The Love of a Stranger

Cakes For Defence

Dan and I agreed to invite Jack over to discuss the situation. I texted him the address and within a matter of minutes, he arrived. Him and Dan introduced each other by shaking hands, then we got down to business.

"I found some information. After I discovered that it was Cathy that burned down you're apartment and the cafe, I did some research." He began. Dan and I listened carefully. Jack was a lawyer of some sort. He had easy access to these personal files.

"When I called her a psycho, I meant that she really is one. In 2007, before we ever met, Cathy was arrested for attempted arson after she broke up with her boyfriend, she went crazy and was sent to a rehabilitation centre. She left a couple years later having 'cleaned up her act'. I guess I triggered her anger after we broke up and she just repeated everything all over again." He finished.

"Yeah, but she said, when she arrived this morning, that everything she'd done was for a reason?"

"That's the only bit I don't understand. The best we can do is report her to the police and she'll be out our way for just now." He advised.

So we did what Jack suggested and reported Cathy to the police, it took them just a couple of hours to track her down. Jack left, leaving us alone in the apartment.

"Listen Laura, I have a gig tonight but we have to do sound check first, want to come along?"

"Oh my God, yes please." I squealed and it was arranged. I sat down and watched TV as I heard Dan groan behind me. I turned round to face him who was holding his back in pain.

"I know the burns are sore, the nurse said they'd calm down after a few weeks." I tried to reassure him but I was obviously failing.

"Dan, I can't stand seeing you like this, it just kills me, so if there's anything you need, just tell me, I want to help. It's my fault I sent you to the cafe with that psycho, the least you can do is let me help." He looked at me with his puppy eyes and sighed.

"No it's okay, I'll just take a couple of pain killers. I'm gonna go for a shower." He said still holding back the pain. I sighed, watching him walk away from me without a second glance. I picked up my phone and texted Kyle.

'How to cheer up a sad Dan?" I asked. He replied moments later.

'Usually alcohol does the trick but..." I giggled to myself.

'The burns are really killing him and I feel like I'm useless to him, I want to help but I don't know how.'

'Just be the best, most supportive girlfriend ever - just like you usually are - and be there for him. He's been a great pal to everyone and we can't let him down."

'So inspirational Kyle haha, thanks for the help ;)'

'No problemo, take it you're coming to sound checks then?'

'Yeah, see you there.'

While Dan took his shower, I decided to make myself useful in some sort of creative way and bake. I used to watch my mum bake, but she'd never let me do it, she'd would always panic that I would mess it up, but I knew what I was doing. I turned the oven on to the right temperature and brought the ingredients out; eggs, flour, sugar, baking powder, butter and the most important part, the icing. Mixing as fast I could I mixed all the ingredients together, put a dollop of the mixture in each of the 8 cases and pushed the tray into the oven. By then, I looked liked a complete mess. My hair was falling out of the it's bun, flour was all over my face and my apron was covered in the mixture. I heard Dan get out of his extremely long and well needed shower and I quickly cleaned myself up just in time for him to walk into the kitchen.

"Mmm, smells good, what are you making?"

"Just some cupcakes, I wanted to bake."

"What's the occasion?" He said raising his eyebrow.

"Nothing, just wanted to bake." I half lied, they were mainly for him but there was still apart of me that always wanted to bake. We both decorated the cakes together, it got a little out of hand after we had an icing fight.

"Come on, I've just had a shower." He complained.

"Oh get over it, it's just on your t-shirt and just a little bit on your face." I wiped it off and he smiled.

"How come I always end up with food in my face."

"Because you're just a little boy who can't eat without missing his mouth." I joked wiping away the spilled icing sugar.

"It's not my fault that you're constantly acting immaturely and throwing food about." He scoffed. I thought about my defence but I had none, that was kind of true. I stood there in silence.

"Uh huh, that's right, you don't mess with me, because I always win." He boasted throwing his hands up in the air in victory. I grabbed one of the poorly baked and decorated cupcakes and shoved it in his mouth and walked away feeling like a boss.

"Ugh shove a cupcake in you and shut up." I laughed. His hands shot down in frustration, but the way he looked at me with a cupcake shoved in his mouth was hilarious and I couldn't help but to take a picture of him when he wasn't expecting it. I accidentally left the flash on so then he realised. He begged for me to delete it trying to grab my phone off me, but all I heard was muffles coming from him.

"Sorry? I don't understand, you need to finish what's in your mouth, Daniel, come on. That's just rude." I laughed. He obviously didn't care as he was still trying to grab my phone off me. He was getting angrier and angrier by the second and I almost couldn't breathe with the amount of laughing I had done. He had just swallowed that last piece of the cupcake and his words were slightly clearer now.

"Laauuurraaaa. Give. Me. The. Phone." He said sternly holding out his hand. How was he expecting me to just hand over my phone and delete possibly the funniest picture I have of him?

"Nope. I ain't gonna do it." I said waving my finger about. He got fed up and charged for me. I screamed as I ran round the other side of the coffee table that stood in the centre of the room. If he went one way, I'd go the other. He stood over the coffee table, I tripped and fell onto the couch still clutching the phone in my hand. I tried to scurry my way over the side of the couch but it was no use, Dan grabbed my ankle and dragged me back. It felt like someone was dragging me into hell. I lay there on my stomach as Dan sat on top of me. I was almost suffocated when he pressed his full body weight onto my back.

"Now, Laura, if you don't give me the phone, I'm afraid there's going to be serious consequences." I wasn't going to give up that easily.

"Never." I did my best to save the photo, which I successfully did, but then I had a better idea, I was going to upload it for everyone to see. I mentally evilly-laughed to myself.

"I'm warning you." He continued but I chose to ignore him whatever the consequence.

"Well..." He sighed. "You asked for it."

And as soon as I was able to press 'upload' big bursts of laughter escaped my mouth as Dan tickled me to the point where I almost passed out. I couldn't move.

"DA-DAN STOP I-IT."

"Sorry what? I don't understand you. You're going to have to speak a little clearer than that." Oh so we're playing that fucking game then.

"I-I CAN'T BRE-BREATHE." I managed, squirming as hard as I could, but finally he stopped. He leaned down and whispered in my ear,

"Don't mess with me again."