Unsettling encounter in class

Mela's pov

I had just entered the classroom a moment ago. The professor I encountered was Professor Angela Clarence. She's the physics lecturer, and she's incredibly irritating, constantly bombarding us with questions. I found it exasperating, especially since I was so exhausted. I hadn’t been able to sleep the previous night due to the incessant nightmares.

"But she isn’t all that bad, you know." my inner voice remarked.

"Oh, really? That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one suffering. So, just be quiet." I responded, feeling increasingly irritable.

As soon as class ended, I grabbed my belongings, preparing to leave, but I was stopped by Ms. Clarence. I had to endure more of her endless chatter.

"Oh no." my inner voice said dramatically.

"Oh, yes." I muttered back.

"I heard your mother gave birth again, didn’t she, Ms. Fernandez?" she asked.

"Yes, ma’am." I replied.

"Well, do send my regards to your mom. I won’t be able to visit, unfortunately." She said.

"I will, ma’am." I responded with a smile, though inwardly I groaned.

"Good." She said, smiling herself, before walking away.

Finally, she was gone. I didn’t have to deal with any more people, as I was running on empty.

Sighing, I turned to gather my things from the desk, but when I looked up, I noticed I wasn’t alone. There was someone still sitting in the classroom, staring at me with an intense gaze that felt predatory, like a hunter watching its prey.

His eyes felt cold, and a chill ran down my spine as I met his gaze. They were those same striking emerald green eyes I had seen the other day, when my mom was in labor.

"Something feels off about this guy." My inner voice spoke.

"Yeah, I know," I responded. "It’s just... different."

His emerald green eyes seemed to pierce through me, sending an eerie sensation through my body. Everything about him felt strange, but I shrugged it off and decided to leave. As I made my way to the door, I could still feel his gaze on my back. But I couldn’t turn around to confirm my suspicions.

When I exited the classroom, my phone rang. It was Ira calling, no doubt waiting for me to return her call. I had promised I would, but I got so tangled in my own mess that I forgot.

"Hey." I said, answering the phone.

"Uh oh, you’re in trouble now." My inner voice said sarcastically.

"Hi, Mel! How’s everything? You seem a little off lately, hope everything’s okay?" Ira’s concerned voice asked.

"Yeah, Ira, everything’s fine. It’s just... school’s been really stressful. That’s probably why I’ve been out of it," I explained. "Sorry, I told you I’d call, but it slipped my mind. I got caught up with everything. Sorry about that."

"It’s okay. Don’t worry about it." Ira replied, sounding supportive.

"She’s so different today. She’s unpredictable." My inner voice noted.

"Oh yeah." I answered absently.

"She’s such a good friend, tolerating my stupidity and all." I added.

"Yeah, she never judges us like the others." My inner voice commented, sounding sincere.

"I just wish I could be there for her as much as she is for me." I said quietly.

"Okay, Ira, I’ve got to go now. Bye," I said.

"Alright, take care. Bye," she replied, and the call ended.

Exhausted, I headed straight home. When I arrived, I immediately went to my room, dropped my stuff on my desk, and collapsed onto my bed without a second thought. I fell into a deep, much-needed slumber.

Until my phone buzzed, interrupting my rest. Still groggy, I picked up the phone without checking the caller ID.

"Hey." I muttered.

"Hi, Mela." Came a cold voice from the other end.

I immediately recognized it. It was the man I reluctantly call my father—no, not my father, but a monstrous figure in human form. The one responsible for the nightmares that haunt me, preventing me from sleeping peacefully.

"What do you want?" I asked, my voice tight with irritation.

The line went dead silent, but I knew he hadn’t hung up. I repeated my question.

"I said, what do you want?"

"Mela, I’m sorry for everything. I’ve been apologizing for the past twelve years. Please forgive me!" He pleaded, his voice filled with regret.

For a brief moment, my heart softened, but the voice inside me immediately shut it down.

"This man has some nerve." My inner voice said, incredulous.

"Don’t fall for it. He’s just acting. He said the same thing before, and look where we are now. Don’t believe him." my inner voice warned.

I didn’t reply. Instead, I ended the call and got out of bed to take a shower, hoping it would help clear my head.

About an hour later, I stepped out of the bathroom, realizing it was already 7 PM. I threw on a T-shirt and sweatpants, grabbed a pair of sneakers, and slung my headset around my neck. I needed to take a walk to clear my mind, or I would go crazy from all the thoughts swirling in my head.

"Yeah, we definitely need it." My inner voice agreed, its tone matching my exhaustion.

As I made my way out, I saw my mom and grandma chatting in the living room. I tried to sneak past them to avoid another conversation, but just as I was about to slip out, I heard my mom call my name.

"Now you’ve got no choice." My inner voice remarked.

"Mel!" my mom called.

Reluctantly, I turned back.

"Hey, Mom," I greeted her.

"How are you doing, Mel?" She asked, concern evident in her voice.

"I’m fine, Mom." I said quickly.

