JOE BANDIT P.O.V
“Where do you get these pictures?” she asked as she handed the envelope back to me.
I grabbed them and put them back into my locker and underneath my math textbook. I then shut the locker door, and locked it with the lock, making sure to spin the knob. I used to think that the culprit stalking my family and me, was someone from school; until I realized that it was only friends and family that was invited, the day my parents renewed their vows.
“They arrive once a week, and show up at our front door,” I replied as my mind thought of the many ways, I have tried to catch the culprit.
“You have security camera’s up around the house,” she stated in a tone, that implies I have not already thought of that.
I sighed “I already checked the recordings so many times, and nothing came up. I have not double-checked; I have quadruply checked,” making sure to emphasize the word ‘quadruple’ to her.
“What do you mean nothing came up?” she asked, waiting for me to explain more.
“There is no recording of someone putting an envelope at my front door,” I said as I leaned against my locker.
The fact that the security cameras were basically useless, and couldn’t catch a stalker who is a possible threat to my family; is infuriating. After I catch them, I am going to talk to my father about the problems with our security cameras. I would be lying, if the idea of putting up more around my house, has not crossed my mind.
“This envelope shows up on Sunday mornings, precisely at 7 am,” I said, as I looked at her.
“How has no one other than you,” she gestured towards me “seen at least one envelope by now?”
“I wake up early for my mo—” I started to explain.
“Morning runs,” Payton replied, interrupting me from explaining.
How does she know that? I thought to myself.
“Huh?” I asked back, with surprise.
“What?” she replied with wide eyes.
Her cheeks started to glow red as I narrow my eyes at her in suspicion.
I then took a step back from her “How do you know I go on morning runs?”
There is no way, she could be my stalker. She does not even live in the same neighborhood as I do. Plus, she is far from threatening. Then I quickly remembered that her friend lives across from me.
“Payton,” We said in unison.
My tone is more in realization and hers as if she was stating a fact.
RINGGGGGG!
RINGGGGGG!
RINGGGGGG!
“That is the bell,” said Chasity. “You still did not tell me how you wanted me to help you with this” she then gestured to the locker, containing the envelope filled with pictures of my family and me in it “creepy problem.”
“Meet me at my house after school,” I replied.
After seeing her nod, I started to walk away; then stopped when I realized something. I turned back around and faced her.
“Do you need a ride to my place?” I asked, after realizing that she does not have a car.
Her cheeks turned red, and I found it adorable. I had always thought she was pretty, but she never spoke. I used to think it was because she was mute since she never spoke to me. Turns out I was wrong, and It had me wondering why we have never spoken before.
She then shook her head and softly replied “No, thank you.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, double-checking, and secretly hoping she would say yes.
She nodded “I am going over to Payton’s house, and she has a car. So, I will just walk to your house, after we finish our homework; since you live right across from each other.”
“Okay,” I replied, accepting her answer.
I then turned back around, heading to class. As I started walking, I noticed from the corner of my eye, that she was walking the same way as me. She stated quiet and took the same turns I had to do when I headed to my class. I looked at her with an amused expression clear on my face.
“Are you following me?” I said with amusement.
She laughed and rolled her eyes “No, I am not stalking you Bandit,” emphasizing the word ‘not’ and ‘stalking’ to me.
I laughed with amusement “So, what class are you heading to?”
“Math,” she replied as if it should have been obvious to me.
That is such a coincidence, I thought to myself.
“Me too,” I said with a chuckle.
“I know,” she replied with a soft laugh.
What? I asked with my eyebrow raised “How do you know that?”
She rolled her eyes and we were five steps closer to my class. She then started walking a bit faster, and to my surprise, she stopped right in front of my classroom door. She then turned around and face me. She had her hand on her hips and with a thumb, pointed to the class.
“We are classmates,” she replied, before walking towards an empty seat in the back of the class, by the window.
I stood there, still outside the classroom, with a flabbergasted expression clear on my face.
Since when was she in this class? I thought to myself with surprise.
As I stepped into the classroom, I noticed her friend Payton was in here too. I headed towards my seat and sat down in the chair I always sit on. Which was the one at the very front by the window. I learned that it is better to sit in the front, that way I can hear the teacher better and not be distracted by everyone else in the class as well.
