I take a deep breath, steadying my thoughts. Whoever is out there, assumes they are alone and I can only hope that means they aren’t armed. Slowly, I creep my way out into the corridor; if I can make it to the kitchen without being heard I will be able to grab something to protect myself with. Edging towards the kitchen, headlights beam into the dark building and on instinct I press up against the wall.

The taxi, I think to myself, my lungs burn as I remember how to breathe again. The sound of the taxi’s horn must startle the intruder, I hear a muffled voice scrambling around out in the bar before the main door slams shut. They’re gone. I need to get out of here, and I do. I flee out the back door and into the safety of the waiting taxi.

Me - I need you

Jesse - On my way

As the taxi pulls up outside my apartment, I consider asking them to wait with me but I quickly dismiss that idea. Kinsley, snap out of it, you can hold your own. The voice in my head almost convinces me to text Jesse back and tell him I’m all good now, but I don’t. Instead, I sit on the steps outside my apartment and call the local police station to report the break-in. What feels like only minutes later the familiar sound of Jesse’s engine grabs my attention and in seconds he’s kneeling in front of me.

“Thank you, officer; I can meet you there in fifteen minutes.”

When I drop my phone into my lap Jesse’s brow furrows and concern is etched into his face. I meet his gaze, I know he’s waiting for me to speak but the words just won’t come out. Sitting here like this in front of him, all I want to do is melt into his arms and let him take all the weight off my shoulders. He is my best friend, it’s what we do for each other, but a small part of me is questioning if I am still able to confide in him like that; vulnerable and almost intimate, in a way. It’s not just him and I anymore. Tanner and I don’t have a label on whatever is happening between us, but we aren’t just sleeping together. Are there lines and boundaries I should be drawing here? Shit — should I have called him instead?

“Meadow!” Jesse snaps. “What is going on?”