The Jerk Next Door

Chapter 36: Just a Feeling

Maksean

"Now where have you three been?" I asked as I saw my two best friends and boyfriend all waiting for me by the entrance to the lunch room.

"Restroom?" I pointed behind me while looking my best friend in the eye.

With a nod, Daniela stepped forward and locked arms with me before waving to the two boys before they went to grab our seats.

"So? You missed the last chapter of Gatsby." I stated, wondering if she had a good or bad reason for missing English and leaving me alone with Nichole. "You okay?"

She turned to smile at me as we turned the corner. "Yeah, now. I was in the classroom when Asher decided to skip class to take a nap. We talked and he helped me see that I was being silly worrying over something that I can fix just by talking to Luka. Then he somehow managed to get me and Luka some alone time and we worked things out."

"Asher helped you?" I asked, "He skipped class?"

We walked into the restroom and into our usual stalls as I heard her laugh. "That's what you caught? Yeah, he said he had a sub or something, but Maks, he really did help me understand something," my friend exclaimed from her side of the pink wall that divided our stalls.

"Really? That's good." I wasn't sure what to think or say. I was happy Asher was getting along and becoming great friends with Dani and Luka. I've spent most of the last year trying to get the two to understand each other and just how much they mean to the other, but not with much luck.

It was silent for a moment as the toilets flushed and we walked out to wash our hands. "Ya know, he isn't what the rumors said. You got yourself a sweet guy. A virgin one too."

Soap sprayed everywhere as the words left her lips and entered my brain. What was she going on about, why was that an important piece of information?

"Oh lord, Maksie. You can't tell me you're not at least a bit excited about that?" She exclaimed, walking out of the restroom with a growing grin that only meant mischief.

I let out a scoff at my best friend. "What, you have one wild night and suddenly I'm the shy one?" I tease her, but only half mean it. I was glad she was over all the stress and worrying when it came to her and Luka's relationship. I enjoyed the dark blush that was seen when the light hit her just right.

"Whatever," Dani playfully pushed me away with a smile as we made our way back towards the lunch room. "Now what were you telling me this morning about some weird feeling?"

I stopped for a moment to remember what she was talking about. This morning while the boys were behind us, and after Daniela told me about last night, I mentioned the strange shadows I had seen a few nights ago. I wasn't sure what it was, but I had a sick feeling about it in my gut. I didn't want to bring it up with Asher and worry him about it being one of the spies his father plants on him, but I've started to get this feeling more often lately.

It's been a few days since I had last seen or felt anything, but when Dani asked for me to change the topic this morning I decided to at least mention it to someone.

"I'm not sure." I reply, still trying to convince myself I was just overthinking. "But I remember a few days ago before Asher and I left his truck to go home, I looked up and I could have sworn I saw something, and lately when I go out or even when I'm working, I just have this odd feeling something is watching. It sounds stupid." I explain only to trail off when I actually hear myself speak. I pulled on the ends of my hair as we walked through the entrance towards where our boys were already sitting down talking.