Kiss and Switch

MAGGIE looked at her cell phone screen and watched James Osburn’s latest vlog. He looked so handsome that she couldn’t figure out why he didn’t become the group’s visual instead of being the leader. She’s been a fan of The Beach Boys since she was in high school. Now that she’s in college, she wanted to level up with her fangirling level. But how will she able to do that if she doesn’t have enough money?

She took a spoonful of cornflakes and ate it. “I need to find a job that can support my life as a fangirl,” she said to herself without taking her eyes off the screen. “For my beloved James, I’m willing to give up my spare time.”

She was about to wash the dishes when she heard a noise from the outside. Maggie looked at her wall clock. It’s almost eleven p.m. Out of curiosity, she opened her door slightly and peeked outside. She saw a tall figure of a man dragging his large luggage bag towards the door beside her apartment. Maggie knotted her forehead. A new arriving late at night?

“Did he just arrived from the airport?” she asked, brows furrowed. She watched the man as he struggled to open the lock of his door. “He has to use force to open that door—” Then the man suddenly turned to him. “He’s creepy!” she exclaimed as she shut the door behind her. “What kind of tenants does my landlady accepting?”

_________

“WHAT? You’ve got a new neighbor, and he’s kinda cringey?” Arianne asked Maggie when she told them about the guy last night while having lunch at the school canteen. “What makes you say that?”

Lexy snorted. “What’s new? Maggie is such a judgmental person.”

Maggie glared at Lexy. “Do you have a problem with me?”

But, Lexy just rolled her eyes heavenwards. She transferred towards the other table without even trying to answer her. Maggie can’t believe it, Lexy is bitchy with her now, and she hated it.

Maggie laughed bitterly. “Just because you’ve got yourself a boyfriend, you think that you can act like that in me? Is that what you’re trying to show off to me, Lexy?”

“Maggie, don’t mind her,” Arianne nudged her. “Tell me more about your new neighbor.”

Maggie blew her breath. She glanced at Lexy, who was now busy on her cell phone. It seemed like the bitch wasn’t going to explain herself to her. “What’s with Lexy?”

“Nothing,” Arianne replied casually. “Maybe she’s just not in the mood.”

She shook her head. “She started to be like that when she…” she trailed off. She can’t remember when Lexy started to be sarcastic with her. “Never mind.”

Arianne laughed. “So, what’s up with your new neighbor?”

“He’s creepy,” Maggie said. “He arrived at our apartment building late at night with his big and bulky luggage bag. His attire was like the ones in a crime fiction movie—”

They heard Lexy snorted from the other table. When Maggie looked at her, she just raised her phone, saying that she’s not laughing at her but at what’s on her screen.

“Whatever,” Maggie mouthed with an eye-roll.

Arianne tapped her arm on the table to get her attention. “Come on, tell me more. How does he look like?”

Maggie drew her brows together as she tried to remember what does the man looked like. “Well… he’s kinda cute, tall, and lean. Actually, he has a little resemblance with James—”

This time, Lexy burst out laughing. “Come on, Maggie.” She raised from her seat and walked towards them. “Maybe it’s just your imagination? Because you often watched James Osburn’s videos, your mind created an illusion that your new neighbor looks like James.”

Maggie arched her brow to her friend. “I know what I see—”

“Tell me, what were you doing before you saw your neighbor?” Lexy cut off and propped her hand on her waist. Lexy looks like the ones in a high school anime series with the style of their school uniform, plus that her eyes were chinky and her skin tone is rosy white. “You’re watching James Osburn’s live video?”

Maggie pressed her lips together and didn’t answer. Lexy was right that she’s watching James before seeing her new neighbor, but she’s sure that he looks like James.

“Maggie,” Arianne called her. “Is it dark when you saw him?”

Maggie heaved a sigh and nodded. “But, there’s a bulb light in the corridor—”

“Maybe, next time, provide a picture,” Lexy said and tapped Arianne’s shoulders. “Let’s go, Jeremy texted me. He’s inviting us to watch his game.”

Arianne raised from her seat. When she didn’t move, she nudged her shoulder. “Aren’t you coming with us?”

Maggie looked at her food. “I’m not yet done with my food,” she said and picked up her spoon and fork. “Go first, and I’ll be there after I finish this.”

Lexy looked at her, but Maggie looked away. She doesn’t like what she sees in her friend’s eyes. It was as if she’s telling her that she doesn’t know her anymore. But, Maggie knew it’s the otherwise… They’re starting to be strangers to her.

***