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MidReal Story
Art of Love
Anonymous
Jul 19
Scenario:I fell in love with my neighbor.
Create my version of this story
Sarah Jennings
mutual friend and confidante to Emily and Jake, athletic build with short blonde hair, supportive and insightful.
Jake Thompson
the outgoing neighbor, best friend and love interest of Emily, tall with a contagious smile, extroverted and adventurous.
Emily Carter
the shy artist, neighbor and love interest of Jake, petite with curly brown hair, introverted yet creative.
I was always the shy girl.
The one who sat in the back of the classroom, never speaking up or drawing attention to herself.
I was the wallflower at parties, the one who didn’t have a date for prom.
I was also the girl who got her heart broken by her first love and never really recovered.
I poured all my emotions into my art, and it was the only way I could express myself.
But then he moved in next door, and everything changed.
It was a Saturday afternoon when I first saw him.
I’d been sitting on my balcony, sketching the skyline of the city when I heard a car pull up outside the building.
Looking down, I saw a moving truck parked on the street, and a tall guy with dark hair getting out of a silver sedan.
He had an air of confidence about him, the kind that made you want to know more.
I watched as he started unloading boxes from the truck, his muscles flexing under his t-shirt.
My heart raced as I grabbed my sketchbook and pencil, unable to resist capturing his movements on paper.
His every step seemed purposeful, each box lifted with ease and precision.
I felt a strange mix of curiosity and anxiety bubbling up inside me.
Just as I was finishing the outline of his broad shoulders, he looked up.
Our eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.
He smiled brightly and waved.
I felt my cheeks flush as I quickly looked away, pretending to be engrossed in my sketchbook.
"Emily!" a familiar voice called from behind me.
I turned to see Sarah standing at the door, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Hey," I said, trying to sound casual as I closed my sketchbook.
Sarah stepped onto the balcony, her gaze following mine to the scene below.
"Who's that?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"New neighbor," I mumbled, feeling my face heat up again.
Sarah's eyes widened with excitement. "Oh? And why do you look like you've just seen a ghost?"
I sighed. "It's not like that. I just... I don't know. There's something about him."
Sarah grinned. "You mean besides the fact that he's hot?"
I rolled my eyes. "It's more than that. It's like... I feel drawn to him, but I'm scared."
Sarah put a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Emily, you can't let fear hold you back forever. You've been through a lot, but maybe this is your chance to start fresh."
I bit my lip, considering her words. "What if I get hurt again?"
She squeezed my shoulder gently. "What if you don't? You won't know unless you take a chance."
Before I could respond, there was a knock on the door.
We both turned to look inside the apartment.
"Are you expecting anyone?" Sarah asked.
I shook my head and walked over to open the door.
Standing there was Jake, holding a large box that looked heavy even for him.
"Hi," he said with that same bright smile. "I'm Jake. Just moved in next door."
I swallowed hard. "Hi, I'm Emily."
He shifted the box slightly. "Sorry to bother you, but could you help me with this? It's heavier than it looks."
My mind went blank for a second before I nodded. "Sure, let me just..."
Sarah nudged me forward with a wink. "Go on, I'll be right here."
I stepped out into the hallway and reached for the other side of the box.
As our hands brushed against each other, a jolt of electricity shot through me.
"Thanks," Jake said as we started walking towards his apartment. "I didn't mean to interrupt anything."
"It's fine," I managed to say, trying to keep my voice steady. "Just catching up with a friend."
We reached his door and carefully set the box down inside his living room.
The place was filled with half-unpacked boxes and furniture in disarray.
"Sorry about the mess," he said sheepishly. "Moving is always chaotic."
I smiled nervously. "No worries. It looks like you're settling in well."
He laughed softly. "Trying to, at least."
Just then, there was a loud crash from inside one of the boxes behind us.
Jake's eyes widened in alarm as he spun around towards the noise.
Jake knelt to pick up the pieces, his smile fading.
"I'm so sorry," I stammered, feeling a pang of guilt.
Jake looked up, his eyes softening. "It's okay, really."
He began gathering the larger shards carefully, placing them in a small pile.
Sarah arrived at the doorway, sensing the tension in the room.
She quickly assessed the situation and stepped forward. "Let's clean this up together."
I nodded, grateful for her presence.
We all knelt down, working side by side to collect the broken pieces.
The initial awkwardness began to dissolve as we focused on the task.
Jake's light-hearted jokes broke the silence. "Well, at least it wasn't my favorite mug."
I couldn't help but laugh, easing my nerves. "Small mercies, right?"
Sarah chuckled too. "You should see Emily's collection of broken art supplies. She's a bit clumsy."
I shot her a playful glare. "Thanks for that."
Jake grinned. "Hey, everyone has their moments."
We continued picking up the pieces, and I found myself more comfortable around him with each passing minute.
Once we had gathered all the shards, Jake stood up and stretched. "Thanks for helping out."
"No problem," I said, brushing off my hands. "Accidents happen."
Sarah glanced at her watch. "How about we grab some coffee? There's a great café down the street."
Jake's eyes lit up. "That sounds perfect. My treat."
I hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "Sure, why not?"
We left Jake's apartment and headed down to the café.
