My Neighbor is Very Quiet…

6:25 PM inside Officer Roads’ apartment.

If anyone were to observe what was happening inside the apartment of Officer John Roads, most people would believe that the scene unfolding was a common occurrence.

Detective O’Malley was holding on to John by the shoulders, laughing loudly every time he finished a story from his job or funny moments in his life where John was involved. Skylar, the trendy and boisterous streamer, would be laughing and making faces whenever the stories took an outrageous direction. John would laugh softly at these stories and from time to time would nod in agreement whenever O’Malley made a mention of how some crooks get caught for the silliest reasons. And while all of this was happening, Skylar couldn’t help but realize something:

For all effects and purposes, they looked like a real family…

But in Sky’s mind, this thought was replaced by the people who were actually her family… and how far away they were at the moment…

While John and O’Malley were talking about the Detective’s latest case, Sky couldn’t help but remain silent as she reminisced about her own family and the good times they’d spend together whenever they had the chance to be a family and act like one.

She loved those moments when her mom and dad would sit at the table together, say: “Itadakimasu!” and start enjoying her mother’s cooking…

She’d talk to her mother about the latest fashion trends and how she’d wanted to fix her hair for her next outing with her friends. Her mother would always give her that reassuring smile and encourage her to find a style that suited her since that would help her create a good first impression with all her peers.

When her father asked her about her schoolwork and her grades, it was always a bit embarrassing for Sky, especially since she wasn’t exactly an honor student and spent most of her time working in her streaming career rather than her studies. The traditional man would disapprove of her negligence of her chores and school duties, and would encourage her to do better.

Sometimes they annoyed her with their expectations and their desire to tell her what to do…

…Sk…lar…?

Sometimes she’d push back and act rebellious by doing what she wanted to do rather than what they believed was best for her…

…ky…ar…?

Despite all that, she still missed those moments of acting like a family with her real family…

…Skylar…?

Now, sitting here on Officer Weirdo’s sofa, and watching him and Detective Fanman acting like family, having pizza on a Friday and having a good ol’ time… it made her feel… a bit jealous…

“Skylar? Are you okay? You seem… unusually quiet tonight.”

John’s voice suddenly made her realize she had been internalizing her thoughts a bit too much and made him worried. Looking into his eyes, showing concern and puzzlement over her silence made her blush again! Seems her feelings for John were back in full blast again!

“Oh! I-I’m sorry! I was just… erm… Ahahahahaha!” Trying to hide her embarrassment, she turned to nervous laughter… but she caught the grinning face of Detective O’Malley looking straight at her.

“Don’t you say ONE WORD, Detective Fanman!” Sky glared at O’Malley hoping he could read minds.

“I would never!” O’Malley smirked, hoping Skylar could read his intentions.

Skylar took a deep breath and settled down as she took a bite from her slice of pizza. John passed her a napkin while O’Malley poured himself another glass of soda pop.

“Excuse me! Erm… Detective,” Sky raised her hand and looked towards O’Malley who tilted his head a bit, “I hope I’m not prying too deep but, how did you two meet?”

The Detective arched an eyebrow as to why she directed that question to him. But having learned of her “hidden agenda”, he realized she’d be too nervous or embarrassed to ask Johnny directly. Surprisingly, it was John who spoke up first…

“That’s a pretty good story, actually… and the Detective tells it far better than I do.” John chuckled.

“Oh! Don’t go makin’ an ol’ man blush, boy!” O’Malley grumbled with mild embarrassment. “Alright, Missy! I’ll tell ya what happened. Just remember… this is a police secret, so don’t go tellin’ yer fans about it, ya hear?”

Sky smirked and crossed her heart. This made O’Malley chuckle as he rubbed his chin.

“I first met Johnny when I had just become a Detective. It must’ve been… hmmm… ‘bout ten years… I think?”

“Eleven years.” John corrected the Detective with a smirk.

“Right right! Eleven years! Wow! Now I’m feelin’ like an ol’ man… ya got a cane ‘round here somewhere boy?” O’Malley changed his voice to sound older and began to shake his hands like an elderly person which prompted Sky to laugh.

“Anyway!” the Detective cleared his throat, “in those days Johnny wasn’t doin’ too good in life. You were gettin’ into a whole heap of trouble, weren’t you boy?”

