9| What’s wrong with Lisa ?

BRIAN

“ Goshh my head hurts real baaddd” i yarned, stretching my hands and then placing them on my temples.

I didn’t know how I managed to stand from my bed, but I knew my direction…

Straight to the kitchen.

Lisa always woke up early. Always made coffee so early.. I think I’m getting used to this at least.

She tried to pretend she wasn’t sad.

And even if she never said it out loud… I knew she hated feeling alone in the morning.

So I walked in before even brushing my hair, but this time I wore a shirt… didn’t want her yelling this morning… she literally acts like a mom sometimes.

And there she was.

Standing by the counter, wearing an oversized sweater, her hair messy, humming some song under her breath while pouring coffee into two cups like she just knew I would show up anytime soon.

“Does she time me ?” I muttered under my breath.

She turned when she heard me.

“Morning,” she said gently, handing me the cup she had obviously prepared for me.

“Morning,” I muttered, rubbing my eyes. “You… already made me one?”

She shrugged with a small smile. “You always show up. Thought I’d be ready.”

I sat at the table, watching her move around the kitchen, still singing some song I couldn’t really hear.

She probably didn’t even realize she was starting to feel safe around me.

Or maybe she did.

Lisa was complicated like that.

She sat across from me, pulling her knees to her chest.

“You okay?” she asked.

I felt my lips twitch. “You always ask me that.”

“Because you always look like you didn’t sleep.”

I took a sip of coffee and nodded. “You’re right. I didn’t.”

She frowned softly. “Nightmares again?”

“Not nightmares,” I said slowly, staring into the cup. “Just… thinking.”

**“About what?”**

“…Everything.”

She didn’t ask any questions… maybe she knew it was all about Adrian anyway.

Silence passed for a moment before she spoke again.

“Brian?”

“Yeah?”

She hesitated. Then…

“What are we?”

I blinked. “What?”

She laughed nervously. “No… I mean… not like that. I just… I don’t know what to call us. We’re not strangers. We’re not… whatever Adrian thinks. And we’re not… lovers.”

I raised an eyebrow. “That last part sounded like a question.”

Her cheeks flushed instantly. “It wasn’t! I just mean I don’t know how free I can be around you. I don’t want to overstep.

She really looked like a nervous baby right now.

“Then let’s name it.”

She looked up, eyes big. “Name… what?”

“This,” I said, gesturing between us. “Us. What we are.”

Her mouth opened slightly, like she wasn’t expecting that.

“Okay,” she whispered. “What name?”

I pretended to think dramatically, tapping my finger on the table.

“How about…” I paused.

She leaned in, waiting.

“…besties.”

She blinked. Then burst out laughing.

“Besties? Seriously?”

“It fits,” I said. “You nag like one.”

She shoved my arm lightly. “I do not nag.”

“You do…. and sometimes you’re such a mom”

“Shut up.”

I smirked. “See? That’s very bestie behavior.”

She laughed again… much louder this time.

“ I think my houses is gonna fall from your laugh real soon” I said obviously expecting her answer.

“ I’ll be delighted if I did you jerk. Humph “ she folded her hands.

I expected her answer though.. she is really a drama queen. Can’t believe Adrian toyed with her.

Just then, phone rang.

I glanced at the screen… it was from the Hospital.

My exhaled and picked up.

Lisa’s smile faded as she watched me answer.

***The Phone Call***

“Dr. Brian speaking.”

A nurse’s shaky voice came through.

“Doctor… we have an urgent update on the case from last night. The woman who came in after the assault….she’s tested positive for the infection. The one we suspect came from… well…. her attempt to use an unknown… condom.”

Lisa’s hand froze around her coffee cup which was weird… or maybe the is just scared to hear of such case.

The nurse continued, “Administration wants your decision. She committed a crime… but she’s infected and bruised from the beating that came with her crime.”

I closed my eyes.

Criminal or not, infections spread. They destroy lives.

I hated cases like this.

“She’ll be punished,” I said firmly. “But she will be treated first. No exceptions.”

“Understood, doctor.”

The call ended.

I sighed and dropped the phone on the table.

Lisa stared at me, pale.

“So… she’s infected?”

“Yeah.”

“And she… committed a crime?”

“Yes.”

She swallowed. Hard.

“How much do you hate that kind of offense?”

Her voice trembled… just barely, but I caught it.

I frowned. “Why are you asking like that?”

She shook her head too fast. “Just curious.”

“Lisa.”

Her eyes flickered away.

I leaned forward. “I hate it. A lot. People who use others…… some ladies think pregnancy is the easiest way to get what they want. Why do it illegally?. Getting pregnant without the sperm owners consent? It’s fucking illegal and stupid to do.”

My hand tightened around the mug.

“They deserve consequences.”

She flinched.

Something was wrong. But I just couldn’t point it out.

Her fingers curled against her leg.

Her breathing got shallow.

She tried to take a sip of coffee but her hands were shaking too much.

“Lisa?”

She forced a smile.

“I’m fine. Really.”

That was a lie.

A big one.

Fear was written all over her face, even as she’s trying her best to hide it.

Like she was terrified of something she couldn’t say.

Or someone.

I didn’t ask.

Not yet.

I’ll give her some time and return to why she actually acted this way.

Instead, I spoke softly.

“Hey.”

She looked up.

“We’re besties now, remember?

That means you can tell me anything.”

Her lips trembled just slightly… then she nodded.

But she didn’t say a word.

“ Okey Lisa… if you don’t wanna speak it’s fine. But if anyone ever committed such a crime and threatened you not to tell anyone, feel free to tell me. You are safe with me and I’ll definitely get that person punished for her crime.”