CHAPTER 2

MIA

“Okay, I think that’s enough now.” At this point, I’m just annoyed and ready to hang up on El laughing her ass off at my misery.

Granted, I should’ve known this would be her reaction, but I didn’t have any other choice. Once I realized what I was holding, I immediately threw it back in the box and FaceTimed her.

“I’m sorry—” she continues to interrupt herself with laughter. “Wh-what was it supposed to be again?” I can literally see the tears in her eyes from laughing so hard.

“It was supposed to be a custom Mean Girls-themed tumbler. It was going to be perfect! It’s your favorite movie, and our worlds literally revolve around coffee. So, I got it made with your name engraved in it. I.. I just don't even know how this could happen.

I mean, I bought it from Etsy for Christ's sake!”

I know I’m rambling, but there’s no point in keeping it a surprise anymore.

I’m standing across the room, completely dumbfounded, holding my phone while Eleanor and I both stare at the box sitting on my couch.

“I don’t think I even want that on my couch.” My eyes are still locked on the box as Eleanor falls back into another fit of laughter.

“What did it look like? Was it brand new?” she blurts out, her giddiness finally pulling my attention from the box to the screen, where Eleanor is staring at me with raised eyebrows.

“Are you excited ?!” I ask with wide eyes, unable to tell if she’s joking or not.

“I mean, it’s still a good birthday gift. Just saying.” Her eyebrows are wiggling, and I glare at her, even though I know she can only see the box. My silence says it all.

“Okay, I’m done. I promise.” El raises her other free hand as she continues, “Are you sure it came from Etsy? Because I’ve never heard of that before.”

My brows are furrowed as I make my way back over to the couch. “Of course, it’s from Etsy. You know I would’ve never ordered this—” I set the phone down on the arm of the couch before grabbing the flap of the box, “—and it was addressed to m—”

“Mia?” El breaks the silence that lasts for a beat.

I have to let out a deep breath before continuing, “It was addressed to Griffon Scott. ”

Shit. Through my excitement, I must’ve just read the apartment number and skipped over everything else. When I finally pick the phone back up and flip the camera around to face her, she looks even more confused than before.

“Who the hell is Griffin Scott?” I can’t help but roll my eyes because if there’s one thing Eleanor isn’t great at, it’s picking up on context clues.

“Well, I’m just guessing, but if there’s only three other people on this floor, and the only one I haven't met is–”

“Holy shit! That’s your new neighbor's dildo!” she blurts out. My eyes shoot open, and my hand rushes to cover the speaker.

“SHHHHH! Fucking hell. El, you can’t just scream that.” My head whips around as if someone can see me.

She visibly winces before whispering, “Sorry, I forgot about the thin walls.”

I can do is fall back onto my couch, sitting right next to the box from hell. “At least that means she got the address wrong.” El’s voice is hopeful, but we both know this is a disaster.

“Partially. But either way, that still means I have to return it.” I chew on my lip, alreeady trying to figure out what to do.

“And meet her,” she adds.

The idea of meeting my new neighbor and returning her brand-new dildo at the same time crashes down on me as if things couldn’t possibly get any worse.

“Oh my God. What the hell am I supposed to do now?” I whine. Within seconds, I’m on my feet, and the pacing begins to set in.

“She probably already thinks I’m rude because I haven't introduced myself, and now I steal her package? How the hell do I explain that?”

I can slowly feel my embarrassment turning to anger. My life has gone from zero to 100 in just a few hours. This is exactly why I like my peace and quiet. This would’ve never happened if Griffon hadn’t shown up.

I don’t know her or anything, but in my world, there are no surprises. No loud parties, no groups of friends coming and going, and definitely no random dildos showing up at my door. If this was Mary’s package, it would have probably just been a puzzle. Or if it was Alex’s, it would likely have been hiking gear. But no, it had to be her .

“Okay, calm down. Did you cut through the shipping label?” I finally pick up my phone to see El still there, waiting. I shake my head in response, unable to speak.

“Okay, perfect! Put everything back how it's supposed to be. Use some clear tape, seal that bitch back up, and put it outside her door like you never opened it!”

I’m silent for a moment. “Shit, you’re a genius El!” I can feel the gray clouds floating away as the plan begins to form.

“Yeah, I know. And if you do it now, it will be perfect timing.” I nod, knowing she’s right. For the first time since I clocked out, I checked the time–2:09 PM.

Damn, this whole ordeal has taken three hours?

“You’re right. Thank you so much, El. I know you’re going to be super busy this weekend, so I’ll update you on Monday. And can you act like I didn’t just tell you about your birthday gift?”

She flashes a big smile before responding, “Oh, you mean my custom-made dild–”

“STOP,” I warn. I’ve had enough of that word for tonight.

“Okaaay, okaaay. I’ll see you Monday!” After one last smile, my screen goes black, and I’m left to think about my own thoughts.

It’s a good plan. A really good one, actually. It’s so good , that I should get up and find my packing tape and get it done. But suddenly, all the effects of work, climbing up and down six flights of stairs, and this whole mix-up finally catch up to me. All I can manage to do is move the box from the couch to the floor next to my front door.

I’m sure it’ll be fine if I do it later.

Finally, I kick off my shoes and don’t even bother to change before plopping back down onto the couch, where I knock out in minutes.

