Caroline
*****
I kept my head down as I hurried home. If he was following me, I didn't want to know. Or did I? He did proclaim himself as my stalker. I mean, I should have been scared, right? There was no soul behind those eyes. They were hollow, dark, abysmal.
And yet, looking into them, I didn't feel afraid. The darkness in them couldn't scare me. I had no idea what my stalker's intentions towards me were and even I had to admit that they probably weren't good. He was older than me. Old enough to have a trace of dark stubble along his chiseled cheeks. Old enough to have multiple very nice vehicles.
So why? What business did he have stalking me, some nobody high school girl? He had to be a pedophile. Granted, I was technically legal but what else could a guy like him want from me? It's not like I had anything to steal but my virginity.
That should scare the shit out of me. I've never been intimate with anyone, much less an older guy. If he wants to hurt me, I should be running for the hills and calling the police.
But I know that if he hadn't told me to get out of his car, I would have stayed. I would've sat there and talked to him as long as he'd let me. I was pretty confident he wasn't going to hurt me. He'd had every chance to kidnap me in the last week. There were plenty of opportunities when I'd been walking alone, the street deserted. Even when I didn't fight him and got in his car, he could've taken me anywhere. Tossed me in a river and did a happy dance.
He didn't, though. He kicked me out at the gas station by my house and left me frustrated, aching. The feel of his fingers wrapped firmly but gently around my wrist still clung to my skin like a ghost. I didn't know what all his blabbering about idiot high school boys and Greg's sweatshirt was all about, but I hoped to God I got the chance to find out. I'd never been so excited to see someone again.
What the actual hell was wrong with me?
I finally reached Freya's house and used my key to get in. Before I shut the door behind me, I glanced around at the street. No blacked out truck or Cadillac to be seen. I shut the door and sauntered back to my room. Tossing my backpack to the floor, I flopped down on my bed with a groan.
Only a few more weeks and I would be done with school. I really needed to get a job. College wasn't even on my radar at this point, despite the counselor's unconvincing speech. She went from talking about Uncle James death to the importance of getting a college degree. Like, how was that supposed to inspire me?
I forced myself to sit up on my elbows and looked around the room I'd slowly claimed as my own over the passing days. I'd situated my lamps on the desk and beside the bed, hung the two paintings from my mother on the walls, and arranged a desk for myself in the corner. Freya had gifted me a potted orchid that now occupied the corner of the desk. I sighed and the force my breath sent a waft of cologne up from the sweatshirt I wore.
Getting up, I wandered over to my mirror and looked at my reflection. Greg's sweatshirt was huge on me given he was over a foot taller than me. It made me look petite, almost slim. I ran my fingers over the soft material, recalling the tragedy of today.
—Three hours earlier—
The lunch bell rang and everyone stood up. My stomach had been growling all period so I was quick to rush to the cafeteria before the masses. Today was chicken finger and I loved chicken in all its various recipes and forms. As I walked through the line, the lunch lady slopped a rather watery-looking heap of mashed potatoes and green beans on my plate. I hurried over to pay for my tray and then rushed out to my seat at the picnic table.
As I stepped outside, I immediately noticed someone at my table. The head of groomed hair situated on a pair of rippling shoulders turned towards me. Greg? I frowned at the broad smile he gave.
"Come sit, Wilder," he encouraged with a friendly wave.
I bit back a sigh and walked over to the table, setting down across from him. Couldn't he come pester me when I wasn't about to chow down like a little pig? My stomach grumbled loudly and I felt my face get hot.
He chuckled. "Let's eat, yeah?"
I noticed he had unpacked a boxed lunch with a sandwich, protein shake, beef jerky stick, banana, and a bag of carrots. Least to say, I was impressed.
"So, what's up?" I asked hesitantly, bringing a chicken tender to my mouth. It was warm and smelled delicious.
Greg shrugged his massive shoulders and popped a carrot in his mouth. "Nothing much. Trying to get ready for the history final. I know it's going to kick my ass."
"Who'd you have?"
"Jane. She's kind of a bitch," he admitted, almost sheepish.
I smiled and nibbled on the chicken. "Yeah, I had her. She's definitely a bitch. She's just hot, so no one wants to admit it."
He nodded. "Was her final hard?"
Blowing out a breath, I tried to remember last semester. "Uh. Yeah, I mean just as hard as the other tests. It's not cumulative, though."
