I needed a drink and a night in the wild. Ever since the stranger disappeared I hadn't gotten proper sleep. I needed sleep, badly, but sleep didn't want me. It legit watched me come and bang on its door but ignored me by wearing headphones.
I hadn't even seen his face nor had I at least locked eyes with him. Although I had swiftly skimmed over him, it hadn't been enough to memorize his features. All I knew was the color of his hair and the stubble that spread across his jawline.
It made me wonder about him. Made me wonder who he was and why he was after me. I wondered if he had been around for a while and had decided to follow me. I wondered if he was just a person that loved to admire from afar.
But then I wondered what if he was a killer? If he was a psycho, one that loved to poke and tease their prey until they snatched it up. I wondered if he was just a deranged fan but I knew how fans worked but we were always warned to be wary of the different fan bases.
He knew where I worked, he knew my name and I was sure that he knew my identification. My family and friends. Most importantly, I was sure that he knew where I lived.
So what is to say that he wasn't outside watching me right now… waiting for a moment where he would have me in his hands.
Or maybe he liked you?
Nope, he's a creep.
I closed my window and latched it shut. Not caring that it might get hot at night, I would rather take my chances and if I needed to go commando, then so be it. If James refused to sleep on the sofa, he would have to deal with the situation and have to suck it up.
"What's going on with you?" I heard, I turned to find James staring at me with concern.
"It's nothing. I just… I just need to sleep." I mumbled.
"You don't have to preach that, your mother and I noticed. That's part of the reason why I'm here, trying to figure out certain things… yesterday at the bar. I saw a guy take a seat next to you and you seemed spooked when he left." He said
"Spooked…"
"Yes. Like Casper the ghost vibes. Did that man say anything scary or intimidating to you?" he asked softly.
Keeping quiet, I heard his careful steps approach me and all I could do is wonder… who was that man. I felt a caress on the side of my face and pulled out my daze to watch James.
He locked eyes with me and I noticed his eyes begin to slowly begin to change color. It was almost mesmerizing watching them and I just couldn't pull my daze away.
"You know that whatever happens, I am here, only for you and I will never pull away. You know that right?" he whispered, his minty breath fanning my face.
"Tell me something new…" I murmured.
"Okay kids, so I'm going to be heading out in like a second an-" we heard and pulled away from each other but it was way too late.
My mother watched us with curious eyes and if I was her I would do the same. She knew she had interrupted something but what exactly it was she was unsure. I was too and that made me realize we were messing up.
So I pulled away from James, bursting whatever bubble had been created and let a numb expression cover it. All I wondered was if I was the only one to feel that and that already was something that should've never tested.
I couldn't feel anything for James, especially since it was impossible for him to feel anything for me. We both knew each other too well, always laughing off the possibility because of what we knew was right and wrong.
But mainly because nothing had actually transpired between us. Whenever we danced and let the music control us. We knew each other well enough to rely on each other physically, mentally but never had we really tested it emotionally.
Emotions were never my strongest, I had seen my mother's pain when my father left, had felt the pain myself too many times and yes, I had made sure to deal with them the right way. That way the next wouldn't have to suffer because of the ex.
James had seen it and at times, defended me when I nearly let the shallow pain swallow me whole. I had always done the same for him also but now… I didn't know what to say to blow off this situation.
This moment.
So I wondered… what would this mean for the both of us…