CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Anya
As soon as I hang up the phone with Jacob, I feel a wave of relief that he arrived safely. But I desperately want to tell him about everything that has happened since he left. I want to share what I discovered when I returned home. But deep down, I know it would only distract him from his training. I can't be the reason for his loss of focus, and now I regret even telling him about the stalker in the first place. Well, part of me does. The other part is grateful to have someone besides Lana to confide in. However, Lana refuses to leave my side. It's touching, but also makes me feel guilty for putting her life on hold like this. I try to push these thoughts aside and continue with my day. But Lana continues to wander around the house, constantly checking and rechecking the doors and windows. Every so often, she peers out the front windows onto the lawn.
"Lana, will you please sit down and relax?" I say exasperated and slightly annoyed.
"I'm just making sure everything is secure outside. You can never be too careful," she replies without even looking at me.
"Lana!" I say firmly, causing her to turn her head towards me. "Your constant pacing and checking isn't helping anyone. It's making me nervous. Please, just sit down."
She lets out a loud sigh and plops onto the couch. "I just want to make sure you're safe," she says in frustration.
Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my knees and fold my hands before gently looking at her. "I understand your concern and appreciate you wanting to keep me safe. But all your checking and double-checking won't change anything. So please, just try to relax a bit."
She slouches in defeat but nods her head in agreement. "Fine, I'll try my best to tone it down. But I won't stop keeping an eye on you."
"Okay, that's fair," I reply with a small smile.
As Lana finally settles down on the couch, I can't help but feel a twinge of guilt for snapping at her. She's only trying to protect me, just like Jacob and everyone else. The weight of their concern presses down on me, both comforting and suffocating at the same time.
I move to sit beside Lana, feeling the warmth of her presence beside me. "Thank you, Lana. I know you're just looking out for me," I say softly, reaching out to squeeze her hand in gratitude.
She offers me a small smile, her eyes reflecting a mix of weariness and determination. "Always, Anya. I promised Jacob I'd watch over you, and I intend to keep that promise."
Her mention of Jacob brings a pang to my heart. Since meeting him, he has always been my rock, my safe space through the darkest of times.
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to push away the lingering worry and fear that gripped my heart. "I miss him, Lana," I confess quietly, feeling tears threatening to spill over.
Lana's hand tightens around mine, offering silent support. "I know, it's hard having him away, especially with everything going on."
As we sit in the living room, the clock ticking loudly in the background, I feel a sense of unease settling over me once more. A sudden shiver runs down my spine, and I wrap my arms around myself, trying to ward off the chill that seeps into my bones. Lana notices my discomfort and moves closer, her comforting presence a balm to my frayed nerves.
"Anya, we'll get through this. Together," Lana whispers, her voice filled with quiet determination.
I nod in agreement, determined to get up and start my day. "Let's have some lunch first, and then we can go shopping for workout gear before the self-defense class tonight," I suggest with enthusiasm. Lana's face lights up at the mention of shopping. "Girl! you know how to win me over," she jokes with a laugh.
After lunch we head out to a nearby sports store, the cool breeze outside is a welcome change from the stifling atmosphere in the house. Lana's infectious energy is a stark contrast to the tension that constantly lingers within me.
I try to focus on picking out workout gear, but my mind keeps wandering back to the stalker. The thought of someone watching, waiting, fills me with a sense of dread that refuses to dissipate. Even with Lana by my side, the fear coils in the pit of my stomach like a slithering serpent.
As we browse through the racks of workout clothes and gear, Lana is like a whirlwind of color and enthusiasm, pulling out various items for me to try on. Her energy brings me out of my dark thoughts.
"Anya, you have to get this one! It'll make you look like a total badass," Lana exclaims, holding up a sleek black sports bra with matching leggings.
I chuckle at her eagerness and shake my head. "I think I'll stick to something a bit more low-key Lana. Besides, I doubt anyone will be looking at my outfit during the class."
Lana pouts playfully but eventually relents, helping me pick out a few comfortable yet practical workout outfits. As we finish up our shopping, I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the full-length mirror at the end of the aisle. The image that stares back at me is a stark reminder of the turmoil that has consumed my life in recent weeks. Dark circles under my eyes betray the sleepless nights spent in fear, and the tension that lines my face speaks volumes of the constant unease that grips my heart. Lana's vibrant presence beside me casts a sharp contrast to my own subdued demeanor, highlighting the weight of responsibility that rests on my shoulders.
I take a deep breath, trying to shake off the heavy cloak of anxiety that threatens to suffocate me. Today is about taking a step forward, reclaiming a sense of control in the face of looming threats. Self-defense class may be just one small part of that journey, but it is a crucial step towards empowerment, towards breaking free from the shackles of fear.
As we approach the checkout counter, Lana's infectious chatter fills the air, momentarily dispelling the lingering shadows that cling to my thoughts. The cashier greets us with a warm smile, scanning our items as Lana continues to gush about her excitement for the class. I nod along, grateful for her unwavering support and light-hearted demeanor that eases the heaviness in my chest.