"Oh, thank God. I'd need like a year to study for that."
I chuckled and rolled my eyes. "I had no idea you were such a nerd, Bush."
"Gotta keep my grades up for Tech. Maybe you could help me study?"
I squinted at him. Was that what this was about? He just wanted me to help him study? I thought about how genuine he was, though, and the fact that he was my class valedictorian. Of course he wasn't using me for that.
"Yeah, sure." I shrugged.
He took a large bite from his sandwich and swallowed it down. "So, where're you going?"
"For what?" I asked, chuckling.
"College, dingus."
My stomach dropped. Pinching my lips, I looked away. "Uh, well, nowhere as of right now."
Greg set his sandwich down. "Wait, seriously?"
"I mean . . . yeah."
"But, you're so smart?"
I scoffed. "Thanks. It's not really about that, though."
"Oh." He cleared his throat and picked his sandwich back up. "I'm not trying to pry, sorry. I just . . . you could easily have been in my place. You could easily get into wherever you want."
"I appreciate it. I just don't want to do more school," I said. "Well, that and I don't have the money to go. Even with scholarships, I'd have to work to afford rent and food. They don't care so much that you're smart if you're not an athlete or musician." I smiled when he looked up to soften my remark. He was being nice and I didn't want to offend him.
Greg chewed thoughtfully. "So, what are your plans after graduation then?"
"Work, hopefully." I smiled wryly at him over my water bottle. "Know anyone who's hiring?"
He indulged me with a stunning, perfectly straight half-smile. "I work at the depot, so honestly couldn't tell you. Unless you want to work with a bunch of old men who liked misogynist and racist jokes."
I grimaced. "Yeah, I think I'll have to pass, but thanks."
We laughed for a moment. I realized I was finally relaxed around him. Probably for the first time ever.
Caroline*****And then the door flew open and a pack of wolves emerged. By wolves, I meant half of the cheerleaders and their friends. The tall, leggy redhead, Ally, who'd been Greg's date for every dance and formal for as long as I could remember, threw us a saccharine grin."There you are, Greg!" she cooed. "We've been looking everywhere for you."I glanced at him and was stunned by his discreet eye roll. Taking a deep breath, he turned to face the pack."Hi, Ally." He smiled but it was so clearly forced that I almost laughed. "What's up?""Oh, we were just planning the after party at my house and I wanted your input on some things," she said, her friends bobbing their heads.I didn't miss the suspicious or even downright hostile look some of them sent me. As if I asked for Greg to suddenly befriend me."Okay. What things?" he asked."Well . . ." She looked warily at me.I was already rising to my feet, grabbing my backpack. "I was leaving anyway," I muttered."Caroline—" he starte
Caroline*****Mr. Mysterious didn't make an appearance even once the entire weekend. I constantly was checking the windows or taking walks, watering the bushes or washing Freya's car. I knew she thought I'd lost my mind. Maybe I had. What was I even doing? Waiting for him to come around? Fuck that. I wasn't going to wait for anyone. Not after what I'd been through. By Sunday evening, I was hating myself for wasting the weekend thinking about some creepy stalker. I tramped out to the living room and sunk into the recliner. Valentina and Freya were curled up, surrounded in a cloud of smoke. They'd been like this all weekend, not that I could judge."Wanna order a pizza delivery for dinner?" asked Freya. She was turning down the volume of the Seinfeld episode they'd been absorbed in. Valentina whined and tried to grab the remote, to which my cousin just ignored her."Sure." I sat up. "What do you guys want?""Pepperoni," Valentina moaned."Just get the meat trio or whatever," Freya sai
Marshall*****She almost had me. I felt her, really felt her, for the first time. My angel was the perfect combination of soft and warm. I almost lost my nerve holding her so closely. There was little stopping me from taking her, from sucking on her sweet lips and squeezing her until she moaned for me. She wouldn’t stop me. I knew that much already.I sat rigid straight behind the wheel. Her small figure shuffled up through the dimly lit street, a bit faster than before. She glanced around the street and hurried up towards her house.Good! She should be scared. This was not a safe neighborhood for a girl like her. She was too naive, too attractive, too small. I knew I wasn't the one man who would look at her with intent. Her openness with me was also concerning. Of course, I wanted to believe she was only that way with me, but I wasn't a fool. She was innocent and soft. My breath caught just thinking about her silky golden hair and round cheeks, the fullness of her curves under anyt
