Tangled Hearts

Chapter 2:Crossing Boundaries

For the rest of the week, Alec couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him. Lila seemed to be everywhere—by the lockers when he arrived, in the cafeteria at lunch, lingering outside the classrooms between periods. Every time he looked up, her eyes were on him, always smiling, always present.

By Friday, Alec's friends had taken notice. "Dude, that new girl is totally into you," Liam joked, nudging him in the ribs. Alec forced a laugh, but the uneasy feeling gnawed at him. Lila's attention didn't feel like a crush. It felt heavier, darker, like a shadow creeping closer every day.

When the final bell rang, Alec headed to his locker to grab his books. As he opened the metal door, a folded piece of paper slipped out and fluttered to the floor. He picked it up, heart pounding as he read the elegant script:

"You looked so good in your blue sweater today. It's my favorite. – L"

Alec's blood ran cold. He hadn't worn his blue sweater to school all week. How did she know?

Determined to get some answers, Alec found Lila waiting near the entrance, as if she knew he'd come. "Lila," he called out, trying to keep his voice steady. "We need to talk."

"Of course," she said, her smile widening as she followed him down the empty hallway. "I was hoping we'd get a chance to chat."

Alec stopped by the stairwell, away from the prying eyes of students rushing to leave. "What's with the notes?" he asked, holding up the crumpled paper. "How did you get into my locker?"

Lila tilted her head, her expression sweet and innocent. "I just wanted to get to know you," she said, her voice soft. "It's like fate brought us together, don't you think?"

"No," Alec replied, stepping back. "This is crossing a line, Lila. You don't even know me."

Her smile didn't falter, but her eyes grew colder, sharper. "I know enough," she said quietly. "I know you better than anyone else does, Alec."

Alec swallowed hard, unnerved by the sudden shift in her tone. "Stay away from me," he managed, backing toward the door. "I mean it."

She didn't follow. Instead, she stood perfectly still, her eyes never leaving his as he walked away. As the door swung shut behind him, he could hear her voice echo in the empty hallway, low and clear.

"You'll come around, Alec. You'll see."

At home that evening, Alec tried to push the encounter out of his mind. He blocked the number that had been sending him texts, telling himself that it would all blow over. But just as he was about to drift off to sleep, his phone buzzed. Another message from an unknown number:

"You looked so serious today. Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere."

Alec's blood froze. He bolted out of bed and threw open his curtains, half-expecting to see her standing in the darkness. But the street below was empty, save for the occasional flicker of a passing car.

He locked the window and pulled the curtains shut, a deep sense of dread settling in his chest. Whatever Lila wanted, he had a feeling she wasn't going to stop until she got it.