Have You Ever Seen the Sun Rise at Midnight?

Watched

"Do you..." she paused, embarrassment and hesitance written across her face, "Do you ever sometimes feel... as if you're being watched...?"

You laughed, slightly in surprise, slightly to diffuse the tension which had built up, "You mean like right now?" You lifted a hand to gesture about the semi-crowded, open courtyard you were sitting in, "we're far from alone and I doubt I could fault anyone for wanting to catch a second glance of you."

She did look stunning today, although she did every day, just over the shoulder length hair dyed a striking bright violet stood out in the bright sunlight and her outfit, a flowing dress, while far from designer, was a soft blue and clung against her curves in a way you couldn't help but notice and stare at, her heels a bright white, straps laced around her lovely ankle and calves. The way she glanced to the side, made a part of you wonder how similar a face she would make if she was confessing something entirely else to you.

"No, I," her voice drew you from your mind before you could venture too deep, "I mean when you're alone, do you ever feel like someone is watching you?"

"Oh." Realization washed across your face as understanding finally dawned- that was why she was so nervous, she wasn't just feeling shy again, "Well, yeah, sometimes, I guess, but; doesn't everyone? But..." here you hesitated now, it would definitely be taking a risk in saying it, "If you really think that it's something serious, then you shouldn't doubt yourself either. I can stay over at your place with you for a few days if you want? Or you can stay at mine and see if you notice a difference?"

You had watched as the emotions had come and gone from her face, disappointment and shame when it didn't seem like you really understood her fears, relief that you believed her, and surprise at the offer, surprise and gratitude.

She seemed to take some time thinking the offer over carefully before finally answering. "Could you...? That is- I don't really know anyone else around here who I could turn to for this sort of thing, it's just been so much going on at work since I moved and," she sighed, "Could you maybe just come over and help me look around, see if you feel anything?"

     You smiled despite the seriousness of the situation and the genuine concern she seemed to have about it, it was just... she wasn't much for words of affection, and to have your importance in her life confirmed like that was more than you could have dreamed while getting ready to meet for coffee in the park that day. "Of course," You agreed gently reaching over to press a reassuring hand on her arm, "You know that I'm always therefore you, right?"

     "Yeah," she smiled softly, "I can't thank you enough for always watching out for me."

      "What are friends for?"  you reassured.

      "I must have lucked out after all with this move; I couldn't have asked for a better a friend."

        Plans for you to stop by her place that evening were quickly made, and after her assuring you that it would be fine for you to stay at work until your usual time and just meet her at her place a few hours after she arrived, she made sure you had the correct address and you exchanged a brief hug. 

      "Don't worry," you smiled as the both of you pulled away and you could see the flick of uneasiness on her face remained, "I'll finish up my stuff really quickly and head over, okay?"

       "Yeah, it's no different from any other day." she smiled, "I promise I'll be fine, just do what you need to do."

     "Okay, call me if you need anything?"

      She laughed and pushed you back to the direction of your work, "See you soon."

       "Really soon." You confirmed, walking away even though you couldn't help but turn back a few times just to catch the last glimpse all over again as she stood there waving and smiling, the two empty coffee cups clutched in one hand and rolling her eyes at your antics as she did so.

        You didn't like the nervousness that lingered in your system from the conversation, as if this could be the last goodbye.

        You spend through your work at a record pass, and with a quick excuse to your superior, was out the door with permission to leave early by two hours- you had always been an exemplary employee and managed a good relationship with your superior, a family man himself who thought of you something like his own child, so he often let you go easily on the rare occasion you wanted a few hours off after completing everything on your schedule for the day.

       You made your way as quickly as you could to her place, not wanting to be away for too long, especially given these circumstances.

      "I know, I can always count on you can't I? Dinners almost ready, just a bit longer," she called from the kitchen and you watched as she scraped out the contents of one of the tuna cans into a bowl and began mashing it with a fork.

       You shifted slightly in your seat and she tensed glancing about with a hint of nervousness before smiling apologetically, "Sorry about that, I guess I'm still a little jumpy." She gently stroked the top of her cat, Meatball's, head who her movement had briefly startled, glancing at the clock. "But we'll be having a guest over, you remember them don't you? Then maybe I can finally set aside all this being watched stuff and get settled. I'm just adjusting to the new place is all."

       She sighed and glanced at the clock, you did too this time.

       She was right, it was probably about time for you to make an appearance, about an hour early, sure, but she knew you'd do what you could to arrive early when she was so worried over something as serious as a stalker.

       You were a good friend after all.

       And it would be much easier to watch her without the walls or vents getting in the way as you peered through the cracks.