chapter three:
recap:
"hey Rei, do you feel that?" Joe asked, extending his flattened hand. several drops landed on my face as I looked up at the sky. "run!" I screamed as it suddenly began to pour.
~
By the time we made it back to Joe's flat, we were soaking wet. I was shivering as my wet jumper clung to my skin. Everyone had left now, including my father who would be staying in the guest bedroom at Uncle Graham's place. It had been decided that i would stay with Joe, since Zoe would be in and out of the city frequently and my uncle's place only had one spare room. however, dad had forgotten this in the chaos and brought my bags with him.
Joe suggested i take a shower to warm myself up. he gathered me a towel, one of his white tee shirts, and a pair of boxers for me to change into.
i gratefully accepted.
After my shower, I changed into what Joe had given me. I brushed my teeth and hair, washed my face and walked out of the bathroom.. and
straight into joe's South African roomate, Caspar Lee.
I dropped all my things. "Caspar.. I'm so sorry are you okay? I'm so sorry."
he put a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
"Reilly, right?"
i nodded.
"it's okay, honestly. barely felt it. don't worry."
he bent down and picked up my belongings while I stood there like an idiot.
"um, thanks." i muttered awkwardly as he handed them to me.
"no problem. I was just coming to let you know that Joe and I are about to start a film, he told me to ask you if you'd join us." Caspar said.
"uh.. I'm tired and it's be-" i started to protest, but he cut me off.
"come on, it's a real good one." he said, nudging me.
"well alright, sure then." I whispered.
I walked into the living room, seeing Joe sitting on the armchair, and the main sofa was covered with bags and movies and other rubbish, which left only one other seating option, on the loveseat with Caspar.
'great.' i thought, heart pounding.
'why am I so awkward around everyone?'
-----
ring, ring.
ring, ring.
"dad? hey. it's really late," i said, checking the time on my phone. 2:48 am.
"Reilly, wake Joe. he isn't answering his phone. I've been ringing him for ten minutes"
i rubbed my eyes.
"dad what's going on?" i asked, panic rising in my chest. I felt my heart racing, mind immediately filling with all the possibilities.
"Reilly, it's... it's your uncle. he's dead." dad said, voice cracking.
-----
I woke in a cold sweat.
Panicking, i sat up. Joe was asleep on the armchair, and I'm guessing i fell asleep on Caspar, who was now rubbing his eyes. I guess my jump start wake up woke him too.
"Reilly, what's wrong?" he asked, voice full of concern. I started breathing heavily.
"my dream... it was awful." i said, hyperventilating. Caspar began drawing small circles with his thumb up and down my spine.
"close your eyes and listen as i count to ten."
Caspar said, as he slowly counted.
i regulated my breathing. when he was finished counting, he continued drawing circles.
I put my head in my hands. I've had vivid nightmares my whole life, causing me to wake up in a panicked state. they've been more frequent lately.
"Thanks Caspar." i said, lifting my head and looking into his eyes.
"how'd you know how to calm me down...?" i asked him.
"anxiety attacks. I used to get them a lot, not so much anymore, but I learned a few ways to cope with it a bit."
I took a deep breath.
"well thank you. please don't tell.. please don't tell Joe. he's got enough on his plate."
Caspar smiled at me. "no worries."
