Extra Credit

Surprise Gesture

Living in that apartment took some getting used to. Every time I would leave school I always began heading towards my old apartment at first but then I'd get a text from Mark reminding me that I was supposed to be going in the other direction. I laughed about it but then realized that I could be allowing this stalker guy to get a chance at following me home. Good. I wanted him to follow me so Mark could beat the crap out of him and this could all be over.

"Ok everyone that's time." Mark said as he stopped us from finishing our Algebra mid-term. It was now a week before Christmas break, the week of mid-terms and I hadn't heard a thing from that crazy stalker. It came as no surprise to Mark since he expected the guy to be someone close to me. If everyone didn't know of my whereabouts…then neither would the stalker. Clever.

I smiled at my mid-term exam before handing it in. Mark glanced at me with a smile before watching me head over to the next class. I was so happy to be halfway done with my sophomore year and confident that I was going to pass all of my finals including the Business Management paper I wrote. At that point the stalker wasn't even on my mind.

"Hey Aria?" Mark said as I walked towards my car later on after my last class.

I stopped and turned around with a smile. Hearing his voice lately seemed to bring my spirit up. "Hey there Professor."

He laughed as he stopped in front of me, "Miss Bautista,"

"How can I help you?" I asked.

"Well every year I throw a little Christmas party at my house and since Tracy and I are now separated I was going to have one at my apartment."

"Wait... You're separated?"

He sighed, "Yes.  Why you think I've been at the apartment for so long?"

I smiled, "Awe, well the party sounds like fun."

"Yeah well I was wondering…since you aren't going home for the holidays, if you wanted to come over and spend some time with me and the guys."

I rolled my eyes playfully, "Well….I don't know…"

He laughed, "Awe come on, don't tell me you're going to try and play me like that?"

I giggled, "Of course not. You know I'll be there."

"Good…but just a fore warning….Tracy is coming." He said.

"I thought you just said you're separated?"

"We are but... I kind of miss her,"

I sighed heavily, "Oh joy…"

"Come on don't be like that. I know she hasn't treated you real nice but I think that's the night I'm going to sit her down and have a nice long talk with her."

"No yelling involved right?" I asked. "I don't want to have to bust her head open for hurting you."

He laughed and shook his head, "No ma'am…the only yelling you'll be hearing is-"

"-Stop right there, I know where you're going with that." I said as he roared with laughter.

"What? I can't help myself. It's been a while since I got some." He said as he walked me to my car in the cold winter air.