Chapter 24
Her
The next morning, I wake up with a strange mix of relief and restlessness churning inside me because it is my day off from work, and for once, I do not have to face the endless whispers or Mike's unsettling stares that have been making me feel so isolated and judged lately.
The emotional weight from the rumors at the office still lingers heavily, but I decide that staying cooped up in this old flat all day will only amplify the anxiety inside me like a storm ready to break.
I need something to pull me out of this spiral, so I grab my phone from the nightstand and dial Maddie's number first, my fingers trembling slightly as I hope she is free to meet because talking to her always helps ground me when everything feels like it is falling apart.
The call connects after a few rings, and Maddie’s cheerful voice bursts through the speaker almost immediately, bright and familiar enough to lift my spirits despite the heaviness sitting in my chest.
“Ree!” She says. “Good morning. What’s up?”
I let out a slow breath, the tension in my shoulders easing a little just from hearing her voice.
“Hey, Mads.” I hesitate for a second, trying to steady myself. “I actually have the day off today.”
My fingers trace absent patterns along the edge of the table. “And I was thinking maybe we could meet up somewhere. Grab coffee or just hang out.”
I force a weak laugh. “I could really use some friend time right now. Things have been… kind of overwhelming lately.”
Maddie doesn’t hesitate for even a second.
“That sounds absolutely perfect.” She says immediately, her enthusiasm spilling through the phone. “Seriously, perfect timing.”
I hear movement on her end, like she’s pacing around her flat.
“Al and I were literally talking about you yesterday.” She continues. “Wondering how you’ve been holding up. Why don’t you just come over here? We can hang out at my place.” She says casually. “It’ll be way more comfortable.”
A quick pause. “And I’ll text Al to swing by too.” She laughs lightly. “Make it a full group hangout.”
Warmth spreads through my chest at the invitation. The simple normalcy of it feels like a lifeline after everything that’s happened lately.
“Okay.” I say, a small smile creeping onto my face. “That works for me.”
I glance toward the clock. “I’ll head over in about an hour once I get ready.”
“Perfect.” Maddie replies. “I’ll make coffee. And maybe pancakes if I’m feeling ambitious.”
I laugh softly. “Deal. See you soon.”
Another pause. “And Mads?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks. For always being there.”
She snorts lightly on the other end of the line.
“Obviously.” She says. “That’s the job.”
I get dressed in a comfortable jeans and a cardigan, trying to shake off the unease from everything happening that still makes my skin crawl with fear every time I think about it.
The confusion from that moment mixes with the terror, leaving me feeling vulnerable, but the thought of seeing Maddie and Al helps push it to the back of my mind for now. I head out to Maddie's place, the ride feeling a bit less daunting because I know support is waiting at the end.
When I arrive at Maddie’s door, it swings open almost immediately, like she’s been waiting behind it.
“Ree!”
She pulls me into a big hug before I can even say hello, squeezing tightly enough that some of the tension coiled in my chest loosens instantly. Her energy is so bright and warm that it lifts my mood almost by force.
“Come in.” She says, guiding me inside. She gives me a quick once-over. “You look like you could use a strong coffee.”
A mischievous smile appears. “Or maybe something stronger… but let’s start with coffee.”
I laugh softly and hug her back, holding on for a second longer than usual. The simple warmth of her friendship pushes back the isolation that’s been hanging over me for days.
“Yeah.” I admit as we step inside. “Coffee sounds perfect right now.”
Her flat smells like fresh grounds and cinnamon. A minute later we’re sitting in the cozy living room, curled into the familiar couch cushions while she hands me a steaming mug.
Maddie studies my face carefully. “So?” She says casually, though the concern in her eyes is obvious. “What’s the plan for today?”
She tucks one leg under herself. “We just chilling here?” A small grin forms. “Or do you want to do something a little more exciting?”
She wiggles her eyebrows. “Because I have ideas.”
I take a sip of the coffee, letting the warmth spread slowly through my chest. It helps settle the restless buzzing in my mind.
“I was honestly just thinking we could hang out.” I say. “Talk.” I shrug. “But if you’ve got ideas…”
Maddie’s grin grows wider. It’s the exact expression she gets whenever she’s plotting something.
“Oh, I definitely have ideas.” She stands suddenly and points toward the hallway. “First things first. Go change.”
I blink at her.
“Into something comfy.” She continues. “But fun.” Her grin turns slightly dramatic. “Something you can move around in.”
“Move around?” I repeat.
She nods. “Al’s coming over soon.”
My eyebrows lift.
