✨It Doesn't Even Matter✨

How Dare You

Riverside Dr. (Manhattan) (Monday, Sept. 15th) (Allie's Perspective)
"Come on, Amaya. We're gonna be late for ballet." I said. I knocked on her bathroom.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, am I not allowed to pee in peace?"
"Well, you've been peeing forever. We're gonna be late. You know Miss Laurie hates that." Amaya opened the door and stepped out quietly.
"What's wrong?"
"No-thing." I swear that's been the girl's answer to every damn thing these days. It's like she went to middle school and became a total-
"Sure."

Josh: Do you wanna come over after dance?
Me: Amaya's with me 😐
Josh: Then let's go to the park or something. Idk, I feel like a haven't spent that much time together these past couple of days

I feel bad. I don't mean to push him away but these days have been pretty hard. There's this weird tension in the house and on top of that I've been having some thoughts about Felix. I don't want to tell anybody about them because they'll think something's wrong with me.

Me: I can't, what about tomorrow?
Josh: You're always saying tomorrow...What is going on?

We began to exit the building and Amaya told me about something that happened at school.
"But it was weird, I don't how to explain it." I turned around for a moment and I saw this guy with a hoodie and glasses walking directly behind us. Weirdly, he's wearing a hoodie in 85-degree weather but I've seen dumber things.
"You listening??"
"Yeah, what were you saying."
"Oh come on, it's going to be a lot of work to explain again!"
"Just say it again so I can understand. It's hard to understand you when you're speaking a mile a minute." Amaya explained how one of her friends found a note in her locker, but that it was weird because no one should know her combo, and I was listening but I felt this presence behind me. I turned around and it simply vanished. Something about this isn't right.
"Well, has anyone unusual been near Harper's locker?"
"No, it's just us because we meet up there. Do you think it's a prank?"
"Depends on what was in the note. What was in the note."
"I said I'd keep my lips zipped about that part."
"Well, then I can't help you, MyMy."
"Great. Hey, who's the guy behind us?" Again? I turned around and the person swiftly went behind something.
"Come quickly. This is getting weird. Someone's following us."
*******************
On-Location (Battery Park) (5:45 PM) (Mariska's Perspective)
I'm tired. Honestly, right now, I just want to go home and hug all of my kids.
"Hey, sweetheart."
"Woah, slow down babe. What happened??! Is he still there?? What does he look like?" Kelli picked up on my distress.
"Okay, I'm going to pick you guys up. Hold tight, okay sweetheart? I love you."
"What's going on?"
"There's another creep following my kids."
"Where are they?"
"At their dance studio. I am not in the mood for this bull shit."
"Where's Peter?"
"At a meeting. Okay, I'm sorry everyone-" I said to the crew.
"But I have to leave, it's an emergency." I got into my car and headed towards the dance studio. I have quite a bit of patience. Over the years, we've dealt with numerous stalkers. People showing up at August's basketball games, Andrew's showcases, Amaya and Allie's competitions and recitals, and I've handled them with grace and maturity. But not today, Amaya hates it when the spotlight is on her, the stalking triggers Allison and I am not going to let this guy get away with emotionally and physically harming my children. I got out of the car to see this guy in a sweater staring into the building with a camera in hand. Likely taking pictures of the girls. He looked exactly like the guy in the photo that Allie sent me.
"Excuse me?!" He backed up quickly, startled by my appearance. I grabbed the camera. For someone stalking children, he sure does scare easily.
"Kids are off-limits. It's illegal, and quite frankly, inappropriate to be taking pictures or videos of kids without authorization. If I catch you in the vicinity of the dance studio, or anywhere near my girls I will call the police on you and file a restraining order. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mrs. Hermann."
"Now, leave." I went inside the dance studio to see Allison sipping some water.
"Hey, are you okay?" She nodded.
"Is he still outside?"
"No, he's gone and I'm going to file a police report. Is this the first time you've seen him?"
"Yes, and he followed us several blocks down from the house. He was waiting in front of the building. How did he get our address? And, how did he even know one of us would come down?" She asked worriedly.
"I'll explain this more when we get home. Where's Amaya?"
"Changing. She said she'll be out in a minute."
"Okay. I am just so glad you two are okay. You did the right thing."
