The Stalker's Game

Chapter Fifteen: Shadows of the Weekend

Lena's POV:

The weekend finally arrived, and with it, a sense of excitement I hadn't felt in a long time. I woke up early, eager to start the day with Sarah. The sun was shining brightly through my bedroom window, promising a perfect day for exploring Ashwood.

After a quick breakfast, I threw on a casual outfit—jeans, a comfy sweater, and my favorite sneakers—and headed outside to wait for Sarah. She pulled up a few minutes later, waving energetically from her car.

"Ready for the grand tour?" she called out, her enthusiasm contagious.

"Definitely!" I replied, hopping into the passenger seat. "I've been looking forward to this all week."

Sarah grinned and started driving, launching into a lively rundown of all the places she planned to take me. We cruised through the quaint streets of Ashwood, past charming houses with perfectly manicured lawns, until we reached the first stop: the local café.

"This is the place I was telling you about," Sarah said as we parked. "It's the best spot in town to grab coffee and just chill. Everyone comes here."

We stepped inside, greeted by the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the soft hum of conversations. The café had a cozy vibe, with mismatched chairs, wooden tables, and bookshelves lining the walls. It was exactly the kind of place where you could lose yourself for hours with a good book or deep conversation.

As we approached the counter, I couldn't help but smile. This was the kind of spot I'd been hoping to find—somewhere that felt like a little piece of home in this new town. Sarah ordered a latte, and I opted for a caramel macchiato, both of us settling into a corner table by the window.

"So, what do you think?" Sarah asked, stirring her drink.

"I love it," I said, taking a sip of my macchiato. "It's got such a cool vibe. I can see myself spending a lot of time here."

"I knew you'd like it," Sarah said with a grin. "It's the perfect place to unwind after a long day."

As we chatted about school, volleyball, and everything in between, I felt a sense of ease settling over me. Sarah was quickly becoming a good friend—someone who made this transition to Ashwood a little easier. Just as I was about to ask her about the next stop on our tour, the door to the café opened, and in walked Lucas.

He spotted us almost immediately and made his way over, a surprised but warm smile on his face.

"Lena, Sarah," Lucas greeted, his eyes lingering on me a bit longer. "What are you two up to?"

"Just showing Lena around town," Sarah said, scooting over to make room for him at our table. "What about you?"

"Just grabbing some coffee before heading to the library," Lucas replied, then turned his attention to me. "How's your weekend going so far, Lena?"

"Great, actually," I said, genuinely happy to see him. "Sarah's giving me the grand tour of Ashwood. We've got a whole day planned."

"That sounds fun," Lucas said, his gaze softening. "Ashwood's a great place, and Sarah's the best tour guide you could have."

Sarah beamed at the compliment, and I couldn't help but notice how easy the conversation flowed between the three of us. It was like we'd known each other for years, not just a few days.

We spent the next few minutes chatting about school, volleyball, and the latest movies, the conversation light and effortless. I found myself relaxing even more, feeling like this town, these people, could really become a home for me.

But as much as I was enjoying the moment, there was a strange tingle at the back of my mind—a feeling I couldn't quite shake. I glanced around the café, but nothing seemed out of place. Maybe it was just my nerves, still adjusting to all the newness in my life.

Eventually, Lucas stood up, coffee in hand. "I should get going, but it was great running into you both."

"See you at practice," I said, smiling up at him.

"Definitely," he replied, his eyes meeting mine for a moment longer before he turned and walked out.

As the door closed behind him, I took a deep breath, trying to push aside that nagging feeling. I was probably just overthinking things, letting my imagination get the better of me.

Sarah pulled me back into our conversation, and soon enough, I was laughing and enjoying myself again. The rest of the day was filled with more exploring—parks, the local bookstore, and even a quick stop by the town's little boutique. By the time Sarah dropped me off at home, I felt lighter, more connected to this place I was starting to call home.

Lucas's POV:

The café had been an unexpected but welcome stop on my way to the library. Running into Lena and Sarah was a nice surprise, and it gave me a chance to see Lena outside of school and practice. There was something about her—something that drew me in, made me want to know more. She was different from anyone I'd ever met before.

As I walked away from the café, I couldn't help but think about the way Lena smiled when she talked, the way her eyes lit up when she laughed. She had this energy, this warmth that was hard to ignore. And then there was the way Ethan had been watching her at practice yesterday—it had sent a chill down my spine.

I shook my head, trying to push those thoughts away. Ethan and I had history, but I wasn't about to let that interfere with getting to know Lena. She deserved better than that. Still, I couldn't help but worry. There was something off about the way Ethan had been acting lately, and I didn't want Lena to get caught up in it.

But for now, I pushed those thoughts aside. Today was about letting Lena enjoy her time in Ashwood, without the shadow of Ethan looming over everything. As much as I could, I wanted to be there for her, to make sure she didn't have to face whatever was coming alone.

Ethan's POV:

From my vantage point across the street, I watched Lena and Sarah through the café's large windows. They looked so carefree, so at ease, laughing and talking like there wasn't a care in the world. It made my blood boil.

And then there was Lucas. I had seen him enter the café, watched as he made his way over to Lena. He wasn't supposed to be there. This was supposed to be my time to watch her, to figure out how to get closer. But instead, he was sitting there with her, making her laugh, stealing the moments that should've been mine.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm. They didn't notice me, had no idea I was there, hidden in the shadows. That was how it needed to be, for now. Lena was mine, even if she didn't know it yet. And I wasn't going to let anyone—especially not Lucas—get in the way of that.

I stayed until Lucas left, watching as he walked down the street, coffee in hand. He didn't even glance back at the café, completely unaware that I had been watching the entire time.

Once he was gone, I shifted my attention back to Lena. She was still smiling, still enjoying her time with Sarah. But soon enough, that would change. Soon enough, she would realize that she belonged to me. And when she did, there wouldn't be room for anyone else in her life—not Lucas, not Sarah, no one.

I faded back into the shadows, unseen and unnoticed, but always watching. Lena was mine. It was only a matter of time before she understood that. Until then, I would keep watching, waiting for the perfect moment to make her see the truth.