Be My Forever

Chapter 1

Now

It was 9:30 PM. Most students and young adults were still wide awake at this time, probably getting ready for a night out. This was why Jasmine and I had insisted on having an apartment a bit farther away from school and the noise. So when the music on the other side of the hall got too loud, and the laughter too, my best friend and I looked at each other. Jasmine sighed. Then her sigh turned into a yawn.

“I hope they’ll calm down sooner than they did last time.”

“They probably won’t.” I shrugged.

We weren’t against parties and noise. I loved a good party and nice cocktails, just like I loved a good night of sleep. Especially if I had a shift that started at seven in the morning afterwards. Jasmine let her head fall back against the couch, and we waited, hoping that the noise would die down eventually. It didn’t. After a while, the floor even started to tremble. I could see Jasmine wanted to go to bed. She had morning classes to attend but was too kind to complain.

“Alright, that’s it.”

I jumped from the couch and put on my dino slippers my older sister Eleanor had given me for my birthday. Jasmine followed as I knocked on the door in front of us. We waited, but no one answered. Maybe they hadn’t even heard us. I knocked louder and longer until the door finally swung open. Danté leaned against his doorframe, a smirk on his lips.

“Yes, Squirrel?”

I fought back a scowl. He had been calling me Squirrel since the day he had spotted me taking out the trash in a squirrel onesie a few months after we moved in here. It was the same onesie I was wearing today.

“Alighieri.”

Now it was his turn to bite down a retort. His parents loved philosophy and literature, hence the name. So if he could call me Squirrel, I could call him Alighieri. You know, just to keep some balance. We looked at each other, seeing if the other would continue the banter. Then his gaze stopped on my slippers, and his smirk turned into a catlike smile. I instinctively crossed my arms, ready for the blow that might come.

“Interesting combo.”

“Yes, yes,” I said ironically. “I am sure you prefer me and my outfit to a girl wearing nothing but your shirt and see-through underwear, but that’s not why we’re here.”

“Oh Squirrel, if you are jealous, I can lend you a shirt too.”

I could feel my cheeks heat. Jasmine bit her lip to keep from laughing. This was not what I had planned. I cleared my throat and smiled back.

“Am I jealous, or is this just an excuse for you to see me with a thong?”

A little laugh escaped him. It didn’t matter how much time had passed since we got here, he was still as charming to me as when we arrived here two years ago. If not more. Danté still had his cheery, playful smile, but the boyish immaturity had vanished when he graduated and started working in a medical practice. Now he was a man, and that had only made my crush on him grow bigger. Sad, I know. You’d think that after all this time, I would’ve been able to stop pining after him.

“Alright Evy, what can I do for you?”

“You’re too loud.”

“It's not even 10 PM yet.”

Which would mean I could not yet complain. Officially. I looked at my watch as the clock ticked ten.

“It is now.”

He rolled his eyes. His door opened wider, and one of his friends, Alex, popped his head out.

“Brother, what’s taking you so long?”

As soon as he saw us, he smiled. Jasmine’s eyes scrunched shut as she smiled back. Yes, she had a boyfriend, and yes, she wanted to live with him as soon as they graduated. That didn’t change the fact that she always had had a thing for Alex. Not something where feelings were involved, but something like a celebrity crush. Innocent, unlike mine.

“Hi, Alex!”

“Oh, hey Jasmine! ‘Sup, Evy?”

I just waved back, not making the effort to talk back. He closed the door behind him, leaving the other friends still inside. I never had that thing for Alex that most girls seemed to have. He was handsome, in a rather generic kind of way. Like, really handsome. The man could probably feature on one of those romance book covers where the guy wears no shirt, has a very sharp jawline, and mysterious eyes. And I'd probably buy those books. The thing was, I just didn’t like him personality-wise. There was something about him that made me uncomfortable. Alex was too cheerful and observant. I never knew if he was making fun of me or not. But apparently, I was the only one thinking so, so instead of fawning over him like the others, I used my social awkwardness as an excuse not to talk to him.

“What’s the matter?”

“Oh, actually…” Jasmine started but didn’t continue.

I let my head fall back, sighing. Had it been just Danté, she wouldn’t have hesitated. Danté watched me closely, waiting to see if I would stand my ground. I crossed my arms.

“We want you to turn down the sound. Jasmine has morning classes, and my shift starts at seven.”

“No please?” Alex asked.

“Thanks,” I said instead, plastering a fake smile on my face.

People sometimes called me a grump, or even rude. The thing was, I just didn’t like people to walk over me. Especially when all that mattered to me was graduating and starting the job of my dreams. While Alex raised an amused eyebrow, Danté shook his head. There was no use in trying to impress him. It had been clear from all the girls that had walked in and out of his place that I never stood a chance. I didn’t see myself as unattractive, more like average: average height, average body that wasn’t slim nor large. The only feature I thought made me unique was my strawberry blonde curls that loved to defy the laws of gravity. And never had I seen Danté with a girl who looked like me.

Alex waved before getting back inside. Jasmine left my side and went back to our own apartment too, leaving just the two of us in the hallway.

“You truly are something,” Danté said, leaning against the wall.

My heart skipped a beat before beating painfully. Knowing that that was how he saw me was rather disappointing. Not that there was anything left to do about it. I gave him a curtsy.

“I am sorry to ruin your night with your friends. I just really need to go to bed.”

And I meant it. I didn’t like to be a bother for others. I just stood my ground, because no one else would do it for me.

“Don’t worry, Squirrel. I remember what it’s like. We’ll turn down the music.”

“Thank you.”

Danté nodded before going back inside. Once I was completely alone, I let out a breath. What a great way to start a new week.