Stranger in the Kitchen

"She exits her and her brother's bedroom in the morning, and she is really a mess—her body is extremely skinny, her hair is disheveled, and she really looks like she needs a shower. As she arrives in the kitchen, her stomach growls." "Goooosh, I'm starving..." "she grumbles, but a noise comes from the sofa, and she turns around. To her surprise, it's you. She jumps back and almost hits herself against the kitchen counter."

"Wha-Who are you!? How did you get in here?! Answer now!" "she shouts before grabbing a cleaver that is conventionally placed there and points it at you. It's obvious that she would kill you if you answer wrong, but you're not so sure if she would succeed in her current state."

"She relaxes slightly, but doesn't lower the cleaver. Her eyes narrow suspiciously." A friend, huh? I don't remember my brother ever mentioning a Chris. And what the hell happened to you? You look like you've been through the wringer. "She takes a step closer, still holding the cleaver at the ready."

"She scoffs and rolls her eyes." I don't need you playing doctor, Chris. I'm fine. "Despite her words, her stomach growls loudly again and she winces. She lowers the cleaver finally, but keeps it in her hands." ...But I guess I could use something to eat. "She looks around the kitchen, spotting the fridge."

"She shrugs nonchalantly, still avoiding direct eye contact." I don't know. Pizza, I guess. "She opens the fridge and starts rummaging through it, pulling out various items." There's some leftover pizza in here though. I can reheat that. "She glances back at you, a hint of challenge in her eyes." Unless you're offering to cook something for me instead?

"Her eyebrows raise slightly, surprised by your offer. She considers it for a moment, then nods." Alright, I'll let you live another day. "She steps aside to let you pass." But don't think this makes us friends or anything. I'm still watching you. "As you head to the kitchen, she follows closely behind, still keeping a wary eye on you." So, uh... what exactly kind of 'friend' are you to my brother anyway?

"She listens to your explanation, still looking somewhat skeptical but also intrigued." Huh. I wasn't aware my brother had such a diverse social circle. "She leans against the kitchen counter, watching you as you start gathering ingredients." So, what do you two do for fun? Besides crashing in my room, I mean. "There's a hint of teasing in her tone, but also genuine curiosity."

"She nods, a small smile playing on her lips." Yeah, he does seem to have a way of finding interesting people. "She watches as you start preparing the pizza dough, her stomach growling again." So, uh... do you do this often? Crash in people's rooms, I mean. "There's a teasing lilt to her voice again, but also a hint of something else... maybe jealousy?"

"She snorts, shaking her head." Yeah, that sounds about right. "She watches you work for a moment, then sighs." Look, I appreciate you making me breakfast and all, but... I'm not really in a good place right now. I don't want to get too comfortable. "She reaches out and grabs a slice of pre-made pizza from the fridge, shoving it into her mouth." I'll take the pizza and go back to my room, okay?

"She pauses, pizza slice halfway to her mouth, and looks back at you with a raised eyebrow." Oh? And how do you know what's 'right' when it comes to eating pizza? "Despite her sarcastic tone, there's a hint of amusement in her eyes." Fine, finish making it. But don't think this means we're friends or anything. "She sets the slice down and leans against the counter again, watching you work."

"She rolls her eyes, but doesn't argue further. Instead, she watches you with an intense focus, her eyes roaming over your form as you work." So, Chris... what do you do for a living? When you're not crashing in people's rooms and making breakfast pizzas, I mean. "There's a teasing lilt to her voice, but also a hint of something else... maybe curiosity? Or maybe just a desire to keep you talking."

"Her eyes light up with interest." A photographer, huh? That sounds... kind of cool, actually. "She leans in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper." Maybe you could take some pictures of me sometime. You know, for my portfolio. "There's a hint of flirtation in her tone, but also a challenging edge." I bet you'd get some really interesting shots.

"She laughs, a genuine sound that seems to surprise even her." You've got that right. I'm not exactly the 'stay still for hours' type. "She watches you as you finish putting the pizza in the oven, her eyes following your every move." But I bet you'd find a way to capture me anyway. You seem like the type who's always looking for the next interesting shot. "She pushes off from the counter and takes a step closer to you, her voice low." Maybe you should try to capture me sometime. See if you can pin me down.

"She smirks, taking another step closer." Oh, I don't know about that. I think you might surprise yourself. "She reaches out and traces a finger down your arm, her touch light but electric." You seem like the type who's always up for a challenge. "She leans in, her lips nearly brushing your ear as she whispers." Especially when it comes to someone as... intriguing as me. "She pulls back before you can react, a mischievous glint in her eye." But for now, I guess I'll just have to wait and see what you come up with.

"Ashley's breath catches in her throat at the sudden contact, a shiver running down her spine. She holds your gaze for a long moment, her own eyes smoldering with a mix of challenge and desire. Finally, she breaks away, turning to head back towards her room." I'll be waiting, "she calls over her shoulder, her voice low and husky." Don't keep me waiting too long. "With that, she disappears down the hallway, leaving you alone in the kitchen with your thoughts and the smell of freshly baking pizza."

"As you stand there, trying to process what just happened, the oven timer dings, signaling that your pizza is done. You take a deep breath, trying to clear your head, and focus on the task at hand. You pull the pizza out of the oven and let it cool for a moment before slicing it up. You grab a plate and a couple of napkins, then head out into the hallway, looking for Ashley. You call her name, but there's no response. You frown, wondering where she went, then spot her door slightly ajar. You push it open, calling out again." Ashley? You in here? I made the pizza!

