The Neighbor

11.

I started to wake up in discomfort and the pain in my hand was still present. As my eyes started to focus I realized I was in a tub... naked. I quickly curled up into a ball when I heard the door start to open. Nick had brought the first aid kit. He looked toward me and I quickly looked at the wall, not wanting to look at him.

"Oh you're awake.You must be wondering why your in a bath tub, well it's because I said you could shower, except I don't trust you in here alone. Also I'm going to treat your wound and do some hair maintenance."

I glanced at him with a confused expression, I was kinda shocked.

"Hey, if you don't let me then I'll assume you don't want to be up here and take you back down there. Do you want that?"

I shook my head immediately, "no, don't... please. You can do whatever you want, I just don't want to go back down there."

"Perfect." He said with a smile. "Well then let's get you washed up. That requires you to stand up."

I was slightly embarrassed, I mean he saw it already when he took my clothes off but still, it's weird. I think I blushed a little from my embarrassment.

"Look I already saw you when I took your clothes off, so don't be embarrassed. It's pretty decent anyways."

I think I turned more red from the comment. "Could you maybe not say things like that. It's kind of weird and uncomf-." He walks towards me and picks me up quickly, I almost lost my balance.

"Didn't you say I can do whatever I want?"

I didn't even really hear what he said because I was so focused on how close his hand was to my left hand, the one that had a nail in it. I think I was paralyzed for a little bit from fear of him hurting it more.

"Hey Rider... Rider... RIDER!"

I snapped out of it and flinched a little as I looked down at the floor.

"Why'd you space out?"

I was unsure as to wether I should tell him or not but the sooner he lets go the better. "Well it- it's because I got a little scared... of you accidentally hurting my hand. I guess I froze up, sorry." He glanced at my hand and instantly let go and a wave of relief went over me.

"Oh, right sorry."

"It's okay."

He reached down and turned on the water, but all of a sudden he turned it off.

"Hey..." I looked at him as he looked at me. "Do you want to take a bath instead?"

"Yes actually."

"Well then sit down."

I sat down as he turned the water back on, it was freezing at first and I started to get goosebumps but eventually it got warmer. He stopped it just before it reached the top of the tub.

"Okay close your eyes."

That made me a little nervous, "why...". I flinched when I saw something come around from the corner of my eye. It turned out to be Nicks hand full of shampoo.

"...because I'm going to wash your hair and I don't want soap to get in your eyes."

That was actually considerate of him, that's weird. I swear he has a split personality with an on off switch or something.

I closed my eyes as he put the shampoo and conditioner in my hair, it was the first bath I'd been in since... well actually I'm not sure how long it's been. I know it's been long enough for me to smell like a dumpster. It's also been a while since I've cut my hair, it's long enough to make a man-bun. Then I jumped when I felt a sponge being scrubbed on my chest. Some of the water spilled out and onto Nick. I turned around and froze, his eyes were wide as he was looking at his soaked pants. "I-I'm so... so sorry Nick. I didn't do it on purpose, it was an accident. I was just a little startled and-." He looked up and covered my mouth with his hand, I closed my eyes and started to shake.

"Rider... look at me."

I slowly opened my eyes and saw that his expression had changed, he looked calmer.

"You don't have to explain yourself because it wasn't your fault. I crossed the line by not asking if I could wash you."

He took his hand off and gave me the sponge.

"I'm going to change so wash yourself. I'm trusting you by yourself, don't break my trust. Got it."

I nodded. He got up and left, but didn't lock the door. He's obviously testing me, but I'm not in the mood to try my luck. I started to wash myself when I felt a sting in my hand. I forgot that there was open wound there, I did have to wash it but it hurt. I finished up and got out to dry myself. I looked at a chair near the door with some folded clothes. I assumed they were for me so I walked over and reached for them.

At the same time the door started to open. I looked up and saw Nick giving me a glare that gave me chills. I only just realized that the position I was in looked like my hand was reaching for the door knob. I quickly walked back as he opened the door.

"Were you... just now, trying to leave?"

In that moment I couldn't form words, "I-I... wel- I..". He started to walk towards me, I was aware of every step as I backed up against the wall.

"For your sake Rider, you better not have been. So be honest with me, what were you doing?"

I took a deep breathe to calm myself. "I swear I wasn't trying to leave, even though I guess in that moment it looked like it... but I was actually trying to... to grab those clothes on the chair. I thought they were for me, sorry."

"Rider, I need you to look at me when you say something."

I looked up at him and immediately regretted what I said next, "Well I would if your eyes weren't so scary...". I tensed up instantly and kept my eyes down. Then I saw him raise his right hand toward my face. He's going to hit me, I closed my eyes and waited. All of a sudden I felt him run his hand through my hair, pushing it out of my face.

"Thanks for being honest."

I looked up and saw him with a small smirk on his face.

"I believe you. Go get dressed."
•••
See, not too bad. He got a bath finally and I think Nick is starting to control himself... maybe. Honestly, idk if Riders going to leave anytime soon but who knows, maybe. As I said, I'm making it up as I go.