Chapter 3: Unwelcome Distractions

Ethan tried to keep his head down for the next few days, focusing on settling into his new life rather than the woman next door. But it was impossible. Sienna was a presence he couldn’t ignore. She moved through the building like she owned it, effortlessly charming the neighbors with quick smiles and knowing glances.

And Ethan? He was just the awkward guy who had been caught staring.

He tried to convince himself that his fascination with her was normal. She was his neighbor, nothing more. It was just curiosity, a natural human response to someone so different from him.

But curiosity didn’t explain why he caught himself listening for her movements. Or why he paused in the hallway just to see if she’d walk by. Or why, when she did, his stomach twisted into a knot.

One evening, as he sat at his tiny desk sketching idly in his notebook, he heard a familiar laugh outside his door.

Sienna.

He exhaled, shaking his head as he glanced at the half-finished drawing in front of him. It was unintentional, but somehow, he’d sketched *her*. The curve of her lips, the teasing glint in her eyes—it was all there, captured in pencil strokes.

Before he could question what that meant, there was a knock at his door. He froze, his heart hammering. He hadn’t ordered anything, and he wasn’t expecting anyone.

Another knock.

Slowly, he stood and moved toward the door, hesitating for a moment before unlocking it. When he pulled it open, there she was.

Sienna leaned against the doorframe, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “You’re a hard man to catch, neighbor.”

Ethan swallowed. “Uh… I’ve just been busy.”

Her gaze flicked past him, scanning the small apartment. “Doing what? Studying?”

He frowned. “I don’t study.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Really? You just *look* like the type.”

Heat crept up his neck. “I’m not.”

“Hmm.” She crossed her arms, tilting her head as if assessing him. “So what do you do all day in there? Hide?”

Ethan stiffened. “I just moved in. I’m settling in.”

“Right.” Her lips twitched. “And settling in means avoiding all human contact?”

He opened his mouth, then closed it, unsure of what to say. Was he avoiding her? Maybe.

“Relax, I’m just messing with you.” She chuckled, then held up a bottle of wine. “I was going to have a drink. Thought you might want to join me.”

His brain short-circuited. *Sienna. Wine. His apartment.*

“I, uh…” He hesitated. Every logical part of him screamed to say no. But his body, his *curiosity*, wouldn’t let him. “Sure.”

Sienna grinned. “Good. You got glasses?”

Ethan blinked before nodding and stepping aside to let her in. As she sauntered inside, he suddenly became hyper-aware of how small his place was. He watched her take in the surroundings—the bookshelf stacked with old novels, the scattered sketches on his desk, the plain walls.

“Minimalist,” she remarked, plopping down on his couch.

“I just moved in,” he repeated, shutting the door.

She laughed, setting the wine down on the small table. “Yeah, I got that.”

Ethan grabbed two glasses from the cabinet, his hands slightly unsteady as he set them down. Sienna watched him with an amused glint in her eyes.

“You always this nervous?” she teased.

“I’m not nervous,” he lied.

She hummed, pouring the wine and handing him a glass. “If you say so.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the atmosphere shifting into something more… comfortable. The dim lighting softened the edges of her sharp features, making her seem less like the untouchable mystery next door and more like a person—someone he could, maybe, understand.

“So,” she said, swirling the wine in her glass, “what’s your story?”

Ethan hesitated. “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” she leaned in slightly, “why’d you move here? This isn’t exactly the nicest part of town.”

He studied her for a moment. Most people wouldn’t have asked. They’d assume, or worse, they wouldn’t care. But Sienna… she wanted to know.

“I needed a change,” he said finally.

Her expression didn’t shift, but something in her eyes darkened, like she understood more than she was letting on. “Running from something?”

He took a sip of his wine, avoiding her gaze. “Something like that.”

For once, she didn’t push. Instead, she leaned back, stretching her legs out. “Well, welcome to your fresh start, Ethan.”

He glanced at her. “And you? What’s your story?”

Sienna smirked. “Oh, mine’s not as interesting.”

“Somehow, I doubt that.”

She held his gaze for a long moment, then looked away. “Maybe one day I’ll tell you.”

The conversation shifted after that—lighter, filled with casual teasing and sarcastic remarks. Ethan found himself relaxing, letting his guard down in a way he hadn’t expected.

By the time she stood to leave, the bottle was nearly empty, and the weight in his chest felt… lighter. He walked her to the door, unsure of what to say, or if he should say anything at all.

Sienna lingered for a moment, then turned to him with a lazy smile. “See? That wasn’t so bad.”

He chuckled softly. “Guess not.”

She reached up suddenly, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. The touch was brief but enough to send his pulse into overdrive.

“You’re kind of cute when you’re flustered,” she mused.

Ethan opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Sienna smirked. “Goodnight, neighbor.”

And just like that, she was gone, leaving Ethan standing in his doorway, wondering what the hell he’d just gotten himself into.