One
Briana
He’s watching me.
I can feel his gaze on me.Goosebumps rise all over my skin.
I don’t know how I know.I just do.He’s somewhere in this crowded quad, keeping tabs on my every move.
My heart is racing.I should be scared out of my mind.
Instead, I find it thrilling.
There’s something terribly wrong with me.
I have a stalker.I don’t know anything about him except the sound of his deep voice and the feel of his hands on me.
He’s mysterious and dangerous and so dirty.
He consumes me day and night.
Controls me.Because I let him.
If I had any good sense, I would go to the campus police.
I’m living on the edge.Because I’ve never felt more alive.
I try to focus on what my housemate is saying.She’s telling an animated story about the party she went to last night.My other housemates are laughing.I’m sure I should be, too, but I’m struggling to focus.
Because ofhim.
It’s sunny out.The weather is perfect, which is why so many people are on the campus quad.Students are taking advantage of the sunshine, tossing footballs, throwing Frisbees, and reading under the shade of huge oak trees.
I was heading to the library to study when I stopped to catch up with my three housemates.
But now he’s here, and I’m frozen.
“Bri…”
I jerk my gaze to find Taylor laughing and waving a hand in front of my face.“Shit.Sorry.It sounds like it was a fun party.”
“It was the best.You should come with us next time.”
“Maybe…” I chew on my bottom lip.Two weeks ago, I would have jumped at the suggestion.It’s my freshman year.This is the first time I’m finally living on my own, sort of.I want to experience everything, go to parties, drink disgusting concoctions at frat parties…
But thenhehappened.And now I find myself out of my body, living in a different world.It’s dark and mysterious, and I should not let him consume me.
A breeze lifts my hair, making my skin tingle.It’s ridiculous.He’s not causing air to blow by me.Is he?
My friends all lean in for hugs and disperse to whatever their destinations are.
I turn around and scan the quad before continuing on to the library.I don’t have a choice.I don’t make decisions for myself anymore.
After glancing at my watch, I pick up my pace.Why?Because I told him I would be at my usual table in the northeast corner of the building on the second floor at two o’clock.He likes punctuality.If I’m not on time, he’ll know, and I’ll be punished for my tardiness.
It doesn’t matter that I’ve never seen him.
It doesn’t matter that I don’t know his name.