THE LAST DANCE

Four

As expected, Allen turns out to be charming company. Even though I don't talk much, there's no awkward silence in the car.

He even manages to make me smile on two occasions. Like, that's an achievement.

"Your address?" He asks me as we skid down the road, and I quickly read it out to him. His fingers still on the wheel and he raises both eyebrows.

"You've got to be kidding me!"

I panic.

"Are we being followed?"

"What? No. Why would you even think that?"

I heave a sigh of relief. Damn it, Dad. I'll live my entire life in fear because of him and the shoddy decisions he made when he was still alive.

"Never mind. I'm just paranoid."

"I cussed because you gave me my address."

"Um, what?"

"Alisha, I'm trying to say that I think we live in the same building."

"No way."

"That's the same adress that my cousin texted me earlier today. I'll be living with him until I get a new place."

"What's your cousin's name?"

"Alton."

Oh wow.

"I met him earlier this tonight when he was moving in next door. So you'll be living with him?"

"Yeah. What a coincidence."

"I know. That's totally crazy."

He sighs as he looks me over.

"What do you like?"

I turn to stare at him.

"What do I like? That's a complicated question."

"It's not. You don't like drinking, you can't drive so I doubt that you're into adventure, you don't look like the type that binges on Netflix shows. I'm just trying to figure you out. Do you like books?"

"Ew no. I'd rather hug a grenade than sit through a book."

"See? So tell me what you like."

"I don't know that, but I know what I don't like."

"And that is?"

"Guns. All types of guns."

"Why?"

I wring my fingers together.

"I just don't like them. They scare the living daylights out of me. And I hate speed. Speeding cars, motorcycles, water vessels... All kinds of speeds. I hate make-up, and violence. All types of fights. And I hate water."

"Water?"

"Water masses; swimming pools, the sea; anywhere where I'm supposed to hold my breath. It brings back memories that I'd rather not remember."

"You wanna tell me about it?"

"No way. Just get us home. I'm dying to scrub off this make-up."

"Your makeup looks great."

"I know."

He seems to understand that I don't want to push the conversation because he stays quiet. He doesn't ask questions and I really appreciate that. Right now, I just want to get into bed and sleep the night away.

Or just stare at the ceiling till dawn.

My sleep pattern is usually bipolar. I was sleeping well at the rehab because they used to give me some sedatives but right now, I'm all on my own. I can never tell for sure whether I'll be able to sleep on a particular night or not.

I get out of the car when Allen pulls up outside the grand apartment building and we walk inside together. He summons the elevator, and he sticks his hands in his pockets then he fixes his gaze on me as we wait.

"Do you need a jacket?" He asks when my teeth start to chatter. I think the air conditioner in this building malfunctioned.

"I'll be in my house exactly thirty seconds from now. I don't think I'll die from cold."

"We're not taking chances." He smiles as he steps close to me and shrugs off his suede jacket. "My father always insists on us being gentlemen. It's part of the Johnson charm."

I don't resist at all. That's because I'm looking at him, at his face, that smile.

I've never seen a man smile like that, but then the only men I'm acquainted to are my Dad and Blake. Oh, and the weird ass drunkards at the rehab.

No man has been in such close proximity to me like Allen is right now. Whoever tried to do that died in my father's hands. He was overprotective like that.

"Alisha?" His voice is a near whisper.

"Mh?"

"Get in the elevator."

I blink.

He has his hand on the elevator door to keep the double doors from slamming shut. I didn't even hear the doors opening. I quickly step inside and he gets in after me.

I pull his jacket tightly around me. I'm a little bit nervous. He keeps his distance though. He must have realised that I'm nothing but a boring freak and he probably won't talk to me again.

He shouldn't.

Because if he does, I might get into trouble.

He looks like trouble.

I step out first when we the doors open at our floor. I head to my door, and I fumble with the keys without looking back. I'm about to step inside when I realise that I still have his jacket.

I turn around, but he's already closing the door behind him in their apartment.

He definitely thinks that I'm a freak. Don't ask me why I expected him to be there, in the corridor, waiting to say something before I went inside. Perhaps say goodnight?

I don't know why I'm expecting s**t from him when he owes me nothing. He has things to do, like going to sleep. It's way past midnight for crying out loud.

Anyway, I lock the door behind me then I take my tired self to my bedroom. I get rid of my uniform then I step in the shower. I scrub off all the layers of make-up and I only close the water when it runs cold.

I wrap a towel around myself and another on my wet hair then I step out of the cubicle and into the bedroom.

I wear a pair of old comfortable sweats and a tank top then I switch off the lights and stare into the dark. I always imagine that there are shadows lurking out there in the dark, moving on me, capturing me, tearing me from limb to limb, probably feasting on me...

Ugh. A shot of vodka would totally do the trick.