“Sure did…” John answered in his usual laconic way. Sky noticed this and realized John wasn’t fond of talking about this topic it seemed.

“He’d gotten into some trouble and… he got sent to juvie hall.” O’Malley looked at John who was holding a soft smile on his lips, but his eyes were distant, as if reliving that moment. Skylar listened intently… learning about the past of the guy she was falling for…

“Truth is,” John spoke, which made O’Malley remain silent for a moment while watching John with a benevolent look in his eyes, “I had acted as a criminal… my ‘youthful indiscretions’ included a bit of robbery and property damage. I’d been angry towards everything and everyone in the world… I wasn’t exactly earning any merit badges…”

Sky could see the regret in John’s eyes and the reluctance to share this part of his story. She felt compelled to try and comfort him, but she had to remember the time and place… and the company! When she glanced at O’Malley, she could see a slight nod of thanks for holding back.

“Go on, Johnny. You know it’s good for you to talk about it. And I trust Miss Aoi.”

Sky suddenly felt her heart beating calmly… it had been pounding all day long but now, hearing the Detective say she was trusted seemed to put her troubled thoughts at ease, all at once.

“Thank you…” Sky said quietly and then turned towards John who was looking at his hands, unable to look at her or the Detective. “G-Go ahead… Johnny…”

John took a deep breath, that look he had on his face, it was the same one Sky had seen when he was staring at her family photo.

“I… stole from innocent families… trashed their property… did all sorts of petty misdeeds. I even destroyed some poor kid’s toys!” John grimaced and looked down in shame. O’Malley sat next to him and patted his back gently.

Sky observed the transformation Johnny was having before her eyes and couldn’t help but feel for him. Officer Roads also carried the weight of his own pain, much like her… much like everyone.

“It’s alright, Johnny. It’s in the past now.” O’Malley said soothingly at John who nodded slowly.

“Umm…” Sky wanted to ask something, but felt awkward saying anything while Johnny was having a hard time with his memories. She saw O’Malley nod at her… “W-Why… why’d you… do it… Johnny?”

John looked up and stared straight into her eyes. Fear mounted into her throat when he did that. But his look was one of vulnerability and honesty. Had she gone too far asking that? Or… perhaps… he didn’t want to reveal his secret to her?

“I guess…”, John looked to the side and smiled sadly, “I was jealous of them.”

This revelation suddenly hit Sky like a ton of bricks!

Just a moment ago, she had felt jealousy of the “family dynamics” between the Detective and Johnny. To hear him saying he felt like that many years back… could it be he was jealous over the fact that she has a family? Did… did knowing this made him… hate her…?

“Johnny… he’d… he’d never hate me just because I have a family… right? I mean! T-That’s not possible… is it?”

“Sometimes we let our emotions get the best of us, right boy?” O’Malley smiled softly at John who nodded slowly, turning his eyes towards the Detective. “Good thing we got you straightened up!” He smiled at John broadly.

“Indeed… if I hadn’t been sent to juvie hall, who knows what might’ve happened to me. Then aga-... Skylar? Are you alright?” John looked at Sky with concern.

“Huh?” Sky hadn’t realized until he called out to her that she was crying. Tears were falling down her cheeks in a stream. Then she felt it… the pain John must’ve felt of being completely alone… and being able to find someone to help him out… what would she have done if SHE had been in his place?

She was complaining about her parents not being there again, but John never had a family until O’Malley appeared. This made her feel both compassion for Johnny’s story, but also ashamed of her childish complaints. Her face turned sad as she covered her face in her hands and began to sob loudly.

“I… I’m so sorry. I… I didn’t… mean to ask you to reveal… such a painful thing…” Sky began to shudder as she cried, speaking between sobs, “I’ve been… complaining… about… my… my mom and dad… not being here… and… acting like a brat… B-But… compared to… to Johnny… who’s… been… a-alone… since… since…”

Sky couldn’t hold it in and began to cry her poor heart out. She’d been holding on to her feelings of loneliness and teenage angst towards her parents. And now Johnny, the man she was falling in love with deeply, revealed a big personal secret of his…

Suddenly she felt someone’s hand very respectfully pat her shoulder. This made Sky look up and saw Johnny smiling warmly at her.

“It’s alright, Sky. Nobody’s perfect. Right?”