The streets were bustling with people enjoying their Saturday afternoon.
The sun cast a warm glow over everything, making the city feel alive.
As we walked, Jake kept us entertained with stories about his previous neighborhood.
His easygoing nature made me feel at ease.
When we reached the café, we found a cozy corner table and settled in.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the scent of pastries.
Jake ordered for all of us, insisting on paying despite our protests.
"Consider it a thank you for helping me out," he said with a wink.
We chatted over our drinks, sharing laughs and getting to know each other better.
It felt like a fresh start, just as Sarah had suggested earlier.
By the time we finished our coffee, I realized how much more comfortable I was around Jake.
He had a way of making me forget my insecurities.
As we stepped back outside into the sunlight, Jake turned to us with a smile. "This was fun. We should do it again sometime."
Sarah nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely."
I smiled too. "I'd like that."
Jake's eyes met mine briefly before he looked away. "Great. How about next weekend?"
Before I could respond, Sarah's phone buzzed loudly.
She glanced at it and frowned slightly. "Sorry guys, I've got to take this."
She stepped aside to answer her call, leaving Jake and me standing there awkwardly.
He cleared his throat. "So... next weekend?"
I nodded slowly. "Yeah, next weekend sounds good."
Just then, a loud honk from a passing car startled us both.
Jake laughed nervously. "Well, I'll see you around then."
"See you," I replied softly as he turned and walked away.
Sarah rejoined me after finishing her call.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
She nodded with a smile. "Yeah, just work stuff."
We started walking back towards our building in comfortable silence.
As we reached our apartments, Sarah gave me a knowing look.
"See? That wasn't so bad."
I rolled my eyes playfully. "Alright, alright. You were right."
She grinned triumphantly before heading into her apartment.
I stood outside my door for a moment longer, thinking about how much had changed in just one afternoon.
With a deep breath, I opened my door and stepped inside.
The sound of laughter echoed from Jake's apartment next door as he chatted with someone on the phone.
I smiled to myself and closed my door behind me.
Jake's invitation for another meeting played on my mind.
I decided to take a bold step and texted him, suggesting we visit an art gallery together.
My fingers hovered over the keyboard for a moment before I hit send.
Almost instantly, my phone buzzed with his reply: "That sounds amazing! When?"
We agreed on the upcoming weekend, and I spent the days leading up to it in a mix of excitement and nervousness.
When Saturday finally arrived, I dressed carefully, choosing a simple yet elegant outfit that made me feel confident.
The art gallery was located downtown, nestled between modern skyscrapers and historic buildings.
Its glass façade gleamed under the morning sun as I approached.
Jake was already waiting outside, looking effortlessly handsome in a casual shirt and jeans.
"Hey," he greeted me with a warm smile. "Ready to dive into some art?"
I nodded, feeling my heart race. "Absolutely."
We stepped inside, the cool air-conditioned atmosphere a welcome relief from the summer heat.
The gallery was spacious, with high ceilings and white walls adorned with vibrant paintings and sculptures.
Soft classical music played in the background, adding to the serene ambiance.
I led Jake to one of my favorite sections, where abstract pieces hung in bold colors and intricate patterns.
"This one," I said, pointing to a large canvas splashed with reds and blues. "It's called 'Euphoria.' It always makes me feel... alive."
Jake studied the painting intently. "It's incredible. The energy just leaps off the canvas."
His genuine interest made me smile.
As we moved through the gallery, I shared stories about different artists and their works.
Jake listened attentively, asking thoughtful questions and making insightful comments.
It felt like we were in our own little world, connected by a shared appreciation for art.
At one point, our hands brushed again while examining a sculpture.
This time, I didn't pull away.
Instead, I let my fingers linger against his, feeling a warmth spread through me.
We continued exploring until we reached the final exhibit—a series of black-and-white photographs capturing moments of raw emotion.
Jake turned to me with a soft expression. "Thank you for sharing this with me. It's been... special."
I felt my cheeks flush. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."
He took my hand gently. "How about dinner? There's a cozy Italian place nearby."
I nodded eagerly. "I'd love that."
We left the gallery together, stepping back into the bustling city streets.
The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over everything.
As we walked to the restaurant, our conversation flowed effortlessly.
The Italian restaurant was charming, with checkered tablecloths and twinkling fairy lights strung across the ceiling.
We were seated at a corner table by the window, offering a view of the lively street outside.
Over plates of pasta and glasses of wine, we talked about our lives—our dreams, fears, and everything in between.
Jake's easygoing nature made it easy for me to open up about my past heartbreaks and how art had been my refuge.
He reached across the table and squeezed my hand reassuringly. "You're stronger than you think, Emily."
His words touched me deeply.
By the time we finished dinner, it felt like we'd known each other for years instead of just weeks.
As we stepped outside into the cool evening air, Jake looked at me with a hopeful smile. "So... when's our next adventure?"
Before I could answer, a sudden downpour started without warning.
We both laughed as we ran for cover under a nearby awning.
"Guess we'll have to plan that over coffee," Jake said with a grin.
I nodded breathlessly. "Sounds perfect."
Just then, he leaned in closer, his eyes locking onto mine.
My heart pounded as I realized what was happening.
