The Love of a Stranger

Priorities

After our unsuccessful trip to the cinema I stormed in through the front door, angrily throwing my bag onto the couch making it bounce spilling the contents in the process, making me twice as enraged before.

"Can't believe her! I mean, who does she think she is bringing someone out of jail and have try to kill me again!? I jus-"

"Laura!" Dan shouted to gain my attention.

"What!" I shot back.

"You need to calm down or else you will give yourself a heart attack." He gently advised, but I didn't listen.

"A heart attack? Do you think that's my main priority right now Dan? Oh no never mind the psychopath that just tried to kill me in the toilets, never mind the mum that could pop up out of no where killing god-knows-who, I have to watch myself incase I HAVE A FUCKING HEART ATTACK."

Dan stood blankly staring at me processing the words I just violently shouted at him, his face changing to somewhat disappointed and angry. My sarcasm has just gone too far, but I couldn't help it, I was just so frustrated with the whole situation. I think I might have gone too far...

"Dan, I..." I started, but I never got a chance to finish as he grabbed his coat and walked straight out the door not forgetting to slam it shut on his way out leaving nothing but a draft to hit my face.

I had this uncomfortable feeling of regret wash over me after the sudden realisation hit me like a slap in the face: something I deserved after shouting at Dan like that. Should I run after him? Should I give him time alone? Does he want to see me?

Two hours later I still remained alone in the apartment pacing around restlessly worrying about what the outcome of my rant will be, so far all I know is that I fucked up good and that I definitely have to apologise. I was constantly kicking myself, I was just hoping that somehow he would be able find the generosity to forgive me.

To pass the time, I read, watched TV, baked, and even practiced singing remembering my little session I had with Dan about improving my voice and working on my lungs. I smiled to myself as I replayed the memory in my head, but to me, smiling through memory isn't quite the same as smiling at something that was happening in the present. I couldn't focus properly as I was being distracted by the heavy rain battering against the fragile window pane. I took a glimpse out the window but I saw nothing but darkness and the slight haze of an orange tinge down the street. Nobody was around, the streets were empty and I wasn't surprised, who would want to be out in this weather? Which made me think...where was Dan? My initial thought was that he went for a walk, but who takes walks for almost 3 hours I thought, especially when it's 11:30 at night. I decided to give Kyle a call, I haven't talked to him since before I mysteriously left Australia.

"Hello?" He picked up.

"Kyle it's me...Laura..."

"Hi Laura. Are you alright? I know what happened, I read the letter-"

I interrupted before we went into detail about my miserable life.

"I'm fine Kyle thanks. I'm really sorry for running off, I just panicked I didn't know what to do, things are just really difficult for me right now. Anyway..."

"It's alright! No need to apologise I - we, rather - all understand. So, what's up?"

"You haven't seen Dan for the past 3 hours have you?"

"I thought he was with you at the cinema?"

Ugh the cinema...

"Well yes, but we kind of got into an argument which included me furiously shouting at him. He stormed off and now I don't where he is. I'm scared Kyle." I whimpered, no I can't cry. He started to quietly chuckle to himself.

"You need to keep a leash on that guy, honestly. Don't worry we'll find him. Have you even phoned him?"

"I don't think he wants to talk to me after what happened." I sighed.

"Geez, okay I'll phone him, I'll call you back." He said assuringly.

"Thanks Kyle. Bye."

He hung up and I perched myself up upon the window sill blankly staring out the window, but saw nothing but the reflection of the light in the room staring back at me. I sat patiently waiting for my phone to ring indicating that Dan had been found. Wait-why should I wait? I should just phone him myself, even if he doesn't want to talk to me. Surprisingly, he answered the call, I exhaled the breath that I had been holding in in anticipation.

"Dan?"

I was talking to no one. I waited patiently for some kind of indication of existence, but to no avail, I got nothing. If I tried hard enough I could just barely hear the breathing of an agitated man. I couldn't understand why he wasn't talking, maybe he doesn't want to but at least he's listening. Whether or not that man was Dan I still continued.

"Are you there?" Yet again my attempt of starting a conversation failed.

"Well, if you are, I just wanted you to know how sorry I am and that I feel terrible for shouting at you. I just want you to come home. Please? I'm really concered..."

I sat there on the window sill biting my nails uncomfortably listening to the pitter patter of the rain hitting the window behind me, I still felt the weight of guilt being pressed down onto me and I needed Dan to reply and relieve me. I gave up, sighing into the microphone of the phone that was pressed against my cheek.

"Just come home soon okay? I love you." And with that, I hung up.