“Biochemistry,” Ollie replied shyly, still hugging the small vacuum. He traced one of the panels with his finger subconsciously. “I’ve always been fascinated by it, I couldn’t help but choose it. How about you? What’s your major?”
"Pre-med," Finn answered glancing at the Roomba in his arms. "Both y parents were doctors and I want to be able to help people." He checked the time. "I should get going. Have to pick up my sister from school but just a warning she always wants to bake cookies for new neighbors." He winked at Ollie.
“That would be wonderful,” he replied, even if it had been a joke or not, he didn’t know. “I currently don’t have much food, so I’ll have to go shopping here in a few.”
He trailed off, realized what he was saying wasn’t necessarily the most interesting of information. He gave a timid smile before saying, “And, of course, I’ll let you get back to your things. Sorry again about the vacuum…”
Finn smiled at his slight rambling and nodded. “Its really ok you don’t have to keep apologizing,” he said. “I’ll see you around?” He picked up his keys from the kitchen counter.
Ollie nodded. “Yep, sure— yeah. Have a nice day.”
Before he could embarrass himself more, he flew back up the stairs, almost tripping, grabbed the boxes, and disappeared into his apartment.
The place wasn’t special— especially because it had boxes still everywhere. It had a nice view from the window and a small balcony where he figured he’d keep a few plants.
He shut the door, then leaned up against it, taking a deep breath. After gathering himself back together, he began his long afternoon of unpacking.
Finn smiled as he watched Ollie runoff. He left his apartment right after the other boy. When he got home with his sister he told her about Olliver and they decided to make some chocolate chip cookies and to invite him to dinner. The cookies where ready almost around dinner time so Finn and Poppy went upstairs with a plate of fresh cookies. Finn knocked on his door.
Ollie was busy letting his fingers drift over the keys of the keyboard. It was a standard, almost junked, one with a janky stand and unreliable keys. Although he didn’t mind, as long as it made him music.
He didn’t hear the knocks on the door until he finished the current song he had been playing, so he figured the visitors may have waited longer than they pleased. With a hasty flick of the power button, he scrambled from his stool, tripping across the apartment and opening the door.
“H-hi,” he breathed, caught off-guard at the sight of Finn and a smaller girl, likely his sister. “How’s it going?”
Finn smiled and was about to answer when Poppy spoke up. "So you are the man you hit my brother in the head with a Roomba?" She asked sounding amused. Finn sighed.
"Ignore her we brought you cookies like promised," Finn said handing Ollie the plate.
Ollie’s face flushed a bright red as he stuttered to apologize once again, but the sound of Finn’s words and the plate he held out stopped him. He took the plate gently, a small smile flicking across his face.
“Thank you, very much,” he said happily, surprised the man had actually gone through with it. “You both are much too nice. I figured I’d oughta be the one making cookies.”
Finn smiled back. “It’s okay we like baking. I was actually wondering if you would like to come over for dinner? Since you said you haven’t gone good shopping,” he said. Poppy smiled back.
“Ah-h- absolutely!” he said, quite excitedly. He tugged at the collar of his shirt nervously, but was clearly happy to have had the offer. He set the cookies down on the counter and picked up his glasses, slipping them on his face.
Finn smiled. hmm he looks cute wi Th glasses and in general he thought but quickly shook that thought off. “Great! I’m making veggie stir fry. It should be done soon if you want to come down now.”
“Oh— sure,” he said, voice clearly sounding his excitement, and anxiety at the same time. He loved meeting new people, but boy did it make him nervous. His skin felt cold, his heart beating faster than it should have been.
“Gosh, you’re too nice,” Ollie laughed slightly, adjusting his shirt. “I… I should hit more people in the head with vacuums, if this is the response— I’m kidding by the way, if I didn’t make that clear. I actually probably shouldn’t make those kinds of jokes—.”
He stopped himself from rambling, instead just giving sort of a nervous smile. He pushed his glasses back up, sheepishly looking from Poppy to Finn.
Finn laughed. “It’s ok really,” he said backing up. He walked down stairs poppy right behind. She was being quiet for now.
Ollie stalled for a moment, taking a deep breath as they started walking. Finally gathering his thoughts, he lightly jogged after them, descending the staircase as well.
Finn went into his apartment. He held the door open for Ollie and Poppy. He went into the kitchen and stored some food he left simmering. “Poppy can you set the table?” he asked. Poppy nodded.
Ollie stood extremely awkwardly in the front of the room, hands clasped behind his back and lips pursed. His eyes wandered around the apartment, flicking from Finn to Poppy, to the table.
Finn looked at Olli. "Come in. It should only be a few minutes," He said.
Ollie hesitantly took a seat at the table, putting his hands over his knees and taking a deep breath.
“Really, I can’t thank you enough for inviting me,” he said, voice genuine.
(Hey sorry stuff came up but I'm back now)
"It's nothing! I always make too much anyway," Finn said looking over his shoulder. Poppy placed a plate and utensils in front of Olli before sitting down across from him.
Ollie gave the girl a semi-nervous smile, recounting the events of that day in his head. His fingers tapped the table subconsciously, to the tune of the piano song he had previously been learning before being so wonderfully stopped by the two siblings. He didn’t mind at all. Despite the anxiety, he had an inkling these two might end up being something more than neighbors to him. Possibly even good friends.
Finn finished up the food and placed the rice and vegetables in two separate bowls before putting them on the table. It was a small round table that only fit about 4 people. Finn sat between Poppy and Ollie “so what where you doing before we showed up?” Finn asked.
“Playing piano,” Ollie said timidly. “It’s just a hobby of mine. Not like I’m a musician or anything.”
His fingers stopped dancing on the countertop, and he slipped them under the table, clasping his hands together.
Finn smiled. "That's really cool! I think I heard a bit through the door. It sounded nice," He said making his own plate.
Ollie’s heart leapt. “Really? I’m so sorry you can hear it, I didn’t mean for it to be loud, I can turn it down.”
"Oh, no don't worry I meant before I knocked. We cant hear it from up here but even if we could I wouldn't be complaining. You sounded really good!" Finn quickly corrected. Poppy seemed to be studying Ollie as she got her food but she had a small smile. "I tried getting into piano when I was younger but I wasn't any good."
“Hah— thanks,” he said tentatively. “And yeah, it’s been a while for me. I started when I was very young. It takes a while to get to where I am, and even I don’t think I’m one of the best, by any stretch.”
Finn nodded. "Yeah my teacher was mean so I quit after like a month. I tried a lot of different hobbies growing up though. Do you like to do anything else for fun?" He asked leaning back in his chair slightly. He ate some of his food.
Ollie thought for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Yeah, I make dioramas? Out of resin and stuff? I use my friend’s workshop. It’s really fun. I have some things I’ve made up in my apartment.”
"That sounds really cool!" Finn said. A cat walked into the dining room and under the table. She walked around Ollie's legs. She sat down and looked up at the new human. She went to jump on his lap but Finn scooped her up.