****************
The Study (6:03 PM) (Amaya's Perspective)
"Maya?" I put down my book and looked up at mom.
"Hey, I've been looking for you. I wanted to talk to you about today."
"Oh, I'm sorry." She sat next to me.
"Mom, why do guys like him always follow us? It's creepy and it makes me feel sick to my stomach."
"It's because of who your father and I are. And because there isn't so much drama surrounding our lives, people have to find something, so they go after you guys."
"But it's wrong."
"It is sweetheart, and I'm taking all of the necessary steps to make sure that he doesn't come near any of you ever again."
"Okay. It just made today a whole lot worse."
"What happened?"
"I got to school and I stubbed my toe on the way to my locker, then I forgot my homework, I couldn't play in gym because my toe was bleeding, and I didn't finish my quiz. Today sucked and that was like the cherry on top."
"Ohh I see, you had some bad luck today." I nodded. Mom checked my toe and got a fresh bandaid for it as it was starting to bleed again.
"You know what always makes a bad day better?"
"What?"
"Hold on, I'll be right back." She left the room and Kaia came in.
"Hey, girl." She licked me.
"You know that I love you more than anything in the entire world? Even more than my family. That says a lot." She wagged her tail. Just seeing my dog made me feel a bit better. Mom knocked on the door and I perked up.
"Woah, an unopened tub of milk and cookies ice cream?!" I whispered.
"That's unheard of in the Hargi-Hermann house!"
"Shh, we don't want everyone to know, do we?" Mom and I snacked on the ice cream as we talked.
"So, you're in middle school now. How does it feel?"
"It feels weird because I have a lot more responsibility, but it's cool because I get a little more freedom. And, I can finally open my locker without Allie having to do it."
"That's great honey! I always knew you'd thrive in middle school, you and your brother. I thought it'd be good for you since you are a bit shy. Have you made any new friends?"
"Mhm. I made two new girlfriends, Sarai and Madelyn, and two new guy friends, Owen and Hudson. They sit with me and my other friends at lunch. We're like one big group. And, I talk to some people in my classes too." Mama smiled.
"You're really coming out of your shell, My-My. I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you, Mama."
********************
Pier 26 (September 16th) (Joshua's Perspective)
Allie isn't Allie again. But this time, she won't tell me what's going on. I decided to take her mini-golfing today, maybe she'll be in a better mood.
"We're almost there." She nodded.
"Oh come on, you've been telling me for weeks that you wanted to do something fun and new! We haven't done mini-golfing." I stopped walking.
"What is wrong with you?" I asked her. She kept walking and I grabbed her arm.
"Allie."
"Let go of me!" She yelled.
"Why are you always so angry?!?" She began to cry and I realized how harsh I was being.
"Wait. I'm sorry." I sat down next to her.
"I'm a horrible girlfriend!"
"No, you're not."
"Yes, I am. Just leave me alone, Josh." She turned away. I hate this shit. She's always upset, always crying, and I could never do anything about it. I just want the Allie that's always happy. I wish she was normal.
"Let me help you, what's going on?"
"A lot of things."
"That isn't specific Allie."
"I don't want to talk about it right now. I don't want to, and I want space. Why are you still badgering me? We could go mini-golfing another time."
"Allie, I've sat here and listened to you. Could you just listen to me?! For once, can you listen to how I feel?"
"For once? I've had to sit here and listen to bitch and moan about so many things, I've comforted you, given advice and all, so don't make it seem like I don't give a shit about you and your feelings." She told me. I didn't know what to say. She's never spoken to me like that before. Is she trying to say that my problems are small and that I don't have any?!
"Ahh yes, like I haven't done the same because Miss Allison Hermann has the biggest problems in the world and constantly needs comfort. Don't you know how good you have it?" I regretted those words the moment they left my mouth.
"How good I have it? Fuck you." She left so quickly, she merely avoided being slammed by multiple cars as she crossed the street.
**************
(Allie's Perspective)
"How good I have it?"
"How good I have it?"

"How good I have it?"

"Hey Al, how was your date with Josh?" Dad asked with a smile.
"Allie?"
"Where are you going love-bug?" Mom and Dad were filming for SVU not too far away from the mini-golf course.
"Allie, how was your day?!" Mama asked. The smiles on their faces evaporated.
"I'm going home." I whispered.