After we paid for our items, Lana insisted on grabbing a couple of smoothies from a nearby cafe before heading home. The cool, refreshing drink is a welcome relief from the tension that has been coiled tight within me. As we sit at a small table by the window, sipping our smoothies, Lana's phone buzzes with a text notification. She glances down at the screen, furrowing her brows in confusion.
"Who was that?" I ask, curious about the sudden change in her expression.
Lana's eyes flick up to meet mine, a mix of concern and disbelief clouding her features. "It's from an unknown number. They're asking if we're enjoying our shopping trip," she says, her voice tinged with nervousness.
I snatch Lana's phone and stare at the messages on the screen. Why are they contacting her now? Guilt and fear churn in my stomach, knowing that I may have put Lana in even more danger by involving her in this mess. "Lana, I can't let you help me anymore," I say, returning her phone to her. She looks at me with shock. "What?" she responds.
"I can't bear to put you in any more danger than I already have by dragging you into this," I say solemnly.
She scoffs, "Girl, please. I chose to be here. There was no way I was going to let you face this alone!" she declares.
"Lana, I -
She raises her hand, cutting me off, "No, Anya! You didn't force me into this or twist my arm. I'm here because I want to be," she insists.
"Okay, but -
She waves her hand dismissively. "No! No buts. Just accept that you're stuck with me," she teases.
"Now, let me handle this asshole!" Lana says, typing furiously on her phone. Each ding of a new message only increases my anxiety.
I watch Lana as she types her reply, her fingers tapping the screen determinedly. She shoots a worried glance at me before sending the message, then sighs with relief.
"What did you say?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
"I warned them to back off for good—or I’ll make them regret it," Lana says, her tone lethal, leaving no room for doubt. But even in her cold resolve, I can still sense the fear she's burying deep.
I swallow helplessly, feeling a combination of gratitude and guilt. Gratitude for Lana's quick thinking and bravery, but guilt for involving her in this mess. We finish our smoothies in silence, each lost in our thoughts.
As we leave the cafe, I notice a figure loitering nearby, standing just far enough away to avoid detection. My heart races at the sight, but I force myself to remain calm.
"Lana, do you see that guy over there?" I whisper, pointing subtly to the figure in question.
Before I know it, Lana storms towards the mysterious figure as my heart races in fear. "Lana, stop!" I scream, but she is already out of reach. The man takes off in a sprint and Lana doesn't hesitate to chase him down. My mind races with panic as I watch them disappear into the darkness. Suddenly, Lana comes running back to me and practically drags me to the car. "We are leaving now," she demands, her voice stern and commanding.
As we speed towards my house, I can feel my anger building up inside each minute we sit in silence. "Do you have any idea how stupid that was? You could have been hurt or worse!" I blurt out, unable to contain my frustration.
"Well, I wanted to find out who it was once and for all," she snaps back, matching my fiery tone.
"And did you? Was it worth risking your life for?" I ask, my voice trembling with a mixture of anger and fear.
Lana slumps back in her seat and lets out a defeated sigh. "No," she admits quietly.
"So, you put yourself in danger for nothing!" I cry out, my emotions getting the best of me.
Guilt creeps into Lana's voice as she apologizes, "I wasn't thinking, okay? I'm sorry."
I take a deep breath and try to calm myself down. "Lana, I’m sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. But please understand, you scared the shit out of me. You're my best friend and I don't know what I would do if something happened to you," I say sincerely as we pull into my driveway.
Turning towards her, I grab her hands tightly. "You mean everything to me and I can't lose you over something so reckless," I plead with tears threatening to spill from my eyes.
We share a smile before exiting the car and heading inside to get ready for our class. As we prepare ourselves, the weight of the situation hangs heavy in the air.
A couple of hours later, we finally arrive at the self-defense class. It's technically a martial arts studio, but they have someone come in to teach self-defense at night. As soon as we walk in, a young man behind the desk greets us with a warm smile.
"Welcome ladies, are you here for the self-defense class?" he asks, his charming smile working its magic on Lana.
I chuckle and shake my head as I see Lana drooling over this guy.
"I...We...I...I mean -"
"Yes, we are. We're trying out the free class tonight," I say, since apparently Lana is at a loss for words.
"Great! My name is Adam, and I'll be leading the class tonight. Can I have your names?" he says, still sporting that panty-dropping smile.
"I'm Anya...no, sorry...I mean Lana," Lana giggles and then recovers. "I'm Lana, and she's Anya," she says, batting her doe-eyes and shaking Adam's hand excitedly.
I can't help but be amused by the whole situation. Honestly, I don't blame Lana - Adam is undeniably handsome with his lean muscles and dimples when he smiles. But even though it flatters me that he keeps glancing over at me, he's no Jacob.
"It's nice to meet you both. I just need you to fill out some paperwork before we get started," he says and hands us two clipboards before walking away.
"Oh. My. God! He is drop-dead gorgeous!" Lana quietly exclaims. "Is it wrong that I want to jump his bones right now?" she grins from ear to ear.
