ㅡ ⭒❃.✮:▹ ㅡ

Knock knock.

Lisa pauses where she's picking up a carton of chocolate-milk out of the fridge.

Lips curling down in a frown, she puts it down and goes to answer the door. She tries to think if she ordered something, or was expecting anyone.

"Hi."

Lisa freezes when she opens the door and sees what, noㅡ who is standing in front of her.

"Hello," she returns on autopilot.

The pretty omega standing in front of her smiles, shy with the way she tucks her chin down, glances at the floor before getting the courage to speak up again.

"This is for you."

Oh.

Lisa didn't even notice the tupperware of brownies the omega has been holding. It's now being thrust toward her, an offering.

"Um," Lisa mutters. Her hands automatically go out to catch the container before it can drop. "Thank you," she says. She's a little embarrassed at the way her voice contains so much awe.

The omega doesn't seem to mind. Her feet shuffle back and forth on the floor a little, and it makes her scent shift in the air, tickling Lisa's nose. It's a delicious scent, rich and full, with a distinct milkiness.

"I just- I mean, I'm..." The omega turns, pointing over her shoulder at the end of hallway. There's a few boxes outside the apartment door. Must be leftover from whoever moved in yesterday.

"Oh!" Lisa lets out, a little too loudly, when realization dawns on her. "You're the new neighbor."

That apartment has been empty for a few months. She knows because it shares a wall with hers, and it's been quiet of the lady with a yappy dog for a few months.

"Yes," the omega smiles. It's cute, the way her gums would show when she smiles. "Just moved in. I always like to introduce myself to the new neighbors. So," she finishes, rocking on her heels while she tucks a lock of hair behind her ear.

Lisa's eyes flick down to her stomach. She's wearing a large T-Shirt, so the slight curve of her stomach is hardly noticeable. Lisa would almost mistake her for just a bit chubby, but the evidence is there, in her milky scent.

"That'sㅡ" Lisa blurts awkwardly when she realizes she paused a bit too long while staring. "That's very nice of you. Thank you. I've never done that for any of my neighbors," she blurts again.

But the omega just laughs softly. "That's okay. It's a little old school. I just think it's nice, to know who you're living next to..." She trails off, looking up at Lisa. Lisa's always a bit slow with faces, people might strike her as cute right off the bat, but she needs to spend time with them, map out their faces before the entirety of their beauty registers with her.

Another pause ensues, with Lisa just blinking, her brain scrambling with what she should say next. "Lisa," she finally says, realizing the omega was waiting for a name. "Lisa Manoban." she bows.

"Ah. Jennie Kim. Nice to meet you," the omega bows slightly in return.

"Jennie Kim," Lisa repeats. "And...?" She trails off, motioning with a nod to the omega's apartment door.

The omega smiles, tightly this time with the way her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes. "No 'and'. Just Jennie."

Lisa's eyes flick down once again to her stomach. It doesn't need to be said that they're not talking about her baby bump. She has no alpha with her. Her scent said as much anyway, but Lisa is a bit too curious for her own good.

"Justㅡ Jennie," Lisa repeats, trying to lighten the mood. "Thank you again," she says, motioning to the desserts.

"Of course. Goodnight," Jennie says, beginning to walk away after a polite nod and smile.

"Good night." Lisa returns. She watches the omega as she walks down the hall, then begins to type in her apartment door code.

That's when Lisa realizes she's being creepy. She shuts her door, hearing the lock sound. She leans against it, all the breath in her lungs leaving her in a sigh. She stares down at the tupperware in her hands, pink glossy lid shining back at her.

"That is very unfortunate."

She's screwed.