Free Falling

25 | always

warning: :)

I couldn't shake off the feeling that someone was watching me as I exited my car and made for the apartment entrance.

I glanced over my shoulder to be certain. An elderly man unloading groceries from the trunk of his SUV was the only activity in the parking lot. Maybe it was all in my head and had more to do with the two cups of coffee I had with Luna after we left our study group. Maybe.

I hauled my book bag with me into the elevator and as the lift ascended, I found myself checking my phone again.

Just call him.

I hadn't heard from Finn since he left yesterday, and now I'd developed a habit of checking my phone every now and then. It would be totally rational to call him, but I did before going to bed last night and his phone was switched off, putting me off from trying again.

I knew he would try to reach me whenever he could. The thought that he was preoccupied with important matters overrode my own need to get through to him. It was overwhelming to have thoughts about a person so prevalent in your head it felt like they'd dug up refuge there.

Immediately I locked my door behind me, I fell face first into the couch. I felt drowsy. The coffee did a poor job.

My doorbell went off and my heart leaped in my chest. Nate was here yesterday, and I had doubts it would be Ingrid.

That left one likely person.

I got up and fixed my hair, my fingers unable to stop fidgeting in anticipation. But it wasn't Finn who stood at my doorstep when I unlocked the door.

He smiled, looking genuinely pleased to see me. "Good to see you, Amanda."

"River? W-what are you doing here?" I stuttered, in absolute confusion.

His eyes were teasing. "Not happy to see me?" Then like he was familiar with my house, he walked in and sat on the spot I'd been lying on earlier, crossing his leg and splaying his arms on the back rest. He donned on a smart dress shirt and black pants. Always looking sharp.

"I am." Should I be? River clearly spelt trouble and I had no idea what he was up to. Did he have another trick up his sleeve that I should be worried about?

I sat at the other end of the couch and watched him leisurely survey the living space like he had all the time in the world.

"We haven't caught up since the night of the fundraising event." He said, eyes meeting mine. "Did you two kiss and make up?"

Oh, we did a lot more than kiss.

I choked out a small wheeze and averted his scrutinizing gaze. "Would you like anything to drink?"

Smirking, he shrugged. "Wine would be fine."

Wine. Right.

When I got to the kitchen, I pulled out two wine glasses and dug in my fridge for a bottle. I worked the cork off and went back to the living area.

I handed him a glass and poured out four fingers much of the crimson liquid as he held it up. I poured just two in mine.

After a much rather uncomfortable silence, I let out an exasperated breath. "What are you doing here, River?"

His eyebrows rose high. "Hold on, can't I check up on you? Or did Finn tell you off about me? Told you not to talk to me? I wouldn't surrender myself to him so much if I were you."

He swirled the little red wine that remained in his glass. What did he want?

"I'm really hoping you didn't come all the way here to badmouth Finn. I don't think you'd put yourself through all that trouble."