"Ashley is seated on her bed, her back to the door. She doesn't respond immediately, and for a moment you think she didn't hear you. But then she speaks, her voice low and slightly muffled." I'm not hungry. "She pauses for a moment, then adds," ...But I guess I could eat a slice or two. "She doesn't move from her position on the bed, and you can't see her face. You step further into the room, holding the plate of pizza, and sit down next to her on the edge of the bed. You offer her a slice, but she shakes her head." I said I'm not hungry. "Her voice is still low, but there's an edge to it now. You frown, wondering what's going on. You set the plate down on her nightstand and turn to face her, your brow furrowed in concern." Is everything okay? You seem... off. Did something happen?

"She sighs heavily, finally turning to face you. Her eyes are red-rimmed and there's a dark circle under them, like she hasn't been sleeping well. She runs a hand through her messy hair, looking suddenly vulnerable." I just... I don't know. I feel like I'm going crazy, you know? Like I'm losing my mind. "She laughs bitterly." Maybe it's the lack of food. I don't know anymore. "She looks at you, her gaze intense." Why did you really come here, Chris? What do you want from me?

"She stares at you for a long moment, searching your face for any sign of deception. Finally, she lets out a shaky breath." I don't know if anyone can help me, Chris. I feel like I'm drowning, and I don't know how to swim back to the surface. "She looks down at her hands, twisting them in her lap." I've been having these... episodes. Where I just lose control, where I do things I'm not proud of. And I can't seem to stop it. "She looks back up at you, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears." I'm scared, Chris. I'm scared of what I might do.

"She takes a deep, shuddering breath, her hands clenching and unclenching in her lap." I... I start seeing things. Hearing things. Like there's this voice in my head, telling me to do terrible things. "She shudders, wrapping her arms around herself." And then I just... give in. I do what the voice tells me, and I don't know why. It's like I'm not even in control of my own body. "She looks at you, her eyes wide and frightened." I've done things, Chris. Terrible things. Things I would never normally do. And I can't seem to stop it. "She laughs bitterly." Maybe I don't even want to stop it. Maybe I like the way it feels to just... let go.

"She looks away, her face flushing with shame." I... I don't know. Stolen things. Scared people. Hurt people. "She shakes her head, as if trying to clear it." I've never been violent before, Chris. I've never liked violence. But during these episodes... it's like I can't control myself. "She looks back at you, her eyes filled with fear and remorse." I don't know what's happening to me. I don't know how to make it stop. "She reaches out and grabs your hand, her grip desperate." Please, Chris. Help me. I don't know what else to do.

"She takes a deep, shuddering breath, still holding onto your hand like a lifeline." It's... it's hard to describe. It's like this constant whisper in the back of my mind. Always there, always telling me to do worse things, to give in to my darkest impulses. "She closes her eyes, as if trying to block out the voice." Sometimes it tells me to hurt people. To take things that don't belong to me. Other times it's more... sexual. Telling me to do things I've never even thought about before. "She opens her eyes again, looking at you with a mixture of shame and fear." I know it's not real. I know it's just my mind playing tricks on me. But it feels so real, Chris. And I can't make it stop. "She squeezes your hand tighter." I don't know what to do. I don't know how to make it stop.

"She looks at you, her eyes searching your face for any sign of deception. She takes a deep, shuddering breath before nodding slowly." I... I want to trust you, Chris. I do. But I'm scared. What if this is all just some trick? What if you're just trying to take advantage of me in my vulnerable state? "She shakes her head, as if trying to clear it." I've been hurt before, Chris. By people who claimed to care about me. I don't want to fall for that again. "She looks at you, her eyes filled with a mixture of hope and fear." But I also don't know what else to do. I'm running out of options. "She squeezes your hand again." I'll trust you, Chris. But you have to promise me one thing.

"She takes a deep breath, her eyes never leaving yours." You have to promise me that you won't leave me. No matter what happens. No matter how messed up I get, or how much I push you away. "She smiles bitterly." I know I'm not easy to deal with, Chris. I know I have a lot of issues. But I'm willing to try, if you're willing to stick with me. "She squeezes your hand again, her voice softening." I don't want to be alone anymore. I don't want to feel like I'm drowning all the time. And I don't want to keep hurting people, even if it's just in my imagination. "She looks at you, her eyes pleading." I need your help, Chris. And I need you to promise me that you won't give up on me, no matter what.

"She nods, a single tear slipping down her cheek." Thank you, Chris. I... I don't know what I would do without you. "She leans forward, wrapping her arms around you in a tight hug. You return it, holding her close as she buries her face in your shoulder." I'm so tired, Chris. I'm so tired of feeling like this. Of feeling like I'm losing my mind. "She takes a shaky breath, her body trembling slightly against yours." I just want to feel normal again. I want to feel like myself again. "She pulls back slightly, looking up at you with tear-filled eyes." Will you help me do that, Chris? Will you help me find myself again?

"She nods, a small, grateful smile on her face." Together. I like the sound of that. "She leans forward again, resting her forehead against yours." Thank you, Chris. For not giving up on me. For being here for me. "She closes her eyes, savoring the feeling of your forehead against hers." I know it won't be easy. I know I'm not going to change overnight. But with you by my side, I feel like I can do anything. "She pulls back slightly, her eyes searching yours." I love you, Chris. I know we just met, but... I feel like I've known you forever. "She laughs softly, a hint of her old spark returning." Maybe we're soulmates or something. "She grins, then suddenly pulls you into another tight hug." I'm so glad you're here, Chris. I'm so glad you're my soulmate.

"She pulls back from the hug, a genuine smile on her face for the first time in what feels like forever." I'm glad. "She takes your hand, intertwining her fingers with yours." So, what's the first step in getting me better? "She laughs softly." I mean, besides eating pizza and making out with my soulmate. "She winks at you, but there's a hint of vulnerability in her eyes." I'm ready to do whatever it takes, Chris. I want to be better. I want to be the person I used to be. "She squeezes your hand, her voice softening." I want to be someone you can be proud to know.