Because of a Girl Like Me

Chapter 13.

The police showed up just seconds after Stella had arrived. I was crying and I could hardly verbalize what had happened. I had her call Declan and ask him to come over but he'd said it would be a couple hours before he could make it. Stella sat next to me on the couch, one arm around my shoulders while I gave my statements to the police.

"And you say he had a camera?" cop number one asked me.

"Yes he had one of those...one of those n-n-nice ones." I shivered recalling the images. "He was just standing there and when he saw that I saw him he stared directly at me for a solid 2 minutes before I finally looked away to call you guys. When I looked back up I saw him turn around and walk away."

"Oh Sienna, did you tell them about the other night?" Stella chimed in.

I explained to the officers that this wasn't the first time I had caught someone spying on me. They reprimanded me for not reporting that first time sooner. Reminding me that there was a psycho on the loose, as if I needed to be reminded.

"Okay now dear, we are almost done here. Can you tell us what this man looked like?" cop number two questioned.

I took a deep breath and then let it out. "It's hard to say since he was so far off. He seemed tall, broad shouldered. He was wearing a weather proof zip up jacket, red of all colors. He wasn't exactly trying to hide from me. He had on a beany, but his hair must be kind of long because there was a pretty good bit of it sticking out from underneath it. His hair is either brown or black for sure. He didn't look like a creep. He looked like a normal guy."

"Have you seen the video tapes from the Walmart ma'am?" cop number three asked me.

Great, I know where this is going.

I just nodded.

"So since you're familiar with the video." Cop number one said practically to himself. "Can you say whether or not you believe the man in that video could be the man you saw today?" He was a little too eager as he asked that question.

"Sir, I mean, I guess he could be," I admitted. "But so could any other guy you ask me about. From what you can see on that tape, the guy could be you, or my next door neighbor. Anybody." I was exhausted with this.

"But you do think this guy is a possible match?" cop number one asked again.

"Sure." I snapped.

I got up and walked out of the room. I heard Stella apologizing to them for me. One of them yelled down the hall to me that there would be an officer posted outside tonight and that going forward they would be doing regular patrols down through the complex at night.

All they had cared about was being able to connect this incident to the missing girl's cases. It's not like a stalker is immediately a kidnapper too. I heard a door slam and my dad's voice boom through the apartment. I don't know why I hadn't thought to call him. That was pretty selfish of me to just let him come home to a house full of police. Just like with mom. I really needed to apologize to him for not thinking, but I would have to do it later. Right now all I wanted to do was take a nap.

I woke up to my phone vibrating an hour and a half later.

Sean: Hey Si I kno we haven't talked since everythin went down but I wanted u to kno I am still here for you. I heard what happened and I just wanted to check n on u...

That was really nice of him to still reach out to me after everything I'd done to him. The smile came to my face pretty easily. He was always there when I needed him and I am glad to know that he still is even though we aren't together anymore.

Thanks Sean. Means a lot to me that you would check on me. I'm okay just a little shaken up.

Sean: Anytime Si. I don't wanna overstep or anythin, but if you want someone to stay there with u tonight I can. Not in the same bed or n e thing just so someone is with u.

Sean was seriously like a white shining knight. But he wasn't my knight anymore.

Thank you for offering, but dad is home this weekend so I wont be alone.

Sean: Aight. Take care of yourself Sienna.

I slid the phone back under my pillow and laid down again, watching the TV even though it was muted.

A few minutes later I heard the front door open and then close again. I strained to try to hear who it was.

I was pretty sure I heard Stella say Declan's name. I didn't feel like getting up, and I assumed he would be coming into the room any second but when a few minutes had past and he still didn't come in I got out of bed reluctantly and walked over to my door.

When I got to the door I could hear that Declan was here. He and Stella were talking in hushed voices. I couldn't hear what they were saying but it sounded like they might have been arguing. I tried to open my door quietly so I could hear them but my damn door squeaked loudly, announcing my presence. They were standing at the front door. Stella had her arms crossed against her chest and Declan was looking down at her with an exasperated expression. As soon as they saw me Stella dropped her arms and smiled at me and Declan walked toward me with his arms outstretched.

"Hey, Stella said you were sleeping and I didn't want to bother you." he pulled me into a hug and then he leaned down and kissed my cheek. "She was just filling me in on what happened. I can't believe that guy showed up again." Declan looked down on me kindly, his voice was low like he was talking to a child. "Are you alright baby?"

Baby? Awh, he hasn't ever called me that before.

Even though some butterflies fluttered in my stomach I didn't say anything. I just closed my eyes and rested my head on his chest. We just stood there like that for a long while. Declan rubbing circles on my back and resting his head on top of mine. I was suddenly uncomfortable when I realized Stella was still there too.

She cleared her throat and I stepped away from Declan.

"I'm going to use the bathroom really quick" he announced and then headed down the hall in a hurry.

I followed Stella into living room. She was gathering up her phone and purse.

"Are you leaving?" my question came out sounding more wounded than I had expected but I was still feeling pretty wimpy today in general.

She looked over and gave me a quick smile, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. "Yeah, my mom called and said I have to be home tonight. I'm sorry girl." She gave me a pity face. "I know today was rough, but if you need me I'm only a few clicks away." She wiggled her phone in my face. I laughed and she came in for a big hug. She'd turned to go and was halfway out the door when she whipped back around.

"Girl, I almost forgot." She said quickly. "Your dad said to tell you he is going to be checking in with you on the top of every hour. He ended up getting called to do something, I dunno. Anyway, I had told him I would stay with you, but that was before my mom called." She explained. "I'm super sorry girl, I didn't know."

Declan had come out of the bathroom and was leaning against the doorframe to the living room just listening to our conversation.

I glanced over at him, marveling for about the billionth time at how adorable he is. "Declan, do you think you could maybe stay with me tonight?" I asked sweetly.

He looked a little surprised by the question. It took him a second to answer, but a split second later he was smiling. "Yeah sure Sienna, I think I could do that."

"Seriously?" Stella blurted out.

I looked at her trying to gage her expression, but she recovered quickly. Her usual devious smile plastered on. "Ewhhhh. The first slumber party. Have fun kiddos, don't do anything I wouldn't do." And she was out the door.

Declan and I both shook our heads laughing in her wake.

That girl is crazy!