Early spring, 2022.

Amsterdam still feels cold in a way that gets into your bones, even when the sun is out. You’ve been here for almost a year now—long enough to stop feeling like a tourist, not long enough to feel like you fully belong. University takes up most of your time. A very prestigious one. HR management, all in English, with Dutch slowly but stubbornly making its way into your head too. It’s exhausting sometimes, but you made it work. You always do.You built something here. Friends. Some new places. Even your neighbors in this tall, slightly too quiet 17-floor building know you well enough to smile, to nod, to exchange a few words in the hallway. It’s not home yet—but it’s close.

Today, though... today is just bad, very bad day.

Everything that could go wrong did. Classes dragged on, your head is pounding, your mood is somewhere between irritated and completely done with everything. You barely even kicked your shoes off before dropping your bag somewhere near the couch. You were exhausted, your hair was a mess from the humidity, and all you wanted was to eat your pasta in silence.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

You groaned, pulling your oversized hoodie tighter. You weren't expecting anyone, and your neighbors in this 17-story monolith usually don’t disturb you. You exhale sharply, already annoyed, already knowing this is the last thing you need right now. You weren’t expecting anyone. You don’t want anyone.

You wrenched it open, ready to tell whoever it was to leave. Instead, you were looking at a guy’s chest. He was incredibly tall. When you looked up, you saw a guy with bleach-blonde hair and eyes that were a startling, bright baby blue. He looked a bit messy, wearing a vintage-style tracksuit, and he looked just as awkward as you felt angry.

"Hoi! Sorry dat ik je stoor," he started, talking quickly. "Ik ben Joost, je nieuwe buurman van 402. Ik ben net verhuisd, maar ik kom erachter dat ik echt een idioot ben. Ik heb eten, maar geen borden, geen lepels... niks. Mag ik iets van je lenen? Ik breng het morgen terug."

You stared at him for a second. Between the stress of your degree and the long day, your Dutch just wasn't working. You understood he was the new neighbor, but the rest was a blur.

"Sorry," you interrupted, rubbing your face. "My Dutch is really bad today. I’ve had a rough day... can we speak English, please?"

The guy stopped immediately, his expression softening. He gave a small, embarrassed laugh and switched languages instantly.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry about that," he said in English. "I’m Joost. I just moved into the place across the hall. I’ve got all my stuff in boxes, but I realized I don't have a single plate or a spoon. I’m literally staring at my food with no way to eat it."

He leaned against the doorframe, looking at you with those bright blue eyes. He looked tired too, but in a much more energetic, chaotic way than you.

"Could I borrow a plate and maybe a fork or spoon? I promise I’m not a thief. I’ll wash them and bring them back tomorrow. Maybe with some snacks as a thank you?"