Distant Love

WHY?!?!

Time skip

School finally ends and I start to go down the trail. I go off the trail and down the steep slope. I accidentally slip and slid down the hill a little bit. I made so much noise, that I ended up scaring a deer. It looked like a female and it quickly dashed away, scaring me half to death. I got back up and made my way down the hill carefully and got into the forest. For the first time today, I felt safe. I walked to my spot, hung my backpack up on a limb, and climbed up my favorite tree. I laid my head on the branch and sighed.
Emmalyn's Thoughts:
Why won't this guy leave me alone? I told him that I had a boyfriend. Why me of all people? I really don't need this. I just want to go home at this point. I've had a long day. Please god just let it end!"
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Two Weeks Later:
This guy is SERIOUSLY getting on my nerves. He found out where all my classes are. I now hang out with either Brigett or Naomi at a random area, away from the lower quad everyday. Everyday, we hang out somewhere different. The bright side is, he takes a school bus home, which means there's no chance that I'll run into him whilst walking down the trail and my forest would be my safe haven. I'm so happy about that. Nick is legitimately stalking me and only Brigett and Naomi believe me. In orchestra, Mr. McElroy told us that we have to volunteer, at least once, during festival since our school was hosting it this year. There was a sign up list online. This was perfect! The next day, I went to my friends.
"Okay. Obviously, the fact that Nick know's where all my classes are doesn't convince you that he's stalking me, let's put him to the test. Mr. McElroy wants us to volunteer right? Let's look on the list."
I pull out my phone and looked down the list. Nick was signed up on thursday of next week for a volunteer job for festival, to sell snacks.
"Okay. As you can see, he already signed up. I'll sign up for Monday, doing the usher job. We'll check tomorrow and we'll see what happens."
"Emma. It doesn't matter. Why does it matter to you if we believe you or not?"
"Because I would like to know that my friends have my back in a time of need like this. Plus, I want you guys to trust me on things like this. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow."
The next day, I went back to school. I walked up to my normal crowd of friends and greeted them. Tje greeted me back.
"Okay Emma. The day has past, let's see the list."
"Yeah... alright. Whatever."
"Emma! Are you alright?"
"Yeah. I'm just sick of this shit and it sucks that I actually have to give you more proof, other than the fact that he knows where all my classes are, even though we have no classes together, in order for you guys to believe me. Anyways, here."
I pulled out my phone and clucled on the link to the list. I was holding my breathe and my fear had come true. He was signed up at the same time as me doing the stage-crew job. I eventually broke down into tears.
"E-emma?!"
"GUYS! I D-DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE! I'M LITERALLY S-SCARED!"
"Awe. Emma. Everything will be fine."
"No Katie. It won't. This guy is literally stopping at nothing!"
"I"ll tell you what. I'll show up on Monday during your shift. I will watch him and if he tries ANYTHING with you, we'll all help you kick his ass. Does that sound good?"
"Fine. I'm excited for today to be over so that way I can relax over the weekend. Unless of course he figures out where I live. In that sense, I'm completely screwed."
The weekend has past in no time at all. I was dreading today since I have my shift as an usher for festival. By the time the bell rings, I'm shaking from head to toe. I had to where formal black attire to look professional as the guest come into the theatre to watch their children perform. Just another thing to upset my nerves. I sigh as I walk down the trail to the place where my grandmother picks me up. My friend Marilou catches up to me.
"Hey Emma. Are you okay? You look terrible."
I told her everything that's been happening with Nick. I was on the verge of tears.
"Yeah. I know of him. The girls in the locker room talk about him all the time. Once he has his heart set on something, he won't turn back."
"What can I do?"
"I'm sorry gurl. There's nothing that you can do. "
I sigh.
"I was afraid of that."
"I'll tell you what. If he makes a move on you tonight, I'll help you and your friends kick his ass."
"Thanks Marilou. I really appreciate it. I'll text you the verdict if someting does happen tonight. I'll even form a plan."
"Alright. But Emma?"
"Yes Marilou?"
"Please keep your head up and smile. We know you're going through a lot, but we don't want to see you in so much pain."
"I know. I will. Anyway there's my ride. I gotta go and get ready."
"Alright Emma. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay. Bye."
"Bye."
The car ride was quiet the entire way home. I took a shower, put on makeup, put on a black dress, and did my hair. I didn't have time to eat dinner before it was time to go. I hopped in the car and before I knew it, I arrived at school. I got out of the car and Katie was waiting right out front for me. I have half an hour until my shift starts so I ask Katie to walk around campus with me to clear my mind.
