and heavy footsteps later and it went completely still.

I had succeeded in making peace with my neighbor or so I thought.