Watching Her

Chapter 10: unknown message

* unedited *

It was not easy for the nurse to not send me to a proper hospital, but I somehow managed to tell her a tragic story about how my wounds were not even that deep and that it had just been an accident. Apparently I had studied in the public library for too long, forgetting the time and pushed a mug of coffee down the table and onto the floor. Somehow I must have slipped while trying to stand up and find something to clean up.

Thankfully, she knew not to ask further questions once she looked at my file, seeing the name written just on top of the first paper. Why would anyone question a Winterson? For once, my last name was being helpful, something I had not expected. Yet, as I looked onto my phone, hurrying to get to my classes after lunch break, the messages of my best friend could not stop piling on top of each other.

My bandaged arm was not seen under the thick, navy blue blazer that I was wearing under the summer sun and my long hair hid a small bruise on my forehead that I must have gotten yesterday somehow. At least the headache would disappear sometimes, only coming back some times when the lights were too bright or I was walking for too long.

Where were you? - sent 11:23 pm

1 missed call from Adriii

I looked everywhere for you, you didn't answer your door! - sent 11:34 pm

2 missed calls from Adriii

What's up w u?! - 11:34 pm

Istg if anything happened to you I'll drag you back from the dead and send you to hell myself! - sent  11:52 pm

1 missed call from Adriii

This better not be a prank. - sent 12:01 pm

See u tmrw - sent 12:02 pm

I still did not  have a story to tell Adriana of what happened yesterday. She would not believe the public library shit, as she knew the school had its own, big enough for every student and their friend to study in. Either, I would find a simple, yet believable excuse that would stop her from asking me any questions or I would hide from her until she would leave me alone. Both options did not seem nice. It did not feel right to lie to my best friend another time about the same thing and it also did not feel right to run away from her. She deserved the truth, but I feared that she could not handle it. I did not know waht would happen once she knew, and I did not want to know.

"Ah, Miss Winterson, care to join us?" The teacher, whose name I had forgotten once again gave me a stern look as I shuffled down the rows of students with their desks all neatly lined up in rows. My hair was wild as I did not have time to style it in any way and my natural wild, wavy hair began to form small curls at the bottom, only adding frizz. I looked like a mess and I felt like one as well.

My bandaged arm let my books fall onto my desk louder than I had intended as soon as I took a seat in the second to last row. Luckily, the teacher had not given me any further attention and continued to write something on his board that I could not read anyways. I cursed my poor eyesight and my non existing ability to put in contact lenses.

My phone ringed. A shudder went through my body, everybody who had my number, knew I was at school, more specifically in class. Who could be texting me right now?

And then I realized that the ringing sound did not only startle me, but the whole class. Phones were a strict no during the school day. There was no certain rule applying to it, but once a phone was seen by a teacher, you would get the speech of your life about respect and discipline. Both things I valued. I must have forgotten to turn it off in my rush.

"Ms. Winterson, I'd prefer you'd keep your phone off, especially when coming late to my class," He did not turn around as he wrote down some kind of exercise we were supposed to work on next, " but if the class seems so unimportant to you, why don't you just take the day off and take time to answer all of them?" The sarcastic tone in his voice stung a little, but I kept my head low as I tried to push my phone down my bag.

Before I could, I took a quick glance at it.

Nice meeting you, princess. - sent by Unknown 1:25 pm

In the name of-

I held my thoughts back as I took longer than expected looking at the message. Who could this be? A suspicion crept up my back, an idea. The man from that one night ago, on the balcony. Had it been him? Was he some kind of creepy stalker trying to kidnap me for my parents money?

Fear rose inside of me as I realized what this could mean. So many possibilities. What if he was just waiting outside my dorm room, waiting to push me down on the floor and hit me until unconsciousness, until he could carry me to his van. What if he was in the room, if he had followed me to my class. My eyes went around the room, how eerie silent everything was as they all worked on their assignment. My head could not think straight. How could they work so peacefully while he could be here, a visible threat to us all?

I felt goosebumps under my skin and somehow, I felt cold. Even though I was wearing the typical blouse and even a blazer on top of it while the sun was out and no wind was to be seen, I felt cold.
Suddenly, my mind wandered to Adriana. What if he saw her that night, what if she was the target? After all, her family did not make an effort to hide their wealth and connections on social media. Just because of my bad luck, she was not supposed to suffer. While the adrenaline in my body rose, I rose from my seat.
Only taking a second to look around the room once more, seeing reactions, I bolted, slamming the door shut before I could listen to my teachers complaints.

Note to self: apologize to him and find an explanation

I just needed to find Adriana. Where was she right now? What class was she taking?

Okay shirt chapter, and I apologize for being offline for so long, but a lot of school stuff is going on. Yetttt, I want to bring out ATLEAST another chapter today to make up for it. The summer heat is killing me and I can't wear shorts to school. Bye byeeee and don't forget to like and comment.