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Christen arrives at her apartment building and can shelter from this Portland rain.
And of course, she hears the cat call from the guy that lives in 416. Every single time he sees her he has to say something about her looks or ask her out. She thinks he never left his frat even though he left his school about 10 years ago. She gives him as polite a smile as she can, but keeps walking thinking he should go take a cold shower.
When she finally gets to the elevator she realizes the mom from 319 is waiting too. She can go on for days about her kids’ school accomplishments. Christen cared the first time they met, but after hearing 100 times about how her twin four year-olds got first place in the class finger painting contest, she barely has energy to fake interest. After a few minutes, and another story of pre-K awards, the elevator door finally opens… and there walks out the image of her dreams. The girl from apartment 717.
Christen suddenly feels a boost of positive spirit hit her. Her heart starts beating out of her chest. She’s reminded of the journal she keeps that turns into a middle schooler’s diary when she starts writing about 717. It’s like time slows down. Her chestnut locks sway as she strides out of the elevator. She gives Christen a quick nod hello but Christen is too lost in her mind to acknowledge it before 717 is out the building. Christen rides up to her apartment completely disappointed in herself for getting so damn flustered.
A few days later, Christen makes her way through the building’s parking complex. She finds the older lady from 212 getting out of her car. She’s always been really sweet to Christen so she stops to say hello and asks if she can help her carry some groceries up. Suddenly, she hears a joyful whistle and laugh that makes her eyes brighten up and her stomach flutter every time. As 717 comes into view, the old lady from 212 notices and turns to Christen. By the time 717 reaches the bottom, she notices Christen and 212 and gives them the warmest, brightest smile and nod that Christen just falls for again and again. She watches 717 walk away, like she always does, and her eyes lose some of the light they just had.
Old lady 212 has to ask,“How long have you been pinning over her, child?” And Christen wants to deny it but 212 is looking at her with a knowing smile so she just admits it.
“Since I got here..so about 6 months,” she answers shyly.
“You should ask her out to coffee or better yet, make some of those delicious chocolate chip cookies you bake and share them with her. No way she doesn’t fall for you after one bite.”
“I don’t even know her name. What if she’s allergic to chocolate or doesn’t like sweets?”
“Well, I’ll have you know her name is Tobin and I saw her eating a chocolate bar once so none of those excuses are good enough now, sweety.”
“What if she has a girlfriend? Worse yet, a boyfriend.”
“Christen, I know you know I am an old wise lady,” 212 says giggling and Christen just nods in agreement, “You have to risk it to get the biscuit.”
After they both have a laugh, Christen agrees to go for it.
So the day after, Christen spends her morning baking some tasty, soft chocolate chip cookies to break the ice with 717, Tobin. She puts on some natural make-up, a simple but sexy-ish outfit, and just a bit of her new favorite perfume. She looks in the mirror as she bravely walks out her door and down the hall. She takes a deep breath and knocks on apartment 717. She hears a muffled voice and the lock turning, puts on her best shy smile and then sees….a tall blonde! She is now feeling mortified, very puzzled, and very very defeated.
Her mind is running wild at the thought that this is probably 717’s girlfriend and now has to explain bringing a gift to this stranger's girlfriend, who technically is also a stranger. But at the same time she has to make sure she erases the complete and utter disenchantment on her face and in her heart.
She’s about to say something when the blonde speaks up, “Are you looking for Harry?’ And that just baffles Christen even more, because who is Harry?
“Umm,” Christen looks at the door number again just to make sure. “I don’t…”
Then the blonde quickly turns her head to yell, “HARRY! The cute new girl from 723 is at your door! Also, I’m taking the cookies!” With that she takes the plastic container from Christen and takes out two cookies to give back for her to hold.
“Don’t wanna leave you completely empty handed. She’s really into homemade cookies. Cute top, nice choice, she loves orange. Gotta go though. I’ll hopefully meet meet you later. Bye,” the blonde tells her as she walks out, leaving Christen dumbfounded and alone at 723’s door.
Christen doesn’t know if she should stay or go and as she’s about to run away, she realizes what the blonde said, “...cute new girl.” She should definitely stay. And it pays out, because those beautiful amber orbs are looking at her, with a lot of shock and a bit of embarrassment in them but with a bashful smile.
“Hey!”
“Hi!”