Fate’s fingers wrapped around every single person, and Alexa was no exception, whether she believed or not.

After contemplating on whether she should take a taxi or get fast food with the crumpled five dollar note in her purse, she opted for the latter, walking back to her apartment with terribly aching feet.

In about thirty minutes or so, she was greeted with the familiar stench of overdue decaying trash with a mix of cigarettes and potential lung cancer in the air– she was finally home.

All the apartment buildings in this area had a few things in common; broken windows, peeling walls, leaking roofs and a cloud of poverty lurking above every tenant. Including Alexa.

She had already grown to it, she’d been here for years. Partly because it was the only thing her meager pay as a waitress could afford, and partly because she thought they wouldn’t find her.

She gripped the railing tightly as she climbed the stairs in the apartment building, her chest tightening as she ascended.

This job would have freed her, finally. But now, she had to continue looking over her shoulder till life became kinder to her.

Once she got to her door, she froze. It was ajar.

Did she not lock the door before she left? She was sure of it. In a deadbeat area as this, locking doors became second nature… unless you have nothing of value.

But Alexa had something she treasured, the only thing of value she owned, if it was stolen, it would shatter her.

She reached for her purse and gripped the pocket knife tightly, hands shaky, as she slowly approached the door.

Regardless of how violently vivid her dreams have been, she had never even slapped someone before, not to talk of using a knife on them.

So, if there was truly someone in her apartment, someone who was physically stronger, then she was fucked.

The fear in her grew beneath the flickering lights that framed the hallway, with every step she took, however cautious.

As she reached for the door handle, in one swift movement, she swung it open; but her grip on the knife loosened once she saw his messy ginger hair.

“The fuck, Jamie??” She sighed, gripping her chest as she walked into her abode, shutting the door behind her and locking it.

The intruder, who happened to be Jamie, laid comfortably on the peeling black leather two seater couch in the centre of her cubicle, eating a bag of chips.

“Well, Hello to you to.” He replied, a smirk growing on his face as he turned to face her.

“You almost gave me a heart attack!” She said as she collapsed beside him into the couch.

“You gave me the spare keys, incase you forgot.”

“You could have called, you know. Jesus…” she sighed, throwing her head back on the couch.

“If you actually knew how to use a phone, you’d actually realize that I, Infact, called.” He retorted sarcastically.

She furrowed her brows, and reached for her phone in her purse, “No you didn’t ca-“ she paused once she saw it. He had called her five times.

“Why are you blowing up my phone like someone died or something?” She asked, reaching for the chips in his hands.

“I know you’re cold lex, but it’s absolutely normal for your best friend to worry about you and call you when they haven’t heard from you.”

“Oh?” She asked, shoving the chips in her mouth as she watched him.

“Hm… it’s a concept I’m sure you struggle with… it’s called ‘caring’” He said

“What are you talking about? Of course I’m caring!” She said defensively

“And I’m Trump.” He scoffed, as he turned his eyes to the box tv before him, slightly static.

“But I care about you,” she started, and when he opened his mouth to counter her, she placed her index finger on his lips “and, and, Mario can testify.”

“First, His name’s Marcus, and second, you only dated him for a day, so that doesn’t even count.” He stated, reaching for the can of cola that stood by his feet and took a sip.

“You’re such a dick, you know that?” She pouted, sinking into the couch.

“And you’re my best friend, and that says a lot about you.” He spoke, a small smile growing on his face.

He had been her best friend for over a decade, Infact, he was the only friend she had. He was certain that she would not survive without him, and since that fateful day, he swore never to leave her side… no matter what.

“Shouldn’t you be somewhere?? With Gabby?” She asked, rolling her eyes.

And at that, the smile disappeared from his lips, “We broke up.”

“What? Why??” Alexa asked.

“I just needed space… that’s all.” He said nonchalantly, taking another sip from the can.

“That’s the same thing you said when you broke up with your five exes.”

“Six exes.” He corrected, a grin returning to his face

“Emilia was full of shit, and she lasted for one week before going batshit crazy. She doesn’t count.”

“Youre overreacting.” He chuckled

“She almost set herself on fire because you didn’t want to marry her after a week of dating!” She exclaimed, and Jamie threw into a fit of laughter.

“I almost forgot about that…” he said through the laughter

“And that is why I prefer to be single, love never has a good ending, I’d rather spare myself the pain and embarrassment.” As she spoke, Jamie eyed her quietly.

He understood that she wasn’t just talking about romance, and to be honest, she had every reason to hate love so much.

So, as usual, he changed the topic, “Speaking of embarrassment, I’m guessing the interview didn’t go so well?”

She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as she threw her head back, “It was a bloody disaster.”

“Well it wouldn’t be the first, and I told you stop wasting your energy and work with me instead. You know I don’t care about-“

“We’ve had this conversation too many times, and I’ll give you the same answer – I don’t want charity.” She stated firmly, a frown forming on her face.

“I’m your best friend Lex, not a charity organization. You can’t just expect me to watch you suffer.”

“Who said I’m suffering?” She retorted.

And he took a long look at her apartment, there was a metal bucket in the middle and at the corner of the room, because of the leaking roofs.

The tainted peach walls were stained with graffiti and peeling, and a stench of dead rats lingered anytime the window was opened.

Her apartment was truly a dump, to put it lightly, “Really Lex?” He asked, with a brow raised.

Before she could give a reply, her phone chimed.

And when she saw the message, her heart dropped.