***

I'm jolted awake in a panic by the sound of someone screaming. My body springs up from the couch, and I grab my head to steady myself against the dizziness. But when I hear the scream again, I leap to my feet. It sounded like a woman, and she sounded like she was dying.

Immediately, my mind shoots to Mary, and I’m about to reach my front door when the words “Oh, fuck” make me freeze in my steps.

Well, that doesn't sound like Mary.

“Shit, don’t stop!” The voice continues.

Okay, I can hear that loud and clear now.

My wide eyes snap to the door of my bedroom. Maybe it’s because I’m still waking up, but the sound is so loud and clear that it seems to be coming from my room.

My brows furrow as I approach the door and turn the handle, not fully prepared for what might be inside.

But my fear of finding strangers getting it on in my bed quickly fades when I walk in. Even in the dark, I can see that my bed is still made from this morning, and my room is completely empty.

I feel myself relax, and just as I'm about to turn away and walk out, I hear, “Griffon, please .”

Oh my God.

I don’t know why I don’t immediately rush out; it feels like my feet are glued to the ground. Now, the sounds of my wall shaking against my headboard begin to flood in.

This can’t actually be happening. I guess I never thought much about it before since that apartment has always been vacant, but it’s clear our bedrooms share a wall.

“Griffon, I’m gonna c–”

I’m out of the room, slamming the door shut behind me within seconds, and I don’t stop until I reach my kitchen.

I think I’ve learned enough about a stranger's sex life for one day.

I never realized how dry my throat was until I finished chugging a full water bottle in record time. I should really eat something since I skipped dinner, but I don’t have much of an appetite.

When I glance at the clock and see it’s 6:55 PM all I register is that I’ve already slept for five hours and still feel exhausted. Judging by the banging sounds still coming from my bedroom, I have a feeling I won’t be getting much more sleep tonight.

When I finally make it back to the couch, I turn on the TV to drown out the noise before shutting my eyes tightly. But the only thing replaying in my mind is the name Griffin.

It’s more like, “Griffon, please.” But it wouldn’t stop, and at a certain point, I couldn’t distinguish between the real sounds and what was just in my head.

Either way, I couldn’t stop tossing and turning for the rest of the night. Even when the noises finally seemed to fade, I still couldn’t bring myself to venture back into my room.

***

When I wake up for the second time, it’s to the sound of my walls vibrating. Fortunately, it isn’t from the sound of someone’s body evaporating. But I can’t decide which is worse, because the music blasting through my apartment right now makes me want to rip my ears off.

Any other day, I would just roll my eyes and tell Eleanor about it, but after hours of tossing and turning and suffering through her live show next door, the music feels like the cherry on top.

I have officially had enough.

I know I’m losing it when I jump off the couch without putting on shoes. Still in my uniform from yesterday, I swing open my front door, tripping over everything in my path. I barely take three steps before I’m standing in front of her door.

For a split second, I rethink my plan. I know this isn't me. I’m not confrontational. As the music blares even louder, I raise my fist and start banging on her door. After a few knocks, the music cuts off, and I hear footsteps approaching. I straighten my shoulders and plant my hands on my hips.

But when the door opens, I have to gather my thoughts and control my expression as I'm greeted by a sheer white T-shirt and two very prominent points staring back at me. I quickly tilt my head up before my eyes linger too long and meet the darkest blue eyes I’ve ever seen. This isn't what I expected—her face is framed by the brightest orange hair, and as I finish my quick once-over, I notice plaid pajama shorts barely peeking out from under her tee.

“Can I help you?” Her eyebrows are raised up at me, and her slight attitude as if I interrupted her morning, immediately reminds me why I’m here.

“Uh… yes, actually. I would really appreciate it if you were a little more considerate of the fact that this is an apartment building, not your house.” My snappy tone makes her eyebrows shoot up even higher, and I don’t miss how her eyes slowly scan over me, leaving me suddenly vulnerable, knowing I still smell and look like a coffee-stained mess. Still, I cross my arms over my chest and hold my ground.

“And as your next-door neighbor, I’d love it if you tried to keep your private life a little more private. ” I put on a fake tight smile as I nod–hinting at what I had to suffer through last night.

A small smirk begins to grow on her face. “Ohhh, you’re Mia. They told me I would meet you at some point.”

I stare back in confusion.

“How do you know my name? Who are ‘they’? Have you met Alex and Mary?” I ask, stumbling over my words. She’s fully smiling now, clearly amused.

“You sound surprised. Of course, I’ve met them. Alex mentioned a few days ago that he was heading out for another adventure, and I knew Mary wouldn’t hear my music. But obviously, I haven’t had the chance to meet you yet, so I had no idea.”

She gives me another slow once-over, her gaze lingering before the tip of her tongue grazes her plump lips.

“ Obviously ,” I add.

Her brows lift at me again, and I roll my eyes, feeling my frustration rise. Of course, she’s already made herself at home on the sixth floor. No one else seems bothered by her, which only makes me feel like the crazy one. But she doesn’t seem to care. Her gaze drifts past me, toward my apartment, and her eyes narrow at something on the ground.

“Uh... is that my package?”

I freeze when her words finally register. My eyes nearly pop out of my skull as I turn around and see what I tripped over in my rush out of the apartment. It wasn’t just a pair of shoes or some trash—it was a solid black rubber dildo