Tie My Heartstring's ❦

guest

Katie

Without my dad around, Hudson has opened up more to me. It wasn't awkward between us, it felt... natural. Joseph interrupted it at the perfect time, calling to meet me for brunch. I don't see Hudson again before I leave the house, part of me wanted to. After a short walk, I spot Joseph waiting by the restaurant door. "Hey, Joe!" I call as I run over to him. I smile sweetly, hugging him before we head to get seated. 

I grab my menu, my stomach already growling. When the server comes over, I order a burger, and Joe orders the same thing. We begin chatting about school, Alice and Ryan, and I pester him for details about his dorm drama. He lives at the dorms, seemingly enjoying the experience. I could never imagine myself living in a dorm.

After we finish our meal, I lean back, full and content. We leave the restaurant, Joseph and I walk side by side down the busy street. He is laughing while telling some silly story about his roomate. Lunch had been really nice—comfortable, easy—and I actually feel relaxed for the first time today.

But just as I am mid-laugh, something across the street catches my eye. I stop, my voice trails off as I squint across the street. A man is standing, half-hidden by the corner of a café. He wears a dark hat pulled low, his collar high enough to hide most of his face. But the way he is angled, watching us, feels deliberate. His phone is held up, aimed at us. Is he taking a fucking picture? A chill pricklesdown my spine.

"Earth to Katie?" Joseph's voice snaps me out of it. I turn to see him looking at me, eyebrows raised in concern. "Do you...Um, know that guy?" I whisper, signinaling toward the café window. Joseph follows my gaze, but the man is long gone when he looks. It is now an empty spot by the window, like he'd vanished into thin air. "There's no one there," Joseph says, glancing back at me with a worried look. I force a laugh, but the uneasy feeling twists in my gut. "Um, I must've imagined it," I mutter, trying to brush it off. God, what is with my instincts being so vocal today?

"Katie, maybe you're watching too much television."  He puts his arm around my shoulder, as we trail down the street. I worry I am starting to go a little crazy. Being dressed up in weird outfits isn't anything abnormal for new yorkers. Joe insists to walk me home, and I happily take him up on his offer. I take Joseph's arm, as we walk arm in arm to my penthouse. Once home I bid Joe goodbye, telling him we will do something again this weekend.

The creeping sensation in the back of my neck is gone, but it's replaced with a slightly sick feeling. I do my best to push it away. Once safe inside my home, I don't see any sight of Hudson. Hm, perhaps he went to his home for a little. Or to the main recording studio. Honestly, I don't really know. As I'm about to make my way upstairs, I hear a grunt come from the guest room.

I pause, frowning at the door. I had sworn he wasn't home yet, so why is there noise coming from the guest room? It sounds like someone in pain. It's very soft, but I can definitely hear it. I'm not going crazy. I slowly walk over towards the sound. I place my hand on the doorknob. I give it a good twist, but of course, it doesn't open. The guest room door is never locked. Then I hear a twist and the door swings open, and I'm face to face with Hudson. "Katie, what the hell are you doing?" His voice is sharp.

I leap away from the door. I try my best not to look guilty. I look like some creep who was spying on him. "I..... I thought I heard a sound coming from in there," I mumble. "Sorry."  I quickly retreat, making my way to the kitchen. God what the hell is up with me today? I look around for a snack before deciding on some ice cream. I fix myself up a bowl of birthday cake icecream, to distract myself from whatever the fuck that was. But my moment of bliss is soon shattered as I hear loud footsteps approaching.

I roll my eyes, turning around. Hudson enters, striding over to the fridge. He brushes against me not so subtly as he passes by. I dart my eyes up to him. He is flushed, and looks like he's been sweating. Maybe he was working out before I got home. His gaze flicks back toward me briefly before he grabs a soda. "Any plans tonight?" He mutters.
I feel heat rush to my cheeks, and before I can process it, I frown at my body's natural reaction. "Yeah um my friend Alice is coming over." He nods like he couldn't care less. I clutch my ice bowl tightly, and go back upstairs to hide in my room. I want to be strong, to be able to act normal around him like I have before.