Love on Notes

23

Trevor had a worrying grin on his face as he entered my flat, jostling me as he went. He then looked around, hands behind his back, sure of himself.

— Hey, watch out, said Daniel as he approached me.
— Watch out for what? Who are you anyway? Trevor questioned dryly, looking Daniel up and down.

The latter stared at him warily.

— You don't push Elizabeth around like that and I'm... a close friend.
— Is this guy your boyfriend? enquired the intruder, turning to me and regaining his composure.

I didn't know who Trevor thought he was, sending me messages and breaking into my house. Technically, he had told me he was coming, but I didn't know he knew my address and that he was so close to my house. My heart rate had increased and I wanted him to leave. I raised my voice, my fear giving way to anger.

— No, he's not, but under no circumstances do I allow you to talk about him in that way. Get out of my house, Trevor. How did you know I live here anyway?
— There's no need to get upset, I just glanced at your address in your file.
— Which file are you talking about?
— In the cooking class, for fuck's sake! he blured out, making me jump. I pretended to want to plan you a surprise birthday to get this information, I pretended to have a doubt if it's this coming week or not.
— But why did you do it?
— Because I wanted to know where my sweetheart lives.

His sweetheart?

— What the hell is wrong with you?
— Absolutely nothing. I just don't like being taken for a fool.

He looked so serene and self-assured that it gave me the shivers. A stranger turned up at my house knowing nothing about me and yet he had the audacity to be mean and arrogant.

— Well, you'd better get the hell out of her house if you don't want any trouble, said Daniel behind me.

From the sound of his voice, he was starting to get angry.

— Or what?

Daniel walked towards him.

— You don't want to know.

The intruder watched us one by one, then seemed to challenge Daniel for a moment before backing away. He approached me with a look that made me extremely uncomfortable, and I took a step backwards. Daniel stood between us to protect me. His fists clenched and he whispered something to him that I couldn't hear.

Trevor looked slightly surprised.

— Right, I'm off, but I'll see you soon, Liz!

With a smile on his face, he left my flat, slamming the door behind him.

Relieved, I shivered in response to the stress his arrival had caused. After a few moments, Daniel turned round. My breathing was ragged, my vision blurred and I realised I was having a panic attack.

— Liz! he shouted as I hyperventilated. Breathe, calm down.

I sat down on the floor.

— I just can't do it.

The room began to waltz around me as I heard my heartbeat in my ears as if it were playing an accelerated melody. Daniel's breath on my right temple, however, seemed to keep me in reality.

— Lie down on the floor and I'll go and get you some water, he said as he hurried off.

I was about to tell him I could do it myself when I felt my head tilt back.

— Liz? Liz! I heard in the distance before switching off my brain and plunging into absolute silence.

— She only suffered a slight head injury when she fell backwards. It's quite rare given the short distance from the ground. She's in no danger, we just need to wait for her to wake up, check her reflexes and then she can go home.
— But when will she wake up? almost shouted a voice.