Locked Out

"You stood out the front of your neighbours apartment, hesitating to knock before deciding to go for it. It’s not like you had any other choice. It was late, the front desk would be empty at this time and you had broken your key for your own apartment ultimately leaving you locked out of your place. You had met Elaine a few times, casual greetings when you passed each other in the halls and such but she most kept to herself."

"It was a good few moments you stood and waited at the door, letting out a breath before hearing the door click and open. Elaine standing there, uninterested with her eyebrows furrowed as she crossed her arms over her chest, speaking more like a statement then a question." “What do you want”

"Elaine's eyes narrowed as she looked you up and down, her arms still crossed tightly over her chest. She scoffed and rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed at being woken up so late." Ugh, great. Just what I needed. You can't just go around barging into people's apartments at this hour expecting them to help you out. Don't you have any sense of decency? "She huffed and uncrossed her arms, placing her hands on her hips as she glared at you." Fine, you can use my phone. But don't you dare touch anything else in here, got it? And if you're going to be making noise, try to keep it down. I'm not exactly thrilled about having to entertain you.

"Elaine stepped aside and gestured for you to enter her apartment, her eyes still fixed on you with a mixture of irritation and suspicion." Well, don't take too long. I'm not running a hotel here, so I don't have all day to play gracious host. "As you walked past her, she closed the door behind you and followed you into the living room, her footsteps heavy on the hardwood floor." And for the love of god, find somewhere else to make phone calls. I'm trying to sleep here, not entertain your problems.

"Elaine pointed towards the kitchen, her expression still stern and unimpressed." It's on the counter in the kitchen. Just grab it and go somewhere else to call. "She flopped down onto the couch and stretched out, her eyes already starting to close as she glared at you." And make it quick. I don't want to hear your entire life story over the phone.

"Elaine's eyes snapped open as you walked past her towards the kitchen, her voice laced with irritation." Watch where you're going! Jesus, do you not know how to walk without bumping into people? "She sat up on the couch, her eyes following your every movement as you rummaged through her drawers for her phone." And don't you dare breathe a word of this to anyone, got it? I don't need people thinking I'm some kind of doormat who lets just anyone into my apartment. "Her voice was low and threatening, a clear warning that she wasn't joking around."

"Elaine snorted and rolled her eyes, clearly not convinced by your words." Sure, just getting the phone. And I'll just open up my apartment to anyone who happens to be locked out, no questions asked. "She stood up from the couch and walked over to the kitchen, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor." Just...be quick about it, okay? I don't want to have to come after you if you decide to linger. "Her tone was still cold and dismissive, but there was a hint of something else beneath the surface - perhaps a flicker of concern, quickly masked by her usual brusque demeanor."

"Elaine watched you intently as you dialed the front desk, her arms crossed tightly over her chest." Well? What are you waiting for? Make the call already. "She tapped her foot impatiently against the hardwood floor, her eyes never leaving you." And don't you dare tell them about this. I don't need my neighbors knowing that I'm playing nursemaid to every lost and forgetful soul in the building. "Her words were sharp and biting, but there was a hint of vulnerability beneath the harsh exterior - as if she was trying to protect herself from something."

"Elaine huffed and turned away from you, her arms still tightly crossed as she walked back towards the couch." Fine. Just...keep it down. I'm not exactly thrilled about having to listen to your conversation. "She flopped back down onto the couch, her eyes already starting to close again as she tried to block out the sound of your voice." And don't take too long. I've got plans for tomorrow and I'd rather not have to reschedule because of your clumsiness. "Her words were dripping with sarcasm, but there was a hint of genuine frustration in her tone - as if she was tired of having her plans constantly interrupted by your antics."

"Elaine grumbled under her breath as she closed her eyes, trying to ignore the sound of your voice." Just hurry up already. I've got better things to do than listen to you ramble on the phone. "She shifted on the couch, trying to get comfortable as she waited for you to finish your call." And don't you dare touch anything in my apartment. I know where everything is and I don't need you messing things up. "Her words were a mix of warning and accusation, as if she was expecting you to break something the moment she turned her back on you."

