Pathways

Chapter 8

It's the end of the day and I want to talk to Delilah but she's nowhere to be found. I have to confront her about the letters. Part of me doubts it's even her but I have to know for sure. I bend over to pick my things up when from my peripheral version I see Jake trodding over to me like a puppy that just got scolded. I suddenly feel bad for how I dismissed him earlier.

"Hey babe, you free after school? Let's hang out." He leans on the locker next to me and looks down at me. His handsomely boyish eyes beat down on me hopefully.

"Sure, what do you have in mind?" I reply. I need to get the letters out of my head. Maybe a good distraction will work. I just want one day of peace.

He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into him for a kiss. " Park date?" he whispers. A big grin dances across my face as I nod. He lets go of my waist and wraps his fingers through mine. We're about to exit the school when Delilah's brunette figure comes crashing in.

"Anna? Can we talk?" She grabs my shoulder.

Just who I wanted to see. I tell Jake to wait for us outside and Delilah and I walk down the halls with her. Delilah fidgets with her backpack as she walks with me in silence. Finally, she turns to me her eyes worried.

"Are you mad at me? We haven't been talking a lot recently." She begins.

I scratch my head. I don't want Delilah to find out about the notes, the less people know the better. Until William and I figure this out. But if she is the one behind this, I need to find out.

"Hey Delilah, would you say you know me better than anyone?" I ask.

Delilah shakes her head and laughs. " Sometimes I feel like I don't know you at all, Anna."

I sigh. It's not her. How could I think it was her? I can just tell. Delilah wouldn't do something like this to me. Drive me crazy on purpose. I think back on Axel. Neither would he, he's a nice boy. Than who?

"Anna- your zoning out again." Delilah pokes me on the shoulder.

" Oh sorry, just thinking. No, I'm not mad at you." I affirm.

Delilah sighs a breath of relief, "Good, that text you sent was weird and I thought you were mad. Anyways, I'll text you. Kay?"

I nod and head off. Part of me feels relieved to know the creepy letters aren't coming from my best friend but the other part of me is scared even more now. I'm back to square one. As I walk over to Jake I feel chills like a icy melting sunset run all over my body. Not again. Instead of looking around this time I grab Jake by the arm and rush out.

"Let's go," I say frantically.

Despite the cold, it's a sunny day. Jake decided to hold both our backpacks and let me enjoy the walk. He's so sweet. I smile letting the delicious outside air captivate my lungs. When we reach the park Jake places our backpacks down and grabs my hand.

"What if someone tries to take them?" I ask.

" Who would want two highschooler's backpacks? Relax" He assures.

I let out a breath and try to loosen my shoulders. I get shivers from the feeling someone is watching me again. I squeeze Jake's hand harder and try to use him as a distraction. I peer into his beautiful ocean eyes that are filled with admiration for me. That's one of the things I love about Jake. He looks at me like I'm the only girl in the world for him. Jake slowly pulls me to him by my waist and starts humming and swaying with me.

"Let's dance, Anna." He whispers into my ear, causing my hair to stand up. I love when he whispers my name.

"You're crazy," I mutter and he chuckles against me.

His swaying gets more dramatic and he locks his fingers with mine. He starts slowly spinning with me in his arms and humming louder. I feel slightly embarrassed but when he looks at me again I feel pride. This is mine. He grins and I feel the air get knocked out of my chest. It never changes with Jake. He always makes me feel this way. It feels like he has a warm fist wrapped around my heart and won't let go.

I'm starting to pick up on the song he's humming and I close my eyes and sway with him. Not caring who or what see's me. When I open my eyes my heart freezes. I see a little african american girl running after a bright yellow balloon comes floating from the sky. Jake sees me stiffen and frowns. "What's wrong?" He rubs the sides of my body.

"Nothing. I-I'm just feeling a little dizzy." I lie.

He nods and finds a bench to sit me down on. His beautiful pale eyes are painted in concern as he examines my face.

"I have some water in my bag if you want it." He offers.

I nod and watch him walk off leaving me alone. The second he's gone I get that feeling again. Someone's watching me. Through my peripheral vision, I see a bright yellow blob. I turn to the left so fast my neck hurts. But when I look everything is normal. Nothings there. No blob, no yellow. Just the pretty green park grass and the occasional pedestrian walking along the blacktop path. I scratch my head aggressively in frustration. Get it together, Anna. No one is watching you calm down. I curse myself for having these feelings and not focusing on my date. I feel panic rising and I try to slow down my breathing.

Okay, point out the things you see. It should ground you. I tell myself. I see a man and a small child holding hands laughing. I see a cardinal flying onto the tree. I see icicles on someone's black Toyota. I see a man walking a dog. I gasp in horror when I see the color of the dog's leash. Bright yellow. I cover my mouth to hold back a scream when the man passes by me. I need to get out of here. Now. Where's Jake?

As if he could hear my thoughts Jake appears in the distance running towards me with his water bottle. I feel a lump in my throat as he stands in front of me. His hands are wet from the outside of the bottle as he hands it to me. I try to take it but drop it with shaking hands. It's yellow. Bright yellow. Like the letters. I watch shivering as the bottle rolls in the grass. Jake chases it and picks it up. He turns around and when he sees my face he immediately hugs me.

"Anna, baby. What's wrong why are you crying baby?" he soothes.

I just break down, shaking and shivering letting his warm body safely wrap around me. Despite him being right next to me I don't feel safe. I don't feel safe anywhere anymore and that feeling terrifies me.