| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
Constant Comfort: First Floor
Two girls enter through the front entrance. One is wearing a silk, black jacket and pants with a pink T-shirt inside. She has a black hat on top of her black hair with pink stripes on the rim to match her outfit. Her hair is wavy down to her shoulders and curly at the ends. She's wearing white sneakers instead of black to complete the match. However, that little variation sets a unique and cute tone to her outfit, making her look younger. The other girl dresses in a more mature style, but still makes her look fresh and elegant at the same time. She wears a light pink shirt with white slacks on and a pair of tennis shoes. Her hair is straight and goes down almost touching her shoulders, curving in. The color of her hair is black mixed with golden brown-ish since she had been spending too much time in the sun.
Mandy *looks around, observing the whole lobby area*: Charm, are you sure this is the right place?
Charmaine: Yea. I asked the Taxi driver already.
Mandy *stopping in front of the elevators, catching her breath*: When is your car ready?
Charmaine: Next weekend.
Mandy *making a face*: Awww...That means we're going to have to take the Taxi for another week? I'm broke already.
Charmaine *smiling*: Don't worry. We can split it since we work at the same place.
The elevator on the right opens so they get in with their luggage. Charmaine punches in 7 while Mandy leans against the wall, breathing in and out. Charmaine turns to Mandy and puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
The elevator floor is about to close when a voice calls out, "Wait!"
Charmaine turns around in time to see a guy in mid-20s running towards the elevator. She steps forward and presses the "Open" button just in time and the guy hurries in, smiling.
Guy *observes Charmaine*: Thanks!
Charmaine *smiles back at him*: No problem. *steps back to where Mandy is while still having her eyes on the guy* What floor are you going to?
Guy *turns around to see the buttons*: Same as you girls. *Walks to the other side of the elevator to leave room for others just in case*
Charmaine looks back at Mandy, who's closing her eyes now.
Charmaine *puts a hand on Mandy's shoulder and whispers*: Mandy, can you still take it? We could stop and take the staircase.
Mandy *breathing in & out several times before opening her eyes*: It's ok. I can take it. I have to do it several more times before I'm used to it.
Charmaine pats her shoulder and looks up to see if they reach their floor yet.
The guy seems to notice Mandy for the first time and observes the two girls.
Guy *when Charmaine looks up*: Is she ok?
Charmaine *turns her attention to him*: Yes, she'll be ok when we get out of the elevator.
Charmaine just know this guy so she doesn't want to expose Mandy's situation yet.
Guy *still keeping an eye on Mandy, who had closed her eyes again*: So, you girls just move in today? Looks like we're going to be neighbors. Since 7th floor is just straight throughout the hallway, with only doors on the two sides to tell you it's a habitat. *smiling as he says that*
Charmaine: We saw it before, during the visit last week.
Guy *surprised*: And you two decided to move in just like that? Do you know how risky that is? I guess you haven't met Old Lady Yeung yet or you would have reconsidered.
Charmaine *smiles at the words he used for the description*: You mean Ms. Yeung? I admit that we haven't met her yet. But this place seems nice and the price is reasonable enough.
Guy: Don't be fool by this place's friendly outlook. You'll find out later how weird it is.
Charmaine *teasingly*: Are trying to scare us away already? *smiling*
Guy *putting his hands up in surrender*: I'm just telling the truth.
Charmaine shakes her head, smiling. She thought that this guy is very funny. It would be nice to have him for a neighbor. Even Mandy forgets her fear for a moment and manages to curve her lips into a smile.
The ding of the elevator brings them back to the situation at hand. Charmaine realizes that it's their level so she turns to Mandy.
Charmaine: Are you ready?
Mandy looks tense again, but nods her head. The guy takes a step over to them when the door snaps open.
Guy: Let me help you with your luggage.
Before Charmaine and Mandy could say anything, the guy grabs Mandy's luggage handle with his right hand and gestures with his left hand for them to go first. Charmaine and Mandy step out of the elevator. Mandy is a step ahead since she wants to escape the box as soon as possible. She turns around to wait after she's a few inches from the elevator. Charmaine wheels her luggage out while the guy uses his left hand to hold onto the elevator door for her. The guy rounds up the end, wheeling Mandy's luggage out.
Guy: Which apartment are you in?
Charmaine fumbles in her top luggage pocket to find the address.
Charmaine: 7B
Guy *smiles*: Whoa! Then you girls are in luck. You're across from me.
