Chapter 5.2: New Neighbor

I felt my stomach grumble as I walked down the road after sending Lillian off to the bus stop. I waited for her to get on the bus before leaving.

My smartwatch reads 7:45 pm. After remembering that I haven't had supper yet, I decided to stop at a convenience store near my apartment to grab some cup noodles and ice cream.

The wind chime hanging from the frame of the glass door chimed as I went inside the store. I quickly headed to the instant noodles section and grabbed my favorite hot and spicy flavor and in the corner is where the ice cream freezer is. I opened it and took a cone of strawberry, and cookies and cream flavored ice cream.

I then headed to the counter to pay. The cashier then handed me the plastic bag with my purchased items, and I turned for the door.

I was about to take my first step when the door chimed and two figures came inside.

I blinked my eyes while looking at the strangely familiar figure and eventually recognized Fire’s face. He was with someone — a girl.

“Fire . . .” I whispered.

I froze at my position as I watched them completely enter the store. The girl was clinging tightly into Fire’s arm. They were laughing until Fire saw me and walked toward me.

For a moment, I felt pure excitement as I looked into Fire’s face that I haven't seen for a while. But that feeling was soon replaced by annoyance as I looked into the face of the girl he was with.

I was already ready to stride my steps outside of the store and walk past them until Fire called my name.

I swallowed hard and composed myself before looking at them.

I smiled. “Fire . . .”

The girl beside him didn't escape my eyes as she looked at me from head to toe, and then rolled her eyes.

I gritted my teeth. *What in the world is her problem?

I just ignored her slithering arms around Fire. “What are you doing here?” I asked while looking at his ocean eyes.

He didn't remove his look at me. I saw his eyes squint as it lingered at my exposed long, fair legs as I am wearing shorts right now.

“Of course, we're here to buy! Duh!” My blood boiled at her remark that I just wanted to spank her mouth right now.

“Lorraine!” Fire scolded her but I can tell that he's preventing himself from laughing.

*Why did I even ask him such a stupid question? This is what Fire can do to me, he can make me stupid just by his mere presence. So, her name is Lorraine?

Lorraine's quite pretty. Her chinky eyes were carefully set into her round face, framed by her short black hair that only reaches her shoulders. Her lips were red and thin too. That is perfect for her face. She also looked like she came from a wealthy family based on her clothing. Her family must be in the same league as Fire’s.

“Do you want to join us?” Fire casually asked me, oblivious to the forming tension between me and his companion.

*I want to throw a fit then and there. Won't he even ask how I was doing these last few days where he didn't even bother checking if I was still breathing? And now he’ll invite me with one of his bitches around? Does he think I’ll agree with him?

*But then, what would I expect from a jerk like him that only likes to play with women? He was never serious, and I’m just one of his playthings. A sex slave, that's what Lillian calls it and I can't agree no more. I am simply his sex slave. The term sucks. Our relationship sucks. But what can I do about it? I have already learned to accept that fact.

*I have learned that in life, sometimes you just need to accept things just how they are — no matter how fucked up they are. Because that's just the way they go.

*I have accepted who and what I am into Fire’s life, and never dreamed of having a happy ending.

“Fire this is supposed to be our date, why are you inviting one of your bitches?” Lorraine interrupted.

“Lorraine! Watch your mouth!” Fire said calmly but with visible anger on his face.

Lorraine looked at me badly and started crying. She even wailed loudly when Fire started to comfort her. She wailed louder at that moment and she made me realize something today.

*She proved to me that Fire won't care for me the same way he does to her.

My chest tightened at the sight of them. Fire seemed so busy comforting Lorraine that he totally forgot my presence. I took this chance to slip away without them noticing.

I hurriedly walked out of the store. I walked fast and never looked back. The cold night breeze brushed against my cheeks and made me notice the trail of hot tears running down from my eyes.

My hands reached for my face and wiped them away. I smiled bitterly. *I didn't even notice that I’m already crying.

I continued walking home while wiping my damn tears that weren't stopping from falling down when my phone vibrated.

Fire’s name popped on the screen with two message notification bubbles. I opened it.

**Fire Callante:** *Solene, where are you?*
**Fire Callante:** *Where the fuck are you?

*Too late Fire, I’ve been waiting for your texts since last week. You're too damn late! Just stay there with your stupid Lorraine who cries like a baby.

I was meters away from my apartment when a car honked from my back. I remained facing backwards. Deep down in me, I was wishing that it would be Fire’s face that I’m going to see once I turn, assuming that he went after me.

But this suddenly turned into a disappointment when it was not him that I saw when I turned to take a look.

“Hey, do you have a death wish?” An unfamiliar voice echoed in my ears.

“Hey miss, if you want to die, do it yourself. Don't drag others into it!” I felt the annoyance in his tone.

“I’m so sorry”, was the only thing I managed to say. I didn't even realize that I was already walking away from the sidewalk because my thoughts were a mess because of Fire.

I stepped aside to let his car pass. The car started moving slowly and stopped alongside me.

“Whatever”, the driver mumbled and continued to drive.

“Tsk, you're good looks are a waste with that attitude.” I scowled.

I was walking so fast that I was able to catch up with the car. I was shocked when the car's window opened and our eyes met.

There was something in his eyes I can't explain. Maybe because they were like a pair of dark orbs. Or maybe they were as black as the night sky without the moon in it.

“I’ve been born handsome like this.” His lips twitched into a playful smile.

*Crazy!

My body muscles tensed as I struggled to catch something that he threw at me. Thanks to my fast reflexes, I managed to catch it before it fell to the ground.

I opened my palms and saw a clean, white handkerchief in it. “I don't like seeing girls cry, but I can't do anything about it. Take that, and use it to wipe your tears. At least, that helps.” He then waved his hand and drove away.

I gripped his handkerchief tightly and my eyes followed to where his car was headed to. To my amazement, I saw him park in front of the house beside my apartment.

*Wait, what? Is he my new neighbor?