I was frozen at the doorway, the moment feeling surreal. My brother Noel had no idea about the unresolved insecurity and history I shared with Robert Gradisson. To him, Robert was just an old classmate—a familiar face from his school days. But for me, Robert was a shadow of my past, a boy who had left an indelible mark on my teenage heart.
Noel knocked on the door with an informal familiarity. "Hey, what's wrong? You look as though you have seen a ghost," he teased.
I'm okay, Noel. I just need to change my clothes, then I will go back inside.
Robert settled into the couch, watching me with a sly, knowing grin that made my skin crawl. How had I not recognized him? All the hours we spent together those days, and it never clicked in my head. I cursed myself for being a fool and stepped into my room.
Fifteen minutes later, I emerged, freshly dressed and composed—or so I hoped. My eyes immediately darted toward Robert, who was still lounging on the sofa, his gaze fixed on me like a predator watching its prey. That sly, infuriating smile never left his face, and it ignited a mix of frustration and unease in me.
Noel approached me with his usual casual demeanor. "What's with the sour expression, Amy?"
I shook my head, offering a forced smile. "Nothing. Do you want anything to eat?" I tried to redirect the conversation.
"Do you even have anything worth eating at home?" Noel teased. "Let's head out. It has been ages since we ate together."
As Noel left to take a shower, he called out, "Get ready! We'll go as soon as I'm done.
I relaxed at the temporary relief, but once the shower water began to splatter, the weight of Robert's gaze once again fell upon me.
He was standing up now from the couch with the same ease as though he was one with the chair, and with each step forward, my heart was racing like a runaway stallion. My instincts screamed for me to run, and I did just that—darting toward my room in a panic. I tried to close the door behind me, but Robert was quicker. His hand slammed against the door, stopping it from shutting, and with a force that startled me, he pushed it open and stepped inside.
He closed the door behind him with a quiet finality, trapping me between him and the hard surface. My back pressed against the door as his arms caged me in, his presence overwhelming.
"Still hung up on the rejection, Amy?" he asked, his voice low, almost mocking.
The words sent a shiver down my spine, dragging me back to a memory I had buried deep within. Robert Gradisson had been my brother's classmate, and I had been a starry-eyed teenager who was smitten with him. At fifteen, I had gathered all the courage I could to confess my feelings on my birthday, thinking it was a moment destined to change everything.
But it hadn't gone as I'd hoped. Robert had rejected me with a dismissive ease that shattered my young heart. Ashamed and humiliated, I had avoided him ever since, locking myself away whenever he visited my home. Over the years, I had convinced myself that he was a distant memory, someone I would never see again. Yet here he was, standing inches away from me, more confident and imposing than ever.
"Robert, leave me alone," I whispered, not really believing he would hear anything.
He didn't move. But his eyes held mine, his expression one of studying me almost as if seeking cracks in armor built over time. "You were so young then, Amy. You must have had no idea what you felt," he added softly, although the intensity had not left his gaze.
I pushed against his chest with all the strength I could muster. "I said, leave me alone!"
To my relief, the pressure of his presence eased as he stepped back, allowing me to slip past him and out of the room. My heart was pounding as I hurried down the hallway. Moments later, Noel emerged from the bathroom, looking refreshed and oblivious to the storm brewing within me.
"Ready?" Noel asked jovially, going for the car keys.
"Yes," I said steadily, pushing down the raging storm inside.
We went into a restaurant quietly, Noel making occasional sounds at the music of the radio on. Robert sat in my thoughts, his words repeating in a broken record, like an inscription on a slab of granite.
At the restaurant, Noel and I settled down in a booth in the corner. As I tried the different food items, I couldn't help but notice Robert wasn't there. I wondered whether he had already left or whether he was somewhere, hiding until he could sneak up on me once again.
"Do you like the food?" Noel's voice jerked me back to reality.
"Yes, it's delicious," I said with a real smile.
He chuckled. "You always get pleased so easily when it comes to food."
For a moment, it felt like things had returned to normal, but this did not last long.
Warm candle light and soft restaurant ambiance seem to calm my overwrought nerves at least temporarily while sitting down with Noel to a nice meal. Gently clinking plates and muffled hums of conversation behind us drown my thoughts temporarily as I focused intently on what I was eating, trying not to pay heed to the sharp looks Robert was shooting me, the way he came so close when we sat outside.
You're being very quiet today," Noel said, leaning back in his chair. "What's the matter with you, Amy?"
"Nothing," I shot back hastily, turning my face away. "I'm just. tired."
"Hmm," he murmured, raising an eyebrow slightly as if trying to read through my words. "Make sure you're getting enough rest. You look a bit. flustered.
Flustered was an understatement. My mind started racing, thinking about what I could say to change the subject. "How's work going? You must have so many stories from abroad," I asked, trying to steer it toward him.
Noel smiled and started telling me in detail about his recent projects and travels. I listened, relieved by the distraction. His enthusiasm was contagious, and for a moment, I let myself relax. Yet even as we spoke, I couldn't shake the feeling that Robert's shadow still hung over me.
After dinner, Noel drove us home. The ride was peaceful, with Noel humming along to the music and me staring out the window, trying to ground myself. When we pulled up to the house, I noticed the living room light glowing faintly through the window. My stomach churned.
Noel opened the door, and we entered the house. Robert was no longer in the living room, but I could still feel his presence lingering in the air like a ghostly weight. I scanned the room, half-expecting him to suddenly pop out of nowhere.
"Chill out, Amy," Noel teased with a laugh. "You're acting like there's a ghost in the house."
Little did he know how fitting that analogy was.
Noel lay down on the couch and flipped on the television. "I'm going to go in for a few episodes of some shows before bed," he said. "You get some rest."
"Yeah… goodnight," I mumbled and retreated into my room.
As soon as I closed the door behind me, I leaned against it, letting out a shaky breath. The day's events replayed in my mind, each memory more vivid than the last. Robert's smirk, his taunting words, the way he had cornered me in my room—it all felt too overwhelming.
I paced the room, trying to make sense of my emotions. How could someone who had once made me feel so small and insignificant now have such a powerful hold over me? And why did I still care?
My thoughts were interrupted by a faint knock at the door. My heart leaped into my throat.
"Who is it?" I called out, trying to keep my voice steady.
"It's me," Noel replied.
Relieved, I opened the door.
"Just checking in," he said, leaning against the doorframe. "You've been acting weird all evening. Are you sure everything's okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine," I said, forcing a smile. "Just tired."
He studied me for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly, but eventually, he nodded. "Alright. Get some sleep.
After he left, I climbed into bed, pulling the covers up to my chin. I closed my eyes, willing myself to fall asleep, but the silence of the house only amplified the storm in my mind.
Hours later, I woke to the faint creak of a floorboard outside my room. My eyes flew open, and I held my breath, straining to hear. The house was dark and silent, save for the occasional groan of wood settling.
I tried to psyche myself into thinking it didn't matter, but the uneasiness in my chest just wouldn't go away. Summoning my courage, I slid out of bed quietly and tiptoed to the door. I flattened my ear against the wall, listening intently.
Another creak. Closer this time.
I trembled as I extended my hand for the doorknob. Slowly, I turned it and opened the door crack.
There, at the far end of the hall, stood Robert. The moonlight spilling through the window barely cast his silhouette.