I never cared when new neighbors moved in.
People came and went quietly on our street, like background noise in a movie I wasn't really watching.
But that morning felt different.
I leaned over the balcony rail, the cool metal pressing against my arms as I looked at the house next door — empty for months, dust gathering on locked windows.
The kind of house no one even glanced at anymore.
Until today.
A moving truck stopped at the gate, its brakes hissing loudly enough to pull me out of my half-awake thoughts.
Then he stepped out.
A boy—no, a young man—around twenty.
Old enough to look confident, young enough to seem lost.
He had dark hair falling messily over his forehead and a notebook tucked under his arm like it was something important, maybe more important than the move itself.
He didn't look around excitedly like new neighbors do.
He moved quietly, eyes scanning the street with a calm, serious expression—like he wasn't seeing a new place… but leaving an old one behind.
He didn't notice me, but I noticed him.
There was something about the way he carried himself—gentle, thoughtful, a little… sad?
Or maybe I imagined it.
He disappeared inside the house, and the door closed behind him with a soft thud.
I didn't know why, but my heart felt a tiny shift.
Not romantic, not dramatic.
Just… curious.
That was the first moment I saw Dmitri Mendelez.
I didn't know it then—
but he was about to become the most unforgettable part of my sixteen-year-old life.
Just then I saw his parents get out from the car...they both looked very cold and somehow...
Dangerous..
I kept the mug of my previously delicious coffee which now was ruined because of the cold and stoic parent's entry..ugh
Just then my mom called me inside— "Sweetie our new neighbors are here!"
She seemed really excited because she had no friends to talk to..heh
After some time she had prepared a fresh batch of cookies..they smelt heavenly
Just as I was about to grab one, my mom smacked my hand!
"Ouch mom!" I spit out.
"These are for our new neighbors, not you"
She spoke calmly but had a tint of happiness in her voice..
She packed the cookies in a small box and handed it to me— "Take these to our neighbors " a beat..then "Don't even try to steal one"
I was purely shocked that she was this desperate to be the perfect neighbor..damn
I then headed out to our neighbors house and rang the bell— after a few seconds the door opened to reveal...a young man preferably in his early 20s
He was so hot,muscular, and tall
"Uhm, can I help you" he said...he had a strong,heavy Russian accent
I was gazed by him..but I realized I looked creepy just staring at him like some love sick puppy— "oh, hey I'm Fiorella..I noticed you moved in this morning..so my mom made a fresh batch of cookies to welcome you guys!"
He smiled—and I blushed like an idiot..
He welcomed me in his house, where his parents were sitting on the couch, his father smoking on a cigar and his mom was drinking wine...
"These are my parents" he said calmly
"Cool.." I responded while still staring at them
I sat across them and introduced myself "I'm Fiorella..I live beside you guys, my mom made some cookies to welcome you guys into our neighborhood !"
"Your mum sounds like a sweet woman!" His mom said, "we all should meet sometimes!"
"My mom's actually been really excited to meet you guys and I think we should all meet at 7 tonight, we're actually going out for dinner and I hope you guys can join us!"
"Perfect, little girl.." His father said
I smiled and got up to leave— "oh and what's your name?"
The young man smiled and said "Dmitri Mendelev"
That's one hell of an attractive name I thought..
"Pretty name..I'll get going, see you tonight"
At the restaurant, I had worn a black bodycon dress and my parents wore formal clothes..I kept my look simple...just plain elegant gold jewelry and a simple clean makeup look
The Mendelev family arrived just a minute after we did..and stepping out of the Porsche 911 was Dmitri, looking scrumptious in his suit and bowtie, hair all slicked back
After a moment his parents arrived too, Looking Bold and Elegant
We all headed inside..both of our parents forced us to book the rooftop dining..we both were hesitant about it but agreed later on.
Dmitri offered his arm and I took it, as we reached our table we were met and mesmerized by the beautiful view of the city..
We both sat across each other.. and instantly his phone rang with the screen showing "Incoming call From: Stupid Ex!"
I chuckled
"Annoying ex?" I asked playfully
He nodded in disappointment..
Then another call from his ex came..but this time it was face time
He sighed and picked up, sighing and saying
"What do you want Mary?"
His ex was crying, her mascara dripping as her tears fell off her cheeks "I miss you boo boo" She dramatically cried
Dmitri signaled me to come closer to him, so I did ,and he pulled me on his lap "I've moved on, and you should too, I found the love of my life" and with that he gave me a small peck on the lips
I felt my stomach erupt into butterflies 🦋
I acted all chic on FaceTime
But inside,my heart was pounding and racing
We both talked about our interests after the face time ended and returned to my seat.
It turned out he was a famous author and his whole family were mafias...
I was shook but at the same time amazed by his background..
We returned home and said goodbye to each other before heading back inside.