Ch. 8 "Over-Stepped"

As the afternoon droned on, the rain finally started letting up. I felt a lightness overcome me as the rain clouds began to dissipate. I was busy writing down everything I knew and learned the last few days and a map of events was starting to come together. I would occasionally look up at Chase who was busy doodling nonsensical beasts, animals and words on scraps of my notebook papers. He was trying so hard to draw a squirrel, but it always ended up looking odd. No artistic talent. I took a break and started doodling a squirrel myself.

"Where did you learn to draw like that?!", Chase startled me at his sudden exclamation. He slapped a hand down over his own drawing to cover it from my prying eyes.

"My dad taught me everything I know", I sighed. I put my pencil down. I didn't want to talk about my dad just yet with him. It was a lot to unpack. His eyes wandered my face and he dropped it.

"So what have you pieced together so far?", he asked, ripping up his papers.

"I still can't pin how or why he got into my apartment if the door was locked", I said, troubled. That's the only part missing. I glanced back up at him. He seemed deep in thought as well. Minutes passed before he spoke again.

"Are you sure it isn't one of your neighbors? You didn't give any of them a key for emergencies? No keys lent out to friends? Ex-boyfriends? Family?", he said with his lips pursed.

"You assume much to think I trust anyone that much", I laughed lightly.

"No one but me and the landlady has a key", I finished. But it did beg the question; was she also robbed of my key?

"Maybe we should pay her a visit. What if someone stole from her office or her apartment too?", I asked, panic rising.

"That's a plan. I'll probably let you do that yourself though, she doesn't know you have a second tenant does she?", he asked. This was true.

"I'll go talk to her in a few minutes", I said with determination. I decided a shower was in demand.

"I'll be back in a few minutes. I'm gonna rinse off", I told him. I placed my pen down and stood up. My whole body ached. He watched me dissapear behind the door beads. I let them fall into place in front of the doorway. At least I'll hear him coming a mile away.

. . . . . . . .

"Are you alive?", Chase asked, knocking on the door frame of the bathroom. He sounded distressed. I hadn't heard the door beads sway.

"Yeah, why?", I wasn't too happy to be sharing my privacy.

"Uhh... well, the landlady is here. Like, right now, in your livingroom", he said even more distressed, but whispering. I peeked my head out from behind the shower curtain to whisper.

"Make her some tea! Tell her you're a friend from highschool, you just moved here for the art college too... Just make something up! Quick! Go, go, go! She does not do well with being kept waiting!", I rinsed the rest of my soap off and dried myself haphazardly. As soon as I was decent, I calmly walked out of the bathroom, my hair wrapped in a towel. Ms. Hima was sitting on the couch, sipping a cup of tea. Thank god he convinced her to stay.

"Thanks for waiting! I really need to talk to you! I was actually going to come down to your office right after I was done showering", I said, taking a seat on the floor next to Chase.

"Don't worry dear, he's filled me in on the whole situation. I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. I still have my copy of your key, I wasn't burgled. It's lucky that your boyfriend doesnt live far. Such a lucky girl you are", she said sipping her tea. Her eyes darted between the two of us. I mustered the biggest smile I could at the moment.

"I'm so lucky indeed. He's been really good to me", I said, genuinely.

"When she wasn't answering my calls, I got so worried that something had happened. She always calls me right back", he said, sliding his hand on top of mine in my lap. I blushed, and turned my head away from him.

"Well dear, if there's anything you need, you let me know. I'll have the locksmith here later this afternoon. I want the deadbolt to the outside, as well as the deadbolt on your door and the handle on your door re-done. We can not have a repeat incident", she said, her tone very grave.

"Actually, there's something else I wanted to ask you", I said, trying to be brave.

"Am I able to pay my rent in advance? I got laid off this morning and I got a good extra chunk of money on my paycheck for the trouble it caused for me from the company. I know I just paid this month's, but it'd mean a lot to me to pay next month's now too", I pleaded. I bowed, my forehead almost touching the hardwood floor.

"Absolutely dear, anything that can make this whole situation easier on you", she said. She sat down her teacup. Chase squeezed my hand so tight I almost yelped.

"Miss Hima, how do you prefer to be paid?", Chase cut in.

"I take everything, but cash is easiest for my book keeping. Why do you ask, son?", she probed. Chase sat forward and pulled something out of his pants pocket. He opened a billfold and casually pulled out a month and a half of rent.

"I hope this covers the locksmith fee as well. Anything to keep Jasmine safe", he said, handing her the money with two hands. I whipped my head to face him, and I felt my eyes burning holes in his cheek. Miss Hima must have let my name slip casually. I guess I can't be too mad at him. I lowered my gaze. Miss Hima graciously took the rent and extra cash for the doors. We said our goodbyes and Chase walked her to her apartment door, down the hall. He returned to an angry girl.

"How can you just step in and and pay money to people you don't even know like that?!", I smacked his arm as hard as I could. He stifled a laugh.

"Miss Hima is very easily persuaded with a couple extra dollars. Let's just leave it at that", he said.

"No! I'm not going to leave it at that!", I said, almost yelling. I was so mad that tears ran down my cheeks.

"Why is money such a big deal to you? Geez, calm down!", he said while attempting to grab my hand.

"Because I've had to work hard for everything I've ever owned! People just don't hand out money, just because! There's an ulterior motive there!", Chase had a realization.

"Do you think I'm being nice to you, just to get something out of you or out of this friendship?", he asked, almost hurt.

"Yes!", I sobbed. "Everyone I've ever known has!", I continued, while crying. I pulled the towel off my head, and covered my face with it. He closed the door behind us and picked me up like a bride, holding my arms against my chest. He sat on the couch with me across his lap until I calmed down. He kept his forehead against mine. My breathing slowed down and my tears had stopped a while before.

"Everything I've ever had, I worked so hard for. My mom was useless and wasted the money my dad left for both of us when he died. I have had nothing since I was a child, so for someone to pay for something out of the kindness of their heart is suspicious to me. I'm sorry", I apologized. He let me go of his grip. I put my feet on the floor, still sitting on his lap.

"Thank you for dealing with Miss Hima today. She can be a real stickler about stuff. But please let me pay you back for at the locksmith fee at the very least", I pleaded. He shook his head no, and put his head on my back.

"I've been surrounded by humans forever, and I still seem to know almost nothing about their emotions. I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was such a big deal to you. I hope you don't hate me for this:, he said. I could feel that he was saddened.

"It's really okay. I didn't know that you just had... endless money to blow, otherwise I wouldn't have much such a big deal over it. Truce?", I asked while reaching for his hand. He plopped both of his hands in my lap and turned his cheek flat on my back. He still didn't feel warm. He was an odd room temperature. I took his hands in mine and wrapped them around my stomach. He smiled and let my hands go.

"Let's go catch ourselves a creep tonight", he said playfully. I nodded. It was time to test our theory.