Clashing Cliques

Jessica's POV

I felt the weight of the world come off my shoulders when I finally told Lauren. I had kept this in so long because I thought I had to. She's my rock, I need her to know. I'm so tired of keeping this secret and constantly watching my back, knowing he could be creeping in the shadows at any given moment.

As we walked to school this morning, I felt eyes on me that weren't hers. It made me so uncomfortable, but I didn't mention it to her since I can't have him knowing that she knows about him.

I have cheer practice today, and luckily Lauren can stay during it so she can walk home with me. I don't think I want to spend another night alone with what's going on. I feel safe when she's around me.

She is my light in the dark, as I am hers as well. I love her to death.

The day goes by pretty quickly and before I know it, cheer practice is over. As I'm walking out of the locker rooms after changing, I ran into my ex that broke up with me over text two years ago.

"Hey, Jess. How are you doing?" He asks, stopping me from going to Lauren.

"I'm good, Henry. What do you want?" I question, not really wanting to deal with his shit right now.

"I was wanting to maybe get a second chance, if you wanted to offer it." He steps closer to me. I back up a little.

"I'm not really looking for a relationship right now." I tell him. I just really don't want one with what's going on. I don't want to feel obligated to tell someone else what's happening.

He places a hand on my cheek and I instantly shiver, wanting to break away from his touch. A touch I once loved, but now hate. I step away from him. "C'mon, Jess. Just a chance is all I'm asking for."

"No." Finally, after saying this, I see Lauren walking towards us. "Lauren, hey!" I walk towards her. She looks at who I was talking to.

"Oh, hey Henry." She says, her voice riddled with hatred. I stifled a laugh, remembering how mad she was that he hurt me.

"Hi, Lauren. You look as pleasant as ever." He replies back to her in a sarcastic tone. "Well, I guess I'll be off so you ladies can head home." He walked away after saying this.

I turned to Lauren. "Well, that was awkward. Thank you for saving me." I smiled at her, and we began walking home after joining our hands together.

"What did Henry even want?" She asked as we were walking.

"Asked me for a second chance, like I'd take him back after he hurt me like he did." I told her. She just nodded her head with a giggle.

"Yeah, I think the trees would have a better chance than he ever would." I laughed at her comment, even though I felt like she wanted to say something else.

We agreed this morning that she was going to start sleeping over every night until this stalker went away. It's the only way I feel safe is with her by my side. She doesn't even feel safe leaving me alone, even when she has to for classes.