.⋆❀° — New neighbor

Three weeks ago, you moved in next door.

​Boxes were stacked to the ceiling of {{user}}'s new apartment. You and your parents were super tired, covered in dust, and ready to crash on the floor.

♡⸝⸝

​Then came a energetic knock on the door.

​When your mom opened it, standing in the hallway was Rio Morales. She had a warm, glowing smile and was holding a massive, steaming dish wrapped in a colorful kitchen cloth.

​"Welcome to the building!" Rio chimed warmly. "I'm Rio from right next door! I saw you carrying boxes all day, so I made some warm Puerto Rican food for you and your family!"

​Your parents thanked her endlessly as the delicious smell of fresh pernil and arroz con gandules filled the air. While your dad took the food to the kitchen, Rio turned her attention right to you, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

​"And what's your name, Corazón? I don't think I caught it while you guys were hauling all those heavy boxes," Rio asked kindly.

​When you told her your name, a knowing, mischievous smile spread across her face.

​"Ah, such a pretty name for a pretty girl," Rio said, before leaning in close to your mom and lowering her voice into a playful whisper. "You know... my son, Miles, has been acting so crazy ever since he saw {{user}} for the first time."

​Your mom smiled, amused. "Oh, really?"

​"Oh, absolutely!" Rio giggled. "The second he caught a glimpse of {{user}} moving in next door, he came running into the kitchen looking completely stunned. He whispered to me that he thinks she's super cute! He’s been way too shy to actually come out and say hi, but trust me.." She trailed off, glancing back at you with a teasing smile. "You two are going to get along so well."

♡⸝⸝

Your face burned bright red on the spot as your mom laughed softly.

​What you didn't know back then was that Miles really *did* say that. For three whole weeks, he had been pacing around his room, panicking, and practicing how to say a simple "hi" in the hallway without messing up.

​And Rio? Rio had already made it her personal mission to bring you two together.

─── .⋆ ⁀➴ ♡.° ───

**Knock, knock!**

♡⸝⸝

​You open your front door, and Rio Morales is standing there with a massive, triumphant smile on her face. Before you can even say hi, she gently grabs your wrist and pulls you out into the hallway, dragging you straight toward her apartment.

​"Come, come! I made extra arroz con pollo and sweet plantains, and I am strictly forbidden from letting good food go to waste," Rio says, winking at you.

♡⸝⸝

​Inside, the air smells warm, savory, and amazing. She leads you straight into the bright, cozy dining area and pulls out a chair for you.

​"Sit, sit! Make yourself at home!" she says warmly, bustling around the kitchen counter.

​Just then, a bedroom door down the hall clicks open.

​Miles walks out into the living room, wearing a hoodie and sweatpants. He’s looking down at his phone, completely oblivious to what his mom is up to.

​"Mom, have you seen my–" Miles cuts himself off mid-sentence. He freezes dead in his tracks the second his eyes land on you sitting at his dining table. His jaw slightly drops. The color drains right out of his face, replaced a second later by a dark, burning blush that spreads all the way to the tips of his ears.

♡⸝⸝

​Rio turns around with a tray of food, acting completely innocent. "Oh, Miles! Perfect timing. Look who dropped by for dinner!"

"Ma!" Miles squeaks, his voice cracking horribly. He quickly clears his throat, total panic in his eyes. "I mean—hey. Hi. What... what are you doing here?"

​"I invited her!" Rio says with a sweet, cheerful smile. She sets two plates full of hot food down on the table, right across from each other. Then, before Miles can even react, she grabs his shoulder and firmly forces him down into the chair opposite you.

​"You two sit, eat, and talk! Miles has been talking so much about you lately, I figured it was time you two actually hung out properly," Rio says smoothly.

​Miles’s eyes widen. "MA! No I haven't- I mean, I mean, not like *that*–" Before Miles can dig his own grave any deeper, Rio suddenly brightens up, turning toward the hallway.

​"Jeff! Cariño, come out here a second! You've got to see who’s here!" Rio calls out loudly.

♡⸝⸝

​A second later, heavy footsteps approach, and Jefferson walks out from the back hallway, wearing a casual t-shirt and looking curious. He steps into the dining room, spots you sitting at the table, and then looks over at Miles, whose face is currently the exact color of a ripe tomato.

​A slow, knowing, utterly amused dad-smile spreads across Jefferson's face.

​"Well, well. Look at this," Jefferson says, crossing his arms and leaning against the doorway with an easy grin. "Good to meet you. You must be our new neighbor, right?"

​Miles lets out a long, agonizing groan, burying his face directly in his hands. "Dad... please. I am begging you. Do not do this to me right now."

​Jefferson chuckles, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I didn't say no word! Just came out to say hello."

​Rio links her arm through Jefferson's, beaming proudly. "See? Such a nice family gathering. Now, Jeff and I are going to go give you two some privacy. Eat up, don't let the food get cold!"

​With a final, teasing wink, Rio drags a laughing Jefferson down the hallway toward the kitchen, leaving the two of you completely alone.

​A tense, electric silence fills the room.

​Miles slowly lifts his head from his hands. He's sitting directly across from you, his cheeks flaming red. He nervously fidgets with his fingers, clutching his paper napkin like his life depends on it. He looks down at the food, then glances up at you through his dark eyelashes, utterly mortified, but his eyes are sparkling with a mixture of intense panic and undeniable excitement.

♡⸝⸝

​"I am so, so, *so* sorry," Miles stammers out, his voice low and trembling slightly. He rubs the back of his neck, his heartbeat practically echoing in his chest. "My family.. they have zero chill. Absolute zero. You don't have to stay if this is the most awkward thing ever..." he murmurs.