“Okay everyone, settle down. Class is in session,” said Mrs. K.
Mrs. K is the coolest teacher in the school. She keeps it real with us when she talks to us, which makes us laugh and love her even more. She literally treats us like her own kids. When it is a student’s birthday, she will buy them a gift. She is also always there when we need someone to talk to. One time I was close to telling her about the photo problem I am currently facing but decided not to because I feared that it might put her in danger.
I looked forward and made sure to pay attention in the class. My eyes remained to look forward, but halfway through the class, my mind started to wander somewhere else. It was unusual for my attention to keep wandering off. This was something I have not done before when it comes to school. It still did not wander off when it came to the photos that I showed Chasity earlier.
So, what is making it do this now? I thought to myself.
“Her,” said a tiny voice in my head.
I found my head turning just a bit to get a glimpse of the girl in the back. The girl that might mean more to me than I think. Chasity was writing down notes that our teacher was saying. She was looking at the teacher, while I was looking at Chasity. She then must have felt someone staring at her, because the next thing I see, she is looking at me.
Crap, I thought to myself as my eyes widened at being caught.
I looked up at the ceiling pretending it was by chance, that our eyes met. My cheeks were turning red and I quickly forced myself to focus back on my paper, and take the notes that I am sure our teacher is going to have on the test. I was not really worried, because I knew a lot of the answers to these math equations, and remembering the formulas was easy. By the time class was over, I waited till Payton and Chasity were out of the class.
I was still a bit embarrassed at being caught staring at her. I was the last kid in the class and was almost done packing my bag with my books. After I finished, I started walking towards the classroom door, to head to my next class but stopped when I heard my name being called.
“Joe!” called Mrs. K.
I turned around and faced her “Yes Mrs. K?”
She smiled in an amused expression as she got closer. She then put her hand on my head and ruffled my hair.
She laughed and said in an amused tone “Next time you decide to stare at Chasity Dawson, please try to do it discreetly,” emphasizing the word ‘stare’ and ‘discreetly’ to me.
I groaned “You saw me do it too?”
She laughed and nodded her head “The whole class did. It seems everyone saw you staring at her, except you.”
My face looked horrified at the embarrassment “Oh my gosh.”
“This is the first time, you have ever done that,” she said in a marveled tone. “I should be scolding you for not paying attention, but that was too funny I can’t seem to be mad at you for it,” she then finished with a chuckle.
I sighed and felt like I wanted to dig a hole and bury myself in it.
“I will not happen again,” I replied as I fixed the strap of my backpack, that was falling off of my shoulder.
She snickered and replied “Okay.”
Why does the tone of her reply sound as if she does not believe me? I thought to myself.
She then shooed me out the door and said “Now go on to your next class before you are late.”
“Okay,” I replied, and waved goodbye.
If I did not notice Chasity in my class before, why can I not seem to take my mind off of her now?
