Stalker

Chapter 7- Failed Friendships

Maria

"YOU ARE SO SELF OBSESSED" Lauren's voice lectured me through the phone.

I laughed, rolling over so I was now on my back. "I am not."

"Aiden Smith is not stalking you." Lauren huffed, "And Jackson Walker is not going to ask you to home coming. You're delusional."

"How'd you get his last name?" I asked, frowning in confusion. "Also, he asked me to Home Coming last year without me having to speak to him at all. And the year before that..."

"He didn't even do a proposal, he texted you right before he asked another girl." Lauren insisted, making me frown harder.

"I have a feeling he's going to ask me."

"And where did this sudden obsession come from huh?" Lauren asked, taking a slightly teasing tone. "You don't think your new 'Stalker' has anything to do with it? Trying to be an independent woman? Show him what he's missing? Get him off your back? What's the situation."

"Show Marco i'm independent, get Aiden off my back. He gives me the creeps and he's been watching me all day. Nothing sends a message like getting asked to hoco by the football team captain in front of the entire school." I insisted, picturing the scene in my head.

Jackson with a big sign, the entire school videotaping... and Aiden... still watching me but with a look on his face full of pure anger and jealousy.

I was quick to kick Aiden out of my head, focus on Jackson with his nice smile, clean letterman jacket, good reputation. I knew Marco wouldn't be too pleased at first, but everything about Jackson was safe and perfect.

"Well Maria, better turn on that Latina charm." Lauren said, giggling into the phone. "On the other hand, Jackson's right hand man joined theater club."

"No way." I gasped. "what kind of highschool musical is this!? A football player in theater!?"

Lauren giggled more, and I could practically hear her blushing. "I know! Major gentleman too, which is honestly shocking. He's so cute Maria, and super strong. He's been helping me build sets and oh my god those muscles-"

Lauren went on about Owen Matthew's muscles for a few more hours after that. I tried my best to listen, but my mind was other places.

The Biology classroom was one of them, knowing I was going to have to sit next to Aiden again. I wondered if he would talk to me, what he would say, and if he would snap at me again when he's had too much.

I wasn't going to be afraid of him, not this time.

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Just breathe.

I got to first period early, as I wanted to be there before Aiden had a chance to. It made me feel more powerful in an odd way, like he was the one choosing to sit by me. Like this was my table.

It sounds dumb, but anything helps when you're trying to not be afraid of someone with his reputation.

Maybe this was a dumb idea, maybe I should skip, maybe I should run away and move to Australia and...

And there he was, right next to me. Dark jacket, dark t-shirt, dark jeans, dark eyes, dark hair, and a dark attitude.

"Good morning." I said to him, not looking at him, simply staring ahead just as he had done to me.

I was met with silence, making me sigh. I turned my head and was met with Aiden's eyes, startling me slightly. "You've stopped talking."

"When did I start?" He asked, looking forward again. "Good morning Maria."