As the last moving truck pulled out of my new driveway I sighed in relief and looked around me. I had decided to live in a very beautiful neighborhood about 10 minutes from downtown Los Angeles. It wasn’t full of super wealthy people, but it definitely wasn’t low class either. From the moment I saw this house I had good vibes, and when I came to the open house, I knew it had to be mine. I contacted the realtor an hour after I got back to my hotel and it only took me 2 days to sign the paperwork. One month later I’m here and ready to begin this new chapter. It took 3 moving trucks to take all of my belongings and my little Audi was packed to the roof of all of my “necessities.”
I decided to settle in L.A for two reasons. One, to escape my ex-fiancée, and two, to work for my aunt and her business. She had offered up the position to me a year ago, but I was engaged and I had hopes of just settling down with someone who loved me. Well, after I broke off the engagement, all those plans went out the window. But the amazing soul that my aunt is called and reminded me that her offer was still on the table. Wanting a fresh start, I took it in a heartbeat.
I surveyed the street once more noticing that the house across from mine had several cars piled in its driveway. At first glance one might think the person who lived there just loved cars, but they were all so different. Some were modest and some…well, there was a Tesla. I figured it was probably a group of friends hanging out. I grabbed the last box at my feet, and walked inside my new home.
Around 8pm, I had finished unpacking my living room and bedroom. Satisfied, I ordered some take out Chinese. I grabbed my favorite book of the top of one off the boxes and nestled into the couch . The way I set up my living room, the couch faces the TV and backs up against a huge glass window that even in its openness feels safe.
As the sun started to set I felt so peaceful in my quiet new home, but the quiet didn’t last for long.
I felt the vibrations of some music with lots of bass, and I got up and moved towards it. I opened my front door and noticed the neighbors’ cars had multiplied, like they were throwing a party. Slightly annoyed, I closed the door, moved back to the couch, and turned on the TV.
Just as I was getting comfy again, a knock sounded at my door. Groaning I got up to answer it. I opened the door to find a boy, around 19 to 20, wearing all black. His hair matched the darkness of his outfit, and swooped low into his crystal clear blue eyes. And it looked like there was a small digital camera in his pocket and he had the goofiest grin on his face.
“Hi, I’m James! I live right across from you, in that house right there,” he said, pointing to the house now crawling with drunk people getting into their cars. He flushed a bit. “My roommate is having a party. It’s usually not like this, I swear.”
I smiled a bit and introduced myself. “Hi, I’m Olivia, nice to meet you.” I stuck out my hand and he gave it a firm shake. He pulled out the camera from his pocket and grinned.
“So I have this YouTube channel where I vlog. Do you mind if I get some footage?” He asked, giving me a cheeky grin.
I laughed. “ I don’t mind at all, go ahead.”
He presses a button and flips it around facing me.
“Guys I just met our new neighbor across the street, her name is Olivia. Olivia say hi.”
I grinned and waved at the camera.“Hiya!”
James switched the camera back to him, “ You guys will probably be seeing a lot more of her, so stay tuned.” Then he clicked the camera off and laughed. “Well, it was nice to meet you. If you need anything just gimme a call!”
I smiled and gave him a puzzled look, “But you haven’t—” He cut me off by holding his hand out, palm open. I laughed and pulled my phone out, slapping it into his hands. I watched as he punched his number in.
As he turned to leave he said, “ You know you should really put a password on that.” Then he winked and disappeared.
I chuckled quietly to myself and swivel around, plopping back on my couch to enjoy the rest of my night.
