"Hello, welcome to Chick Fil A, my name is Jenna, how may I serve you today?"

Okay, so I gave in. I got my stupid car. I flew all the way home and drove all the way back to Daytona not even 2 weeks after I left. I guess I chose the wrong month to move. It's been storming nonstop ever since the first night, and I had to rent a car. My poor babies have been sitting in the garage since my dad and I parked them.

"Yes, can I please get a number 4, 4 count with a small strawberry shake?" I reply to the kind girl over the drive thru speaker.

"Absolutely!" she replies, almost too cheery. Chick Fil A has the best food hands down, and the service is amazing, but the happiness is obviously faked by almost every employee. There's absolutely no way in hell a person can be that happy while working in an overly busy fast food restaurant. "Would you like any dipping sauces or other condiments for your strips or fries?"

"Just some ketchup please, and that will be all, thank you!"

"My pleasure! It will be our pleasure to serve you at the window!"

15 minutes later, I pull my Subaru into the garage, locking her up, while taking my beloved chicken into my apartment. I've finally adjusted to living on my own in a town where I know nobody. My landlord has become my best friend, as he stops in every couple of days to check in. My neighbors to the left told me to get used to it, he'll be doing his check ins for at least another few months. They're very nice people, too. Completely opposite of Mr. Shapiro, who seems to have only become grumpier since that first day. When I first pulled into the complex with my Subaru, he actually let out a bloodcurdling scream before slamming his door and staring intently at me. I do have to admit, the exhaust I put on her is just a little loud, but seriously, it's not scream-worthy.

There is one neighbor, though, that I have yet to meet. They live directly to my right, even though there's really no indication of anyone living there at all. No noise ever comes through the walls, there's never a car coming out of the garage, the outside has no decorations or sign of anyone having walked on the small yard. I only know someone lives there because of other people talking about him, and for whatever reason, I'm pissed I haven't seen him.

A few days after my parents left, my neighbors on the left, Gina and Steve, brought me a homemade loaf of bread as a welcome to the neighborhood present. We sat in my apartment for a few hours as they briefed me on the complex, the people, and fun things to do around here. They're very sweet people, about 10 years older than me. After eating my chicken, I decide to head over there, needing some true human interaction.

As if sensing me, Gina opens the door and ushers me in from the front patio. "Corina, sweetheart, so nice to see you! Please, have a seat and I'll bring us some water." I thank her as I take a seat on the couch that every apartment in this complex has; plain white, small, but still very comfortable. With the furnishings being the same as mine, Gina and Steve's apartment is drastically different, with beautiful decorations plastered all over the wall, as well as family pictures. Gina has small little trinkets and knick-knacks strategically placed on any surface she can find, yet somehow, it doesn't look cluttered. It looks like a real home.

One episode of Grey's Anatomy later, Gina sits up and looks to me with curious eyes. "So..." she starts, pausing when I give her a puzzled look. "This may seem invasive, but I'm just a nosey person. Get used to it, dear," she says with a wink, making me softly laugh. "I was just wondering why a young, sweet girl like you chose to leave the place you call home."

"Gina, I know you're wanting a dramatic story. Sadly, I can't give that to you. I moved south because I got too cold in the winter and wasn't able to ride my Harley year round," I say, still pushing back my laughs. Gina laughs, and here we both are, rolling on the soft carpet, laughing to the point of tears.

I sober up, taking a sip of water before asking Gina, "What's the deal with the guy on my left? Like, he never shows his face, or any sign of him being alive, for that matter. I don't even know his name, age, anything. It's bothering me for some reason. It's like not knowing who he is makes me want to know so much more."

"I'll tell you as much as I know, dear, but it's not much. Please don't get your hopes up." Gina slowly brings herself back onto the couch, leaving me still lying on the floor, looking up to her kind eyes. "His name is Ryder. Not much older than you, maybe a year or so. He moved here just over 2 years ago. All alone, just like you. Moving away from his old life, I suppose," she smiles sweetly. "He's never really talked much, but it's gotten worse over the past 6 months, I'd say. He is truly a sweet boy, or at least that's how he was last time we spoke with him. I think he's just troubled, taking on too much for him to handle in too short of a time."

After that, my curiosity skyrockets. I lift myself up as gracefully as possible, before I walk to the door. "Thank you, Gina. I'm going to go introduce myself." And with that, I'm walking past my apartment, up this Ryder guy's sidewalk, and pounding on the door, standing in the still pouring rain.

The door swiftly opens, with a disheveled, tired looking guy standing before me. I raise my hand into a wave, and say "Hello, my name is Corina, and I'm your new neighbor. It's nice to finally meet-"

And with that, I'm cut off with a grumbled "Fuck off," and the door slamming in my face. Wow, what a great first impression, dude.

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Okay, so wow. I don't even know what to say right now, other than writing can be fun, I guess. I'm writing like so many chapters before I even publish them bc I know I won't do it if I don't do it this way lol.

Byeeeeeeeeee