Melody
Chapter nineteen
College is a whirlwind and everything I could have hoped for. It’s long hours studying in the library, working in the greenhouse as my professor rambles about ecosystems and soil, and freedom.
I hit the roommate jackpot with Kodi. She was able to wiggle her way in, breezing through our RAs and convincing them to put us together. While our majors couldn’t be anymore different, I’m glad to have a friendly face on campus. Having her close doesn’t make me feel so alone…
I try not to think about it, but Kaden and I haven’t spoken since he dropped me off a month ago.
I’ve left his messages on read, and when Mom questioned me about it, I told her I was too busy studying for my first round of exams. Every time my phone pings with a new alert, I get flustered and my heart hammers.
Seeing his name pop up opens a whole new window of complicated thoughts I shouldn’t be thinking of.
Like if he’s missing me or if he’s finding little ways to fill his time…
What if he gets a girlfriend?
What if he’s asking her for the same kisses that have kept me up late at night, my hands trailing down until a finger slicks through my arousal?
I don’t like the rock that settles in the pit of my stomach at that thought. I shouldn’t be doing this to myself. I got away to clear my head, but all I can do when I’m alone is think of what Kaden is doing right now.
As I step out of the lecture hall, the evening rays of light slowly begin to fade.
I stayed late to ask questions and utilize the tutoring offered by a professor’s aide.
There’s hardly anyone out at this hour as silence blankets the campus.
I spot a few peers on the other side of the path, their heads tucked as they shuffle back to the East dorms, but other than that, I’m alone.
I pull my cardigan over my chest, curling my arms around myself to block the slight wind chill.
My dorm is only a few blocks away, and I stare at the brick path beneath my feet as the street lamps flicker on, providing warm yellow light.
The sounds of the other students fade in the distance as they reach their destination, and I’m left to walk the campus.
I try to distract myself with the overload of information explained during tutoring—my brain flipping through physical characteristics to identify the plants we’re learning.
I’m so busy with my mental work that at first I don’t notice the creeping sensation at the back of my neck.
It starts like a wandering note, something barely there and easy to ignore, before it turns into a full shiver, and awareness pings down my spine.
I turn quickly, my heart stammering as I squint into the night. My eyes gloss over every discernible spot that someone could be hiding, but there’s nothing there. I shake my head, continuing on my path. “I’m sleep deprived. That’s all—”
A sound echoes from behind me—a boot scuffing across the cement. I stare unseeingly at the ground in front of me, afraid to turn around as my nape crawls. I can feel that there’s a presence there now, and I can’t bring myself to turn around.
I close my eyes, taking a deep breath, hoping that it doesn’t give away how terrified I am.
I don’t want this person to know they’ve cornered me.
My hand gently roots around in the pocket of my cardigan, and I grip the pepper spray tightly.
I’ve never had to use it before, but after Kodi gifted it to me the first day of class, I’ve carried it ever since.
I rotate my body slowly, holding my weapon that’s shielded by my pocket as I try to put on a brave face that probably seems strained.
At first, I don’t notice anything out of the ordinary.
The walkway is clear, and I have a direct line of sight to the lecture hall I exited from.
And then I scan further along the path, and my heart drops.
Three streetlamps down, a tall, daunting figure lurks. He’s wide, obviously male, with a dark hoodie and black jeans. There’s something over his face, obscuring his nose and mouth, but he’s too far away for me to see his eyes.
My initial thought is Kaden. Until I realize Mom said he’s been taking night classes online and hasn’t been around much. Something about his friend Ivan roping him into helping with a business proposal. He’s been busy lately, and he texted me a few hours ago.
Why would he text only to end up on the campus I’m currently staying at? That doesn’t make any sense.
The figure’s legs are spread wide, and his hands are tucked into the pockets of his hoodie. He doesn’t move an inch as we stare at each other.
I don’t want to turn my back on him. What if he follows me? I can’t have him finding out which dorm is mine—
“Melody!” Kodi shouts from behind me.
I jump, turning to face her as she pokes her head out of the stairwell leading to our dorm. “What are you doing?”
I blink, my mouth moving until I can find the words. “There’s a man…” as I turn back to point out the stranger, he’s gone.
A late-night storm rages outside my dorm window, the wind howling viciously as a tree branch scrapes across the glass.
I groan, rolling over as I tuck the covers tightly around me.
Kodi’s light snores rattle across the room, and I’m sure she’s sleeping in some odd position like she always does.
She’s worse than a heavy sleeper. The girl is practically dead to the world until the sun rises.
I sigh as I wiggle further into my blanket cocoon, comfort embracing me like a warm hug, and lightning strikes, illuminating our room with blue-white light.
An unnatural shadow stretches across my wall, making my eyes pop open as I toss the covers aside and shoot up in bed.
My pulse pounds in a quick flutter, making my skin buzz with adrenaline.
There’s nothing in the darkness of my room.
I place a hand over my chest, a tired, shaky chuckle leaving me. “I’m losing it. I have to stop having caffeine and sugar before bed.”
I slide down from my high-rise bunk, slipping into my plush slippers.
My nightie grazes the tops of my thighs as I shuffle quietly to the door that leads to our suite.
It’s connected with our rooms, and there’s a small kitchen space and a quaint living room that barely fits more than four people at a time.
It’s become my home over the last month, and seeing the little touches Kodi and I have added to it only makes me smile.
Our white sofa is a cheap one we bought online.
It’s a little worn with a few poorly patched spots, but after a thorough deep cleaning and some TLC, we decorated it with plush throw blankets and added a matching antique coffee table that Kodi found in town.
Our TV stands on a shelf that we transformed into an entertainment center, decorated with our sentimental photos and adorned with fairy lights.
I move into the kitchen, my eyelids heavy as I fix myself some water. The glass is cool against my hands, and I gulp it down until I almost give myself a brain freeze. As I set the cup down by the sink, a photo on the shelf catches my eye.
It’s the one Mom took of Kaden and me years ago, our clothes muddy and my eyes still red from crying at our nanny’s fussing.
He’s holding me closely, the smile he only wears around me, gentle and warm. It’s moments like these when I miss him so deeply that it makes my chest pang.
But I shouldn’t. I can’t cling to him, no matter how badly I want to. This forbidden thing between us could ruin our family, and our parents have suffered enough.
It doesn’t make it hurt any less, and every day without him is like a piece of me is missing. They say time heals all wounds, but I think I’m only making mine worse, picking at those tattered shambles like a vulture.