Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who gave me the feedback and words of encouragement on part one. I really love hearing from all of you who read my work. I am working on continuing this to multiple parts and I really hope you will all continuing to enjoy the different way's Lexi's life will change. A note that this is, as one might imagine, a work of fiction.
Part Two: The Laundry Room and the Lingering Problem
In the weeks after the incident with Caitlyn and Daniel I found myself pulling away from them. Periodically, they would text to check in that I would either give a dismissive reply to or just ignore. Or I would get knocks on my door in the evening that I would choose to avoid. Once there was even a knock on the bedroom wall.
I didn't want to avoid them. In fact, the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was quite the opposite. To my shock I learned how little I regretted what had happened between us or how I had acted. I realized how much I desperately wanted it to continue but also how bad that could be for them. I was just the 20 year old that lived next door. They were a full grown ass couple with their own history that I didn't want to ruin.
A few nights after our incident I could hear them on the other side of the bedroom wall. It was what Caitlynn had warned me about. He moans and his grunts reverberated through the walls. I could hear her say, "Harder. Fuck me HARDER!" I could hear his responses that seemed mostly grunts and pants. Just sounds of orgasmic ecstasy.
I tried to resist when I heard this. I tried to focus on something else. But still my fingers worked, seemingly automatically. I found myself slipping a finger inside of myself which surprised me as it was not my norm. I was still a little sore from our night together but, in that moment, I didn't care. My hand alternated between pumping fingers in and out and vigorously rubbing my clit. Suddenly a strange urge overtook me and I switched hands. My left hand playing with my pussy as my right, still damp with juices, slid a finger into my ass. Why was I doing this? I never had before. But that thought slid from my mind as I screamed an orgasm into my pillow.
The following morning I woke up to a text from Caitlyn saying "Hey Lexi, I really think we should talk."
I didn't want to lie to her. I didn't want to lie to Daniel either. It was just getting too complicated in my brain to sort it out so I simply responded with a vague, ""Yes, I would love to talk. I'm just a bit busy but I will let you know when I am free later."
In the meantime I decided it was a good idea to get to know the rest of my neighbors. I had always liked baking as a kid so I made a big batch of cookies to start handing plates out to the people around me.
I met Mr. Samson, the 49 year old architect in 3B. He was a kind man who seemed to have a serious, yet harmless crush on my aunt Claire.
Ruby Errington was in her mid thirties. She and her 4 year old son, Brex. Lived in 1C after her recent divorce. He was a cute kid who loved my cookies and I offered to babysit if ever needed.
The Johanson's, a middle aged couple in 1A used to live in the apartment I am in until he fractured every bone from his knee down in a motorcycle accident a few years ago. Ronny said it got too hard to go up and down the stairs if the old elevator was out.
Becky Waterman in 3C was a 29 year old, mid-level bank manager with three cats. In the brief time we met she insisted that I come to work with her and that I was, "Perfect. And I know perfect when I see perfect." This was before one of her cats bolted from the cracked door and she immediately blamed me. We will not be good friends.
I felt I had to give some cookies to Caitlyn and Daniel but I still felt awkward. By this point they had reached out a few more times saying we should talk. I decided to leave them a note saying I was thinking about them and would reach out and just leave their plate in front of their door.
My last cookie delivery was 4A, across the hall. I knew from talking to neighbors that this would be our oldest tenant, Ms. Dimsly. I had also heard she was a bitch. Which is why I was shocked to meet a man in his young 20's at the door.
He greeted me with a big, kind smile. He was tall, well at least, tall for me which isn't actually saying much. His bronze skin clean shaven and his perfectly straight white teeth were weirdly distracting. He seemed fit in a uniform of blue scrubs. I would later learn he was 23 and it surprised me because I have often found that I am often not attracted to men near my age but he seemed to be an exception.
I remember being in 10th grade and telling Megan Stevenson that I had a crush on our teacher, Mr. Clark, who was probably 12 years older than us. She said "Lexi, are you sure you just don't have daddy issues?" But honestly, I don't, it's just in my experience there is more maturity, stable income, and a calmness about them that men of my age didn't have. Plus a little salt and pepper in the hair can be attractive. This is probably why I was so surprised by how flustered I felt by the man standing in the doorway of 4A.
"He-hello," I said, weirdly stammering, "I'm Alexis- I mean Lexi, I just moved in across the hall."
I could hear the angry voice of Ms. Dimsly from inside say "Did she say across the hall? Is it that whore, Claire?"
The man closed the door a little more behind him and his smile turned to one of knowing apology. "Sorry," he said softly.
"Oh no, it's okay." I said, still stammering stupidly. What had come over me? This guy was attractive but he wasn't out of this world and I was far from the stammering schoolgirl type. Had the whole incident with Caitlyn and Daniel messed me up that much? But still I continued "I'm not the whor- I mean that's my aunt. I mean she's not- Anyway, I'm Lexi and I brought cookies."
"Thanks Lexi," He said while taking the plate, "I'm Evan. I am Ms. Dinsley's daytime assistant."
Right then the elevator door swung open and Caitlyn came out. We locked eyes and we gave each other a little wave. I felt awkward for so many reasons.
"Great." I said, looking for an exit for my awkwardness. "Anyway if you need anything. I mean, you and Ms. Dinsley, then I am right across the hall."
Before he could reply I quickly vanished back to my apartment to try, in vain, to figure out why I was weird. The moment I got inside my phone vibrated in my pocket. It was, of course, Caitlyn.
"Thanks for the cookies," It read, "also, Evan is a sweet guy isn't he? Too bad he has to work for that Hag. Anyway, we really should talk soon. Are you free now."
