"I have to answer the door, Cole," I pat the back of the hand on my shirt.

It rings several more times.

He's hesitant to let go.

I crumple to the floor when he does it eventually. Then I crawl towards the door.

He kicks my butt making me sprawl forward. "Get up." he practically growls at me. "I didn't break your legs."

I nod without looking at him. Getting to my feet, I walk to the door shakily.

"Who is it?" I ask through the door.

"It's me, dear," the voice is familiar. "Mrs Butterdan."

Cole approaches.

I glance at him before I open the door.

He doesn't say anything. Crossing his arms and listening.

"Oh, hi, Mrs Butterdan," I still haven't opened the door just yet. "Can I help you with something?"

"Yes, dear," she starts. "Actually, I was just walking Iris and I heard a crash or somethin' come from over here. Are you alright?"

My eyes go to Cole. "Yes, I'm okay."

"I'm sorry, Christina, dear, but can you open the door, I'll feel better if I can see you."

I feel better if you don't see me right now.

I haven't had the opportunity to see my face, so I don't know how bad the damage is just yet. I hope that the dim porch light conceals anything serious.

"Um..." my eyes roam to Cole standing next to me.

He mouths. 'Open the door.'

"Okay, Mrs. Butterdan," I rapidly wipe my face despite the pain. "One second." I turn the knob since I know I didn't lock the door in the first place. "Hi," I say the moment I see the pleasantly plump elderly woman.

She's in her early sixties and lives across the street with her husband, Donald Butterdan. Despite being exactly the gossip I figured her out to be when I first saw her, she is still a nice woman. She always seems genuinely interested in my well-being. Constantly asking about school and my future. Thankfully, because she enjoys my mom's odd personality and Californian cuisine, she also doesn't include our family in her supermarket conversations.

"Hello, dear," she squints her thin brown eyes at me. She must see a bruise or something and is trying to get a closer look. "Is everything alright over here?"

I'm barely standing in the door. "I tripped and knocked over a lamp."

"Clumsy girl." she brushes off whatever it is she saw and laughs. "You wanna say hi to Iris?"

I look down and spot her weenie dog, Iris.

Cole takes hold of my wrist making me jump, but I shake it loose and step out to pat Iris. That might get me in trouble later, but I feel an urgent need to touch something soft and warm.

"Hiya, honey," I step out onto the porch and squat down to pat the little dog. She rapidly wags her tail while licking my face excessively. "How are you?"

She licks me as if she's responding. 'I'm good! Really good! But, better now that I see you!'

"It's nice seeing you too, Iris," I stand up. "I'll stop by later to take you some cookies, Mrs Butterdan."

"Thank you, dear," she grins. "Well, since everything's alright, I'll head on home."

Don't leave me here.

"Okay, bye," I wave until they cross the street and I start to back up into the house.

I'm pulled back by my hair.

"Damn you."