Make Me Feel Alive

Muttering, I opened my door, and flicked on the light. I tossed my purse onto the counter, Toby suddenly appearing from my bedroom.
"Hey, Tobs." I sighed, leaning down to pet him. "I hope you had a better night then I did."
He purred, winding around my legs. I hoped that was a yes.
I stood, and started to the bathroom, taking off my earrings as I did.
I paused mid-stride as someone knocked on my door. I was going to throw my cat at Trevor if that was him. That lying, snobby, weak-willed, arrogant ass! If he thought he could just come over now and everything be okay, he was completely wrong!
I stalked to the door, and jerked it open, my mouth open to start yelling, but I froze, a squeaking sound the only thing that came out.
"How did you know this was my apartment?" I finally managed, and Ashley raised a brow at me. He raised his hand, and I looked down, seeing my phone.
"You left this in my car. It has your number in it, did you know that?"
Oh.
"No," I hesitated, then took it from him. "I didn't. Thanks for bringing it up."
"No problem." I glanced down, feeling Toby rubbing my legs.
"Toby, no!" I hissed, grabbing at him as he went to escape.
"Wha --- ahh," Ashley jumped, then reached down and caught the cat as he tried to dart past him. He held Toby up, Toby hissing.
"Oh my god," I muttered, taking the furry beast as he was offered to me. "Sorry. He always tries to go for freedom."
"They always do," he shrugged, and reached over to rub Tobys head. Toby recoiled as if we'd thrown water on him, and he smacked Ashleys hand.
Ashley snatched his hand back, and my eyes widened. "He got you!" I burst in horror as blood started to well on the top of his skin. "I am so sorry! Here," I stepped back to open the door, "come in. I have a cabinet full of bandaids."
"Ah, that's all right," he said hastily.
"You're going to bleed everywhere if you don't."
He hesitated.
"Please. I owe you at least that."
He glanced dubiously at Toby, who growled in response, and then slowly stepped into my apartment. I kicked the door shut, them strode to my bedroom, slipping Toby inside and shutting the door.
"I am so sorry! I should have warned you," I said as I scurried back to the kitchen and to the cabinet above the stove. "He's really not friendly."
"I stopped him from freedom," Ashley shrugged, coming to stand by the counter. "I get it."
My kitchen was small, like only one person could even fit between the stove and fridge, so when he stepped over it almost seemed claustrophobic. I sighed, grabbing the Q-tips and the peroxide.
"Here, hold your hand over the sink." He did obediently, and I placed my hand under his to steady it as I dribbled peroxide out. I winced for him as it fizzled to kill all the germs.
"I'm sorry," I said again as I wiped away the blood. "Really."
"It's not your fault your cat is a maniac, though I never pinned you for having one."
"I know, I'm the sad girl who lives alone with her demonic cat," I muttered, slipping a bandaid over the cut. Hopefully that would help.
"You're not sad," I glanced up as he spoke, "and there's nothing wrong with cats. I like them."
Of course he liked cats.
I shook the sarcastic comment out of my mind.
"There, that should at least help. No cat germs," I forced a smile, and tucked a drying strand of hair behind my ear. I had probably scared Toby into wanting freedom I looked so awful. He probably thought he lived with Medusa.
"Oh, by the way, I took the liberty of putting my number in your phone, just in case, yknow, you need another ride or something." He said after a moment, sending me his Adonis grin again.
I stared at him in surprise. "Oh, um, okay."
I really needed to stop comparing him to a Greek god. At least not so frequently.
I glanced away, then took a step back. I had to get out of these heels before I broke something.
"Well, I'd better get going." Ashley took a few steps away and towards the door.
"Okay, thanks for the ride home. Sorry again," I said, following him to the door. "Don't hold it against me?"
Ashley grinned, started to speak, seemed to think better of it, and then just shook his head, pulling open the door. "I won't."
He suddenly stopped, and I frowned, hurrying to step around to see why he had stopped right in the doorway.
"Who the hell are you?"
Fuck.

Notes