A Fine Line

Watching.

Cecilia's POV

It's been four months since I've even heard from Jordan. Four. I hope he's okay. He's not even bothered to text. I've been slugging myself through class, after class, and I'm not sure why. I've not gone out, nor had a single lick of alcohol. I've not had the need, nor want to. I feel out of place. Like I'm missing out on fresh air though I run every morning. My days have been altered by something... But what?

This evening I walk through the city, as children play with other children on the play grounds, and old people feed pigeons by the benches. My earphones blast See You Again, by Wiz Khalifa, and the cold air hits against my face. Continuing to walk home after a longer day of school, ignoring the pressure that the wind forces upon me. I turn to take a short cut back to the dorms and I head down an ally. I hear footsteps at a distance, but a constant rate of clicking against the ground. As if they are running after me. I round the corner and the footsteps don't stop. When I turn around, the sidewalks are empty, and few people are strewn across the streets. None of which I recognize. I turn back around and continue to walk. I'm more than halfway to my apartment when I hear loud footsteps again. I stop and the footsteps behind stop as well. Instead of turning around I stand still, faced forward, not having the nerve to turn around. I stare at the starry stars above the lightly lit streets and the night becomes a little colder. Pulling my coat closed, I run to the building and I'm stopped before I can reach the stairs. I jump in surprise as I feel the touch of someone else behind me.

"You can travel half way around this world to get away from me and I'd find you... You believe me don't you?" A voice whispers into my ear, and I freeze at the familiar voice. Dylan.

"Dylan." I shakily respond, my teeth chattering from the cold.

"Cecilia." He responds slickly.

"Get off me." I try to jerk away but he raps his hands around my chest, holding me close to him. I'm unable to turn around and face him, so the fear of being held by him and not seeing his face, sends a number of chills down my body.

"Shhh. you'll wake the homeless man."

"Let, me go."

"Oh... love... I made that mistake the first time. We had something real Cecilia. You were my everything."

"And you were my nothing."

"Haha... But yet you gave me your everything."

"Why must you point out my biggest regret?"

"I'll get you back. And if I can't, no one can have you."

"I rather not end up in the same predicament with you. You hurt me. A lot. Making me feel worthless because you are."

"Shut up!" He shouts in my ear and I tremble under his hot breath and deep raspy voice.

"You'll get what you deserve, Dylan."

"You used to like my touch. How about now?" I feel his left arm lower from my chest and slide down my side. I get chills once more from the violating gesture, and he harshly grips my left cheek.

"Stop!" I kick at his crotch and he releases me, falling to the ground in pain. I rush up the stairs to the building and I hear him shout something to me.

"I'll still be watching. And you'll put on quite a good show." He chuckles and I gag at his statement, slamming the door to the building, locking out the chills of the night, and the creeps that claim to watch me.

∞

The nights and days of this week go quickly, and my friends have gone home for Christmas break. Alone in the apartment, I hear a knock at the door. I quickly jump up and ask who's there. I peep through the hole and it's the man I've not seen if four months. Not heard from in four months. I swing the door open and he stands there with a bright smile across his face. His scars and black eye are completely gone, and he seems happier than ever. Grey eyes almost green, large grin plastered on his beautiful face, dimples piercing his cheeks, and arms out, expecting a hug.
I satisfy him, and pull him into a tight embrace.