Her eyes opened a bit wider for a second. This was the first time Johnny had called her Sky. He usually called her ‘Skylar’ or ‘Miss Aoi’... Wait! When did SHE begin to call him ‘Johnny’? Were they that casual with each other now?

“Y-Yeah… nobody’s… perfect…”

“*PRRRRRRRBBB!* I shoulda bought some tissues on the way here…”

John and Sky turned to look at the Detective after she said those words as he blew his nose in one of the napkins, watching the two of them acting in such a kind way.

“Detective… you were waiting for just the right moment to say that, weren’t you?” Johnny grumbled towards O’Malley while Sky hid her face in her hands again, but this time out of embarrassment!

“FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! Will this emotional rollercoaster EVER END!? I can’t deal with this anymore…” Sky lamented quietly.

“It’s called comedic timing, boy! That’s what ya need whenever yer tryin’ to shift the mood properly!” O’Malley said these words as if they were the most natural thing in the world!

“I see… so a comedic comment in such a heartfelt moment can help change the mood… it’s that simple?” John became thoughtful for a moment while nodding at what the Detective said.

“You two…” Sky began to say…

“What’s that, Missy?”

“Something wrong, Sky?”

When Sky looked at both officers, her eyes were on fire as she stood up and allowed the volcano to erupt again!

“YOU TWO ARE THE WORST PAIR OF IDIOTS IN THIS CITY!”

“Whoa!” Both officers were taken aback!

“SHUT IT! BOTH OF YOU!” John and O’Malley fell silent.

“I’M HAVING AN EMOTIONAL DAY LIKE YOU TWO WON’T EVEN BELIEVE! AND NOW YOU, DETECTIVE FANMAN HAD TO RUIN A HEARTFELT MOMENT WITH A JOKE!? AND YOU, OFFICER WEIRDO ARE PLAYING ALONG WITH HIS STUPID ADVICE!?”

“Wait… that was bad advice?” Johnny looked completely shocked.

“Detective… Fanman!?” O’Malley was right in the middle between feeling offended or honored! “Does she always give people nicknames?”

Before John would answer, Sky turned her fury-filled gaze towards O’Malley.

“Got somethin’ to say, Pops?” She growled!

“No, Miss Aoi!”

She then turned to look at John who was simply looking at her. The moment she met his eyes, some of her fury vanished and she blushed. But she had to vent something out!

“Johnny! C-Could you… take the garbage out… d-don’t want to… turn this place… into a c-crime scene.” The fire in her eyes was gone as she sat down slowly and began to feel a little lightheaded. She’d spent all of her remaining energy in that outburst.

“Alright. I’ll be right back. Detective?” Johnny turned to look at O’Malley who simply nodded. This was the prompt for John to grab all the garbage, stuff it in a large garbage bag and walk out of the apartment towards the containers.

Sky was feeling incredibly tired… she’d been burning up emotionally all day since the previous night and now, after that final explosion of hers, she felt completely drained.

“Sorry for makin’ you so angry, Missy. But, I had to stop you two from gettin’ too close.” O’Malley looked apologetically towards Sky. “It’s too early for the both of you.”

She took a few deep breaths to recover some energy. Something told her that the moment she went to bed she’d pass out in a second. She felt so tired…

“It’s… okay. I am… a little emotionally unstable… rarely happens.” Sky tried to smirk at her joke. To which O’Malley laughed.

“I can see why Johnny’s fond of ya.”

“Huh!?” Sky’s eyes widened a bit, but the effort made her tired again…

“Fond of me? Did he mean… ‘like me’? Being ‘fond of someone’ is like saying they ‘like someone’ isn’t it? Ugh! I’ll have to look it up! But I can’t lift my hands to search for it online!”

“He sure wasn’t fond of me when I first met him…” O’Malley spoke and chuckled - a look of reminiscence appeared on his face.

“Why wasn’t he? You… don’t seem like a bad guy…” Sky had a hard time understanding why someone wouldn’t like O’Malley.

“Oh, it’s not about being a good or a bad guy. It’s about what happened between him and I!”

“What happened?”

“I was the officer who arrested him.” O’Malley chuckled and smirked. “Quite the plot twist, eh?”

O’Malley… was the arresting officer that sent Johnny to juvenile hall!?

“Why… how… umm… how did you become so close? I’d figured Johnny was… furious at you!”

