HATE- THE MOTHER OF LOVE

.....paranoia?....or a fact?

                        Cassie

"Did you at least establish how he knew about your pain?" Kim asks for the millionth time. It is on a Tuesday and she has been asking that same question ever since I told her on Saturday morning. (Well, she's just phrasing it differently).

"For the umpteenth time Kim, he, or it.. Did not supply any kind of answer. All I got was that it had to be me. That's all" I reply looking her direct in the eye for good measure. For some reason, she stares back and we remain in the contest for a while, then we burst out laughing. Long, meaningless laughs. To release the tension, I guess.

"So what are your plans for this summer?" She asks after swallowing a mouthful of food. Which reminds me, I have something to look forward to in just a matter of 2 weeks. "Grandma's of course," I reply, missing her suddenly. My granny is one of the few treasures I have in my life. Instead of staying at home and partying like my brother and sister, I have always preferred to go to her place. It's really beautiful, plus I have loads of friends over there.

"Knew it. You don't seem to ever tire of going there. As for me, daddy insisted we take a trip to Africa and of course I'm all for it.," She continues while finishing off the last of her food.

I'm about to reply when I get this weird feeling that someone or something is watching me. I turn and look around the cafeteria but nobody's minding me. Kimberly, of course notices and asks what is wrong. I tell her it's nothing, then the bell rings. Together, we head out of the cafeteria and I no longer have that feeling. So I assume I'm just being paranoid.

We have the next class together, so we strut along, talking all about the upcoming holidays. Art, is another favourite subject of mine, and since today we get to finish on the projects we had started on, I'm eager to get to the class. We finally reach, and take our places next to each other. Mr Klein, is on time as usual, and tells us to go about our work (in silence).

We're barely 5 minutes in the lesson when that nagging feeling at the back of my mind comes back. Whoever is watching me is close, and I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand. I turn around to look for anyone who might be that interested in me enough to stare, only to lock eyes with those of Mr Klein.

I quickly turn forward and try to continue with my work (note, I said try), when I feel something brush ever slightly on the back of my neck and I freeze in fear. Mr Klein wouldn't do that, or would he? I turn around slowly, only to find him concentrating his gaze on his laptop.

I turn back to my work, trying to make out what the hell is wrong with me, when I feel something like a human hand graze the back of my neck again. This time I jerk back with force and land butt-first, on the floor. Then Kimberly starts laughing (together with the rest of the class), as I collect my ashamed ass and get back on my seat. "Cassandra, what is wrong with you? " Mr Klein asks, a hint of annoyance and amusement in his voice. "Spider," I mumble awkwardly hoping he won't question further. He doesn't.

When everyone has gone back to not concentrating on me, I turn to Kim "why the fuck did you do that, I almost passed out?" I whisper-yell. She tries to control her stupid giggles before answering me "hey, chill out. Was just trying to make small talk" She whispers back "by touching the back of my neck?" I almost yell. She's giggling loudly this time, and Mr Klein warns us to remain silent or face remaining after class to finish our work. We choose the former.

The next classes pass on without any other incident, and it's finally time to go home. We say our goodbyes and go our different directions. I crank up the radio in my car, and start singing along to I know what you did last summer by Shawn Mendes. I've always had this huge crush on Shawn, and all his songs happen to be in my playlist. Its when I start pulling in my driveway, that I feel like I'm being watched again.

Kim couldn't have followed me right? I get out of my car and look around. There's nobody here, so I assume I must be getting paranoid, considering what Kim did. I shake my head and walk to the front door. It's open, meaning Ryan is home, doing whatever he's doing. I check around but fail to see him. So I assume maybe he's in or around the pool, fucking his gf (it's what they do most of the time). I climb the stairs, as my room is on the top-most floor. I unlock the door and throw my bag on the bed then head to my washroom.

It's only when I'm done, and going to close the door, that I see a piece of paper. It must have been thrown through the underside of the door.

I notice Ryan's handwriting first. Then I freeze in fear (again).
          Hey, Cassie. Have gone to some party. Won't be back till tomorrow. Try not to mess the house.
                  Ryan.

Which means...... Who the fuck opened my door.... A burglar maybe?! Am starting to feel the fear creep in. Am I being paranoid again? Are we about to get robbed. Am I going to be kidnapped?

I quickly located my phone from inside my bag and call Kim. It sends me straight to voicemail. I send her a text, telling her that I think somebody's in my house.

Should I call the cops? What if it turns out to be my stupid paranoia? What if Ryan forgot to lock the door on his way out?

What if...... What if....

A/N

Holla muchachas (hope I got it right). How're y'all loving the story. Do you think Cassie is being paranoid or is something really weird going on?

Let me know in the comments. Again, thanks for reading this book, I really appreciate. Feel free to send me your feedbacks regarding the story.

Don't forget to vote.

Maryann.