Because of You

Chapter 9

I shut the door after watching him walk away and frowned harder. What was that all about? I decided to ask him. I pulled out my phone. It wouldn't be that hard to just text him. I somehow mustered up the courage to do it.

Me:
What was that all about?

Jay🙃:
What was what all about?

Me:
Uhh... you putting your arm around me and stuff?

Jay🙃:
Oh sorry was that not ok? I was trying to get that guy to leave you alone. I thought he might leave you be if he thought you were with your boyfriend.

Me:
My... oh. No it's fine... thanks.

Jay🙃:
Good. See you Saturday?

Me:
Yeah. Saturday.

I turned off my phone and looked around. He was pretending to be my boyfriend? I mean I guess it worked, but... but what? He was just helping me and it's not like he was my actual boyfriend he was just pretending so he could get me out of a sketchy situation. And I definitely needed help. That guy was creeping me out.

It seemed I had a stalker. Why anyone with a brain would want to stalk me I don't know, but he was doing it all the same. And now I was scared to leave my house. I had to leave my house to go to work though. My shift didn't start for another hour, but there was no way I could avoid it. I needed the money. I sighed and flopped on my bed face first.

I was probably just making a big deal out of nothing. I was fine... I was fine right? Stop that you're freaking yourself out, I thought. I layer there, my legs hanging off the edge of the bed, breathing into my pillow for about half an hour. Then, I decided I better get ready for work.

I dragged myself up and got dressed in my black t-shirt tucked into black skinny jeans.I know. It sounds goth or something, but I wear a blue apron over it and a blue hat, plus pink converse high tops. I did like black though...

I slipped a belt through the loops on my pants and did the buckle, then headed to my kitchen. I got a glass of ice water and slouched on the counter. I wished my shift was over and I hadn't even started it yet. I hadn't had to work up front since I met Jayden, which was a relief, but I still didn't like to clean counters and refill display cases for hours. Why was I so lazy?

I rolled my eyes at myself and grabbed my keys, heading out the door. I drove to work and put on my uniform, grabbing a rag and getting down to business. I did exactly what I had anticipated: cleaned counters and refilled display cases. At the end of my shift I went home, ate, and went to bed.

And that's basically how my next few days went. Besides the creepy stalker guy following me and Jayden saving me of course. Get up. Eat. Work. Eat. Sleep. I went through the motions like a robot. It was extremely boring. I wished it would just be Saturday all ready, but then... I didn't. That was the day of my nightmares, yet it was intriguing.

I wanted to get back to dance, but I still had a few weeks before classes started up again. I still danced in my house occasionally when I didn't know what else to do, but it wasn't the same as going to the studio. My parents didn't call again as the days went by. Maybe they forgot about our plans and I could just skip out on our little meeting. But, I knew I couldn't do that.

So, I just tried not to think about it and I tried to stay busy. Staying busy helped me clear my mind. And I guess it worked because I didn't remember much of those days. They flew by like they didn't even happen. And before I knew it... it was Saturday.