The Kissing Booth: Adult Edition

The Worst Night Of My Life Part 1

How did everything go at the university library? Did you find all the books ok?: Read my messages. The responses were swift. From Marco: It was all pretty straight forward. Busan is pretty nice but I'm looking forward to getting home tomorrow. Noah: Are you guys back home yet? I typed back: Almost, we're just walking up the street. Marco replied: Ok, have a good night. Noah and I are gonna find a place to crash; we'll grab the first train back tomorrow morning. My message read: Ok, good. Let me know before you leave when you're on the train. Marco: Will do. Text me before you go to bed. An unconscious smile drew across my lips. I loved it when he said things like that. I answered back: I will. Talk to you soon, Marco. Then I texted Noah good night. By the time I was done with that, our apartment building was coming into view up along the street. I slipped my phone into the front pouch of my backpack and grinned at Lee. He was yawning and stretching his arms up above him. "Man, what a day. Am I tired- going straight to bed when we get back," he remarked. "Yeah, me too," I was drained too. It'd been a super long day.

Lee opened the front door and we both clambered inside. Once through our door, I dropped my bag up against the wall and removed my shoes; Lee did the same. Then he stepped inside, stretching his limbs once again. "I wonder what the guys are up to now in Busan?" "Probably finding a place to sleep tonight," I answered. He seemed satisfied with this, giving his shoulders a little shrug. "Eh, they'll end up somewhere soon; I'm not too worried about it. In the meantime, I'm gonna grab something to drink before heading to bed myself. Want anything, Elle?" "Mmmmm, want to order some bubble tea?" Lee blinked surprised by my suggestion. We both loved bubble tea, but it was a luxury we didn't drink much on account of expenses.

"Bubble tea? Really?" "Sure. We've had a not-so-fun day and I thought we should treat ourselves a little." My best friend proceeded to eye me for a minute before flashing me this brilliant smile. "Alrightly then! I'm not gonna argue with that; plus we're saving the food money we'd be spending in Busan. Two bubble teas it is! You want your usual?" "Yes, please. And with black pearls!" "I know what to do," Lee pulled out his phone. I grinned at him then turned my head towards the kitchen. My grin quickly faded when I realized that all our garbage bags were still inside.

"Didn't you put out the trash last night, Lee? They're collecting it tomorrow morning." "Huh? Oh. No, I thought that was Noah's job." My eyes couldn't have rolled harder. Gees, what is it with boys and taking out the garbage? With a shake of the head, I went to gather the two big bags. "Never mind. I'll bring them outside." "Ok, thanks Elle. I'll order the bubble tea while you're doing that." "Ok," I went to put back on my shoes and exit out through the front door. I should say here that I didn't bring anything else with me except for a house key. No phone, no money, no ID- this is very important information for later.

I dragged the bags downstairs to the large garbage bin in the back. It was dark outside but I thought nothing of it; I'd done this before several times when I was living here alone. Setting the bags into the bin, I brushed my hands together and turned to go back inside. But this time something was different. I rounded the corner to see someone standing there. Now that wasn't unusual in of itself and it didn't concern me at first. But when I noticed the man- it clearly was a man- staring straight at me, something felt.... off.

The guy was closer than you'd think; so close that he could reach over to grab me after walking five feet or so. But instead of doing anything, he just stood there watching me for a second. Just a second. That second was vital though; it gave me time to examine the man more. Tall, slender, and wearing all black.... It didn't hit me immediately but I'd seen him somewhere before. Somewhere..... Oh, wait. "Is this yours?"

Him! It's him! That guy from campus the other day- the one who helped me pick up my scattered papers. The one with the ultra-familiar voice. He found out where I lived somehow! He found my address, and came here... This sudden feeling of fear and dread swelled all throughout me. I knew this feeling; the feeling of being targeted and stocked. That overpowering terror that rings through you when someone looks at you with those eyes. The eyes of a predator. And his eyes were predatory. Instances like these stick with you for the rest of your life. How could they not? It's impossible to forget what it's like, to be ogled with such ill intention, like that person would and will get joy from hurting you. Remembering all this, my stomach fell out of me and flat onto the pavement. I knew I had mere seconds to escape, but alas, he knew this too and was more in the present in his mind than me. Before I could even react, a hand reached out to snatch hold of my jacket.

My first instinct was to scream but he pulled his head in up to my ear. "Don't scream and don't try to run. I've got a knife and am not afraid to use it," he whispered in Korean. The level of paralyzing terror that filled me in that moment was daunting. I'm not sure if you've ever been stocked or the target of some malicious criminal activity, but it's something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. To feel so powerless and useless in the grip of someone you know will harm you... It truly makes you question yourself as a person. It's terrifying knowing your physical limitations, and that you can't do anything about it. I used to use my wits to get out of jams like this before, but he had his hands on me. I think he was satisfied- even happy- with the panic in my face, since he smirked ever so lightly. It was barely visible, but I could see it. He hand moved down from my coat to my wrist, where he wrenched onto me hard. I was too scared to even cry when his dark, almost entirely black, eyes met mine again.

"Come on."