It Started With Baking Soda.

Baking Soda.

I sighed as I looked at the white blank of the word document. I wanted to write and I knew what I wanted to write, I just didn't know how to start it off.

You see, since it's October, I wanted to write a horror story but how do you start off a horror story? Should it be with romance? Or maybe during a chase scene?

I just didn't know how to start off the story.

Getting frustrated, I got up from my bed and went downstairs. Though it was 1 in the morning, I decided on some coffee, thinking it will help me.

Turning on the light, I headed to the cabinet and took out the grounded coffee. As I made the coffee, my mind wandered to the events that happen today. It was so strange really, I kept running into my neighbor Seokjin.

Wherever I went today, he was there. The thing is though, I don't think he realized that I noticed him.

Seeing him as I went out with my friends to the cafe, visited my mother, and even hanging out on the boardwalk for bit freaked me out a bit once I got back home.

I didn't want to believe it but it seemed like he was stalking me. But I didn't want to call him a stalker. He seemed so nice and sweet. Even charming but it's usually the charming ones that hides their insanity the best... Wait, I'm calling a stranger who has been nothing but nice to me insane, that's such a dick move of me but I couldn't help it.

Seeing him almost everywhere I went today sent chills up my spine. It made me wonder if this wasn't the first time he has done this and if it wasn't, how many times has he followed me?

I was brought out of my thoughts by the aroma of coffee. I poured some milk and maple syrup in the cup of coffee, stirring the cup. Once I felt like the milk and maple syrup was mixed in well, I took a sip, sighing in content.

Turning off the kitchen light, I walked through my dark house when I heard a 3 light knocks at the door.

I stopped in my tracks, wondering who it could be at this time of night. It was only 1 in the morning.

3 light knocks rung throughout the silent house once more and I slowly walked to my door, peeking through the peek hole only to see,

"Seokjin?"

What was he doing here?

He was looking around almost nervously, head turning to look behind him every second like as if he was being followed.

Something in me yelled at me to not open the door. That it would be dangerous too and though he is a nice man, you realized that he was perhaps stalking you and therefore couldn't be trusted. But I didn't listen to that side of me and opened the door.

Seokjin's head shot back forward when he heard the door open.

"H-hey..."

"Hi..."

I guess he wasn't expecting me to open my door.

We stood there in awkward silence for a split second which felt like an eternity before I blurted out, "What are you doing here? It's 1 in the morning ya know?"

He made a confused face, furrowing his brow a bit. He lifted his arm to look at a watch he had on his wrist.

"It's 1:42. I guess I just lost track of time..." he said mostly to himself.

I frowned.

"Okay. Still doesn't explain why you're here though."

"I-I need to borrow some baking soda."
My head tilted.

"Baking soda?" I said questioningly.

Seokjin nodded his head.

"Yes, I'm banking some cupcakes from scratch. I've been baking since 10 at night. It's for my cooking class."

"Oh right, you're majoring in cooking." I remembered the conversation we had the first day I moved here. We talked about college, our majors (I majored in Creative Writing) and little everyday things. He even helped move my furniture in my house.

"Okay then, come on in." I motioned him to come forward, moving out of the way. He came in and I closed the door, soon walking away toward the kitchen.

"Follow me." I motioned for him to come and he did.

I turned the light of the kitchen back on and walked to the fridge, getting the unopened baking soda.

I still had no idea why I bought this but at least it'll come in handy for someone who needs it more.

I handed Seokjin the baking soda, noticing something dark red on the side of his hand.

"Umm, you have something red on your hand." I pointed out.

The man's eyes went wide for a split second before calmly saying,

"Oh, it's just frosting." and proceeded to lick his hand.

For some reason, I didn't believe him. I didn't know why but my gut was telling me that wasn't frosting and with how weird he was acting, I didn't want to think about what my feelings were telling me what it could actually be.

"Right. Well, here ya go! An unopened box of baking soda that you can keep."

"Thank you. You're sweet you know that."

I laughed nervously.

"I guess I am." I said, not really knowing how to take his compliment as I barely knew the guy.

"I should get going then." Seokjin piped up, a small smile on his face.

"Yeah."

I walked him back to my front door and we both said our goodbyes.

As I went upstairs back to my room, I thought about what just happened.

I let a guy who is possibly stalking me into my house.

What kinda stupid, horror movie cliché crap did I just pulled?

And what did I possibly get myself into?