“Guess I saw something in Johnny that got me thinking: ‘This boy’s gonna be great, one day.’” O’Malley smiled broadly while Sky hugged her legs towards her in a protective manner.

“And… you ‘straightened him out’?” Sky asked with a soft voice.

“Sure did…” The Detective sighed deeply as he looked at Sky with his usual friendly smile.

“What did you do with him?”

“I just let him turn all that fire and anger towards me. He needed to get all that poison outta his veins… it was gonna kill him. So, I started visiting him while he was detained. I talked to him… tried to make him see some sense… teach him how the world is and… hehehe… I gave him my ‘what every person needs to know to become a good person’ speech. I think that’s when I really got through to him…”

The more Sky listened to this strange Detective, the more she realized that Johnny had been lucky to have found O’Malley. Maybe it was the best thing that could’ve happened to her neighbor…

A few minutes later, John returned to the apartment and noticed how peaceful Sky’s face looked while she was trying to stay awake.

“Sky? You look like you’re about to pass out. Maybe it’s best if I take you back to your place so you can sleep.”

“Nuh-uh… I can still stay awake for a bit… I wanna talk s’more ‘bout… you… and Pops… ‘n my parents…” Sky felt her eyes closing on their own. It wouldn’t be long before she fell asleep no matter where she was.

“It’s bedtime for you, Missy. But don’t worry! I’ll be around here tomorrow.” O’Malley smiled kindly at Sky and nodded.

“Mmm…. ‘kay, Pops… Johnny… could you… gimme a hand…?” Sky held her arms up towards John. He knelt down and took her hands very carefully. To Sky’s surprise, Johnny’s hands, while rough, were surprisingly warm. She managed to stand up and leaned against John.

10:39 PM outside Sky’s apartment.

“Got your keys? We wouldn’t want to get into another discussion with the landlord.” John slowly helped Skylar walk out of his apartment and led her to hers.

“Don’t… sass me… Officer… Weirdo… if I was fully awake… I’d bonk you…” Unable to mount any defense, Sky handed her keys to John who opened her door and walked inside.

After the visits to her apartment, John was able to navigate and walk the staggering girl to her bedroom door.

“This is it, Sky. Just be sure to reach your bed before you fall asleep, alright?”

Sky opened the door to her room - she caught the sight of Johnny looking away to avoid seeing inside. A soft smile appeared on her lips. The guy she liked was so respectful of her space and privacy… Maybe it wasn’t THAT hard to care about him.

“Thanks… fer a great night… I… had a good time… actin’ like family… It’s pretty… cool…” Sky began to close the door behind her. She then turned to look at Johnny before he turned to leave.

“John…?”

“Yes?” He turned to look at her.

“You… mind if I call you… Johnny… like Pops…?”

John smiled softly and shook his head.

“Johnny… could I ask you… a big favor…?”

“Name it.”

“Keep calling me… Sky… Okay?”

“Sure thing, Sky.”

She felt her heart fluttering again and her cheeks blushing.

“Good night… Johnny…”

“Good night, Sky.”

Sky closed the door of her room. She heard John’s footsteps fading away and the sound of her door closing. Finally alone she staggered towards her bed and collapsed on it… falling asleep almost in an instant. Her last thought…

“I’m in love… with Johnny…”

10:51 PM inside Johnny’s Apartment.

Back in John’s apartment, O’Malley was sitting by the dining table, pouring some beer into two glasses. He didn’t want to drink in front of Sky, so he waited until they were both alone to enjoy it.

“She’s a good kid.” The Detective looked at John with a smile.

Johnny took a seat opposite to O’Malley and nodded.

“She’s a good person. Passionate and honest.”

“Keep her safe, boy…” O’Malley said simply, passed one glass of beer for John and held his, ready for a toast.

“I will, Sir.” John’s laconic answer made the Detective chuckle and clinked his glass with John’s, sharing a drink together.

“Now! Tell me about the Detective exam you’re taking in a couple of months. Have you been studyin’, boy?”

“Yes, Sir! At least three times a week.”

The night kept going for these two…

If anyone were to observe what was happening inside the apartment of Officer John Roads, most people would believe that the scene unfolding was a common occurrence.

A middle-aged man sharing a drink with a tough looking young man, chatting about their jobs, sports and their goals. Anyone would assume that these two were father and son…

Guess sometimes “family” means more than just our blood…