Daniel drives us home after we eat. We're both quiet and it worries me that I don't know how he feels right now. But I'm scared of the way I do. I can't lie to myself any longer. I really like being with him. I like how he makes me feel. I like the way he walks, the way he interacts with people. And I especially like how he interacts with me. He can joke and play around, but then when he's serious... there's this intensity about him, this confidence, this protectiveness. I don't know. But I really wish I was his type. I wish he liked me. I wish he wanted to be with me. There. I admitted it even to myself.
I glance over at him, he's driving, focused on the road. Looks like he's having thoughts of his own, when he finally speaks, my heart drops a little,
"How is your friend, Lara? Has she been getting harassed by the guy lately?" Lara. So she's the one on his mind. I bite down on my lip, I am silent for a moment too long. He glances over at me, guess to see if I heard,
"She's good, thank God" I finally manage, "She's been missing a lot of dance practice, too, but goes with Elias whenever he has enough time"
"No envelopes?"
"No. But they put a lock on the building electricity, it's a lot harder for someone to just cut the electricity. So with the camera installed, I guess he's too scared"
"He might just pay a kid or something to slip it under, like he did to you"
"True... I'm also worried she'll let her guard down now that he's not bothering her. I'm scared for her. He's... he's dangerous"
"She shouldn't let it down until the stalker is caught"
"Yeah"
"And you shouldn't either" he glances back at me, I nod,
"Thanks for tonight" I say when he parks his car, "I really needed to get out of the house"
"You can come with me whenever you want to"
"Your turn to come to the dance studio" I smile up at him when we start ascending the stairs,
"About that..."
"No backing out. I did your silly routine, you owe it to me to do mine"
"Silly? My routine was silly?"
"Oh yes. Why so much lifting? My arms will be sore for months after this"
"Don't be a princess" he teases, I glare at him under my lashes, he laughs, "okay, fine. I'll do your thing too. We'll see what's sillier"
I can tell someone is home because the lights are visible from under the doorway. Must be Nina because we left Phil in the gym. Unless he came home while we were eating. I unlock our apartment, and pause at the door, a little shocked to see George sitting at our dining table, glaring at me with angry eyes,
"George!" I say, surprised, "um, hi... where's Nina?"
If Daniel doesn't think he's grumpy, he should see him self in the mirror right now. His playful, easy-going mood from just seconds before is now completely gone. He has an angry, threatening expression on his face. I just hope he doesn't charge at George because I don't know if I'd stand a chance at stopping him.
"She's not home yet" George responds, "she gave me spare keys so I can wait for her when needed"
"Does she know you're here?" I ask,
"No" he shakes his head, his eyes move to Daniel, "didn't know you were out with him" he spits the word 'him' like it's a curse,
"We were at the gym" I say, smiling, trying to ease the tension in the room, "so, you know when Nina's coming?"
"I'm texting her now" he says,
"Okay, um, I might go and take a quick shower. Daniel, you want to go forst"
"No, you go" he responds, I stall, unsure if it's smart leaving the two of them alone,
"Can you just come with me for a moment?" I ask, Daniel looks at me a little surprised but nonetheless follows me to my room. I shut the door behind him, when I look up there is a smug smirk on his face,
"Didn't think you'd invite me to your room so fast" he jokes,
"Shut up, I'm not inviting anyone. I just want to talk to you about George"
"Him? Why?" his mood turns grumpy again,
"That's why. I can see the way you're looking at him, and I don't want you attacking him or something while I am in the shower"
"I don't trust him"
"But I do, he's been in Nina's and my life for a really long time. He's definitely not a threat"
"How sure are you about that?"
"Hundred percent"
"Okay" he says, not sounding convinced, "fine"
"So don't argue with him, okay?"
