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George isn't a nosy person. In fact, he doesn't mind other people's business–unless people intentionally involve him in it for some reason.
–But here he is, in front of Unit 812's door, and is about to knock on the wood that separates him from whatever was inside.
The said unit is right below his (Unit 712), and he's been bothered about the noises he's been hearing from up there for the past few days.
It's not that the noises are too loud for him not to be able to sleep. It’s because the noises he hears are concerning him because they're mostly painful cries followed by sounds of shattering glass or falling objects that were slightly muffled.
George thinks it's probably because they have a carpet to do that.
But that didn't stop him from being concerned about his neighbor. George didn't want to carry some guilt if he didn't take action when the brunet knew that he could at least do something about it, so, he finally decided that today's the day that he'll know what's happening to whoever's living right above him.
He's scared that the person occupying the unit will jump on him and do something violent as soon as they open the door– so he got himself some emergency pepper spray just in case.
George sighed deeply, questioning if he was doing the right thing inside his head.
He finally knocked on the door after a few moments,
–there was no response.
George sighed, he figured he should knock again, but before his knuckles could touch the door, it swung open– showing a pair of tired eyes looking at him from the inside.
George realized it was his cue to speak.
"Um...hi?" He awkwardly greets. The figure didn't budge.
He continued, "My name is George, from 712– the unit below." He stepped towards the unit door, then held his hand out, offering a handshake.
The person opened the door a bit more so they could go outside the unit– not enough to let George in, but enough for him to have a glance at what was inside, which was a messy living room– lots of scattered clothes, tightly shut windows, and broken glass shards that reflects the light of what he can assume is the tv left open.
George looked at the person standing in front of the door. They're wearing a hoodie, stains visible on it, but the person didn't seem to care- the person is a lot taller than him, and he's having a hard time looking at their physical features because almost everything is covered.
The hoodie person doesn't smell like alcohol or something strong– in fact, George could smell a faint cologne scene despite having a good enough distance from them, which made him wonder what those stains were. The hood of the hoodie covered almost the entirety of their face except for their eyes– which George thought were pretty, but they looked pretty swollen. He felt thought that they were probably crying nonstop for the past few days.
He hopes this person is alright– and if they're not, he'd be more than happy to help them regain their composure –or just help them clean the mess they made, though he'll be happy if he's able to do both.
The person reluctantly extended their hand to shake George's. George felt happy with the returned gesture, despite not being able to directly speak with the person.
He appreciates it more than he realizes.
"Dream." The person said, voice hoarse and quiet. The way this Dream person spoke confirmed one of George's guesses –they've been crying for days now.
"Dream?" George repeated, making sure he heard right. Dream nodded as a response.
"Nice meeting you, Dream!" George realized he needed not only to start the conversation but also to be the more enthusiastic one among the two of them because clearly, this man wasn't particularly feeling great recently.
Dream let out a quiet hum in response, choosing to keep his mouth shut. "So... Do you live with someone there?" George curiously asked, tilting his head to the right. Dream nodded mindlessly but suddenly stopped. George thought that Dream probably realized what the question was, and they were so out of it. Dream then shook his head rapidly–clearly, there was something wrong, and George wanted to know what that was.
George already made up his mind when he saw this poor person's state– he wanted to do his best to help Dream, and he wanted to start by trying to console him. –so he started asking Dream what was wrong.
"I... hope you don't mind me asking this, but..." George slowly spoke, "Are you... feeling alright?" He knew that he was just a stranger, but something in him seemed to be extremely determined to make Dream's feelings a bit better.
Like he expected, he didn't receive a response.
George tried again.
He's convinced that this Dream person needs someone right now.
Not like someone who will entirely pull him out of his puddle, but someone whose presence will distract them long enough.
George peered through Dream's side, tiptoeing to see more of the unit, but failed since Dream's figure was towering on the doorframe.
"Can... I come in?"
He was interrupted by Dream's swift response, "No."
"Oh."
George figured he probably sounded too invasive when he asked that question, so he tried to apologize. "I'm sorry if it sounded like I wanted to invade your space. I didn't mean it–"
He saw Dream nodding slightly as if acknowledging his apology, "–but, I've been hearing noises from down below, and it concerns me– don't get me wrong, you haven't woken me up from my slumber or anything, it's just that the sounds I heard were muffled wails, falling things or sounds of shattering glass." George started telling the unit owner the real reason he was there in the first place.
