Chapter 5
As soon as I said it, something dark flickered over the online boyfriend’s head.
At the same time, light flashed through the window.
Headlights from a passing car cut across the room for one quick second.
The tall guy squinted.
“Maybe it was just a lighting shift.”
Maybe.
But I didn’t think so.
Across the room, my best friend and her boyfriend finally noticed us again.
“What are you two looking at?” her boyfriend asked.
I came back to myself instantly and pointed at the tall guy.
“Oh, him. He was watching you two kiss. I told him it was rude. Better to watch car headlights.”
A question mark practically appeared over the poor man’s head.
Her boyfriend looked offended.
“That’s not cool, bro. My girlfriend’s embarrassed.”
The tall guy closed his eyes for one long second, pointed at the door, and said flatly, “Are we leaving or not?”
We left.
On the way out, my best friend whispered shyly, “If we can’t eat, can I maybe stay out a little longer tonight?”
I looked at her expressionless.
“No.”
She turned instantly to her boyfriend and pouted.
“Baby, I have to go back to campus.”
He played along immediately.
“I’ll miss you. Dream about me tonight.”
I snorted.
“Only dead people rely on dream appearances.”
The second those words left my mouth, I felt something pinch the back of my neck.
Not hard.
Just distinct.
I turned slowly and stared at the tall guy behind me.
He stared back.
“Why are you looking at me?” he asked.
Then his eyes widened.
“I did not ask you to dream about me.”
My best friend perked up instantly.
“Oho. You two kind of have a vibe.”
Before she could say anything more, the tall guy cleared his throat.
“Sorry. I actually have plans tonight.”
I nodded.
“Same. I have an appointment.”
“What appointment?” my best friend asked at once. “You never told me. Who are you meeting?”
I raised one brow.
“A man.”
Her eyes nearly left her skull.
From the restaurant to the street, she clung to me and grilled me nonstop, all while sneaking looks behind us and sighing like she was mourning a missed opportunity.
“What is wrong with you?” I finally asked.
She lowered her voice.
“I thought you and that guy…”
I looked at her.
“That guy?”
“The tall one,” she whispered. “He’s handsome. He’s single. Why not at least see where it goes?”
I stared at her.
“You’ve recovered quickly from your face-filtering illness.”
“Then why do you still keep roasting my edited photos?”
“Because you edit yourself like a haunted skeleton.”
She pinched me.
“I’m being serious. Just try. It’s not like trying costs anything. Unless your mystery date tonight is even hotter than he is.”
That, I honestly did not know.
Behind us, the two men caught up.
“What are you girls talking about?” the boyfriend asked.
My best friend looked at me once, then grinned.
“We’re talking about Summer’s date tonight. A total hottie. She really likes him.”
My head started to hurt.
When had I said that?
“Really?” the boyfriend said, glancing at his friend. Then he smirked. “Bro, then you should hurry up and send her off. Can’t keep a handsome guy waiting.”
I waved both hands.
“No need. It’s already after seven. I’ll grab a snack and walk over. We’re just doing an in-person drop-off.”
The tall guy glanced at me, but said nothing.
At the intersection near the shopping district, our group split in two.
My best friend went back to campus with her boyfriend.
I headed toward the small fitness park nearby.
After crossing the street, I heard footsteps behind me and turned.
“Why are you following me?”
The tall guy looked offended by the accusation.
“I’m not following you. I’m going the same way.”
I watched him for two seconds, then turned around and kept walking.
Two steps later, I stopped abruptly and spun back around so fast he nearly jumped out of his skin.
“What the hell? Why are you so sudden?”
I didn’t answer.
I lifted one finger to my lips.
“Shh.”
Then I narrowed my eyes and looked into the dark path behind us.
“Do you feel that?”
His expression changed.
“What?”
“Like something is watching us.”
At once, he moved closer and pulled me to his side.
“Don’t mess with me like that.”
I gave him a look.
“Do I seem that bored?”
Actually, I was partly to blame.
I had chosen the shortcut instead of the main road.
Shorter. Darker. Fewer people.
Up until now, we had not passed a single soul.
He muttered under his breath, “You’re a girl. Why would you take a path like this? If I hadn’t followed—”
I cut in immediately.
“So you admit you were following me.”
He choked.
“You tricked me.”
I spread my hands.
He opened his mouth to say something else, but then we both heard it.
Rustling.
Thin. Uneasy. Coming from the bushes.
His face changed instantly.
Without another word, he grabbed my wrist and tried to drag me away.
“Don’t investigate weird noises,” he hissed. “That’s how side characters die in movies.”
Honestly, he had a point.
I was fully prepared to retreat.
Then the grass beside us shook hard.
Something dark launched out.
He screamed.
And in the next second, I got hit in the chest so hard I nearly fell backward.