I laugh and reply, "Lana, focus! We're here for self-defense class, not to pick up guys."
"Well, who says we can't do both?" she retorts, but I just shake my head. Seeing her so happy and carefree brings me joy. We've been so stressed since the first note arrived, but this reminds me of all the fun times we used to have at clubs without worrying about cryptic messages or stalkers. So if Lana wants to flirt with the hot self-defense instructor, then who am I to stop her.
It took us both no time to fill out the paperwork and Lana quickly leads us to the front of the class to be closer to Adam. He runs us through some warmup exercises and then teaches us the basics. The class then partners up and we practice each move. Lana and I can’t help but laugh with one another as we try the moves on each other.
Adam walks around the classroom, his eyes scanning every student with a critical gaze. As he approaches us, I notice Lana's cheeks flush a deep shade of red under his intense stare. He flashes her a striking smile, then moves to stand behind her and slowly glides his hands around her hips. With a firm grip on her left hip, he pulls it back towards him while holding her right hip in place to adjust her stance. Standing closely behind her, he presses his body into hers, causing her to breathe heavily. He lowers himself slightly, bringing her body along with his until her knees are bent at a sharp angle. Then, with a predatory gleam in his eye, he leans into her neck, and whispers something that makes her gasp and squirm. Then he lets go and walks away. Lana’s face is beet red, begins fanning herself and giggling. Then she excuses herself to get a water break.
My body ignites with a fiery desire as I watched the scene unfold in front of me. Every inch of my skin tingled with anticipation and I couldn’t help but crave for Jacob's touch, imagining him here with his strong hands grasping me, fingers digging into my hips with a fervent hunger. My mind swims with visions of his chest pressed against my back, his lips and tongue tickling the sensitive skin on the side of my neck, and his hands burning to trail down the length of my thighs...
“ANYA,” Lana snaps, snapping her fingers in my face.
“Oh, sorry. What were you saying?” I feel embarrassed for allowing my mind to go there in the middle of class. Lana gives me a knowing smirk. “You were thinking about Jacob, weren’t you?” she teases. I smile and give her a look without saying anything. “Girl, you guys are gonna be like rabbits when he gets back,” she whispers.
I playfully gasp and push her, causing her to laugh. Then I notice Adam's serious expression as he approaches us. “Ladies, while I encourage you to have fun, it's important to take this seriously during class,” he says firmly. Both Lana and I close our mouths and nod solemnly.
We continue practicing for another 45 minutes before Adam dismisses the class. As we dry off with our towels, he comes over to us. “So, what did you girls think?” he asks.
“We are definitely going to sign up!” Lana exclaims eagerly.
“Great! Let me get your information and then you ladies can be on your way,” Adam says. Suddenly, I freeze. I pull Lana aside and whisper, “Can we just use your information?” She looks at me with confusion. “I don't want to give my stalker any more ammunition to find me,” I plead. She nods in understanding and we go back toward Adam and give him Lana's details.
“You both live together?” he asks as he types on the computer.
“Yes, she's moving in with me,” Lana lies. Adam smiles and continues typing. As we wait for him to finish, I notice movement outside the window and my heart races. Sensing my change in demeanor, Lana follows my gaze. “What is it?” she whispers.
“I think someone is out there,” I say anxiously.
“Is everything alright ladies?” Adam asks as he hands us some paperwork to sign.
“Yes, everything's fine,” I say quickly before Lana can speak and start signing my name on the papers. Lana does the same and then we say goodbye, telling him we'll see him next week.
Once we're in my car, Lana gives me a puzzled look. “Why didn't you want to tell Adam what's going on?” she asks.
“After you received that message today, I don't want to involve anyone else in this mess,” I explain, trying to calm my nerves by breathing deeply. “I don't want to put anyone else's life at risk.”
Lana nods but I can tell she's holding something back. “What is it?” I ask as I pull out of the parking lot.
“Well, I was thinking that if we enlist his help, you'll have more protection. He's a self-defense instructor, so he has more experience dealing with this kind of stuff,” she suggests. I consider her words for a moment before finally agreeing. “Fine, we can tell him next week.” Lana squeals in excitement and I can't help but smile at her enthusiasm.
“Okay, so I might also have an ulterior motive. I want the opportunity to see him more than once a week,” she admits sheepishly.
I shake my head and laugh, “Yeah, I figured.”
“You really are the bestest friend ever! And I'm sorry for using your serious and dangerous situation to help me date our instructor,” she says apologetically.
“Lana, all I want is for you to be happy. I know that you're also taking the stalker situation seriously. That's just who you are, and I love you for it. But you deserve to be happy too.” Then Lana talks about how gorgeous Adam is during the whole ride home. I'm glad she's getting back out there. I still don't know what happened between her and Caleb, but I'm just happy she's trying again. If she could find what Jacob and I have, it would make me happy. This is definitely a step in the right direction, and hopefully soon we'll be rid of this stalker and can get back to living our lives.