"You came home and didn’t check on me or your sister, nor did you check on Grandma." She said, her eyes searching mine.

I glanced over at Grandma, who was giving me the same questioning look.

"That’s not fair, you know." Grandma pouted, sounding like a child.

"Yeah, I know. I’m sorry, I was so tired when I got back, I just needed a nap, until....." I said, but I trailed off when I remembered the call from that man. I didn’t want to tell Mom about it, not wanting her to ask questions I couldn’t answer.

Mom interrupted my thoughts. "Until what, Mela?"

"Nothing, Mom. Nothing." I replied, trying to end the conversation.

"But where are you going? It’s getting late, and it’s starting to get dark." Grandma asked, diverting the conversation.

"I’m just going for a walk down the street. I’ll be back soon. Bye, Mom. Bye, Grandma." I said, trying to leave before either of them could say anything else.

Headphones on, I walked through the quiet streets, the music barely drowning out the unease that was creeping over me. For some reason, I felt like I was being followed. When I turned, the street was empty, silent, with no one around. The eerie feeling persisted, but I tried to ignore it.

"Maybe you’re just overthinking it." my inner voice suggested, sounding almost reassuring.

But then I heard footsteps behind me.

I wasn’t imagining it. I was being followed. Panic gripped my chest, and I didn’t know what to do. I had to act fast, just in case.

"Clench your fist, and if they get too close, be ready to defend yourself." My inner voice advised.

I turned around, only to find the same guy from class staring at me. His eyes were still that striking green, gleaming under the moonlight. His hair, as black as the night, rustled in the breeze.

I froze, my heart almost leaping out of my chest.

"What the hell is going on?" I demanded, frustration lacing my voice as I removed my headset.

"I believe this path doesn’t belong to you." He said in a cold, deep voice, his gaze making the chill in my spine intensify.

Before I could respond, he stormed off, leaving me standing there, mouth agape.

"Well, that went well." My inner voice quipped sarcastically.

I stood there, bewildered, before heading home, trying to steady my racing heart, all while remaining alert for any sign that I was being followed again.

When I got home, I found Mom and Grandma had finished their dinner. They were sitting in the living room.

"Hey, baby." Mom greeted me warmly.

I was about to rush to my room to avoid more conversations, but Mom stopped me.

"I’ve got a slight headache, Mom. I need to rest." I said softly.

"Okay, sweetie. Good night." She replied, smiling. I appreciated her understanding.

"Good night, Mom. Good night, Grandma." I said quickly, heading to my room before Grandma could respond.

I could feel their disappointment, but there was nothing I could do. Life had put me in a dark hole where I couldn’t truly connect with my loved ones the way I wanted to.

Once in my room, I took off my headset, set it down beside me, and lay on my bed, trying to relax as the events of the day that flooded my mind.

I picked up a book, hoping to distract myself, but then my phone rang again. I hoped it wasn’t him again, but of course, it was.

I stared at the screen, my hope crushed. It was him—again.

"You go, baby girl." My inner voice cheered.

"Don’t you dare." I muttered, annoyed by its words.

"I was just trying to cheer you up." It said apologetically.

I rejected the call, shoved my phone under my pillow, and set it to silent mode. I put my headphones on, knowing I’d be awake for the rest of the night. Though I wasn’t sure. But, I eventually fell asleep.

*****

"Please, Dad, it hurts. Please don’t do this again. I promise I won’t tell Mom. I’ll keep quiet. Just stop, it’s really hurting, Dad."

"Mela, shut up. I’ve had enough of your whining." Dad growled, sounding frustrated. His words cut through me, but his indifference to my pain was what hurt the most.

*****

I jolted awake, drenched in sweat, realizing that I had been crying. Mom rushed into my room, knowing the signs of my nightmares and emotional breakdowns.

She tried to comfort me, but I pushed her away. She, too, was part of the reason I had nightmares, unknowingly, of course. Had she not left me that day, I wouldn’t be in this mess. I wouldn’t have these nightmares or emotional meltdowns.

After dawn, I wore my usual mask of indifference. I didn’t want to talk to anyone, and I didn’t meet Mom or Grandma before leaving for school.

Arriving at class, I was grateful that the professor hadn’t shown up yet. I didn’t have any explanation for being late, nor did I feel like talking. But then I saw him again, the same guy from yesterday. His eyes locked on me, intense and unsettling.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t just a coincidence. He had been following me. I needed to confront him, tell him to stop stalking me, and leave me alone.

"But he might not be stalking you. Remember, he asked if the road belonged to you, which it doesn’t. He could just be out for a walk like you were." My inner voice reasoned.

"Oh, so now you’re on his side?" I snapped, irritated.

"I’m just trying to make you understand." It replied, calm but insistent.

I marched up to him and said, "We don’t know each other. So why are you always staring at me like that? What’s your deal?"

He didn’t answer. Instead, he glared at me, making me feel as though I was the one out of place. Before I could say anything more, he stormed off, uninterested in my words.

"Well, there you go." My inner voice remarked, its tone teasing.