Admire Me (Rough Edges 2)

I call Liam through Bluetooth.

“Hey, you coming over after work?”

“Of course, about to get off now and then heading that way. Do you want me to pick up something for dinner?” he asks.

“Yeah, don’t care whatcha get. I’ll be fine with whatever. See you soon.”

Pulling up in my driveway, all I want to do is get inside. Being a young woman living alone, things can get eerie sometimes, but now I have Liam.

After turning off my car, I grab my bag and head up to the door, but notice it’s slightly ajar. That overwhelming creepy feeling is back, and even more so now that it’s clear someone has been in my house. This can’t be a coincidence, right? I back away to the sidewalk, and dial 911. My heart is racing a mile a minute, and this only confirms that I’m not crazy. Someone has been watching me.

“911. What’s your emergency?”

I tried to calm my breathing. “Someone broke into my house. I haven’t been inside yet. My front door was open when I got home.”

It’s not like they can really expect someone to go inside. Sure as hell not me.

“1305 Grand Avenue, right?”

“Yes, that’s my address.”

“Okay, stay outside until the cops arrive. They’re on their way.”

I pull the phone away from my ear to text Liam and then get back into my car and lock the doors. The person might still be inside.

Me: I need you. Please hurry.

My mind starts running, thinking about how unsafe I feel now, and that my lease is up in a couple months, and then I can just find a new house. After this, I can’t stay here.

That’s when I thought about what could have happened if I had been home when they broke in. I shudder at the thought.

Blue lights flash as the cop car comes down my street, and parks in front of me and approaches. “Good evening, ma’am. I got a call about a break-in.”

I nod, as I roll down my window, not wanting to get out. “Yes, they might still be inside.”

He walks up to the doorstep, and takes a look inside without going in.

“Stay in there while I inspect the house,” he says, walking inside, gun drawn.

My nerves are shot, and all I want to do is cry. Why me? Who would want to break into my house? Besides my tv, there is nothing of any significant value. It seems pointless.

“Harper!” Liam yells, running from across the street. “Why are the police here? Are you okay?”

I open my car door, and his hands are instantly around me, pulling me close, and the tears let go. “I came home and my door was open.”

He pushes me away to look at me. “You didn’t go inside, did you?”

“No, I called the police and then texted you right away.”

He stands there, his arms wrapped around me, consoling me. I know he is the only person that is going to make me feel safe again. “I won’t let anything happen to you. It’s gonna be okay, baby.”

We wait for the officer to come out, which seems to take forever. Those ten minutes feel like an hour, and my anxiety is just continuing to build.

“There’s no one inside, ma’am,” the officer says, stepping back onto the porch. “You might want to come in and let me know if anything was taken.”

He notices Liam. “You live here, too?”

“Nope, my girlfriend’s house, Scott. Thanks for responding to her call. It makes me feel better knowing you are here.”