I've never had to lift so many boxes up so many flights of stairs in my life. But I know it will be worth it in the end, even if my decision seems crazy. I watch my dad dump down a box of kitchen appliances onto the counter, he turns to me and runs a hand through his greying hair.

He studies me for a long few moments. Since Liam died, he's aged a fair bit but he still has that caring and lovable expression as always.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" He asks, leaning against the fridge.

Then his arms fold across his chest and he tilts his head in my direction. He's really grilling deep to make sure that I don't make a mistake in what I want but I know it's right for me. It already feels better being here rather than at home.

"I want to be closer to him, know more about him and the things he did," I admit as I take a step closer. "I can't do that if I'm stuck in London and my life is going nowhere. I want to be in the place he lived, the place he changed. I want to feel as close to him as possible."

My father's expression crumbles into something of adoration but then it shifts to a look of concern. "I understand that, Alex. I do. But We're both mourning for him. If this isn't healthy for you, then you need to come back home."

I nibble on my bottom lip and inhale, standing a little bit taller. "You have Natasha now, I need to do this for myself. Meet new people, finally use my degree to find a culinary job that I really love. I know Liam would be proud and that's what is keeping me going. He loved this town and I know I will too. It will help me heal dad, I can promise you that."

He sighs and pushes up from the fridge, finally dropping his hands. Then when he stops directly in front of me, he pulls me into a warm and comforting hug. Neither of us say anything but I know he's on the verge of tears.

Earlier he promised me he wouldn't cry but now I can feel the pressure in my chest, water building up behind my eyes. He pats my back and then breathes slowly. "I am so proud of you, son," he mumbles into my shoulder, squeezing me tighter. "Whatever you do, I'll always be proud."

A single tear rolls down my cheek. "I love you, dad."

"I love you too, Alex."

We both pull back and notice our cheeks are stained with tears. Then at the same time we crack a laugh and push them away to try and ignore them. "Fuck," he curses. "I knew I'd cry."

"I could have told you that," I say playfully and he pretends to bump my arm. "But I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt."

My father's laughter fills the air again and I feel warmth in my heart. Even though I won't be living at home anymore, we'll always be close. It's not like I can never go home, it's only a few hours from here and the trains are always efficient and quick.

I'll never be far and ready to visit as much as I can. My dad knows that.

"Right," he pats my shoulder. "I should probably head off. I've got that big presentation tomorrow and I've left Natasha to look after our neighbour's dog. It's all going off today."

A smile covers my lips. "Thank you for helping today," I say in response. "I know you've been really busy lately."

His dark brown eyes catch mine. "I can always make time for you no matter what, Alex."

"I know," I whisper before the tears start falling. "There is only one box left so I think we're all good."

I don't want him to leave but I know he has to. He's familiar and once he's gone, I'm going to be all alone fending for myself. But he's right, if things don't go to plan then I can always come home. I've got to give this a chance otherwise I'll never know.

New opportunities are perfect for new beginnings and this could be the best thing that has ever happened to me in a long time. I might find peace within my heart whilst living in the town that Liam loved, a town where Liam was appreciated.

He did so much for this town and I can't wait to find out more about his journey here. Talking to locals and the companies he worked with amongst their small community, I'm sure I'll be hearing new stories I never heard.

Parts of Liam I never got the chance to see before he was taken away from us.

As raw as the idea sounds, it gives me comfort knowing I can find out more about him and this town that adored him.

We head downstairs to my father's van, we give each other another hug and he tells me to ring him whenever I need. Settling in might take some time but I feel brave for taking a risk to move, even if it makes me feel more isolated.

This way I have to force myself to make friends. I can make friends. Sure.

I take the last box and head upstairs, walking across the landing to my door. My fingers fish through my pocket for my keys whilst I balance the box half on my thigh, half on the wall.

A loud orchestra of laughter and talking echoes through the stairwell and I flick my head to the sound, still trying to find my keys that are somehow lost in my pocket. At first I see two guys, then a girl and as I touch the edge of my key to pull it out.

Once they're between my fingers and I'm lining it up to place inside the door, I glance at them all again. None of them really take any notice of me until I find myself staring at the third guy who runs up the stairs behind his friends, a bright smile covering his lips.

For a second my blood runs cold because there is now way this is happening.

I know him. I remember him. From that day when I was sad, depressed and needed help.

