Added 2023-09-12 11:07:00 +0000 UTC
Beeeep. The doors of your apartment complex chime as you absentmindedly hold your keys against the sensor. Hurrying through the threshold, your pace steadies as you make your way towards the stairs. Same old, same old. Another week gone by, another week closer to your scheduled vacation- really, a long weekend, at best- but nonetheless! You sigh and assure yourself the next week will fly by before you know it. You hope that this is true… you desperately need to let off some steam. As you reach the second floor landing, you hear a loud thump from above. Hesitating, you pause and hear a feminine voice say, “God dammit…” Your eyebrow raises as you hurry forward to assess the situation. When you turn around the corner, you see your next door neighbor Mary struggling up the stairs. You watch her attempt to carry a floor length lamp as she balances two arms full of groceries. Adorned in a flowy pink dress and little white heels, you can’t help but stare for a moment at her, smitten. She looks up and notices you. “Ahh haha, heyy…” she says weakly, obviously embarrassed to be seen in such a state. You give an apologetic look, feeling bad for catching her like this- and you quickly step close to offer, “Can I help you with that?” wrapping your hand around the metal lamp. “Oh gosh, yeah- sure! Thank you,” she stammers, blushing as you take the lamp and a few bags from her. “I thought it would work, I’m just too short to keep the damn lamp from hitting the steps!” she tries to explain, laughing nervously, shifting the groceries in her grasp as she begins to walk up the stairs. You recall that the two of you live on the same floor. “Well, you put in a good effort. Got to the second floor at least!” you comfort her, feeling empathy towards her embarrassment. “Not sure how I thought I’d get to the fourth on my own!” she jokes. You watch as her hips sway back and forth on the steps, her short dress swishing with every stride. The 2 of you have exchanged pleasantries before. A few times, at least. (check comments)
