What She Said

Chapter 6

Not edited

I woke up, startled, when I heard a pounding on the door. The pounding stopped for a minute or two said I left the room. The top stair creaked and the pounding started again. As I reached the bottom, the pounding stopped again. Confused, I opened the door. No one was there. A little creeped, I closed the door. I chalked it up as a bad dream. I needed to get ready for school. I still had time to sleep so I went to try to get more.

When Sarah came to get me, she looked almost sorry for me. "Girl, you look like shit. Have you slept any?" Honestly, I couldn't be mad because I looked like I haven't slept in days.

"I woke up to a pounding on my door. Whoever it was wasn't there when I opened the door. That was about five this morning. I laid in bed for an hour, unable to fall back asleep. Then I got up and got ready." I was too tired to explain more.

"Well that's weird." Sarah said. "I wonder who it could be." She seemed concerned, but switched the topic over to her boyfriend.

Work seemed to go by so slow. Being as tired as I was didn't he looks any. Within the last ten customers, I saw Evan sitting and drinking coffee. I wonder how long he has been here for, I thought to myself. I walked over to the door and switched the sign to "closed". As people left, I went around cleaning up. I had noticed Evan watching me the whole time. I strangely didn't mind. Sarah did have a point, though. He really wasn't bad looking. I still doubted he would like me. But he might, the back of my mind taunted.

I heard footsteps behind me. After what happened this morning, I tensed up. "Hey," it was just Evan. I should have known. "You seem nervous. You okay?" I mentally face palmed myself.

I cleared my throat. "Yeah, I'm good. Just didn't sleep well last night." Not a lie. I want to tell him about this morning, but this isn't the right place to tell him. On the other hand, he is new here and I don't want to freak him out. "I know it's late, but do you want to come over and hang out for about thirty minutes? If not, that's fine...." Not asking him out, stop being so fucking nervous.

His smile was warm. "I would love to come over. I will meet you at your house. Looks like your almost done here, anyways." Maybe I should tell him. He may have some suggestions.

Evan followed me into the living room and sat down on the couch. He silently watched me, a slight smile on his face. Another warm smile. I set my purse and keys on the side table next to the door. I took my shoes off next to the side table. There was a flutter in my stomach that I was unfamiliar with. After taking a deep breath, I went and sat on the other end of the couch.

I looked over at him. "I need to tell you something. It's been bothering me all day and Sarah hasn't been much help." He looked at me, a slight sparkle in his eyes. Maybe she was right about him. "You are new to town. I know you can handle yourself, but I don't want you to worry too much. It's probably nothing, but I woke up to a loud pounding on my door. I got out of bed to see who it was. The top step creaks. When it did, the pounding started again. When I reached the bottom it sopped. When I got to the door and opened it, no one was there. It was a bit scary."

I was shaking after telling him. All of a sudden, my body felt warmed arms wrapped around me. Looking up, I could see the concern in his eyes. "I'm not going to force anything on you, but would you feel better if I slept on the couch and tried to help catch who is doing this? You don't have to say yes, but you seem really freaked." God he is so sweet.

Smiling, I replied, "There is a spare bedroom upstairs. You don't have to sleep on the couch." I got and motioned for him to follow me. I have two extra rooms. I have slept in my parents room since they died. One room used to be mine, but I changed it and now Sarah sleeps there. The other was a guest room already, so I left it like that. "Here. You can sleep in here. The room next to it is another bedroom. The bathroom is the door right across from your room. My room is at the end of the hall. I will... uh.... let you get some sleep. You can stay as long as you want in the morning. I am going to call my school and work and let them know I am taking a sick day. This morning was too much for me."

As I turned away, I felt a hand on my wrist. Evan pulled me into a hug. It felt really nice. "Thank you. I will see you in the morning. Sleep well, Joy."

A/N   I have chapter 7 almost done being written and then by the time my son goes to sleep (after lunch) I might even get it posted. I hope y'all are liking it. Any critiques? Anything I could do better? Any suggestions? Let me know. I would love some feedback!