The Photographer

Chapter Thirteenth

Jimmy was really surprised about the decorations that I put up. Although all the tree decorations were in the Tesla. He told me not to worry, he will have Jake get the car in the morning. When we did get home I made sure Jimmy checked the whole house. Chandler was even nice enough the drive around the block a few times.

Chandler was so sweet about everything tonight, its just I couldn't live with telling two people. So I had Jimmy nicely ask him to leave, Jimmy will fill him in tomorrow. Chandler was really nice about it thankfully. I owe him big time.

Wrapped in a blanket, Jimmy and I sat next to each other by the fire place. Both legs were crossed as we faced each other, the ledge of the fire place nursing our cups of hot chocolate. Everything was perfect, for the wrong subject.

"I'm ready whenever you are...." Jimmy leads.

"Uh erm ah." I stutter.

"Mhmm, I totally get it."

"Rude. Anyways....."

"Yeah."

"So back in my prime I met this boy, this boy being Mateo. The sweetest can be, always wanting to help you out. Me and him got really close, I was so happy to have a friend like him. He knew my secrets only because I trusted him. He knows my weaknesses, strengths, dreams, and even attractions. "

"Did you know anything about him?"

"He was never open about himself, If I recall I never even been to his house."

"That's strange."

"Yeah....Alright continuing. So senior year of high school I started to be more open with people in my school. I met some pretty cool girls from art classes, Mateo was in some classes. One girl came up to me after class one day saying she saw him drawing a picture of me. I told her that's fine, but then she proceeded to tell me he has a whole sketch book full of pictures and drawing of me. She snooped while he went to get supplies. I guess there was one of me changing in my bedroom."

"Naked?"

"Thankfully no, just my undergarments. Anyways I confronted him, I trusted him."

"Oh no."

"He lied."

"Ouch."

"So I gave him the silent treatment, like any high school drama. He hated that, during class he would just stare. At this point I was getting uncomfortable, but I didnt want to talk to him because I was mad. This went on for a while. That's when I started to notice he was following me. His car parked across my street on multiple occasions."

"Did you ever confront him?"

"Yeah, I went to his house. I found his address after school one day, sneaking in a teacher's computer is scary. He was surprised to see me on his doorstep. He let me in and right away I knew he had no parents. I'm not sure about his past, I just know that it messed him up. Standing in his living room made me so vulnerable, I just didnt know it yet. He came at me, lost all over his face. He kept saying how beautiful I looked, he just wanted go claim me to be his."

Pulling up my sleeve, I show Jimmy a scar. "He slashed a leather belt at me, wanting to tie my hands together. He thought I was there for sexual reasons. Once I pushed him off of me, he ripped that belt on my skin. He was stronger, so he had the upper hand. I escaped by kneeing him in his area. Anyways, he threatened my life if I ever told anyone. With what just happened, I believed him."

"What about college?"

"He knew my dreams after high school. He thought that college was going to take me away from him. I feel like I told you this, but he stole the only camera I could afford."

"So basically he is a creepy lover that didnt get what he wanted?"

"Yeah.... to make the story short."

There was complete silence as Jimmy thought about what I just told him. I mean this one person has terrorized my whole life.

"What about the subway?" Jimmy finally asks.

"Oh yeah." I laugh.

"And?"

"Valentine's day. I was just coming home from one of my friends houses. I took the subway, only because it's cheap and more convenient. Mateo was following me, I didnt notice until he stood right next to me. He was smiling as he handed me this diamond necklace. His initials were engraved in it like we were a couple. I denied the gift, thinking it was creepy and weird. He changed moods quickly, changing to anger. He used his anger and pushed me onto the tracks."

"And that's where you met Marshmallow?"

"Yup, it was so late nobody was really there."

"I'm so sorry."

"Dont be, you didnt do anything. Instead you should be patting yourself on your back. You make me happy Jimmy, and I should be thanking you."