"How are you feeling?"
"Scared shitless. I don't know what to do. Feel this."
I grabbed her arm.
"Emmalyn, you're shaking."
"Uh huh! Katie, I talked to my friend Marilou and ehe know's about Nick. He won't stop at anything. I feel like a wild bird trapped in a very small cage, just wanting to get out and spread my wings. He's constricting me and I feel completely hopeless. I feel like crying."
"Emma calm down. Everything will be okay. He will leave you alone. You'll see. He will probably just need to get some sense knocked into him before he does though."
"Yeah. Thanks kate. He just scares me a lot."
"He kind of scares me too. Anyway, you've got to go to you're shift. Luckily, stagecrew and usher are well away from each other, so you won't have any confrontation with him until your dinner break."
"Wait... Dinner break?! Are you serious?!"
"Yeah. Your shift is just in time for dinner."
"Shit."
"What?"
"I should've asked my grandmother for money for food! I didn't have enough time to eat at home."
"Don't worry. I'll give you five bucks for you to get some food."
"Katie. I appreciate the thpught but-"
"Don't try to talk me out of it. Remember, my parents are rich and I get thirty dollars a week for my allowance. I think I could let you borrow a few buck for food. You can pay me back whenever. I don't mind either way."
"Alright. Thank you Kate."
"Don't mention it Emma."
She hand my five dollars and I go inside the hallway where the doors to the theatre are. I peek through the door and I already see Nick with the rest of the stagecrew members setting up the stage for the first group to perform. I quickly shut the door before he notices me. This is going to be harder that I thought. I sighed and put my headphones in. I listened to music, and only let people in when a song that the group on stage played was over. The time was passing by bery slowly, so I wasn't complaining, but I knew that the thirty minutes had to end sometime and to be honest, I was really humgry. Katie popped by in the hallway to check how I was doing. I'm very fortunate to have her as a friend. Finally, dinner time came and I quickly got in line with Katie and got a hot dog before Nick came out. I suggested to Katie to eat inside the building but the teachers wouldn't let us bring our food inside of the theatre. Great. We sat down on a planter and started eating. Nick walked up to us and I sighed.
"Hey Emma."
"Not to seem rude, but what do you want?"
"To say hi. We are friends right?"
"I hardly know you!"
"That could be rearranged."
He wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I quickly gave Katie a pleading look, and she pulled me out of his grasp.
"Emma, come with me for a moment. I need to tell you something. Come."
Katie pulls me into the theatre since we finished eating and sat me in a chair.
"Damn. He does not give up easily. Hang on."
She pulls out her phone.
"Ummm... What are you doing?"
"Texting samantha and Brigett. We need backup."
"Wait what? What are you going to text them?"
"To come and help us kick his ass."
"Can't that wait until tomorrow?!"
"No."
"Kate, listen to me. First off, we can get in a lot of trouble. And second of all, its six thirty right now. I doubt they would want to come because of this."
"You've got a point."
"Yeah. No shit. And I don't want to get suspended for kicking a boy's ass. Besides, I'm not strong enough."
"Then all we need you to do is to hold him down until we catch up to him."
"Fine. But after that, I'm gonna go somewhere else. I'm not going to stick around."
"That's fine. We could finish the job."
That night, I finished my shift and I finally was able to get home. When the car pulled up in front of the school, Nick was trying to make his way towards me but I got into the car before he could say anything.
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The Next Day:
It was lunch time and my friends and I have a plan. My friends were to coral him to me and I were to pin him down so they could catch up and kick his ass. The plan worked. Nick got cornered and I pinned him down. Just when me friends were gathering around me, he smirked, over powered me, and pinned me down. My heart was pounding from fear. He leaned in and whispered in my ear.
"Did you seriously think you can hold me down? I'm on the boxing team you know.... heh..."
He then looked into my eyes and smirked. He leaned in and kissed me passionately. Oh god no. It felt like forever until he finally stopped. He let me go. I then noticed that everyone, not just my friends were watching. I was so embarrassed. Why?! I ran quickly to the restroom on the other side of campus. I went into a stall and put my face in my hands. This isn't happening. Why? Why me?!
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One Month Later:
I have been avoiding everyone all month. I've been janging out in the band room, in a soundroom with a lock. Mr. McElroy and I were on great terms and he understood my situation. I would spend my entire lunchtime practicing my instrument, until the bell rings. Everytime somebody tries to talk to me, I ignore them. I have never felt so embarrassed to show my face. When I walk around campus, I could see people looking at me, either looking at me with jealousy, or just plain laughter. That kiss was the only thing that everybody on campus was talking about for a few weeks. I need to go to my forest today. I feel like crying and I just need to escape where I know I'll be alone. I pull out my phone and call my dad.
