Ineffable ? Joost Klein ?

8.

'You're even more out of your mind if you think taking him to Elke's apartment was a good idea-'

'Don't talk about my girlfriend, you son of a bitch,' Roan was riled up once more and growled. 'I know what you're playing at and you better keep your fucking distance.'

Joost's eyebrows rose at the sudden hostility and he gave up with his attempt at being civil.

'That's kind of hard when she's on the same floor as me,' he said and relished in the way Roan's face reddened in anger. Joost wanted to prod even more but resisted, turning his brash mood to what mattered.

'I'm telling you, Roan, if you can get out now, you do it. Don't drag anyone else into your shit.'

Roan wasn't listening. He was furious. He wasn't sure if he could wait until the weekend to embarrass Joost in front of his friends and Elke. His fist tingled and he even considered going to his car to rummage through his glove compartment. There, Roan would find the thing that Nathan had told him was only necessary for the plan. But in the corner shop, in front of the tall blonde that was everything Roan wasn't, he was prepared to risk it all.

'See you Saturday, cunt,' Roan seethed and collided with Joost's shoulder as he left. Without paying, Roan left the corner shop.

With blood boiling, Joost stared at the spot where Roan had been. He had done his best to be helpful and as polite as he could manage. But all it seemed to do was increase his hatred for Elke's boyfriend and secure him a race that he didn't want to do.

Joost headed towards the cashier and paid for the crisps that Roan left with. He then pulled out his cigarettes and smoked on his walk home.

---

'You're an idiot, El. A classic idiot,' Arabella insulted the Swift driver.

Elke had no comeback because it was true. She drove the two of them along the streets with a deep frown. She expected nothing less from her friend after telling her about Tuesday night. Arabella had thrown herself into the passenger seat with a demand to hear all about the breakup. She wanted to know what Elke said, how she said it and what Roan looked like when he got on his knees and begged her to reconsider.

But Arabella cried out in frustration when Elke met her eye for a mere second before giving a crooked smile.

'He turned up with one of his friends. I couldn't do it with him in the room,' Elke tried to defend.

'Sure you could have! His friends barely acknowledge that you exist! They would have been none the wiser,' Arabella cried. 'I give up with you. You've sullied my good name with your toxic relationship.'

Elke rolled her eyes at her friend's dramatic tones. She went to respond as they went over a speed bump but her words never made it out. On the sidewalk, bright blonde hair and a broad, tall frame caught Elke's attention. Smoke bellowed into the air above his head and as she drove passed, Joost looked up and recognised the square car.

They waved to each other with smiles. Joost's sunglasses covered his eyes but it wasn't hard for Elke to guess that his wave was to her. She continued over another speedbump and tried to recall what she was going to say before.

'Who was that?' Arabella asked, twisting to look through the back windshield.

'My neighbour, Joost.'

'Your neighbour, Joost?' her friend repeated mockingly. Elke nodded, glancing to Arabella with nothing else to say. She heard the scoff and saw the shake of her head in the corner of her eye.

'You're unbelievable.'

'I thought I was an idiot?'

'That, too. You're an unbelievable idiot with too many handsome men in your life.'

Whether it was a backhanded compliment or an outright insult, Elke laughed. Arabella followed while still in disbelief.

For months, if it wasn't for the few times Elke had spare to see her best friend, she was convinced she would never laugh. Arabella was the only one that Elke was ever excited to see. She didn't drag her to car meets and they both liked eating out, shopping and running errands together. Their full-time jobs meant that their weekends were sacred and they had to use what they had to see each other. But they didn't mind, because Elke could be herself and Arabella could ridicule her friend's boyfriend to filth.

At the sight of her neighbour, Elke realised that she had laughed more since moving into her new apartment than she had in a while. Joost emitted a similar comfort that Arabella did with his witty humour and interest in her as a person. She was sure that her friend and neighbour would get along, maybe to the point of finding an affection for each other.

The idea was squandered and kicked out of Elke's head in an instant. When Elke left her apartment every day, she couldn't stop herself from looking to 406. When she saw the Impreza in the carpark, Elke hoped it would roar to life and she would see Joost in the driver's seat. The thought of seeing another woman, even if it was her best friend, stepping out of the green door or out of the silver Suburu put a great weight on Elke's heart.

It was selfish and Elke was ashamed to feel it, but that was for her to think and keep to herself.