Priceless

Chapter 3: the intruder

Chapter 3: the intruder

I am drunk. Very drunk indeed. Whenever Lexi comes over, she brings out this weird side of me. The side that doesn't care if I wake up with a huge hangover or fall off the couch onto my face. I just don't care. But when I'm sober, that's a whole different story. Ever since the seizures and panic attacks started happening, I'm a little more introverted than I was before.
Levi left quite a bit ago which wasn't a good idea to leave me alone when I'm intoxicated like this.
I pace around the whole apartment, stumbling a little, the music still playing but a lot quieter than it was an hour ago. But to me, it's blasting in my ear, meaning my hangover is already starting. My ears are almost ringing and my head is pounding.
      My vision is starting to go blurry as I near the end of the hallway, and I start to feel hot. Like burning hot. I sigh and feel the soft fabric of my flannel, running my fingers over the buttons, and slowly unbutton them. The cold air hits me like a wave, and relief washes over me.  Im finally free. Suddenly, a strange feeling comes over me. I'm not free from this. Everything that is going on. The doctors don't know what is wrong with me. Hell I don't even know what's wrong with me. Its all just a big question what will happen to me next.
I feel hot tears running down my cheeks and I wipe them away walking further and further to my room.  Im disgusted with myself. Completely. And utterly. Disgusted. My chest feels tight, and I feel my entire body shake. It's happening again. My heart is beating so fast and I sit on the edge of my bed trying to do the breathing exercises that Dr. Stratford told me.

Smell the roses. Blow out the candles.

I run my hands through my hair, pulling hard, expecting to feel pain, but I feel nothing in this moment except emotional pain. Everything in my world is spinning but something snaps me out of my state. A sound. It's faint, but it's there. Like a footstep.

I get up slowly from the bed and open the door, seeing the darkness of the whole apartment. I grab my flannel from off the floor and wrap it around myself. The hallway leads to the living area which leads to the door to the garage. I don't really like going through that door late at night. But in this case I guess I'm that dumb blonde that gets killed first in horror movies. Well I guess I am blonde...

never mind that.

I try to be as quiet as possible, but because I almost had a full on panic attack like thirty seconds before this, my breathing is hitched quite a bit.

I finally am about to turn the corner when something makes me freeze in my spot. Something that makes my whole heart stop cold. I am met face to face with a man. And I don't recognize him one bit.

The words are frozen on my lips and I open my mouth in astonishment. I can't even really process that there's someone standing right in front of me. A stranger.
   But the realization finally hits me and I'm about to scream when I see his face contort into a source of panic, and he puts his hand over my mouth, shushing me over and over.
  He holds me against him, so my back is against his stomach and walks me over to the couch, forcefully sitting me down. His hand still remains on my mouth.
"If you promise not to scream, I'll take my hand away." He ushers calmly. But I hear a flit of worry in his voice.

I nod slowly and he sighs with relief taking his hand away. I back up onto the couch and press myself against the cushion. He begins pacing around the room.

"I-I promise I won't call the cops. Just t-take whatever you want."
At my words, he freezes and slowly looks at me in astonishment.

"I'm not robbing you."

Is this guy being serious? He's in MY house late at night, and has basically taken me hostage. Well maybe not exactly. But you gotta admit it does sound pretty shady to me.

"I-i was only looking for a place to stay. Shit, I'm such an idiot!"
I flinch and feel my hands shake. His eyes go to me and they grow big with one look. Well now I feel self conscious. But I also kind of forgot that I'm only wearing a flannel over my undergarments, and it's sliding down my shoulders, revealing my collarbone. No wonder it's a little chilly in here.

Without hesitating, I pull it up over my shoulders and his eyes soften.
"I promise I never wanted to hurt you. It's just I just got out of prison and-"

"Prison?!" I interrupt.

"What? No, I'm just on probation."

All this information is difficult to process all at once. Not only did this guy break into my house, but he is also an ex con. Great.
But doesn't look like he wants to cause harm. I can tell that he hasn't gotten a chance to shave in a few days, seeing light stubble on his face; he stands tall maybe six one which is colossal compared to my pathetic five three build.

What? It's not like I'm paying attention to details like that or something.

"So you expect me to just find you in my apartment and not call the cops?" My voice shakes, from the previous stress of my panic attack but also because I'm still a little buzzed.

"Listen, I didn't know anyone lived here alright? I'm just as confused as you are."

Okay, now I'm not as scared as I was a few minutes ago. To be honest, he doesn't seem that intimidating right now. But I probably shouldn't be too quick to judge.

"Okay.. I'm not justt gonna let you sleep in my apartment tonight pal." I get up from the couch and stumble towards the hallway.

"Wait hold up." He steps in front of me, "Are you... are you drunk?"

Damnit I've been caught.

I shake my head but giggle because I can't hold in my laughter. I nod and try to walk away, but my legs give out on me. Luckily his arms wrap around me before I even come close to the ground.

"What's your name?" I slur and look up at him, my eyes almost fluttering closed from the curse of sleep. He loosens his grip on me.

"Will. Will O'Brian."

Ooooooh. How do you think Liv is going to react to Will? Find out in the next chapter!!!