One Shot Stories

XVIII ~ Watching

    All day, everyday, I have a weird feeling. Like, someone is watching you. The prickly sensation on your back or on your arms and legs as if someone is standing behind you, ready to snatch you up. You know that feeling?

    I don't who would be watching me, though. My life isn't very interesting. I work as a library volunteer. That's it. Nothing special. School takes up a lot of my life. Nothing interesting there. So, what's the point of watching me? I wouldn't know.

    As I walk through the deserted halls and to the school library, I get the feeling. I stop and clutch the books to my chest and allow myself to scan the hall. No one is here. If someone was here, there is no place to hide. Only behind the trophy case but, that's made out of glass so, I'd be able to see them.

    I get to the library and gently place my books on to the return counter and begin to browse the crowded shelves. The feeling replaces my calm persona once more. I shiver and take a quick glance to my left and right. Now, in the library, there are many places to hide. Beyond the shelves, I here a whisper and a muted snap. Someone took a picture of someone. Could that someone be me, I wonder.

     Not interested in the non-fiction section, I quietly pad over to the fiction section. Grabbing a few books, I trot over to the check out desk.

"Excuse me?" I ask the woman who scans my books.
"Yes ma'am?" She responds.
"Is anyone else in here? Or did anyone come in after me?"
"Yes, someone did."
"Would you know who it is?"
"No, I don't know his name. Sorry."
"It's fine. Thank you."

    And with that, I slide my books off of the table and dash out of the library and back to class. I make it to History and stealthily slide in. My teacher peers over her glasses and her face lights up when she sees me. She gives me a wave and goes back to grading papers.

    I smile to myself as I sit down and crack a book open. Someone knocks on the door. Me, being closes to the door, opens it. There stands a boy. His face flushes when he sees me. I open the door wider so he can step in. He's not very attractive, I can tell you that much.

   The boy shuffles in and makes his way to my teacher. I return to my seat and watch as the kid talks to my teacher. She nods and points at me. He turns towards me just as look back down at my book, no longer caring about him. A shadow passes over me seconds later.

    I look up. The boy stands there, staring intently down at me. The boy beckons me out into the hall. I stand and shoot a look at my teacher. She only nods an smiles. As the boy closes the door behind him, I send an uneasy glance at her. She returns it.

"Hi." He says.

    I only nod. I've seen his face a bunch. It made me uncomfortable. He made me uncomfortable. An angry look passes over his face before he schools it with a smile.

"I know you can talk. I've seen you do it."

    I furrow my brow and take a step back. This guy gives me the creeps.

"Anyways, my name is Bowen. I already know yours so, you don't have to tell me."

    My lips part in surprise.

"What is it, then?" I challenge.
"Avabeth."  Bowen says easily.

    A sudden wave of anger washes over me.

"Care to tell me why I'm here?" I say coldly.
"No, not really. I'm only here to get a closer look at you. I've only seen you from afar."

    I narrow my eyes. He's been watching me. A sudden feeling washes over me. A sensation prickling over my arms an the front of my body as he gazes at me. I watch as he brushes my dark blonde hair out of my face. I flinch away.

"Well, I look forward to seeing you later," I don't, I think. "Anyways, have fun in Indiana."

    I gasp. How does he know where I'm going? A smirk crosses over his face as he turns away. The realization sinks in. Bowen is my stalker.

•••

MY PUPPY IS THE CUTEST THING. Her name is Geneva. LOOK AT HER.