Hate Me Love Me

41| Hot Stalker 🎥

֍҉֍҉♥҉֍҉֍

"I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy because they know what it's like to feel absolutely worthless, and they don't want anyone else to feel that." --- Robin Williams.

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'Thank you,' I say to Marcus as he hands me a mint-choc-chip ice-cream in a cone. He waves his hand carelessly and smiles.

'It's fine. No biggie. I'm rich, remember?'

'How could I forget.'

He laughs and we instead of sitting inside the parlour, we stand in the snow and eat our ice-creams. His one is cookies-and-cream flavoured.

'Are you sure that there's absolutely nothing that can be done about it though?' Marcus asks, and I shake my head, sighing.

'I already insulted him in his office and put shaving cream in his shampoo. And, like, I don't know. If Alaric and I aren't meant to be, then we're just... not meant to be.'

'Ridiculously accurate.'

That makes me laugh.

We talk a little more about Dean Aldrois as we eat. He's the only one I could talk to about the whole video threat deal. Marcus tells me that it's illegal and that I should report it. I tell him I'll look into the idea.

Also, I should've known high school romances don't work out. That only happens in books and movies. And books and movies are for entertainment. Reality isn't very entertaining.

Spotting Lola's car puts a grin on my face. I use my free hand as a sign, waving it frantically above my head until I see Lola's disguised, searching face, light up. She looks back at another girl and together, they walk to us, hand in hand.

'Damn, Madison. Your disguise is lit!' Marcus gives her a thumbs up. I note the colourful hair extensions. The different base colour. The jeans outfit - something Madison would never wear.

'OK, leave everything and listen!' Lola says urgently, her lips set in a sneaky smile. 'I heard Dean Aldrois hasn't been coming to work!'

'Really? Why not?' I ask.

'My mom heard this from her friends' sisters' maid. Apparently, he's bald!'

Marvellous.

Lola proceeds to tell us that Evermoor High Institute's Drama teacher has resigned all of a sudden so all the drama students are joining the other clubs after school.

We all laugh it all off, pick up Lola and Madison's ice cream, and head to the cinemas. Later, we go to Marcus's apartment. It's super high, with an enormous glass wall that overlooks most of the city.

When the sun has set, I get a call from my dad, asking when I'll be home.

'I need to make one more stop. It'll take an hour or two, and then I'll come.'

'OK, sweetheart. I trust you. Just stay safe.'

He wants me to enjoy my holidays, and I appreciate that. He'll be in San Jose for only a week more before he has to go back.

In my dad's car - that I've borrowed - I search up the Hamilton household on google maps and put the address in the car's GPS. And then I drive. It's pretty far from Marcus's apartment. I give myself a pep talk on the way and revise all my lines, hoping I remember them when the time comes to recite them.

Suddenly, a neon green car suddenly speeds up pass me and swerves to the left in the distance so I'm forced to push my breaks like crazy. I unbuckle my seatbelt and step out, high on adrenaline and fear and anger.