“And we,” she announces proudly, “are going out to have some real fun.” She gestures toward me. “Because you, my dear, deserve it more than anyone after the hell you’ve been dealing with.”
The exhaustion from the past few days tugs at me immediately.
“Mads…” I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’m kind of tired.”
The coffee mug warms my hands. “All the stress lately… it’s just been a lot.” I glance at the couch. “Maybe we could just stay in.”
I shrug weakly. “Watch a movie or something?”
Maddie shakes her head immediately. “Nope.” She crosses her arms stubbornly. “Absolutely not.”
“Ree.” She says firmly. “You’ve been drowning in stress.” She starts counting on her fingers. “The stalker. Everything with Ryan.”
She drops her hands. “You need a break. We’re getting you out of this flat for a few hours. You’ll breathe. You’ll laugh.”
A playful wink follows. “And maybe do something slightly reckless. Trust me. It’ll help you recharge.”
I sigh again. But I can’t stop the smile that creeps across my face. Maddie has always been impossible to resist when she decides something.
“Fine.” I say. I raise my hands in surrender. “You win. As usual.”
Al arrives not long after, knocking on the door with his usual upbeat rhythm that somehow manages to lift the mood of any room he walks into.
“Hey, ladies.”
Maddie swings the door open.
“Al, get in here.” She says immediately, grabbing his arm and pulling him inside. “Iris is all set and geared up.”
She glances at me with a playful smirk. “Let’s go before she changes her mind.”
Al laughs softly and walks straight over to me, wrapping me in a tight hug that carries the quiet reassurance only he seems to manage.
“Ree.” He says warmly. He pulls back just enough to look at my face. “It’s good to see you. You okay with whatever Maddie’s cooked up?”
I nod, the warmth of their concern pushing back a little more of the heaviness I’ve been carrying.
“Hanging in there.” I say with a small smile. I glance between them. “So… what exactly is the plan?”
Al exchanges a quick look with Maddie before turning back to me with a mysterious grin.
“It’s a surprise.” He winks. “But trust us. You’re going to have fun. And it’s exactly what you need right now.”
A few minutes later we pile into Maddie’s car. She takes the driver’s seat while Al slides into the back.
As the car pulls away from the curb, the conversation flows easily between us, filling the quiet spaces that would normally give my thoughts too much room to wander.
“So.” Al says from the back seat after a moment, leaning slightly forward between the seats.
“Ree, how’s the job treating you overall?” His voice carries genuine curiosity.
I turn slightly in my seat so I can see him. “It’s… intense.” I admit. “A lot of crime stories lately.”
I shrug. “But honestly, it’s been a good distraction.” A small pause. “At least from everything else. Although the rumors about the video have made things… complicated.”
Maddie immediately glances at me from the driver’s seat.
“Rumors?” Her eyebrows knit together. “What happened?”
I hesitate briefly before answering. “Someone from the editing team.” I explain. “His name’s Mike.”
I look down at my hands. “He’s been telling people I was hired out of pity.” My throat tightens slightly. “Because of the video scandal at my university.”
I shrug weakly. “Now people whisper when I walk by. And half the office avoids eye contact like I’m radioactive.”
Al frowns immediately. “That’s complete crap. Who does this Mike guy think he is?”
He leans forward slightly. “You want me to have a word with him?”
I laugh lightly, shaking my head. “Thanks, Al. But I’ll handle it.” My voice softens. “It just… sucks.”
I stare out the window. “Feeling judged all over again.”
Maddie’s hands tighten slightly on the steering wheel.
“If it doesn’t die down soon,” she says firmly, “you should confront him.” Her voice carries protective anger. “You deserve way better than that kind of treatment.”
Al nods in agreement behind me. “Yeah.” He cracks his knuckles jokingly. “Or let me talk to him. I can be pretty persuasive when I need to be.”
I smile despite myself. “Tempting. But no.” I glance between them, grateful. “Still… I really appreciate you two having my back.”
Maddie smiles, clearly pleased that the conversation has lightened a little, but after a few minutes she shifts in her seat, her expression turning mischievous.
“Remember that gossip at uni about Professor Kingsley and that TA he was always meeting with?”
I let out a quiet breath through my nose. “How could I forget?” I say. “That rumor followed them everywhere.”
Al chuckles from the back seat. “Oh yeah. They denied it every chance they got. But nobody believed them.”
He smirks. “He’d always keep her back after class for ‘extra discussion.’”
Al makes exaggerated air quotes.
“And somehow she was the only TA who never had to sign in at the department office.”