Chapter Seventeen

"W-why did you call me that?" I asked Catch stuttering a little. He was wearing the waiters uniform, a red polo shirt with the name of the shop—𝘖𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘏𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯—written on it.

"Don't be discriminative", he joked. "The woman that took down your order, you didn't ask her why she called you that. Besides it's what we call customers in here". He explained as he removed what I ordered from the tray and took the tray. "I hope you enjoy, sweetheart". He winked and disappeared into the kitchen.

Holy crap. Someone tell me that Catch showing up right after that text and calling me sweetheart was a coincidence. Coming to think of it, Sam considered him a suspect even if I never did. If he was the culprit then my suspicion of a hidden camera was true! Because he came here for his part-time job immediately after school so he had no way of being in that hallway when I was.

I munched on my sandwich and considered Catch a suspect for real now. He was in my biology class but was not close to have heard Samson and I but since they were friends, Samson must've taken him in confidence and told him. Catch normally picked on me but what did they say about guys who were always on your neck? Exactly! Maybe he liked me.

So many puzzles, I sighed.

When I was done eating, I settled the bills at the counter and continued on my way. Feeling recharged and filled, I kicked on rocks as I walked. About three minutes later, I noticed I was slowly being followed by a black Mercedes car It's the psycho stalking me! I thought and swallowed. Does he want to kidnap me? He wouldn't do that where there was a lot of people. That's why he was following me until we got to a more secluded area! I looked back at the vehicle trying to quickly identify the driver but the glasses were all tinted and raised up.

I picked up speed and walked faster but as I did, the vehicle did the same.

I stopped walking and stood on the sidewalk like I was waiting for someone and I made sure to stand where there were people. I thought that by this move I made, the driver would be flustered and take off but I soon found out that I was kidding myself. He parked the car too.

Okay, wow, fuck you, dude. I marched to the car. I knocked and pounded on the driver's window. "Are you stalking me?" He did not roll it down. "Show me your frickin face". I did it again but I was still ignored.

I realised that this guy intended to wait for me, no matter how I stood here. I couldn't continue to take refuge in the people moving around the street because sooner or later they were all going to disperse and the street would be empty. I took advantage of this time I had...and bolted.

The car's engine revved up and followed me again but slowly this time. With my palpitating heart, I refused to take any chances, I ran without looking back as the faces of my family members and beloved Sam popped in my head, 'would I ever see them again?' My eyes brimmed with tears as my heart pounded in my ears.

Suddenly the car picked up incredible speed and came at me like the driver intended to hit me. My heart stopped dead and I stopped too afraid to continue running. I squeezed my eyes shut and let out a blood curling scream only for the car to apply his break at the last minute. My legs went weak and I collapsed to the ground in both shock and exhaustion. I placed my palm on my chest and tried to calm my heart that felt like it was going to explode. I swear I could have had a heart attack.

An elderly couple that was passing by stopped by me, "Are you hurt?". I shook my head, no, having no strength to talk and they went by after a "𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳".

The driver's door opened and Catch came out of the car laughing and holding his sides in laughter and pointing at me. "That was so funny. Were you going to run to mummy?" He asked between laughs. "Out of all the persons I've done this to, I got the best reaction out of you". I felt my blood seethe in anger. He had almost killed me with fear as entertainment?

He tried to help me up, I shoved him away. "Don't.touch.me". I stood up myself and glowered at him with fiery eyes.

He only shrugged. "I'm sorry you didn't like it. As payment I'll drop you off. Hop in so that someone doesn't actually hit you".

The next thing I did was give him a resounding slap across his cheek. "I don't want your payment but you'll have to accept mine and that was it. I was walking well on my own before you came along so fuck you Catch". I spat and hurried off. That slap couldn't even begin to make up for what he did but it had to suffice. Wiping off the arrogance on his face and replacing it with shock and pain was good enough.

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Last night I was determined not to go to school the next morning. I needed a damn break so I had faked a sore throat. For more than an hour, I had breathed through my mouth instead of my nose and cut back on water. My throat turned dry and became parched and sore giving me the scratchy voice I had presently.

I had planned ahead too so that when I woke up today it wouldn't seem like just a convenient excuse to get out of going to school. I couldn't suddenly come down with a horrible sore throat so I had planted a seed the night before by going to bed a little early after coughing several times with closed eyes during dinner and letting mom and dad know I was not feeling so great.

And I'm pleased to announce to you that my plan worked out perfectly.

Now I laid in bed with mom, dad and William worriedly hovering over me.

"Are you sure you don't want me to take you to the hospital?" Dad asked for the third time.

I shook my head.

"Are you sure?" I almost rolled my eyes, It's just a sore throat, dad, not some flu. Go to work.

"Yes". I answered weakly in my parched voice.

"You never fall sick, darling". Mom felt my temperature for the fifth time and caressed my cheek. "I'll call in sick for you". Thank you! "Do you think you can have breakfast down or should I bring it up for you?"

I nodded and pointed on my bed. I wouldn't pass on my first breakfast in bed since forever.

"Thanks, you both". I smiled weakly at mom and dad, then added a dry cough for effect.

"Rest now". Dad squeezed my hand and left. Mom kissed my cheek and followed him.

William stayed behind. His worried face was gone. He had his mouth pouted, brows furrowed and eyes begging me.

"What?" I eyed him trying to figure him out.

He took my palm and clasped it with his. "Please, Alex, help me".

I frowned beginning to get worried. He looked pretty serious like he was in trouble. "What is it?"

"Tell me how you did it. I don't want to go to school too". He pleaded in earnest.

I wanted to laugh but I held it in else I would be giving myself out. And you never know with William, he might've had a plan up his sleeve to expose me. "I didn't do anything, William. Go on to school".

He snorted. "You manged to fool mom and dad but you can't fool me. Tell me already". I wanted to deny it again but what he said next stopped me. "I'll give you thirty dollars".

"Make it sixty".

"Come on!" He protested. "That's almost all my savings".

"Deal or no deal?"

"Deal", he grumbled. "I suppose it's worth it".

"The hell it is. Go to school today and I'll tell you when you come back".

"Fat chance".

"Hey, listen, you can't suddenly develop a sore throat now. It'll be suspicious".

He thought about it for a moment and mumbled, "Yeah, right. But promise you'll tell me today". He held out his pinky to me and I joined it with mine.

"Promise" . It was in rare moments like this when we got along that I get really convinced that he's not after all a little jerk.

On his way out the door, he paused and looked back at me. "Get well soon, sis". He winked conspiratorially and I laughed.

I stretched on the bed and beckoned on sleep spirits to come take me away.