Ethan was getting used to the rhythm of life in his new apartment. The late-night noises, the thin walls, and the intoxicating presence of his neighbor were becoming an undeniable part of his reality. He told himself he was adjusting. That was a lie. He wasn't adjusting. He was obsessing.
Every morning, he found himself lingering just a little too long in his doorway, hoping to catch a glimpse of Sienna as she came and went. She had a habit of leaving in the early evening, dressed in stunning outfits that made his pulse race, and returning late at night. Ethan told himself it was none of his business, but that did little to stop the gnawing curiosity eating away at him.
One afternoon, he was gathering his mail from the rusted metal boxes in the lobby when the unmistakable scent of Sienna's perfume wrapped around him like an invisible thread. A soft, sultry voice followed.
"Well, well, if it isn't my favorite bookworm."
Ethan turned, his breath catching as he met her playful gaze. She was leaning casually against the mailboxes, her lips curved into a teasing smirk. She was wearing a snug white top that exposed just a hint of her midriff and a pair of tight jeans that made his throat go dry.
"B-Bookworm?" he stammered.
She chuckled, flicking a strand of her golden-brown hair over her shoulder. "Yeah, you always look like you just walked out of a library. Glasses, sweater, broody expression. It's kinda cute."
Ethan felt his ears burn. "I—I don't always wear sweaters."
"Mm-hmm," she hummed, unconvinced. "You're not fooling anyone, bookworm."
He pressed his lips together, unsure how to respond. There was something infuriatingly effortless about the way she teased him, the way she wielded her confidence like a blade. He'd never been the kind of guy women flirted with, especially not women like Sienna—women who radiated danger and allure in equal measure.
"I don't read that much," he muttered under his breath, shoving his mail into the pocket of his hoodie.
Sienna gasped in mock horror. "Blasphemy! And here I thought you were one of the good ones."
He huffed, trying to ignore the way she was watching him, her amusement dancing in those dark, mesmerizing eyes. "I just… I study a lot."
She took a step closer, close enough that he could count the flecks of gold in her irises. "What do you study, bookworm?"
Ethan swallowed hard. "Computer science."
Sienna raised a perfectly arched brow. "Oh, so you're a genius."
"I—no, not really."
She grinned. "Modest and nerdy. Dangerous combination."
Ethan glanced away, feeling an embarrassing wave of warmth creep up his neck. "Why dangerous?"
She leaned in, just slightly, as if sharing a secret. "Because quiet guys are always the ones with the dirtiest minds."
His breath hitched, and Sienna burst into laughter at his reaction. "Relax, bookworm. I'm just messing with you."
Ethan tried to find words, but his brain had completely short-circuited. Before he could embarrass himself further, Sienna patted his shoulder lightly, her touch lingering just a second too long.
"See you around, bookworm," she purred before sauntering out the door, leaving him standing there, his heart hammering against his ribs.
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
Bookworm.
He wasn't sure if he hated it or secretly loved the way it sounded from her lips.
That evening, Ethan couldn't focus on anything. His coursework sat untouched on his desk, his laptop screen dimming as it waited for his input. His mind kept replaying the moment over and over—the way Sienna's voice curled around that ridiculous nickname, the warmth of her touch, the sheer confidence in her gaze.
It wasn't just that she had teased him. It was that she had noticed him. Really noticed him.
No one ever did.
He stood abruptly, pacing his small apartment. What was she playing at? Was she just being friendly? Or was there something more? A part of him wanted to believe it was innocent, but another part—the part that was learning just how mysterious Sienna was—told him there was no such thing when it came to her.
He let out a frustrated sigh and ran a hand through his already-messy hair. Maybe he was overthinking. Maybe he just needed to—
A knock at the door made him freeze.
Heart pounding, he approached hesitantly and cracked it open. His breath caught in his throat.
Sienna stood there, leaning casually against the doorframe, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
"You busy, bookworm?"
Ethan swallowed hard. "Uh… n-not really."
She smirked. "Good. I need a favor."
"A favor?"
She nodded. "Yeah. My internet's acting up, and since you're a certified computer genius, I figured you could help."
Ethan hesitated. Was this real? Was she actually asking for his help? Or was this some kind of test?
"Uh, yeah," he said, trying to sound normal. "I can take a look."
Sienna grinned. "Knew I could count on you, bookworm."
She turned and sauntered back toward her apartment, leaving Ethan standing there, pulse racing, mind spinning.
Whatever this was, he was in deep.