Chapter 1: Introduction
Fucking rabbits.
Jessy's cute, pouty mouth curled and contorted as she gripped the phone, venting her frustrations to an absent friend while simultaneously torturing the rabbit-shaped stress ball in her other hand. For someone who'd been living and breathing in our tight-knit community for quite a while now, she sure had a unique obsession with loathing all furry creatures - especially the type that had an affinity for chewing on vegetables and churning out small, pellet-sized droppings.
Rabbits.
Rabbits were the reason for Jessy's existence next door to me, their ceaseless thumpity-thump-thumping true evidence of my miserable luck. And while their presence initiated a series of unpleasant events, an unforeseen recognition of the white-hot tension accumulating between Jessy and I started bubbling up.
One late Saturday afternoon, I heard a gentle knock on the door while I savored the company of my floppy-eared pets in my living room.
With a sigh, I opened the door to be confronted by Jessy, her petite frame demanding my full attention. I didn't miss the devilish glint in her eye.
"Listen, I think we should settle this dispute once and for all. I'm throwing a housewarming party tonight," she declared, eyebrows raised, practically daring me to say no. "You. Me. Ten o'clock. Top floor. Don't disappoint me."
Before I could answer, she turned on her heel, her ass twitching in those skin-tight jeans.
Fighting the temptation to watch her go, I nodded reluctantly. When she was out of sight, I closed the door with more force than necessary.
The clock on the wall ticked away the minutes, bringing ten o'clock closer. I was nervous, but aware that I couldn't let her intimidate me; it was time to take charge and let her know my limits. I hesitated, then climbed the stairs to her apartment, ready to face whatever came next.