But I don't give in to that. Instead, I switch on the bedside lamp then I lie facing the wall.

Better.

My phone vibrates. I pick it from the nightstand and I frown at the screen.

No notification.

It vibrates again.

Oh! That's Allen's phone. I never gave it back after I placed it in my bag. I get out of bed and I get the back from my desk where I dumped it together with his jacket.

I tap the screen and it immediately comes to life. He has two texts lying on the screen.

I wear his jacket since it's freezing out there then I open the door to my balcony and steps out. Their apartment is right next to ours and the balconies are next to each other. They're like inches apart, and if I wasn't scared of heights, I'd be able to cross over.

"Allen?" I call out cautiously. He doesn't hear me.

"ALLEN?" I try again.

Nothing.

"Allen?"

No response.

The lights in their apartment are off so they're probably asleep already. Whoever is texting him will have to wait until morning.

Another text pops in as I close the door behind me.

Ugh.

I glance at the screen. All the texts are from his brother.

Shit, what if something is wrong?

I swipe the screen and I'm genuinely shocked when it unlocks. Allen doesn't have a password on his phone? I think he's not as smart as I gave him credit for.

I lie on my bed before I open the texts. Maybe it's an emergency. I'll just text Adam back and tell him that Allen can't access his phone right now.

*What did you do to Amanda, douchebag? She's here and she's crying* ~Adam

*Say something. What the f**k happened? Why did you move out? Why did you leave her alone? She's f*****g crying!* ~Adam

Then there's the latest text.

*I'll make you pay for this.* ~Adam

Wow. Seems like I walked right into family drama. I wonder what the Amanda business is all about. Wait, Livia mentioned that name, said that she is Allen's ex. I don't really care about all that but I wonder how she's any of Adam's business. Why is he so worked up? He needs to calm down and get some sleep or something.

I think for a second before I draft a text.

_Sorry but I have Allen's phone. He'll text you tomorrow._

He texts back thirty seconds later.

*And who the hell are you? Allen's current play thing?* ~Adam

_You should appreciate the fact that you're not here right now. I would punch you in the stomach, and I punch real hard. I'm not sleeping with your brother._

*You're yet to answer why you have his phone, and who you are.* ~ Adam

_Alisha. I was with him when he brought you the spare keys to your apartment. He forgot to take his phone from me, so he'll get it back in the morning._

*And you just read his messages? What is wrong with you? That's rude!* ~Adam

_What is rude is you going cussy on a girl you know nothing about. Didn't your parents bring you up to be a gentleman like your brother? I passed my message. Now just forget that this conversation ever took place._

*Like hell I will. Be sure that I'll see you around, Lisha.* ~Adam

_It's Alisha with an A at the beginning._

*Same difference.* ~Adam

I click my tongue before I place the phone back on the nightstand.

Asshat.

**

When I open my eyes, it's morning already. I quickly sit up when I realize that it's the banging on the balcony door that woke me up. I quickly get out of bed and guess who is letting himself into my apartment?

Allen Johnson.

"What the f**k are you doing here?" I demand, thoroughly creeped out.

Allen smiles from his position beside the door.

"I'm sorry. I know this is creepy."

"You think? How did you get in?"

"The balcony door was unlocked. Bolt it next time maybe?"

"Thanks for the heads up. What are you doing here, Allen? It's seven thirty in the morning."

"I came to get my phone and your number."

I roll my eyes as I turn to walk to the bedroom. When he makes to follow me, I stop to make a face at him.

"Boundaries, Johnson. Stay here and don't steal anything."

He howls with laughter.

"Okay ma'am."

I grab his jacket and his phone, and I push both of them into his hands.

"You can keep the jacket."

"No thanks. You can leave now."

"Did I do something wrong?"

"No. Just go."

He lifts both hands in surrender.

"Fine."

"Uh huh. Use the front door." I tell him when he walks towards the balcony door.

He doesn't hear that because he's busy reading something from his phone. i watch him as his brow creases.

"What the f**k is this?"

I shake my head, confused.

"What are you talking about?"

"You and Adam texted last night?"

"Yeah. Big deal."

"He texted you again in the morning."

"He did?"

"Yeah. Look at this."

I read the text.

*Before you hand Allen's phone back, I need to talk to you. Answer the phone.* ~Adam

"Did he call?"

Allen nods.

"Two times. I bet you were deep asleep. Text him back. I want to know what he wants from you."

"Whatever feud you two are having, I won't be part of it. You can tell your brother that once you get the hell out of my apartment."

He flashes me one of those smiles before he walks out.

Through the balcony door, in case you're wondering. He's just so annoying.

I walk back to my bedroom and I lie on the bed. My phone chimes with a text message and I quickly reach for it. That ought to be Karina.

It's a new number.

*Come to the Maxfield Charity event tonight. I'll save you the last dance.*

*AJ*