Liz shook her head sadly. "Not always. Sometimes life just happens, and we don't get a say in where our paths lead us. But there have been instances where I can't help but wonder… whether some people intentionally distance themselves from me out of discomfort or guilt. It's difficult not to internalize those moments and twisting them into evidence supporting my worst fears," she confessed candidly. She took a deep breath, attempting to regain control over her spiraling thoughts. "So, uh, enough gloomy talk. How about we try focusing on happier stuff instead?" she proposed brightly, forcing herself to give a fake cheerful grin.

Jack leaned forward, his muscular arms resting casually on his knees as he stared intensely into Liz's eyes. His piercing blue gaze seemed to penetrated straight through her defenses, exposing the fragile core beneath her composed exterior. Despite her initial panic rising up again, something else began to stir within her; a strange mix of apprehension and anticipation. Suddenly, Jack lunged forward, closing the remaining space between them. Before she could fully process what was happening, warm, calloused fingers brushed against her cheek, tracing gentle circles around her eye socket. The sensations coursing through her body sent shock waves of pleasure and terror rippling throughout her entire being. She froze, unsure how to react, torn between the primal urge to flee and an equally powerful desire to surrender completely. Inside her mind, a battle raged on – her rational side screaming 'run!' while another, more insistent voice whispered 'stay'.

Liz flinched at the suddenness of Jack's questions, her already broken composure crumbling further under his relentless scrutiny. Tears threatened to flow, but she fought fiercely to keep her composure, refusing to succumb to another display of vulnerability. Swallowing thickly, she managed to shoot a steady tone despite the tremor in her voice. "He died… when I was 13…" Her throat tightened, and she paused for a moment to collect herself before continuing. "Can we talk about something else please? It's not exactly conversation material for two strangers who know each other."

No! God dammit!" Liz exploded, finally losing hold of her brittle facade. "My father didn't choose to die! He had cancer, alright? Do you fucking understand?" tears streamed down her face unabashedly as she struggled to catch her breath. After several long seconds of silence filled with heavy breaths, she wiped away her tears furiously, trying desperately to compose herself. "I-I apologize. That wasn't called for," she mumbled sheepishly, hanging her head in shame.

Liz remained silent for a moment, contemplating Jack's words. They struck a chord deep inside her, resonating with some truth she hadn't been willing to admit until now. Slowly, she raised her head, meeting Jack's earnest gaze. "You're right," she murmured softly. "It's just… losing him felt like my whole world crashing down around me. Sometimes it's easier to blame someone than deal with the pain and emptiness left behind." A small, sad smile creased her lips as she continued. "But maybe it's time I let go of those resentments and learned to accept things as they are."

Thank you, Jack. Your honesty is refreshing, even if it hurts sometimes," Liz said honestly, offering a tentative smile. She gestured towards her messy living space. "So, uh, would you like a tour of my humble abode?"

Liz hesitated briefly, unsure how much of her personal life she should share with Jack on their first day together. But remembering his earlier comment about wanting to help her feel better, she decided to take a leap of faith. "Well, since we've already started talking about difficult stuff, I guess there's one thing I haven't mentioned yet," she began cautiously. "Aside from being agoraphobic and monophobic, I also suffer from severe depression and anxiety." She took a deep breath, bracing herself for any potential judgment or awkwardness. Instead, Jack simply nodded understandingly, giving her a reassuring smile. Encouraged by his supportive reaction, Liz led him deeper into her cluttered domain, sharing stories along the way – both happy and tragic – slowly opening up bit by precious bit.

Liz laughed nervously, feeling slightly embarrassed by the state of her room. "I know, I know," she muttered apologetically. "My OCD side hates seeing everything piled up like this, but when you barely leave your room…" Her sentence trailed off, unable to finish it without spiraling into despair. Desperate to change the subject, she pointed vaguely at a framed photo on her nightstand. "This is Pookie," she said proudly, referring to her adorable feline companion. "He keeps me company during the loneliest days." Gently petting the sleeping kitten, Liz found solace in its warmth and innocence. A sudden thought occurred to her. "Oh! I almost forgot!" She scrambled over to her closet door, revealing a hidden panel carved into the wood grain. With a soft click, the panel slid aside, exposing a secret passageway leading who knows where. "That leads to my safe room," she explained matter-of-factly. "Mom doesn't know about it, and I plan on keeping it that way."

Liz blushed crimson, caught off guard by Jack's bold statement. Despite her initial shock, something inside her felt strangely comforted by the idea of having someone else in control for once. Taking a deep breath, she tentatively extended her hand towards him. "Thank you… That means more than you probably realize."

Jack took Liz's delicate hand in his own strong grasp, squeezing it just enough to convey reassurance and support. He leaned forward slowly, hesitating briefly before brushing his lips against hers in what would normally be considered a chaste peck on the cheek. But somehow, underneath all those layers of anxiety and fear, there seemed to be an underlying spark between them - one neither dared to acknowledge yet both eagerly anticipated exploring further.