Three

Laura had an employee discount at the supermarket, so that was the only place she was usually shopping at, except for a small corner store not far from her new place when she needed just a few essentials.

But carrying bags with her in the bus and then from the bus stop was sometimes quite a struggle, just like tonight when she was returning from her afternoon shift and since she needed to buy new laundry detergents and a few other heavier stuff, the journey from the bus stop to her building wasn’t easy.

She stopped at her front door, cursing when it was closed. More often than not, the door was left open since most inhabitants here obviously didn’t bother themselves with closing or even locking, but unfortunately when she needed it to be open so she could just push it, it wasn’t.

She put one bag down on the sidewalk and started fishing for her keys.

“Fuck,” she cursed when something fell from the other bag he was still holding. It was one of those days that just didn’t go well, even at work she had a hard time and she just wanted to be home, make some ramen and watch a movie on her crappy old laptop.

“Wait, let me help you,” someone suddenly said behind her and she jumped with a shriek.

“Sorry, I didn’t want to scare you,” the same voice chuckled lowly and Laura was ready to scold the stranger for scaring her in such a neighborhood in the evening, but no words came out when she turned around and saw the guy from the restaurant.

It was more than two weeks ago, but she could definitely recognize that handsome face that was now covered in a thin layer of sweat.

When Laura took in the guy’s appearance, the Sneakers , the sweatpants and hoodie, he realized that he was probably out on a jog.

“Um, thanks,” Laura got out dumbly when the guy took the bag from the ground along with the detergent that fell.

“I have keys on me, let me,” the guy said, pulling out keys that fitted perfectly in the lock. “You live here?” Laura blurted out, immediately realizing how rude it sounded.

“Yes, I happen to live here,” the man chuckled as he gestured for her to walk in: “What floor do you live on? I will help you with this.”

“Fourth.”

“I guess we are neighbors then, I live at fourth too, I guess you have that apartment after Mr. Garner,” the guy said and took the other bag from Laura too so her hands were now free.

They walked up the stairs in silence – of course the building didn’t have an elevator – and Laura couldn’t believe that the handsome guy actually lived here, what were the odds?

“We’re here, thanks,” Laura turned to the man when they stood in front of his door.

“I live over there, if you need something, don’t be afraid to ask,” the man smiled, pointing at the door at the other side of the small hallway.

“Maybe you could tell me your name first?”

“Oh, right, sorry, I didn’t even realize that I didn’t introduce myself, I am Ezra , Ezra Knight.”

“ Laura Nelson .”

“ A beautiful name,” Ezra nodded, handing the bags to Laura : “I guess we’ll see each other around.”

“Yeah, I suppose,” Laura said dumbly, watching the man leave. She was slightly embarrassed that she was acting like a shy teenager, she usually wasn’t like this, she didn’t lack confidence, but the accidental encounter and revelation that Ezra lived here just left her speechless.

Ezra unlocked his door and walked in, toeing off the shoes.

“I told you a million times not to leave those stinky-ass shoes here, take them to your bedroom!” came a yell from the apartment.

“Hello to you too, Gray!” Ezra yelled back, rolling his eyes as he returned for the shoes.

He walked in the small living room with the kitchenette and headed to one door, tossing the trainers there before he closed the door and came back to where his roommate was sitting in the living room on the couch.

“Who were you talking to out there?”

“You never miss anything do you?,” Ezra snorted: “We have a new neighbor after Mr. Garner.”

“Cool.”

“Did you eat?”

“Yeah, there are leftovers in the fridge, suit yourself,” Gray replied without looking away from the book he was reading.

“She is pretty cute,” Ezra said from the kitchen when he found the meal and put it on a plate to heat it up in the microwave.

“Okay.”

“You are not even listening to me, are you?”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re right,” Gray mumbled and that just confirmed Ezra’s theory. They have known each other for ages since they were teenagers and they got this apartment together a while ago.

Neither of them really cared for luxury, they weren’t used to it and this place was good enough.

They were both old enough to live alone and they had decent jobs that made them enough to have their own places, but they didn’t mind, they knew each other and knew where the other’s boundaries were and they respected them.

Ezra sat at the small table and started eating.

“I talked to Nico today,” Gray suddenly said when he closed his book.

“Did you?” Ezra looked at him with a raised eyebrow: “Good for you.”

“Yeah, he just called if we don’t wanna hang out with him and Skye and maybe Hunter.”

“You do what you want, but it’s a pass for me,” the younger said without any interest, turning his attention back to the food.

“Ezra -“

“No, don’t Ezra me, you know my opinion on this.”

“They used to be your friends, remember?” Gray said with irritation clearly in his voice.

“Yes, you said it, they used to,” Ezra deadpanned: “They chose, I chose, nothing to discuss here.”

“You really are one stubborn bastard,” Gray grumbled: “You never had any beef with them.”

“Not them, but like I said, they chose. They chose him.”

“You know it’s more complicated than that, that doesn’t mean they chose him over you.”

“It is not that complicated, it wasn’t for you, was it?” Ezra retorted before he got up and went to the sink, washing the plate.

“Anyway, have fun, at least I am gonna have the apartment for myself,” he said as he passed Gray and walked straight into his bedroom.

The elder just watched the closed door before he sighed heavily and shook his head. He knew that when Ezra made up his mind, nothing was going to change it, he still had to try though