Caroline*****Monday was pretty dull, as to be expected. Greg stopped by during lunch to get his sweatshirt but he didn't linger for conversation. I had to study for an exam so I didn't take offense. The only things keeping me going were the thought of my stalker making an appearance and starting my shift at the gas station. That was only exciting because I was ready to make money for myself.I would have gotten a job sooner but I didn't have a car and Uncle James forbade me from working. He said my focus should be on my studies and that he paid for everything, so why should I work?Freya was indifferent about my decision but I could tell she was proud, in some way. I was happy to get out of the house, just in case Valentina popped up, and start saving. Maybe if it was enough someday, I could go to school. I wasn't going to set my hopes too high, though.Once last period was out, I went to my locker to grab the gym bag with my uniform in it. It was actually just a collared shirt in t
Caroline*****My favorite day! Friday. It's literally the best. Just a few hours of torture at school and then freedom for a whole two days. I wondered if I could be named Friday like Wednesday Addams. Probably not, she was way hotter than me.Fuck, why did I smoke before school?Groaning, I dragged my feet as I stared at the sidewalk leading out of the neighborhood. I was just starting it and I had so far to go. Why didn't I take the damn bus?Somehow, I remembered to plug my earbuds in and scrolled through my Spotify to find a decent playlist. There were an embarrassing number of Selena Gomez albums in there. I picked the Mac DeMarco playlist that had been stuck in my head. Each step became slightly more bearable.Honey, the stars keep on calling my nameBut don't worry, I've told you again and againWhen I'm down, you're always the first one to knowSkipping town, I'll take you wherever I goI finally turned onto the Main Street and started towards school. By happenstance, I glanc
Okay, this wasn't too bad. The bleachers filled in as the game started and by half-time, it didn't feel like I was even sitting alone. It didn't hurt that Greg was a pretty good quarterback. My football knowledge was limited but I could see that he was agile and had an impressive arm, despite being built like a linebacker. I even found myself yelling and hooting with the rest of the crowd as we scored touchdown after touchdown. At the final buzzer, my fellow spectators poured out of the bleachers. The old lady who sat next to me with her walker needed assistance so I waited with her until everyone was gone. Then I held her hand and guided her down to the ramp."Aren't you a sweet girl," she cooed at the bottom.I chuckled. "Less sweet, more sour."She patted my arm with a laugh. "Thank you, dear. My son is just over there. He'll help me to the car."Her son? That piece of shit wasn't here to help her down the stairs? My eyes followed her finger to the blue and white jacket hanging off
Marshall*****She wore her heart in her eyes. I could see every desire, every ounce of adoration and trust, teeming in those hazel green eyes. In the dark, lying beneath me, she looked more like a fallen angel than anything a holy god would keep around. She was sin embodied, my personal elixir. Wavy golden hair, bright eyes, and never-ending curves.My hand stroked down her side while she blinked up at me. Trustingly.She shouldn't trust me. I was a true monster under all these human layers. I was arrogant, not blind. Although I was obsessed with her and knew deep in my bones that I would never get bored of her, I also knew what I was incapable of.Love!If I couldn't feel love for my own parents or siblings, I was incapable. My angel was a sensitive being, though she tried to hide it. She wanted love. I knew it was the one thing I'd never be able to give her.Not that it mattered. She would be mine, regardless of whether she wanted to be. From the moment I set eyes on her, I wanted
Caroline*****Yawning, I slowly roused from my sleep. A sweet smell lifted into my nostrils, beckoning me to get up. I sat up and pushed the covers down. My jeans were all tangled down around my ankles. I frowned as last night returned to the forefront of my mind.Marshall! I jumped and looked around but there was no evidence of him or his presence. No note or anything. Oh shit. He wasn't out there . . . in the kitchen . . . Was he? I sprang out of the bed and instantly tripped over my jeans. Huffing, I kicked them off and yanked on a pair of sleep shorts from my dresser. I moved the chair from the door knob and hurried out.Freya smiled at me from the stove. I glanced around the kitchen but it was empty.She chuckled. "Good morning to you, too, sleepyhead. Looking for someone?""I—" I swallowed. "Oh, I just wondered if, uh, Valentina was still here.""Yeah, she's worse than you. Still in bed."I relaxed and padded over to her. When my eyes locked sight on the golden pancakes in her