Lisa couldn't shake the feeling that Felix's coldness had grown sharper. He no longer just ignored her; his words seemed to cut deeper each time they spoke. Though she tried to brush it off, there was an unease building in her.
It started with small things.
One evening, Lisa was in the kitchen washing dishes when Felix entered. She didn't notice him at first, but the sound of his footsteps made her jump.
"What's taking so long?" he said in a harsh tone.
Lisa glanced at him, her hands still wet. "I'm almost done."
Felix crossed his arms, his expression hard. "Maybe if you didn't take forever, other people could use the kitchen."
"I said I'm almost done," Lisa replied, trying to keep her voice steady.
Felix leaned closer, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "Don't make excuses. Just do it faster."
Lisa's heart raced. She quickly turned back to the sink, focusing on the dishes. His presence behind her felt overwhelming, but she didn't dare look back.
When he finally walked away, she let out a shaky breath.
At school, Lisa tried to focus on her classes and friends, but Felix's harshness lingered in her mind.
During lunch, Chelsea noticed her distraction. "You okay, Lisa? You've been quiet."
Lisa hesitated. "It's just… Felix. He's so hard to deal with."
Chelsea frowned. "He's always like that?"
Lisa nodded. "Worse lately. He just seems angry all the time."
"Maybe you should avoid him," Sakura suggested. "He sounds like trouble."
"I try," Lisa said, "but we live under the same roof. It's not that simple."
Her friends exchanged worried glances but didn't press further.
That evening, Lisa accidentally bumped into Felix in the hallway. She had been carrying her textbooks and didn't see him coming.
"Watch where you're going," he snapped, his tone colder than ever.
"I—I'm sorry," Lisa stammered, stepping back.
Felix's eyes narrowed as he looked down at her. "You're always in the way. Can't you do anything right?"
Lisa swallowed hard, her hands tightening around her books. She wanted to respond, but her voice wouldn't come.
Felix scoffed and walked past her, leaving her frozen in place.
For the first time, Lisa realized she wasn't just frustrated with Felix—she was starting to feel afraid of him. His presence was intimidating, and his anger seemed unpredictable.
Joseph noticed the change in Lisa. She seemed quieter, more withdrawn whenever Felix was around.
One night, he found her sitting alone in the living room, staring at her homework without really working on it.
"Hey," he said softly, sitting down next to her. "Everything okay?"
Lisa forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired."
Joseph didn't believe her. "Is it Felix? Has he been bothering you?"
Lisa hesitated, not wanting to cause trouble. "It's nothing. I'll handle it."
Joseph frowned, clenching his fists. "You don't have to deal with him alone, Lisa. If he's making you uncomfortable, tell me."
Lisa looked at him, surprised by his protective tone. For a moment, she felt a sense of safety. "Thanks, Joseph," she said quietly.
But deep down, she knew she had to face Felix herself. She couldn't let her fear control her.