Can't Be Without You ~ Zelink BotW

Stalkers

     I walked my school's long halls, heading to our lunch break. I carried my heavy books in my hand as I went along by myself. Richard's words were still sounding in my head; So I've been staying later in classes to study more just to prove him wrong. 

     Today marked my second week of attendance here. Only two weeks and a few days until I can pass the one month mark, being here longer then that Theodore. I sucked in a deep breath to steady my nerves, and walked on.

     I began to hear another pair of shoes hitting the rug behind me. I quickly turned to see who walked alongside me, but no one was there. I shrugged my shoulders, thinking it was just my imagination. Tap, tap, tap, tap. There it was again. Almost in sync with my pace. I looked back faster this time in hopes to catch the culprit. Nobody...

     My heart began to race in fear, as I hugged my books closer to my chest. I walked on, continuing to hear the footsteps behind me. I felt my adrenaline rush through my body, as I began to speed-walk. The steps became faster like mine, so I began running as fast as I could to the cafeteria. I'm almost there!  I thought trying not to trip over my skirt as a sprinted.

     I burst through the doors, making an unwanted  entrance to the lunchroom. All heads turned to me, their eyes piercing through my being, looking at me like I was crazy. I gasped for breath, as I used my books to shield my face from being stared at by the crowd. I quickly slipped by, looking for an empty seat at the table for me to eat at.

"Zella! Come sit with me girl!" I looked to see Marcella waving her hands in the air, calling me over to her. I smiled in relief as I quickly came and sat down across from her. I had just met her the other day. She was studying science in the hopes to become an Astronomer. She has a big personality, full of teasing, and humor. I enjoy my company around her. 

     "Why do you look like you just saw a ghost, and ran a marathon?" She asked, sipping from her cup rather loudly in curiosity.

"On my way here, I could've sworn someone was following behind me..." I explained, pulling out my sack packed with a ham sandwich.

"That's freaky..." She said raising up her eyebrows, taking a bite of her own lunch.

"Extremely... I'm just glad I made it here safely." I sighed, setting up my lunch nicely in front of me.

"Me too. I hope it's nothing serious!" She said, her gaze shifting to my meal placed organized in front of me, as I set my napkin neatly on my lap.

     Before I took my first bite, I couldn't help but feel my every move was being analyzed. In my paranoia, I quickly looked around the cafeteria, looking for anyone suspicious. As I looked, my eyes locked with a tall, blue eyed man. I felt myself gasp as he quickly turned away as though he wasn't just staring when he was. I squinted my eyes to get a better look of him, and the people in the group he was with.

"Richard?..." I accidently whispered aloud.

     "Richard? Isn't he your roommate? Is that who you're looking around for?" I heard Marcella ask me. I jerked from being caught off guard, and turned back around to face her.

"Many of the girls here are awfully jealous of you! They are all practically in love with him. I'm not! He's a really nice guy though." She laughed, talking despite her mouth full of food. I felt as my face cringed in disgust, and confusion at her remark.

"How could you fall in love with a devilish freak like that!? He's the completely opposite of nice! He's a complete and total fake!" I growled, gritting my teeth as I slammed my fist on the table, making her cup wobble from the impact.

"Woah there girl! I see you guys did not click well at all..." She announced, surrendering her hands into the air.

"Forgive my rude behavior, but he is evil to the core. I'm sure of it!" I said, trying to contain the anger swirling inside me.

     "That's so odd... Usually he is so polite and nice to people." She said, rubbing her chin in thought. As she was occupied, I looked back to where Richard was. The guy who was staring at me was standing up beside him. They both were flashing their eyes back at me, looking like they were whispering to each other. I felt my stomach drop in worry. What are they saying to each other?

~*~

     I sat down at one of the desks, writing down notes as the professor read aloud physics to the class. I tried to focus on my work, trying to forget the events that happened earlier. Are they stalking me? Is Richard plotting to try and get me kicked out? I thought, getting distracted. I gasped as I looked to see I had written down what I was thinking on my notes. I quickly began to erase it as someone in the room caught my attention from the corner of my eye. That boy. He's staring at me again! I looked back at him watching me from afar. 

     Sweat beaded on my forehead, as my stomach flip flopped inside of me. What could they possibly want from me? I just want to be left alone! I thought, biting my lip that began to quiver. I wish Link were here by my side! He would protect me. I thought longing for him. No! Do not cower. Do not falter. I am going to be strong! After this session, I'm going to march right up to Richard and confront him. I decided, full of determination.

     After our professor dismissed us, I grasped onto my books tightly, as I stood myself up tall, chin up. Link would come bold and strong. Full of courage like the hero he is. I thought, trying to impersonate his actions I admire of him. I saw Richard as he stood up, his friend meeting up with him as they began to walk away. After everyone was absent from the room, I immediately made my way towards them, my boots click-clacking across the marbled floor. 

     They turned there heads towards me as I came up to them. Before they could let any words slip from their mouth, I came straight up to Richard, glaring at him deep into his greenish-brown eyes sternly.

"What do you think you're doing Richard!? I know you and your friend over here have been stalking me all day. What is your problem? What do you want from me!?" I demanded, shoving my pointed finger into his chest. He gave me his evil smirk before replying.

"I really want to know... who are you truly? I know your not who you say you are." He said, as him and his friend began to corner me. I felt my whole body grow limp, as the books I held slipped and fell to the floor below me, as I gripped the wall surrounding me for support.

     I gasped in shock as Richard grabbed my arm, and squeezed it tightly in his grasp, pulling me along.

"Let go of me you-" I screamed, before he covered my mouth with his big hand to quiet me.

"I'm not letting go until you tell me the truth..."

~*Credit for the artist: やわけん*~