Chapter 2- The First Meeting

CHAPTER 2

The Next Day

Annie woke up earlier than usual—not because she wanted to, but because of the insane noise blasting from her neighbor’s house. The music was so loud the walls were practically vibrating.

Wait… the Park family moved out months ago, she thought groggily. Then yesterday morning flashed in her mind.

“Mom, who left those brown boxes in front of the Park’s house?” she had asked.

“Oh, right,” her mom replied casually. “We’re getting new neighbors.”

Now fully awake, the memory made Annie groan. “Great. Just great.”

Annoyance bubbling inside her, she stomped to her window, yanked it open with way more force than necessary, and shouted:

“EXCUSE ME!”

She repeated it four times, her voice competing with the music.

Finally, a window across from hers creaked open. Annie froze.

A tall boy leaned lazily against the frame. His hair was jet-black, messy in that effortlessly cool way. His eyes—dark brown but almost glowing—had a dreamy pull to them. And, of course, he was shirtless.

Annie blinked rapidly, trying not to gape. Snap out of it, Annie. Focus.

“Could you, I don’t know, turn your music down?! It’s way too loud!” she shouted, forcing her voice to sound firm.

But the boy just smirked.

“No.”

Her jaw dropped. “What do you mean no?”

“Because I don’t want to,” he replied smoothly, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Have a nice day.” And with that, he shut his window.

Annie stood there, stunned. Her blood boiled. She wanted to scream again, but instead, she huffed, stomped away, and decided to just get ready for school before she loose her mind completely.

At school, Annie hopped out of her mom’s car after their usual quick goodbye. She was adjusting her bag strap when she froze mid-step.

There he was.

The same black-haired boy. Except now, he was in her school uniform.

He caught her staring and smirked, of course. “Wow, we meet again. Up close, you look even more like a big jerk.”

Annie narrowed her eyes. “I feel like that was supposed to be an insult… but I’ll take it as a compliment,” he teased. Then, with a tilt of his head, added, “Anyway, since I’m new here, do you mind showing me around?”

Annie let out a sharp laugh. “Me? Help you? Not in a million years.” She turned on her heel and marched off.

Moments later, at her locker, her two best friends -Becky and Sussy appeared.

“Hey, Annie!” Becky chirped.

“Why do you look like you’re about to pass out?” Sussy added, laughing.

Annie rolled her eyes. “Oh, it’s because of that stupid guy who just moved in next door—”

“Oh my gosh, a guy?” Becky gasped.

“Ouuu, a cute guy?” Sussy wiggled her eyebrows.

“Can you two let me finish?” Annie snapped, though her lips twitched into a reluctant smile. “Anyway, he’s a total jerk. I asked him nicely, might I addto turn his music down this morning. And what does he do? Smirks in my face, says no, and shuts the window!”

Her friends exchanged a look and said in unison: “What. A. Jerk.”

“Exactly!” Annie threw her hands up.

The bell rang, echoing through the halls.

“Forget about him,” Becky said, linking her arm with Annie’s.

“Yeah,” Sussy added. “Let’s just get to class.”

Still fuming, Annie sighed and let herself be dragged along.