What the fuck?
I can see Nate’s truck pull into the parking lot in my peripheral. I don’t look away from the van, hoping to see who’s inside.
“You waiting for me, boo?” Nate asks as he slides his arm around my shoulders.
I jump at the sudden touch, pushing Nate off of me.
“What’s wrong?” His playful mood vanishes as he looks at me.
“Do you see that van over there?”
Nate turns, following my line of sight. “Yeah.”
“It was sitting outside the bus stop this morning.”
“What?”
He doesn’t wait for me to answer. Dropping his bag, he takes off toward the van in a jog.
The van starts before he can get any closer, taking off, wheels squealing.
Nate stops jogging, pulling out his phone and typing out a quick text. Then he heads back over to me.
“I got the license plate and the electric company name. Are you okay?” He leans in, looking in my eyes.
“Yeah. Do you think that guy was following me?”
“Guy? You saw him?”
“Yeah. Looked older. Maybe in his forties. Dark hair. He was wearing glasses. It wasn’t the creep from the woods.”
“Well, Chase is on it. Let’s go. Class will start soon. Can’t have Miss Smarty Pants missing class.”
“You’re such an asshole,” I say, walking ahead of him.
“Oh, come on. You love me.”
“I think you mean tolerate.”
“Same difference with you.” He smirks before going serious. “I’ll drive you home later. I know you want to keep your independence, but I think today proves you need to be taking things a little more seriously.”
I glance over my shoulder. “Whatever you say. Make yourself scarce. The herd doesn’t like it when you talk to lowly beings like me.”
“Fuck them.”
I stop, turning to face him. “I know you feel that way, but I’m tired of dealing with the whispers and the accidental bumps in the hall. So please, keep your distance. It’s not just me it affects. It affects Hailee too.”
“Hailee?” He smiles. “Fine, but I’ll be watching.”
“Join the crowd.”
Thirteen
Laying on the couch,I have my books scattered in front of me while I do my homework. My head nods in beat with the music while I write down my next math equation.
“What are you doing?”
I jump, being caught off guard. Chase laughs, making me look his way.