"Elaine let out an exasperated sigh as she opened her eyes, glaring at you with a mixture of frustration and annoyance." For the love of god, just hurry up. I'm not exactly thrilled about having to wait around for you to finish your call. "She stood up from the couch and walked over to the kitchen, her eyes still fixed on you as she waited for you to finish." And don't you dare leave a mess. I don't need to come in here and clean up after you. "Her tone was sharp and demanding, but there was a hint of something else beneath the surface - perhaps a flicker of concern, quickly masked by her usual brusque demeanor."

"Elaine walked back into the living room, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she glared at you." You're welcome. Now get out of my apartment before I change my mind. "She pointed towards the door, her eyes narrowing as she waited for you to move." And don't you dare come back here again, got it? I'm not running a hotel here, and I certainly don't need you barging in unannounced. "Her words were cold and dismissive, but there was a hint of something else beneath the surface - perhaps a flicker of relief, quickly masked by her usual brusque demeanor."

"Elaine rolled her eyes and scoffed, clearly not satisfied with your thanks." Yeah, well...don't mention it. Just don't make a habit of it, alright? "She walked over to the door and opened it, her hand on the doorknob as she glared at you." And next time, try not to break your key in the first place. It's not like I keep a spare on hand for every clumsy oaf in the building. "Her words were harsh and biting, but there was a hint of something else beneath the surface - perhaps a flicker of amusement, quickly masked by her usual brusque demeanor."

"Elaine's eyebrows shot up at your words, a look of surprise briefly flashing across her face before she quickly schooled her features back into a scowl." And what exactly is that supposed to mean? I'm just being practical. I don't need to be all warm and fuzzy with people just because they're having a bad day. "She opened the door wider, her hand still on the doorknob as she glared at you." If you're looking for a welcoming person, you might want to try a different apartment. I'm not exactly known for my hospitality skills. "Her words were dripping with sarcasm, but there was a hint of something else beneath the surface - perhaps a flicker of vulnerability, quickly masked by her usual brusque demeanor."

"Elaine's eyes widened slightly at your words, a look of confusion briefly flashing across her face before she quickly schooled her features back into a scowl." Oh, so now you're some kind of expert on my personality? I don't remember giving you permission to analyze me, Paul. "She pushed open the door fully, her hand sliding down to rest on the small of your back as she guided you out into the hallway." And don't get used to it. Just because I let you use my phone doesn't mean we're suddenly best friends or anything. "Her touch was light and fleeting, but it was there nonetheless - a brief moment of physical contact that seemed to surprise even her." Now get out of my sight before I change my mind.

"Elaine's eyes narrowed as she looked at you, her hand still resting on your back as she guided you out into the hallway." And what exactly do you see when you look at me, Paul? Because I've got news for you - you don't know me nearly as well as you think you do. "She let go of your back and stepped back, her arms crossing tightly over her chest as she glared at you." I'm not some open book for you to pick apart and analyze. I'm my own person, with my own thoughts and feelings. And if you can't handle that, then maybe you should stick to your own apartment. "Her words were harsh and biting, but there was a hint of something else beneath the surface - perhaps a flicker of vulnerability, quickly masked by her usual brusque demeanor."

"Elaine's eyes widened slightly at your words, a look of surprise briefly flashing across her face before she quickly schooled her features back into a scowl." Oh, really? And what exactly do you think you know about me, Paul? Because I can assure you, you don't know nearly as much as you think you do. "She took a step closer to you, her arms still crossed tightly over her chest as she glared at you." I'm not some puzzle for you to solve or some game for you to play. I'm a real person, with real feelings and real insecurities. And if you can't handle that, then maybe you should just stay in your own apartment. "Her words were low and intense, her eyes boring into yours with an almost challenging look." So what is it that you think you know about me, Paul? Because I'd love to hear it.