JOE BANDIT P.O.VWhen it was finally time for lunch, John, Gio and I left the school and headed to taco bell. We did all the time and since we were now seniors, it was fine for us to leave campus. When we arrived at Taco Bell, we all ordered our food. When it was finally ready, we grabbed our food and picked a table to sit. We all eagerly began eating the tacos, hungry for that delicious wrapped meat.After taking a bite of my taco, I saw Gio and John looking at each other. John whispered something to Gio, making him frown and shake his head. They then both looked at me in observance. As if they were searching for the answer to a question they wanted to ask. I ignored them and kept eating my food. When I could still feel their eagle eyes watching me, I sighed and gave up, allowing them to ask me what I know they eagerly want to know.“What?” I said in a deadpan v
CHASITY DAWSON P.O.V(MEANWHILE BACK AT SCHOOL DURING LUNCH TIME)After class I headed towards the school cafeteria for lunch. Seeing my friends already sitting at our usual lunch table with their plates, I quickly got mine and headed towards the table. I put my lunch tray down and sat down in my seat. Quickly digging into my plate to eat.“Did you do your math homework?” asked Maddie, as she looked at Payton and I.Lucky for me, I did my homework with Payton yesterday at her house, so I knew I was going to be fine. Math was not Maddie’s best friend, nor was it mine. Payton on the other hand, was a genius at almost everything. We all went to Payton when we needed help. So, when she was looking at Payton and I; I knew the question was meant for Payton. She was the genius of the group, and very pretty as well; with her long dark
Chasity Dawson P.O.VBy the time my last class had finished and the bell had rung. I headed straight to my locker to wait for Payton. Luckily her locker, and Maddie’s locker, was right next to mine. When I reached my locker I grabbed my other text books and stuffed them into my backpack, to do my homework later at Payton’s house. I was so focused on what I was doing; that I did not hear the two other guys behind me.“Hello,” said someone behind me.I turned around and there before me, stood John and Giovanni. My eyes widened in surprise, because I have never spoken to them before either. Even though they haven’t said anything else yet, I had a hunch that they were here to get info from me on why Joe approached me. I closed my locker and turned around fully to face them. I was not nervous to speak to them, because although t
Chasity Dawson P.O.VThe man with the envelope started to turn, to walk in the direction of the house, but suddenly stopped. He quickly turned towards me, as if he sensed someone watching him. Which made me freeze for a second at being caught. When he saw me, he turned and quickly dashed back to his black car, jumped in and drove off before anyone else saw him. When I ran towards the road to catch his license plate before he got away, it was useless. There was no license plate on the back of the car.That must be the person leaving the photos, I thought to myself.I knew this was groundbreaking, since the culprit had finally been seen by someone. Even though, I may not have been able to see his face clearly enough to identify him. At least I was able to see his car, and the way he was dressed. It was a tiny
Joe Bandit P.O.VI snickered to myself after sending the text to Chasity. Truth be told, this was not the first time I caught her watching me from the window at Payton’s house. She is not the quickest person to disappear, when it came to hiding after being caught. It made me assume that maybe she had a thing for me. I thought it was cute and it puzzled me on why she had never tried to talk to me, if I was correct and she did have a thing for me.“Move over,” shouted Gio.I looked up at my two best friends fighting in the theater room for the middle seat in the front row. I rolled my eyes at their childish antics. There were at least nine other seats for them to sit on. Then again, I might have argued for that seat too. It was the best place to sit, when it came to watching a movie.
Joe Bandit P.O.V“What are you kids up to?” said John, as they saw Chasity and I together alone in my room.Damn, I really thought the movie would have kept them occupied, I thought to myself.Chasity and I jumped away from each other.“Is this what Americans’ do when they have friends over? Sneak a girl up to their room?” Gio rhetorically asked, turning towards John.John shook his head and touched his heart dramatically as if appalled “No, we do not.”I cleared my throat, while she looked down, using her hair like a curtain to cover her face. I walked away from her and towards my two, currently bothersome friends and pointed my index finger towards the opposite direction they were facing. Signaling for
Joe Bandit P.O.V“What is that you have in your hand son?” asked my father, even though he could clearly see it was an envelope with photos.“Dad,” I replied in a panicked tone.I quickly stuffed the photos back into the envelope. My father walked quickly towards me and snatched it out of my hands. He opened it and his eyes went wide when he saw the pictures. He ripped the whole envelope filled with the creepy photos and threw them against the wall. He looked at the photos as they fall to the ground with an angry expression. He then fiercely turns to me and stepped forward my way.“Where did you get this son!?” he pointed to the ripped photos on the ground “Where did you get the envelopes with the photos in it!?” asked my father, as he put both his hands on my shoul
Chasity Dawson P.O.VAfter getting home and cooking dinner, I was finally ready to take a shower and get some sleep. I felt so nice and squeaky clean after my bath. After getting out of the shower, I headed towards my room. I slipped on my fuzzy plus colorful socks and smiled because of how soft it felt. I then laid down on my bed and put my head on my pillow. With a smile on my face, ready for the next day.Ring!Ring!Ring!I groaned in irritation when I heard the sound of my phone ringing. I looked at the clock and saw that it was 10 o’clock.“Whoever is calling me, better have a damn good reason for calling this