Just Like Nicotine

Chapter 13

(TW// CREEPY MALE)

"Hello?" She asked, slightly alert. The neighbour stood, smirking slightly at her.
"Hey, doll-face. Just thought I'd introduce myself, you see. I live across-"
"I know where you live." Alaeia stated bluntly, shutting her door slightly so there was only a medium-sized crack that let her see him and vice versa. The man chuckled as he looked down, smiling and shaking his head. It wasn't an admirable smile, like Alaeia got from Will. It was the kind that showed slight disbelief, the one that made you feel even more unsettled.

The man gruffly cleared his throat, looking back up at Alaeia. He grinned at her, before stepping forward slightly.
"Well, that's swell doll-face. Mind if I come in and we can chat?" He spoke, leaning himself closer with every word. Alaeia just wanted to slam the door in his face, watch as he fell back in pain from the contact his nose had with said door, and laugh at him through the window. Of course, that's what she wanted to do.

And so she did.

She stepped back slightly and pulled the door open as much as she could before slamming it forwards with as much force as she could muster, giggling as she heard the impact and quickly jogging over to the kitchen window. Her neighbour was now sat dejectedly at the bottom of the steps leading up to her flat, cradling his nose as he yelled blind insults towards her.

"You're a fucking bitch!" He yelled louder as he stood up, still cradling his nose in one hand whilst raising the other and flipping her off as he walked away, assumably back to his own flat.

Quite certain that a few of the neighbours above her had witnessed the outburst, she quietly closed the kitchen blinds and walked back into the living room. The clock on the wall informed her that it was only 5pm, but she didn't care. She was just tired, unusually tired. Once she had gotten comfy on the couch again, she realised she hadn't had a sleep attack today, or yesterday. Not once.

Maybe she was free? Maybe it had all just magically disappeared, the struggle, the constant guilt that the people around her had to keep an eye on her whilst she shut down. The fear she felt every time she closed her eyes, the fear that she may never be able to open them again.

Alaeia was lost in the entire thought process, hints of panic entering now and again. The sudden ringing of her phone, an instrumental version of 'losing face', was the hit of reality that brought her back, a caller ID showing up on the screen and claiming to be from her only sister. She accepted the call, taking a deep breath.

"Hello Alette, how are you?"

Just like the Latin meaning of her name, Alette was small and truthful. She didn't stray too far away from me in looks in my opinion, and she shared most of the same medical conditions as me. Except, luckily for me, I was the one who inherited the narcolepsy. I'm quite glad I did if I'm honest, I know she wouldn't be able to deal with the constant pressure of random sleep spurts.

"I've been okay, but that doesn't matter. Is it alright if I come visit for a week?"