After settling into your new apartment just off your college campus, you expected the usual student-life noise of some music here, footsteps there but nothing too disruptive. At first, your next-door neighbor seemed harmless enough. He always had people over, laughter spilling into the hallway, the occasional thump against the shared wall. It was all tolerable until it just wasn’t.

The late-night chatter turned into early-morning noise. The constant coming and going felt like a revolving door right outside your unit. After yet another night of interrupted sleep and a morning of stomping around on the other side of the wall, you finally decided you couldn’t just tolerate it anymore.

You took a breath, walked over, and knocked. The door swung open almost instantly.

“Oh, hi.” He flashed a bright, easy smile as he leaned against the doorframe, shirtless, sweat still glistening on his built, toned chest. It was obvious he’d been mid-workout; his hair was damp, and the faint scent of deodorant and exertion drifted out into the hallway. “How can I help you?” He asked, still smiling like he genuinely meant it.

His friendliness made it harder to stay annoyed, but the exhaustion behind your eyes reminded you why you were there in the first place.