"Shawn! Shawn, someone was here, they broke in-"
"Athena? What's wrong? I can't hear you. You're rambling."
"The police! They're coming," my voice was high and I was out of breath. I couldn't speak and think correctly.
"What? Athena you're scaring me. What happened?" Shawn's voice was harsh and serious.
"I walked in. Papers and everything ruined. A window was broken and everything broke. Everything is ruined." Tears streamed down my face, clogging my sight. The sound of police cruisers filed into my ears.
"Athena, I-" he paused. He didn't say anything for a few seconds.
"I'll be over in five minutes. Don't move." His voice was stern and careful. I let out a sigh of relief that I'd soon be comforted from this incident.
"Okay. Please hurry," I whispered. I hung up when the door was pounded on. I jumped with a startle.
"Santa Monica Police Department," a large, booming voice yelled. I rushed over to the door, opening it with force.
After I explained what happened to the three police men, Shawn rushed into the apartment
building, yelling for me from down the hall. I ran to him, wrapping my arms around his neck.
Tears streamed down my face and stained his shirt. He hushed me and hugged me back tightly.
"It hasn't even been thirty minutes and you act as if you haven't seen me in years," he chuckled into my ear. The police already started to look around, causing them to ignore our public display of affection.
"It felt like a lifetime, to be honest with you," I laughed back. He held me tighter, causing the air to escape my lungs. I couldn't tell if it was the hug or if I was in shock.
I eventually had to file reports of a break-in. They asked me more questions and give names of anyone who would've done this. I couldn't think of anyone, so that didn't help.
They took a few objects to look for fingerprints, and helped with cleaning some papers up. Shawn had to leave because Andrew kept asking where he was. I understood and told him to call me. With a quick peck on my lips, he left.
"Miss. Jones, it appears to me you live with your sister, correct?" One of the officers asked me.
"Yeah. She's not here. She left for New York last night." I texted her this morning. She replied so I knew she was okay.
"We found out whoever broke in, did it this morning. Where were you?"
"I was at Shawn's house. The guy who was just here," I said, still shaken. My cheeks started to blush, hoping the officer wouldn't question further.
"Do you think Shawn could've done this?"
"No! No, he was with me the whole time." He didn't and I knew that. He slept right next to me. I would've woken up to him driving away.
"So, nobody has ever given you a threat? No enemies? Nobody you can think of?" The other officers started to pack up. Enemies? That was the word he was using?
A name filled my head. The face I dreaded the most appeared in my memory.
Jacob.
"Miss. Jones? Who are you thinking of?" He clicks his pen, ready to write a name.
"I don't know if this is possible, but there was a person in my past I'm not fond of. But he lives in Michigan. I don't think he would be in California. This can't add up-"
"Miss. Jones, what's the name? Anything helps."
I sighed.
"Jacob Forester." It was nearly a whisper.
They left a few moments later. I shut the door, starting to fall down, my knees giving out. I slide down the door, my eyes once again welling up with tears. I can't understand why or how Jacob would want to do this! I haven't spoken to him in two years.
He broke everything. The only things that remained was the TV and kitchen appliances. Mail, paperwork, old newspapers, books, cotton, shredded clothes, and my makeup scattered the floor in a contemporary pattern.
My phone in my pocket started to buzz. I sat up, and wiped my eyes, trying to sound human. Victoria's photo flashed on the screen.
"Athena?! I'm so so sorry. I just got a call from the police department and they told me everything. I'm booking a flight to come home." Her voice was scratched. She's been crying as well.
"No! I can handle this. Whoever did this was looking for me. They demolished my room, while yours is almost crisp. Shawn is comforting me while you're away. Its gunna be fine." I sniffed frequently, trying to keep my nose from running.
"Awh, Athena. I'm so sorry this happened. But, how's the love life, huh?" I could hear a smirk.
"Shut up. How's New York?" I asked, changing the topic.
"I wouldn't know. My plane landed early this morning and I've been taking a nap the past few hours. I'm planning on going out tonight, as long as this headache goes away," she groaned.
"Hangover much? Who was that hottie you made out with before I left last night?" I asked.
"That was Jerome. He's adorable and has the hottest British accent ever. I got his number last night and he won't stop texting me. Anyway, I have to go. The pin for the savings account is my birthday." She sounded tired. Classic Victoria.
"Okay. You get some rest. Have some fun, but not too much fun," I warned. God, I sounded like a mom.
"Will do, Captain." And with that, she ended the call.
------------
I placed an order for a new bed frame, couches, and dressers. They wouldn't be here until Friday. It was Sunday. Until then, I slept on my mattress that was located on the floor.
I got a few new clothes, and scavenged for any pieces that didn't rip, or a few I could potentially fix. My makeup palettes were mostly cracked, but I could put some back together with rubbing alcohol.
I threw out the couch cushions, broken wood, and threw out many papers. Shawn insisted that I could spend a few nights at his place, but I needed to take care of the apartment before the new furniture came.
The window was getting fixed tomorrow, and they would be putting at alarm system on it. I changed the locks on my door, and put the new spare underneath the mat.
What was I going to do? Jacob could be out there. Here, in California. What did he want? Is it even him? Why MY apartment though? I've been here for a little over a month, so how would people know that I'm in THIS apartment?
If there's one thing I knew, I knew that they wouldn't stop there.
