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Moving into a new neighborhood is always difficult, and starting new and meeting the neighbors is also a pain. Kattaline sighed softly as she pulled up to the new house she had bought. Thankfully, her first bakery was going smoothly enough to open a second and still make a profit, so a home seemed like the best next step for her. She called one of her friends from high school to help her move in. Hearing that his little brother lived in the neighborhood eased the tension.
Gene was always looking out for her, even if he showed his care by jabbing at her education and her lack of technique with spray paint. Kattaline sat in the driveway as the movers pulled up shortly after. She stepped out and saw another car pull up; she knew that beat-up 2006 Jeep Cherokee from a mile away. She crossed her arms and leaned against the door of her car, watching the car pull into the house across the street. Gene sat in his car momentarily before stepping out and closing his door a bit too hard. Kattaline cringed at the slam as he moved to knock on the house door. She assumed this was the little brother’s house she had heard so much about. Gene’s roots were barely peaking out, a bright blue contrasting his dyed black hair. She watched as the door opened to a white-haired man who welcomed Gene, and they walked into the house. The white-haired gentleman closed the door, and Kattaline sighed.
“Great, there goes the muscle,” she grumbled sarcastically. She sighed and moved to unlock the door. She waved at the movers, propping open the door so they could start bringing things inside the house. The movers helped bring the large furniture and the boxes into the living room. Since money was tight, Kattaline had only hired them for a couple of hours. Kattaline set out some sandwiches she had made and water bottles in a cooler for the workers. After an hour, maybe only thirty minutes, Gene left the house across the street with a man with blue hair in tow. Kattaline looked up at Gene, moving box in hand.
“Are you deciding to grace me with your presence now?” She smirked as Gene rolled his eyes.
“Ha ha, very funny,” he was always snarky with her. It was one of the ways they joked and stayed friends for so long. Gene moved to her and took the box from her. “Kat, this is Dante. You remember him, right?” Gene motioned with his lips towards his brother.
“Uh- kinda? I’ve definitely seen pictures on your Instagram.” Kattaline smiled and shook the younger brother’s hand. “Nice to officially meet you, Dante.”
“We’ve met before,” he chuckled as he let go of her hand, picking up a moving box. Kattaline froze slightly, sweating bullets. Oh no. Had she accidentally hooked up with him during college and didn’t know, or was she just that bad with faces?
“Oh- uhm- sorry, but when… was this?” She picked up a box and looked at him as they walked into the house.
“You don’t have the grunge aesthetic, I remember, but we met in high school. I was popping by Hot Topic to get him.” Dante chuckled slightly, fondly remembering the high school experience. He loved going into the store and looking at all the clothing. “You worked there. right? That was you with the purple streaks.” Kattaline nodded along and walked into the house.
“Yeah, that was- wait, you were the little Casanova! You came in with, like, a different girl any chance you could!” She shouted, earning a chuckle from Gene. Dante blushed out of embarrassment and placed down his box. Dante let out a nervous chuckle.
“Yeah, well, I can admit that was a bit much now. Scouts honor, I’m not like that anymore.” Dante smiled and placed his hand on his heart.
“Dante, you’ve never been a scout.” Gene laughed and set his box down, taking the box from Kattaline and placing it on top of his own.
“You don’t know what I have and haven’t done,” Dante joked, narrowing his eyes at his brother with a smile. Gene rolled his eyes and ruffled Dante’s hair, earning a chuckle from the blue-haired man. “Hey-! Stop it! Do you know how long it takes to look this good??” He pushed off Gene’s hand with a smile.
“Nah, I woke up like this,” Gene teased and nudged Kattaline. “You know what I’m talking about,” Gene smirked. Kattaline paused and pretended to gag for a moment, keeling over.
“Ew, stop, no. Do not make it sound weird!” She laughed and looked up at the boys with a smile, looking at Dante. “We were roommates for a little bit while I was getting my bakery up and running. Don’t take anything he says out of context.” Gene rolled his eyes with a chuckle and shrugged, moving to bring in more boxes.
“You never let me shine !” Gene spoke, waving a hand and covering his eyes. Kattaline chuckled a bit, calling after him.
“Don’t walk into a wall!” Gene scoffed before waving it off and walking out the door to get more boxes. Kattaline sighed and looked at Dante with a huff. “How you lived with him for 17 years alludes me.”
“Takes a special touch, I guess?” Dante shrugged with a smile, turning fully to Kattaline. “It’s nice to meet you officially, though.” Kat nodded with a sweet smile.
“The pleasure is mine, Dante.”