Luminous Nights

II. A Watchful Eye

"Okay class, for today's assignment we will be turning to page two hundred fifty-two." I dreadfully opened my economics book to start. The only thing that's on my mind today is a long nap, since I barely got any sleep last night. But I suppose that's what I get for watching Supermystic really late. The day just barely goes by; it feels like time won't move at all today. It's finally my last class of the day, after what feels like an eternity. Now, to find the tutoring lab on the other side of the college. I walked up the hallways trying to find the correct room. I had to get a tutor for this advanced math class that I'm currently taking. I've always been terrible at math, but this was so much harder than high school math. "C's get degrees, right?", I thought sarcastically. I'm currently in the process of getting my business degree, but I honestly didn't know what I wanted to pursue as my career, so I ended up choosing this field of study. Logan was the one who convinced me to go for this degree, since it's a growing job market, and it makes decent money. Truthfully, I'm not very excited about the career options I'll have. It's definitely not something I'm passionate about, but I guess it'll pay the bills; plus, if it makes Logan happy, then that's all that matters.

There's a lot of people crowding the hallways at this time of day, since everyone else is switching to their next class, just like me. I start to get that strange feeling of being watched again, like what happened this morning. I shouldn't think much of it, since I'm in such a crowded hallway, but I can't help but to feel on edge. Suddenly, I feel someone looming right over my shoulder, to the point I could almosy feel their breath on me. I froze up, not knowing how to react. What's going on? Has anybody else noticed what's happening? Nervous thoughts kept running through my head, as a male voice spoke up."Miss Hughes, are you alright?" Mr. Durnam, my tutor asked. He was standing in front of the tutor lab, that I finally made it to...but when did I make it over here exactly? "O-Oh, it's ", I turned around to see who was looming over me, but they were gone. The hallway was completely empty by this point. "...nothing." I finished. Mr. Durnam gave me a questioning look and impatiently huffed under his breath. I put my head down in embarrassment as I continued into my final class of the day.

After classes were over for the day, I hopped back onto the bus and made my way to work. I work part-time at our local department store, called Bart Mart. It's not a glorious job, but it works best with my college schedule. I clocked in and began my shift for the evening, but all I could think about was what happened earlier. Who was that? Why were they just looming right behind me like that? Did Mr. Durnam not see them? Maybe I was just being paranoid. I am running off lack of sleep after all. I was put in the canned goods isle today, to stock the shelves. Still paranoid as ever, I kept watch over my shoulder the rest of my shift until closing time.

I began walking out of Bart Mart, when I noticed a familiar car parked out front. "Boo!" I nearly jumped out of my skin, when I saw that it was Logan, trying to scare me from around the corner. "Logan, what the hell's wrong with you? You gave me a heart attack!" "Hey, not my fault that you scare easily." Logan said with that spry grin on his face. His sandy brown hair was slicked back and styled perfectly, like it always was. He wore a business casual outfit, which was his new attire ever since he started working for his dad's company. My brows knitted with confusion. "What are you doing here, anyways?", I asked. I probably sounded a bit harsh, but I couldn't help but to feel sour towards him, being it's been so long since we've last talked, let alone seen each other. "What's your problem? Can a guy not surprise his girlfriend by picking her up now and then?", he responded frowning. "Well, I haven't heard from you in over a week, and then you just show up out of the blue..." Logan came and put his arm around me and looked down at me with his clover-colored green eyes. "Listen babe, I've just been so busy with real-life stuff, that's all. I hope you know that  the work I've been doing, has all been for you. You should be grateful if anything." "Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry..." I mumbled back to him, as he pulled me into his chest for a hug.

Afterwards, Logan drove me back to my apartment. We didn't really say much on the car ride back, except for him talking about his new job, and his current workout regimen, which clearly had changed his physique. He was even more muscular than the last time I saw him, and with his tanned skin he looked almost like a surfer. I still couldn't help but feel bothered by the comment he made, saying that I should be grateful for him. I am grateful for him, but I really don't understand why he can't make much time for me anymore. He just seems so caught up with his job and other activities instead. Anytime I try to initiate a date of any kind, he always has an excuse as to why we can't hang out. It feels mentally taxing at times, and I feel the need to get my mind off of him when we're apart. It's just easier that way. We pulled up to my building, and gave each other a quick kiss goodbye. He seemed in a rush to leave, as per usual. I felt the need to de-stress so, why not play a game on my PC? Gaming therapy, here I come!

The next day was the usual: wake up early, grab a coffee, get on the bus, go to class, then finish my day up at my wonderful job. "What do you mean, you don't have my brand of cheese puffs?!" A middle aged, blonde woman shouted at me. I was working in the grocery department again tonight. This lady isn't too happy about her cheese puffs. Oh boy. "Ma'am, I'm very sorry that we're currently out of that brand, but we do have another brand of the same thing if you're interested?" I offered her in solace. "Did I ask if I wanted a different brand? No! Who's your manager?!"

Finally, my work day was over. That lady's yelling nearly gave me a migraine. I could really use a stiff drink right about now...and I don't even drink alcohol. It was a clear and chilly night walking over to the nearest bus stop. I began to feel that uneasiness in my gut yet again. Maybe I'm just really stressed from the day I had; Karens' will definitely do that to you, that's for sure. I made it to my stop and waited several minutes, but no bus arrived. "Well, that's just great. Now the bus is running behind too. I'm so over everything today." I grumbled aloud. I couldn't help but feel grumpy, between a straining day of school and work, I was ready to just go home. All of a sudden, I heard some rustling in the bushes behind me. I turned toward them and they stopped, as if there was a gust of wind that blew them. "It's fine, I'm fine, everything is fine." I told myself, trying not to have a panic attack. The grumpiness I had felt faded and turned into nerves instead. I reached into my bag and pulled out a bottle of pepper spray and had at the ready, just in case. I felt relieved that I had bought a bottle on my way out of work tonight. I heard what sounded like someone running past me, but when I turned again, there was no one. "Okay, this isn't funny anymore! Who's there?!" I yelled out in the darkness. Flinching, I felt someone's hand lightly grip my shoulder. I yelped in surprise and swiftly turned around, pepper spray in hand and ready to fire. There stood a tall man, just a few feet from me. I acted quickly and pressed the button on the pepper spray, aiming for the man's face. "Enjoy this, you creep!" I shouted with as much courage as I could muster. My courage quickly depleted when nothing came out of the bottle of pepper spray I was pressing. It had broken. Out of all times to break, it chooses now? This was just my luck! I dropped the bottle and slowly began to back away. I told my feet to start running, but they stood in place. I couldn't move, just like a deer in the headlights. The man stepped under the dim street light, only the bottom half of his face visible due to the angle of the light. "Having some issues with that?" the tall man asked with a childish grin on his face.