MR. STALKER

"Are you sure I can drop you off here?" I asked Ivy. 

It was pitch black outside when I stopped to drop her off. The streetlights were flickering and making everything ominous.

"Yeah," Ivy replied. "I'll walk the remaining two blocks."

"But I can drop you off, no worries," I insisted, looking around where I had dropped her off.

A shadow appeared and disappeared a few feet away and I craned my neck to see what it was. Hopefully, it was just a cat.

"I need to cool off before I get home," she said. "Jack will notice that something is off. I am sure he will hunt Dave down if he finds out where I got these bruises."

"Oh, okay."

"Don't worry so much, I am used to walking these streets. I'll text you when I get home," Ivy said getting off. "I hope Dave did not ruin your mood since you're meeting that friend."

"Nah, I'll be okay. Make sure you text me. Okay, talk later," I replied and waved.

I watched her walk away before I drove down the opposite side of the street. I was calm when I pulled into the parking lot of the bubble tea shop.

I sat in my car for a while and took deep breaths. I was not ready to meet Lloyd, now, or ever. Dave had completely destabilized me. 

Shivers ran down my spine. I was beyond anxious. I took out my mirror and retouched my lipstick, smoothed down my eyebrows, and added some gloss.

I took in four deep breaths. I wanted to cancel our meeting. Maybe choose another day to meet up. Maybe even a school night.

Buzzzz Buzzzz

'I am already here.'

Crap. Now I had to go in.

I could say that I could not make it.

Wait, is he tracking me? Maybe not. He did not know where I was when Detective Matthews was chasing me that day.

'Okay. Just parked.'

I sent the message and took a long deep breath. This was it. I was about to meet my stalker. I was about to meet Lloyd. 

Buzzzz Buzzzz

'Booth no. 13.'

Ha-ha. He had to be joking. Of all the numbers to choose picked 13? Well, it was going to be an interesting night.

'Lucky no. 13, huh?'

'Darn right.'

I slipped my phone into my purse, adjusted my shoulder straps, and got out of the car. The walk to the entrance was short, yet I was short of breath.

Was I sweating f—!

Calm the hell down, Mila. It is just a boy. I walked through the door, smiled at the cashier, and headed to Booth no. 13.

I could hear my heels against the tiled floor. I stopped right behind him. He had a black cap on. His head was cleanly shaven, and he had piercings.

"Are you going to stand behind me all night?" 

His voice was mellow and deep. He turned, smiled, and looked at me right in the eyes. I nearly choked on how intense his gaze was. Tingles ran from my neck down to my back.

"No, sorry," I replied, taking my seat in the red leathered booth, "Just nervous."

His eyes were on me the whole time. 

"There's no need to be nervous, Mila," Lloyd said leaning in, "We know so much about each other."

"You mean you know more about me," I corrected him, smiling, and sitting up straight.

"Ha-ha I'm glad you are calmer now," Lloyd said laughing.

He sat back and locked eyes with me for five seconds before he licked his lips and smirked.

"You're looking extra pretty today," he said, "Coming from a date?"

My eyes flickered away from him as I recalled the scene Dave had created. Fear rose in me. I looked at him and tried to smile as I responded.

"Yeah, something like that. I was at a party," I replied.

"Was it fun?"

"Um…kinda," I replied nervously.

Please don't ask any more questions.

"Mila," Lloyd spoke, his voice lowering to a concerned whisper, "Are you okay?"

"I—uh—I'll be okay, it's nothing," I said looking down.

"Bullshit," Lloyd said.

"What?"

"Were you with Dave?" He asked, his tone getting all judgemental.

"Why do you care?" I shot back, getting irritated.

I had no idea what he had over Dave and why it concerned him who I was with. I barely knew him, why was he being too concerned with me? We stared at each other for what seemed like a long and awkward three minutes.

"You're right. It's none of my business," Lloyd said, looking away and calling the waitress.

"What can I get you two?" she asked.

"I'll have a cup of green tea and a blueberry muffin," Lloyd replied.

There was no way he and I liked the same café snacks. This had to be coincidental.

"And for you, miss?" 

"I'll have the same, thank you," I replied.

"It will take about five minutes," she said and excused herself.

It was getting late, and I had to get the information I had come for. I had ruined the atmosphere out of my anxiety. I knew what to do to fix it.

"You do not look like a green tea and muffin guy," I said, looking at him.

"I did not pin you for one who focuses on stereotypes," he shot back.

I smiled and then he smiled back.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I had a rough night and meeting my stalker is not something I was prepared for."

"Fair enough," Lloyd said. "I guess we should start on a clean slate."

"I guess."

"And I'm not your stalker, Mila," Lloyd said.

"Then—" 

"Two green teas and two blueberry muffins as requested," Lianne said, placing our orders on the table, "Enjoy," she smiled and left.

Lloyd picked up his muffin and took a huge bite out of it.

"Really, then what are you?" I asked.

"A friend," he replied licking crumbs off his lips.

"One who keeps tabs on me?" I pressed, peeling the paper off my muffin.

"One who cares about your safety," Lloyd replied. "There's a difference between Dave's possessiveness and mine."

Here we go again. What's with him and Dave?

"So, you admit that you are possessive?" I say, taking a bite of my muffin.

Our green teas sat before us, steaming hot and not ready to be sipped.

"That's not what I meant," Lloyd said looking away, "I'm just aware of the dangers that surround you, and I am willing to do anything to keep you safe."

"Why would you do that, you barely know me?" I asked confused.

All this started approximately three months ago. My parents still have no idea of what is going on, and I was beginning to believe that nothing might happen.

"Mila, do you believe me when I say you are in trouble?" Lloyd asked.

I stared at him for a while. I had no idea what to say because I did not know what I believed anymore. 

"I…" I started.

"Detective Matthews is back, isn't he?" Lloyd said with a straight face. He picked up his cup and took a sip of his tea.

"How do you know—"

"I know a lot, Mila," Lloyd said. "And I'm disappointed that you do not believe me."