Chapter 4

I walked down the long corridor and sensed someone following me. The sound of footsteps echoed in sync with mine and I felt someone staring at me. The hair stood on the back of my neck. I swallowed and turned my head slightly. Gabriel walked right behind me. It had to be a coincidence. He had no reason to follow me, he didn’t even know my name. I walked slowly, holding my breath in hopes he would not pass me by. As much as I didn’t want to approach him, I wanted him to notice me. I tried to watch his movements with the side of my eye, but he walked directly behind me and out of my peripheral view. I approached my car and sensed his presence looming behind me. My stomach flipped, but I wasn’t sure if it was from excitement or fear. I took a deep breath and turned around.

“Can I help you?” I demanded, wincing my eyes from the bright light radiating off his skin. I swiftly pulled my sunglasses out of my bag and put them on anticipating they would help with the intensity, but his light still distracted my vision.

“Oh, yeah ...um, my name is Gabriel. I’m new here, a ...um, transfer actually. Do you believe in God?” he stammered.

“What?!” I laughed. This had to be some kind of joke. What kind of judgmental person walks up to someone to ask such a personal question. I mean seriously, he didn’t even know anything about me. He stared at me with pleading eyes in silence as I processed his question.

“Really, do I believe in God?” I mocked him. “Would God take away the parents of a five-year-old to force her and her brother to live with her grandparents at the old age of 55, only to have her take care of herself at 16 because her grandparents were struggling financially because of their retirement. God must be getting a serious laugh pulling her away, 5000 miles from her hometown to learn a whole new life, living in question, why do people die? If that’s the God you are talking about then I’m sorry I’m not interested, nor do I need anything like that in my life. If the only reason you want to talk to me is to shove God down my throat then please get away from me.” My blood boiled. I could hear my voice rising and felt my cheeks flushing red. Students passing by glanced over and jumped into their cars. A few bystanders listened in and whispered comments to each other. I knew by tomorrow I would be the talk of the class. The professor may have told Gabriel this isn’t high school anymore, but being in college didn’t stop gossip from spreading like wildfire. I didn’t know who this ‘Gabriel’ thought he was; he may be good-looking and mysterious, but not enough to make me sit here and listen to him shoving God down my throat.

Gabriel winced, looking at me like he wanted to argue. His eyes seemed to fill with pain, but I didn’t understand why he looked hurt by my views. “No, that is not what I meant. I was simply...um trying to use a pick-up line on you. I am just searching for a friend and you appeared to be nice. I thought you could show me around.”

I rolled my eyes. Something was up with this guy, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. “How cheesy. I guess I can show you around after my shift. I’ll text you the address and you can just GPS it.”

“Text?” He rubbed his head in confusion.

“Yes. I’m going to send a message on your cell phone. Do y’all call it something else where you’re from?” I asked, wondering how the heck a twenty-something-year-old never heard of the term ‘texting’. Where did this guy come from anyway, Mars?

“I...I forgot my phone at home. I’ll write down the address and find the place.” He stuttered, avoiding my question completely.

“You are really weird Gabriel. Just give me your number and go get your phone from home, you have plenty of time. My shift doesn’t end until 7,” I clenched my jaw and gritted my teeth in frustration.

I mean, honestly, Gabriel was making this way harder than it needed to be.

“I’ll simply write down the address. It will make things easier,” He pulled his notebook out of his knapsack.

His hands shook as he handed the notebook to me. I huffed and ripped the notebook and ink pen out of his hands. My hand accidentally touched his and a jolt, almost like lightning went through my body. I jumped. He gazed at me with wide eyes, but he didn’t say a word. Was it a figment of my imagination or did he experience the shock also? I concentrated on my breathing and quickly scribbled in my messy handwriting,

Apricot Clothing Boutique

333 Belanger Street

Houma, LA 70360.

I shoved the notebook back into his hands making sure not to touch him.

“See you at seven,” I said and rushed into my car before he gave me an answer.

“That was insane,” I sat in my car replaying the event that just happened. Something was up with Gabriel. He acted too strange; the way he talked, the way the light glowed through his skin. My curiosity spiked even though I should feel panic around a complete stranger. Something about him interfered with my better judgment. Gabriel raised an interest I couldn’t ignore.