"Hey sweetie."
"Hey dad. I'll be doing my homework in the library today."
"Alright. I'll be picking you up today. I had to call in sick."
"Why?"
"I have to take care of a few things at social services. Anyway, I'll let you go."
"Okay. Bye dad."
"Bye sweetheart."
He hangs up and I sigh. The bell rings, signaling for me to go back to class. It felt like forever, but the bell finally rang, signaling the end of school. I walk outside of the classroom. Usually Nick is outside of the classroom, ready to greet me, but today he is. Wierd. I walk down to the benches and wait for a few minutes to pass. As I sit there, a few people look at me. A few even point. I had enough and decided to start walking. I walk down part of the trail, but then I go off the trail, down the steep slope, and into my forest where I'm greeted by the sound of a little stream. I walk a little more until I reached my usual spot, hung my backpack on the branch, and climbed up my favorite tree. I sat down on a limb and leaned back on the tree trunk. Just when I was about to cry, I hear a noise.  I look in the direction, and I notice Nick staring at me.
"Nick?! What the hell?!?! Why are you here?!"
"I always come here!"
"No you don't! I do. I know for a fact you don't come down here. You take the bus home! Why did you follow me down here?"
"I heard you tell your dad in the soundroom that you were going to the library but I saw that you weren't going to the library-"
"So you followed me?!"
"Yup. Nice place by the way. Its breathe taking. Say Emma, why do you keep resisting me?"
"BECAUSE YOU SCARE ME!"
"Really? Why?"
"Oh. Come. ON! You are following me nonstop, you started flirting with me before you even got to know me, and you're stalking me! Not only that, you humiliated me in front of everyone! Now I'm afraid to show my face to anyone, including my friends!!!"
"Well, you did try to pin me down and I like you. I'm not going to stop until you're mine."
"Nick. I HAVE a boyfriend."
"Ha! No you don't! When I asked, you hesitated. You lied."
"Fine. But you're still scaring me. If you wanted to try to get close to me, you should've tried to befriend me first."
"I had no idea. I'm not good with girls."
"CLEARLY!"
"I had good intentions. Can we start over as friends?"
"Nick, you do realize that I'm having trouble just being around you right?"
"Yeah I know. Just give me a chance. Could we hang out just once? So that way we can get to know each other? Please?"
"Fine. But if you try ANYTHING, I'm going to walk away. And we're going to be alone. No one from your group, and no one from mine. Got it?"
"Alright. Sounds fair. I  just want to get to know you."
"Fine."
"How does tomorrow at lunch sound?"
"Sounds fine."
"Okay. So what is this place? Why are you here of all places? And why are you in a tree?"
"This is just the forest that I come to whenever I need to think. I come here if I'm upset, if I'm in a good mood, or if I just want a place to be alone and have some fun."
"Ah. And I assume you came down here because of me?"
"Yeah. Because you kissed me in front of everyone, everybody has been pointing at me and talking about me. How did you become so damn popular?"
"Eh, long story. I had no idea that you've been so depressed."
"I'm going to be honest, of I didn't hear you, you would've seen me cry."
"Well why aren't you crying right now?"
"Because I'm too pride driven. I don't cry in front of people unless something really bad happens."
"I see."
I climb down the tree and grab my backpack.
"Its time for me to leave."
"Same here. How do you get out?"
"Follow me."
I lead Nick to a place where I put a bunch of branches. I handed him one and grabbed one for myself.
"Oh Nick, by the way, never touch this plant."
I point to a plant with purple flowers.
"Why?"
"Look."
I take a piece of plastic that was on the floor and grab one of the leaves. On the back of the leaf, there were a bunch of thorns.
"You see that?"
He nodded.
"Touch that, and you will feel a burning sensation all day long and showers will just make it worse."
"Thanks for the heads up. How did you know about this?"
"I learned the hard way."
"What are these sticks for?"
"There are a bunch of tall grass and weeds on our way up. Plus, you could use it as a walking stick. I'm used to this slope but you're not."
"Okay. Thanks."
"No problem."
We climb up the slope. By the time we got to the top, Nick was out of breathe but I wasn't. I threw the stick back into the fprest and Nick did the same. We then walked dow. The trail, and got into our parent's cars, which was waiting for us when we got to the end of the trail.