Charmaine *smiles politely*: That's great then. Shall we go now?
The guy turns toward the left side.
Mandy *reaches out for her luggage*: I can wheel it now.
Guy *looks at her*: It's ok. I'm just helping a new neighbor.
Mandy *tugs on her luggage handle*: It's very heavy. I don't want to burden you.
Guy: Are you saying I'm not strong enough to lug it? *smiles*
Mandy: It's not that.
Charmaine *still holding onto her luggage handle*: Just let him help for once.
Mandy *turns toward Charmaine*: But...*she turns a shade of light pink* Ok.
They resume on their way to the apartment, with the guy leading and the two girls follow from behind.
What happened was when Mandy turned toward Charmaine, her left hand had unintentional brushed the guy's right hand, which was holding her luggage handle. She felt a bit uneasy so she didn't want to argue anymore - both because she didn't want to argue with their new neighbor, who was only trying to help and also because the uneasiness she felt, which she thought it was the side affect of riding the elevator.
Guy *continues to talk in his cheerful, friendly voice*: You know what's a shame?
Charmaine *who is walking side by side with him now*: What?
Guy: Even though you get to be across the hallway from us, you'll have to endure that crazy dude in 7A.
Charmaine: Are you making this up? I didn't know anyone is next to us.
Guy: That guy only comes out at night.
Charmaine *smiling*: Don't tell me he's a vampire.
Guy: Close enough. We think that he either commit thievery or is smuggling drugs.
Charmaine: Get out the here! If he’s involved in illegal activities, then how come no cops came to investigate yet? And how come you guys didn't report him if you know of those activities.
Guy *smiling*: That guy is good. No clear evidence yet.
Charmaine glances at the guy more carefully.
Guy: What?
Charmaine: Don't tell me you're an undercover cop who was sent here to observe 7A's behavior.
Guy *flashes her a warm yet mischievous smile*: You have a creative mind. But no. I wish! So I could uncover the truth about that guy. *stop walking* Here we are.
Charmaine looks to the door to see that the guy has stop right in front of her place but she was so absorbed in the conversation that she didn't realize it.
Charmaine: Thanks for helping us.
Guy: No problem. We're going to be neighbors now so you can skip the formalities.
Charmaine smiles, reaching into her luggage side pocket to get her key out. The guy waits patiently until a small click sound that confirms the door's open. He turns toward Mandy and hands her luggage back to her as she's walking up to them.
Guy: Take care. *taps Mandy on her hand to make sure she's holding the handle*
Mandy snaps out of her trends and grabs hold of the luggage handle. At that time, Charmaine had pushed the door open already and was wheeling her luggage inside when she realized she forgot something so she set her luggage in a standing position. She turns around toward the door, seeing the guy is focusing on unlocking his door.
Charmaine *steps back out to the hallway*: I forgot to ask your name.
Guy *has his door slightly open, turning around to face Charmaine again*: It's Kevin.
Charmaine: Nice to meet you, Kevin. I'm Charmaine. *Extending out her right hand*
Kevin *smiles & shakes her hand anyways*: I told you already. No formalities.
Charmaine *laughs*: I couldn't help it. It's part of my job.
Kevin smiles, thinking he might know what she means.
Kevin *scratching his head*: Well, I shouldn't keep you girls.
Charmaine: Oh yea, we have to unpack and settle in.
Kevin: Talk to you girls later?
Charmaine: Yea.
She turns to go inside her apartment but turns around again. Kevin has a hand on his door knob but still waits patiently for Charmaine to speak up.
Charmaine: I'm so forgetful. I forgot to introduce Mandy. *turns around but couldn't see Mandy anymore*
Suddenly Mandy appears at their apartment door with a smile.
Mandy *cheerfully*: This place is just awesome!
Kevin and Charmaine stare at her. A few minutes ago she was still freaked out and now she's all cheerful.
Charmaine *to Mandy*: This is Kevin, by the way.
Mandy: Oh hi!
Kevin *jokingly*: Do I have to shake your hand too?
Mandy *walking toward him*: If you want to.
Kevin *smiles*: No, it's ok. *gripping his doorknob* I'll leave you girls alone for now.
After Charmaine and Mandy say their temporary goodbyes to him, he disappears into his apartment. Charmaine and Mandy look at each and enter their own apartment also. The first day of their new life had just begun.