My hands begin to shake, I cannot take my eyes off him. And when I prepare to look away, he glances in my direction just on time. His bright green eyes collide with mine like a nuclear explosion.

We're both dumbfounded, that's obvious. His smile drops and he does nothing but blink in shock. Possibly confusion and slight concern.

Then somehow the keys slip from my clammy fingers and crash to the floor. I curse under my breath and attempt to lean down to retrieve them with the box currently on my thigh and leaning into my crotch.

I glance out of the corner of my eye, the guy says something to his friends and he's heading straight for me. Oh God, oh God. Remember to breathe. This is fine, this is normal and we can both act like normal people.

Not like he saved my life or anything.

My eyes spy his black converse as he stops right beside me. "Hi."

I open my mouth and dampen my throat. "Hi."

Then he bends down to grab the keys that I seem to be struggling with. Stupid box.

We both stand up at the same time and I stare back into those emerald eyes I remember so clearly. "Here," he says, handing the keys back to me.

"Thank you." I say as his fingers brush mine when he places them into the palm of my hand.

He tilts his head and shoves his hands into his jacket pocket. "Are you just moving in?"

"Yes," I nod slowly. "Do you live here?"

He came here with three other people. It might not be him that lives here, maybe it's one of his friends and they come here to chill sometimes. Hopefully.

"Unfortunately so," he responds but the bright grin on his lips is the complete opposite of his words.

An awkward laugh rumbles from my chest because I don't know what else to do. "Well this is a bit strange." I blurt.

The guy shrugs simply. "Wouldn't call it strange as such."

When he speaks his eyes sparkle and for a second I find it oddly comforting. His presence manages to calm me even though I've come to the realisation that we will be living in the same apartment block and if my maths is correct, I saw his friends walk into the door just down the hall.

We don't just live in the same apartment block. We're neighbours.

He removes his hand from his pocket and swipes it through his dark, tousled hair. "Do you need help with your other belongings?"

"This is the last one," I gesture to the box in my hand.

"I'm River by the way," he takes a small step closer. "I don't think we actually got the chance to introduce ourselves."

I find myself nodding in response because now this seems real. "Alex."

River's lips curl into a soft but confident smile. "Nice to officially meet you."

"You too," I say quietly and I glance away for a moment. The intensity of his gaze is too much and I feel like I'm under a thousand spotlights when he looks at me.

He clears his throat. "I'll leave you to get settled in," he then throws his hand over his shoulder, gesturing to his apartment. "I'm at forty-five if you need anything at all. You know, milk or sugar or toilet roll."

Blood rushes to my face without an invitation and I'm certified that I look crazy right about now.

Goddamn it. My cheeks are on fire because he mentioned toilet roll? I am not okay.

I jam the keys into my door and shove my arm into the wood with force. "Thank you," I mutter under my breath but it sounds like gibberish because I cannot find my tongue, it's gone bone dry due to the unnerved embarrassment that has decided to grace my body.

Once I'm inside I shove my back against the door, slamming it shut. I drop the box to my feet with a thud and rock my skull back into the wooden door.

Who was I kidding thinking I would be good at making friends?

I am the most awkward being ever. Even when I try to seem civilised and polite. I just end up sounding rude and ignorant because I never know what to say, I become embarrassed over the smallest of things.

Social anxiety should just be written across my forehead in capital letters to warn people to stay away for their own sanity.

My heart feels like it is thumping outside of my chest. River. His name is River.

The guy who helped me out of a bad mental space. His name is River. And now I live next door to him, right down the hall in the same apartment block.

I run a hand over my face. This town is small. I knew that. I was naive to think that I wouldn't see him again after the second time I approached him to thank him for what he did for me. I thought that would be it. Closure from a stranger that did more for me than anyone else at the time.

Is the universe giving me another sign or is this pure coincidence?

I'm thinking too much. My head begins to shake and I push myself away from the door, glancing around my apartment at all of the boxes that litter the floors and furniture.

"Home sweet home," I whisper to myself before walking towards the first box I can see. I start to unpack as much as I can before I crash out on my unmade bed from exhaustion.

❖ ❖ ❖

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Author's Note

Hello my loves. What did we think of this chapter??👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

AHHHH they're neighbours which I am screaming over. I love a bit of forced proximity!🥰

Also how cute is Alex's dad? Yes, we love supportive parents

Thanks for reading. Please don't forget to vote! It means the world to me🖤

Love Savanna x

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