Unsolved Mysteries *stopped*

3.1 Wednesday

I wake up, sweating, shivering. What happened? I dreamed. Chester is sitting next to the bed, quietly whining. I pat his head and get up to have a shower. While the warm water runs down my body, images invade my thoughts: 

I was being interrogated by the officer. They accused me. I was the person to see him last. Brian.

Tears mix with the running water and my knees become weak. I sit, bury my head in my knees and cry. The police didn't care. I had this enormous breakdown, but they didn't have any evidence or clues - except me. I landed in a psych-ward.

* * *

Dressed in a blue dress, that accentuates her eyes perfectly, Bethany stands in my doorstep with doughnuts and Starbucks. I'm startled.  

"Beth, what are you doing?" Nobody ever visits me, but I've had two people come over within one single week already. This is ridiculous. Bethany just marches in and places the doughnuts and coffee on the counter.  

"Nice place. It's ... cosy."  

I am speechless.  

"Bethany, it's 7am. In case somebody died you're very welcome, but otherwise I'm asking you to leave."  

She just ignores me. It's like she didn't even hear me. Instead, she just gets two plates out of the cupboard and places a doughnut on each one. Then she sits down.

"Aren't you hungry?"  

I sigh and sit down on the chair in front of her. I really can't be bothered with arguing in the early morning.  

"You don't get out a lot, do you?" Bethany seems curious, so i just shake my head. This doughnut is delicious.  

"I thought so. You know, we've been working together for over 4 years now and I've never had a proper conversation with you." She's right. And i have my reasons.

"Look, if this is because of yesterday, i -"  

"No, silly. I just think you need somebody here in London and i want to be your friend."  

My gaze shoots up. Friend? No. I promised myself not to trust anyone anymore. Not to love or care for anyone. It would hurt too much to lose that person.  

"Ophelia, i pretended not to hear you just now on purpose, because i want you to listen to me. You are completely living in another dimension."  

She's right again.  

"I just want you to know that you can trust me."  

I'm sure i could, but i can't. It's better this way. Instead of saying anything, i shut up.  

"What are you wearing today anyway?"  

That question catches me off guard. Why does she want to know? I frown. My doughnut seems to have vanished, so i just get up and walk over to my closet in the bedroom. Beth is following and i know she's looking around. Chester jumps off my bed as soon as he sees Bethany and the two of them keep busy while i pull out a black blouse, a tight fitting, peach-colored skirt and a pair of black high heels. For some reason i want to impress Bethany, so i even get out a long necklace, a matching bracelet and a matching watch. When she finally manages to pull herself away from 'the awfully cute little puppy' she whistles in recognition. At least i don't suck at everything then.

* * *

This is the first time in over four years, that me and Bethany enter the library together. And it feels good. I don't know why, but she is trying to be my friend. I'm not coming out of my shelter, because of her, but i must admit, it feels damn good. It feels good to be in company of her.