"I really don't want to be involved in other people's business, but I figured I should at least ask you about it." George looked up after talking, only to see that Dream was trying to hold back their tears.
"I'm sorry if you've been hearing some noises for the past days," Dream said, choking on almost every word he's saying, "–And I appreciate your concern, but, I think the noise wasn't coming from my unit."
George was surprised when he heard those words coming out from Dream's mouth –he's more than a hundred percent sure that what he was hearing was from their unit, not anyone else's.
Then it hit him.
Dream is lying.
"I think your ears are playing tricks on you." Dream tries convincing George.
"No, I'm pretty sure it's literally above me-" Dream cuts him off,
"I really need to go inside now, just knock if you'll need me again." Dream turned his back on George and went into the unit.
He looked back outside to talk with George again, "It was nice meeting you, George." Dream said in a sad tone as he closed the door behind him, leaving George standing alone by the hallway.
To be fair, Dream had all the right to decline answering his questions honestly– he's a stranger, after all.
But George didn't want this to end just like that. He doesn't want to give up, especially when deep in his heart, he knows that Dream needs someone to be by his side.
He figured he could try again tomorrow.
He already started this, and might as well make Dream realize that he's not pulling pranks or anything.
The next day, he brought a basket containing some fruits and sweets, alongside a small bouquet of yellow roses.
He knocked on the unit that he went to last night, hoping that the person from the other side would still open. George hopes that Dream will like the small gift he's giving him.
The door swung open, showing the same tall person he talked to last night. He attempted to take a peek at the unit, only to see the same situation it was last night– only a bit brighter from the sunlight peering through the room's window.
Dream seems to be out of it, as he was extremely taken aback when he saw George standing in front of his doorstep, holding a basket.
George smiled, showing the basket to the person in front of him. "I hope you don't mind this?" George said, handing the basket over to Dream.
He continues to talk as Dream hesitantly accepts the gift, "I figured you might need some cheering up, so I woke up early to buy these."
Dream was looking through the basket's contents – seeing a card in the process.
"I'm not taking that basket back, by the way." He joked.
Dream puts the basket down and opens the card to read what it says.
Hi, Dream! This is George from Unit 712.
I know last night was really strange, but I really want to know you and help you in little ways that I can, so please accept this basket.
I've read that chocolates are a great serotonin boost, so I bought a bunch of different brands– I don't know which ones you'd like, so I bought a lot.
The basket also contains fruits since fruits are healthy and sweet! I don't know which foods you like or dislike so I figured these are the safest ones to give you, and lastly, the yellow roses! I searched for flowers for friendship, and the internet showed me those, so I bought them.
I hope it'll put a little smile on your face :] I don't know if I'll give this to you personally, but just in case I won't, here's a card to explain every content in this basket. I put a lot of research and thought into it, so I hope you won't be disappointed or be awkward about it.
–George
George watched Dream as he read the card he wrote earlier.
He noticed that Dream was wearing a different hoodie this time– the hood has strings, and it's pulled tightly to hide most of his face except for his eyes. George looked at Dream's eyes only to see that they are more swollen than yesterday.
He took the initiative to talk. "I know you don't want to share something private with a total stranger, but I want to assure you that I'm not playing tricks on you or anything."
George scratched his nape, "The thing is, I'm really concerned about you and I just want you to know that I may be a stranger to you yet, but I'm willing to be someone you can lean on."
He has been wondering why he was so eager to help a total stranger, but he figures that Dream reminded him of his old self–someone who is usually isolated to everyone and keeps to himself.
"My unit is open when you need someone to talk to." George was hoping his sincerity reached Dream's heart.
Dream didn't move a muscle but spoke quietly to him, "Thank you. I appreciate this."
George gave him a warm smile as he reached for Dream's shoulder, tapping it lightly. Dream nodded slightly, then faced his unit to go back inside it.
George was looking at Dream's back sadly– he wasn't expecting much, but he was expecting their interaction to last longer than last night.
He looked down and was about to head back below when he heard a knock to his right. He looked back to see Dream behind the door of 812– which was open wide enough for someone to enter.
His eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Is Dream letting me in? He asked himself.
Dream unknowingly answered his question by gesturing towards the room using his right hand.
George pointed to himself, then the door, asking, "Am I allowed to?"
Dream nodded.
He's more than happy to be welcomed inside the stranger's unit, hoping for a new friendship that will blossom through this.