Anabelle looked at her new house from the taxi, smiling widely. So this is it, she thought. My new home. She got out of the taxi and looked closer. The small house looked cozy. Ever since she was a child, Anabelle enjoyed small spaces. If she were in the open, she always felt uncomfortable and awkward. This house was just the right size. Anabelle had already moved her possessions in the day before, but today this house belonged to her. No more moving vans. The taxi was the last step--Anabelle was officially a resident of Bridgeport.   

She took a deep breath and walked up the steps into the living room.   

Anabelle admired the two artsy bookshelves and how the couch and chairs were arranged around the circular rug. She was great at interior designing, or at least she thought so, and had her own touch of flair. Her sister always hated her style, but then again, she hated everything.   

Anabelle pushed her sister out of her mind. She just wanted to enjoy the new house feel.  

She carefully selected Warlock of Palladia out of the bookshelf and sat down to read. Anabelle had read this book many more times that she could count, yet the writing style never ceased to amaze her. Yelling from the backyard brought her out of her favorite book. She tried to keep reading, but to her dismay, the noise continued.   

Anabelle was never one to confront, but this noise--these people--were preventing her from reading. She dropped the book and stood up, ready to discuss the importance of being quiet with her new neighbors.  

She walked behind her house where another home closely resided. two men were laughing and splashing in their pool. They were yelling at each other playfully and throwing around profanities as if they were the latest fad. It looked as if they were having a blast. Anabelle did not care. "Excuse me?" she said shyly. The boys didn't notice her. They continued on what they were doing.  

"Excuse me!" Anabelle yelled. She hated repeating herself. The men quieted. Both were well-built and muscular, but Anabelle was not the kind of girl to notice or care. The brown-haired man swam to the edge of the pool. "You must be the new lady who lives out front," he said in a flirty tone. "You know this is quite convenient. I--"  

"Can you just try to quiet down?" Anabelle asked softly, trying to be polite.  

"You should come swimming with us. You are fiiiiiiiiine..."   

Anabelle stomped her foot down angrily, "I do not appreciate your loudness and I do not appreciate being hit on. I don't like to talk to people so I will keep to myself. Just leave me alone and we will be fine."   

He got out of the pool and stood by Anabelle. "Look," he said, "I'm sorry we were being loud. We will quiet down and you can go back to your quiet person stuff."  

"That's all I ask," she said thankfully.  

"So does that mean it's a no on swimming?"  

"I'm going inside my house. Leave me alone," Anabelle said coldly. She turned around and walked away. The guy watched her leave, admiring her curves and well-shaped legs. Then, he realized something very important. "Wait! I don't know your name!" he called.  

"Good," Anabelle smirked although he couldn't see.  

"Tell me!"  

Anabelle shook her head, still walking towards her door, "Nope."  

"My name is Liam!" he said desperately, hoping it would get her to confess her own name.  

"And I don't care," Anabelle closed the door behind her.  

Liam clenched and unclenched his fists, "Darn it..."