That One Neighbor // Closed O/O

(Ahh many thanks! :D those few days definitely helped me reset)

Monroe dipped his head again, opening his mouth to reply when Anna called from the other room. He shut his mouth then, smiled, and awkwardly bobbed his head. “Of course. Until next time.” Once the door was closed he turned on his heel. Letting his hand slide down the metal railing as he descended down the stairs. He’d left the door unlocked just for convenience while he got the mail, so he entered his own apartment easily enough.

Inside, the conversation he’d had with Henry and Anna replayed in his mind. The self-consciousness of meeting new people—particularly when the people were his neighbors, and of them one he found especially physically attractive. He forced the thought out of his mind, instead knocking on Lauren’s door. “Hey, you up, yet? Your class starts in, uh—“ he glanced over at the clock on the wall—“fifteen minutes.”

(No problem my guy! :D)

Henry got to work on his calculus - which he planned to outlaw when he got back to Spanugal - with a huff. The pencil scratched noisily against his graph paper notebook that Anne insisted he buy. With every equation, Henry's brain got more and more muddled. Even mundane things, such as taking a sip of his water, now seemed confusing and mind-boggling.

"Henry," Anne's soft voice rang from the kitchen. The Prince looked up, an irritated fire in his eyes. "You're getting worked up again."

Henry sighed and set down his notebook, only half of a page was filled in. "I need… I need a break or something." He straightened out his pristine white shirt and paced over to the door.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"On a walk."

"Henry, there are dangerous people out-"

"Yes, Anne!" Henry barked, cutting his friend off. "I-I apologize. I just need some alone time. I'll take…" He looked around, searching for something he could take with him to defend himself if necessary. "Oh! I'll take this pocket knife and the pepper spray. Will that suffice?"

Anne sighed, setting down the knife she was using to mince garlic. "I would rather go with you, but I know you like your space. Just be back here in half an hour, or I'll go searching for you."

"Alright. Thank you." The bolt clacked as Henry unlocked the door and the hinges creaked as he opened the door. "I'll be seeing you, Anne."

"Be safe!" The bodyguard called after her friend as he exited.