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“No,” I said. “I live on the end, and the one next to me was vacant for a few months, so the closest thing I had to neighbors were two guys who lived on the other side of that empty unit for a while. But now there’s someone moving into the one right next door, and I can tell you right now she’s not my type.”
“Crazy cat lady?”
“No, more like one of those internet-famous girls who make duck lips and wear too much makeup while they prance around in front of the camera. I don’t know, I don’t get it,” I said.
“Everyone’s an influencer these days,” Keanu said. “Everyone wants to be important, to matter or some shit. I blame technology. Like, look at you and me. We grew up outside and without being glued to screens and look how we turned out. I’d hate to see what’s going to happen to the rest of the world when all they know how to do is get likes on their social media pages. Like, how is that going to solve anything in the long run?”
“I’m sure the fucking day’s going to come when we won’t even know how to talk to each other anymore. Or you’re not going to be able to sit down and enjoy a meal without someone telling you they approve of what you’re eating first. Damn, it’s pathetic,” I said.
“So, you’re telling me you don’t want me to show you a picture of what I had for breakfast?” Keanu asked. “I don’t have it on any of my socials, but hey, I just snapped a pic on the phone to show around to everyone.”
I gave him a look, and he laughed.
“I’m just teasing you. I get it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not any saint who’s above having a social following, but I’m not some crazy person who thinks anyone really cares about the shit I post. I just put it up there to keep in touch with some of my family who don’t live around here.”
“It’s not the people who use it normally who bother me. It’s the kids who think that everything they do is somehow worthy of being seen by the entire world. And to make matters worse, there are so many other people out there who eat that shit up. It just blows my mind. They’re as much part of the issue as the people who put that shit on screen to begin with!”
“Amen to that,” he said. “I feel like it’s one of those things that was made with the best intentions, but you know how good intentions go. You can have the best in the world, but that won’t stop you from leading the masses straight into hell if you’re not careful.”
“I’m just hoping that she’s only here for a month or two,” I said. “I don’t know what she’d be doing here, anyway. It’s not like there’s much of a party scene here, and I’m not going to stand for her starting one, either. She should go to Miami if that’s what she’s after.”
“Maybe she’s on the run from someone,” he said. “She’s there undercover and posing as someone who just lives for the likes.”
“Doubt it,” I said. “She didn’t have the attitude for that.”
“How would you know?” he asked.
“All the kidnap and ransom work I’ve done,” I said. “People have their types, and she doesn’t fit the bill of someone on the run.”
“I guess you would know,” he said with a shrug. “Either way, I wish you good luck with dealing with the situation. I know how hard it can be to live next to someone you don’t care for, and if she’s going to be here for the long haul, that could really suck for you. But hey, it’s not like you have to do anything with her, either. Unless she gets loud.”
“I plan to keep to myself entirely,” I said. “In fact, I’m heading back home now so I can continue ignoring her.”
“Alright,” he said with a laugh. “Make sure you come in for another cup of coffee soon so you can give me an update on how things are going. I feel invested in this now.”
I shook my head as I walked out of the café. I didn’t mind Keanu. He wasn’t exactly a friend of mine, as I hadn’t set out to make any friends since moving here. But he was the closest thing I had to a friend on the island. We didn’t hang out or anything, but I liked talking with him when I came into the shop now and then.
And I just might make a point of coming back in to keep him informed on how things were going with this. Of everyone on the island, he probably knew me best, so he understood how I felt about having people close, let alone those who were young or partiers.
I headed home, continuing to drink my coffee along the way. The cool morning air made me feel better. It was getting warmer, but it wasn’t to the point of being hot yet, so the walk was pleasant.
I kept my eyes on the road ahead of me as I got closer to our end of the bungalow complex. I didn’t want to even look in the direction of her bungalow, regardless of whether she was inside or not. I didn’t know if she would notice me walking by, but if she did, I wanted her to see me ignoring her bungalow and her existence.
But I was only about halfway across her property line when I heard the sound of music.
Someone nearby was playing the guitar— and it was coming from the beach behind her place.
Curious, I turned off the road and headed toward the music. I’d met a handful of musicians in my time here, and I hoped to be on the verge of crossing paths with another.
I stopped short when I saw the person playing the music.
It was none other than my new neighbor.
Chapter Five
Krissy
“That was so good! What do you call it?” Erin asked me once I’d finished strumming the tune I’d been working on.