"I won't"
"Or even worse hit him. Like you did last time"
"I won't" he repeats, this time with a bit of a smile tugging at his lips,
"Okay" I say, he just stands there, not moving, I nod towards the door,
"That's the most uneventful bedroom invite I've ever had" he complains,
"It wasn't a bedroom invite, and get over yourself" I open my door and show him out. George looks furious. Maybe I should have this chat with him, too. Also, he's still wearing his beanie. What's up with that? He never used to be crazy about hats before. I smile at him and shut my door, looking for the clothes needed for my shower.
"What do you want from her?" I hear George ask from the other room,
"And who are you to ask me?"
"I'm her friend, we've known each other since we were teens"
"A friend that leaves threatening envelopes under the door?"
"That wasn't me!" George hisses,
"I don't believe you, George. But she does. You're lucky you're still in one piece"
"You're threatening me?" a chair screeches, I assume he's standing up. I run out of the room,
"What the hell?" I say, placing my hand on George's arm, "you two need to stop arguing"
"Tell him that. He still says I'm the one that left the envelope!" George complains,
"Daniel, I told you. It's not him" but Daniel's eyes are on my hand that's resting on George's bicep, I just don't get him at all. I lower my hand and ask George to sit back down, he does as instructed. Daniel walks over to his room. Good. At least they're in different rooms now. I take the quickest shower of my life, worried that if I take long the two will get into a fight. A fight that George would definitely lose, and then police would be called, and Daniel would be punished. I don't want George hurt, I don't want Daniel punished. Why is everything so stressful?
When I exit the shower, Daniel is still in his room. George is sitting alone at the dining table, playing on his phone.
"Did Nina tell you when she's coming?" I ask,
"Should be here in a couple of hours"
"I think one of her friends had a bachelorette party?" I ask,
"Yes"
"I'm surprised you came today at all, didn't she tell you she'd be out for a long time?"
"I wanted to surprise her"
"Will you wait for her here?"
"I will, if you don't mind. You know how far I live"
"I know. Use her room and lay down if you want to"
"I will" he nods, there's something not quite right about our conversation, I can't put a finger on exactly what. But there is this level of cautiousness, or mistrust. I can't explain it, but I know I never felt like that with George.
"I know where she'd like to go for her birthday, remember you asked me to sus it out?" I say, trying to lighten the mood,
"Where?"
"She said she really wants to see the East Mountains, or even River Loom. But Piver Loom is pretty far"
"East mountains are perfect" he responds,
"I thought so too. Hm, I might go to sleep now if you don't mind. It's late already and I have classes tomorrow"
"Sure, do that. But before you go?" he whispers, leaning in towards me,
"Yes?" I lean my head forward,
"Why are you spending so much time with that dude?"
"Daniel?"
"Yes"
"We're roommates, I guess we're some sort of friends now"
"Just friends?" he asks, I nod, "then why did you call him into your room?" his voice is accusing. I find it a bit annoying that he thinks he has the right to question my decisions. Why would he have an issue with me being with anyone, even Daniel? But I decide not to say as much, instead I opt for the truth,
"I just wanted to tell him not to argue with you. I could see he was still suspicious of you, so wanted to tell him not to be"
"Really? You really said that to him?" he sounds relieved, I nod, smiling,
"Don't know why it matters to you, anyway" I say, standing up,
"You know why"
"I really don't"
"You're like my little sister. You've always been that"
"Then trust your little sister to make her own decisions" I say with a smile,
"Not when it comes to that dude. I can see he's not quite right in his head"
"Shh!" I say, afraid Daniel will hear him and a whole new fight will break out, "don't argue with him. Please George. If he comes at you again, I doubt I'll be able to stop him"
"Well I'm ready this time. Let him come, I'll come back at him"
"Don't even think it, George, he's a professional boxer, I'm worried he could actually do some damage if he wanted"
"You don't know what I am capable of" for some weird reason, his words send a shiver down my spine. I brush it off quickly. George is my friend, he's always been there for me. I give him a slight pat on his shoulder and say good night, locking my bedroom door behind me.