School was rather stressful today. Erin had passed his tests, and therefore was being brought back into normal lessons.

It was amazing really, at one point I was convinced he was going to be held back a year.

But now I also have to go back into normal lessons.

I'd completely forgotten my schedule, and felt like a total stranger in the lessons. It was my first day all over again, and I had to wait at the front of the class to find out what seats were free.

It was easier with Alex in maths, as he'd kept a seat spare.

The maths itself was a different story...

Well, I have intelligence elsewhere. Like...um. Okay maybe not.

"You were unusually quiet today, and that's saying something." Alex commented as we stood outside the class, and I snapped myself out of my daydream.

"Hm?"

"Okay, what are you thinking about?"

"What? Uh, nothing really."

"Okay...so you really are an airhead."

"Bitch!"

He chuckled at me as I gave him an unimpressed scowl.

"You must have been thinking of something!"

"Okay, I was thinking about how annoying you are!"

"Aw you were thinking about me, how sweet." He teased and laid his head on my shoulder mockingly. I rolled my eyes at him and shoved him off.

"Ouch, I'm hurt."

"Mhm."

He shook his head at me. "So mean! Why are you so grouchy?!"

"Lack of sleep?" I smiled and he frowned for a second before chuckling.

"Hey, I was hardly keeping you awake."

"Sure." I sighed when my phone buzzed, and got it out of my pocket.

Of course, another unknown number. I'd prefer it if scammers were calling me.

My disinterest quickly morphed into concern when I opened the text. There was a picture attached, which showed a shot of Alex and I from just a few moments ago.

I turned around to where it would have been taken from, but everyone was moving along the hall and no one stuck out.

"What the fuck..." I mumbled, then read the message.

Finn: Who's that? Gasp, Don't tell me you're cheating on me!

That's impossible.

: You can't be here. You didn't take this.

"What's up?" Alex questioned when he noticed me looking around anxiously.

"Uhh..." I trailed off as I got another text.

Finn : maybe I did, maybe I didn't

Asshole.

I should probably tell Chance about this...ugh.

"What??" Alex pushed, looking anxious himself.

"Nothing, he's just getting some low life to take pictures and stalk me now."

"Wow, yeah that's just nothing."

"It's fine..." I bit my lip and looked down the hall again. "Let's go..."

---

I ended up feeling anxious for the rest of the day, which was extremely frustrating. I hated how he was so good at getting under my skin.
Organising that probably took only minutes off of his day and mind, but now I'm going to worry about it for weeks.

Chance wasn't there when we all got home, but I wasn't sure I was going to tell him anyway.

He already knows there's someone around town trying to harass me, telling him this would just cause unnecessary stress.

And it's not like they can do anything either...

Ugh.

Erin was busy today, and I didn't really feel like going into town, so I just hid away in my room for the rest of the day. Best to avoid more drama...

It was almost peaceful, until I got another text.

Unknown number...he's really picking up the pace of the harassment. I seriously regret replying to him...

Finn: Hey Dove, guess where I am!

I sneered in disgust at his pathetic attempt at threating me, and put the phone down again.

Why do I always look.

Curiosity killed the cat, I really should just get a new number...

Who says he couldn't find that out though, now he's got contacts in town. Damnit, this asshole won't leave me alone.

I ignored the buzzing for a few minutes, but eventually the urge to procrastinate made me take a peek.

There were several messages and another image.

Finn: I know you read that.

Finn: You're not fooling me.

Finn: Are you really not curious?

Finn: How about, I show you a pic?

There was a picture attached, that took me a while to recognise, but I eventually realised it was the outside of Erin's house.

What the fuck?!

Finn: I am pretty sure that it's not your house, but you're certainly around there a lot. Should I go in and say hi?

God fucking damnit, can I seriously not catch a break!? One person harrassing me after another!

: tell your stupid minion to stay the fuck away or he'll seriously regret ijt I typed quickly.

Finn: Haha, you're really sure it's not me? Why don't you come and find out?

Fuck that.

I immediately got up and ran down the stairs looking for Chance. His office was empty, and I sighed anxiously before spinning around and going to the kitchen.

Nope, just Chester and Caleb.

Strange duo, never seen them talking before.

I didn't say anything and just turned around again. Shit, don't tell me he's not coming home today.

Ugh, what can he do anyway. I should just call the police or something myself.

I sighed when I scanned through the rooms. No one around. Maybe I should just talk to Chester about it.

I did an indecisive slow spin around, and then heard the sound of someone standing up from a sofa.

Aaron appeared at the doorway to one of the sitting rooms a second later.

Oh, oops, didn't realise he was there.

"Are you alright?" He asked with a frown.

"Uh..." I trailed off quietly, still at a loss to what I should do.

"Looking for someone?"

".. I guess..." I bit my lip and he raised a brow.

"Is it a secret or are you going to tell me who?"

"Oh right, I was looking for Chance, he doesn't seem to be around though." I said anxiously, checking my phone for new messages.

"He doesn't get in 'til ten. Can I help?" He seemed genuinely worried, and I realised I was behaving really strangely.

I forced a smile. "I don't think so, I'm not sure...I don't really know what to do."

"You're making a really strange face. How about you tell me what's wrong?"

Huh, I guess the frown-smile combination didn't really work.

I opened my mouth to say something, then felt a little nauseas. I just looked down at the phone and handed it to him.

He blinked at it, seriously confused.

Right, he doesn't know what's been happening...

"I should talk to Chester..." I said, but he grabbed my wrist before I could leave.

He frowned as he scrolled through the texts. He didn't let go for a few minutes and I began to feel a little awkward.

"Why have you been replying?" He asked quietly.

"Um, caught up in the moment I guess."

"Okay."

He didn't look up from my phone, and I chewed on my lip.

"He's really fixating on you. This is really unhealthy. I don't quite understand why you haven't got a new number?" He said when he had finished reading.

"He'd find it out the same way he found this one out..."

"I see, well I'm getting you a new one anyway. And I'm guessing there's nothing the police can do? Seeing as this hasn't been resolved yet."

"Not yet, they need to have a warrant to go any further."

"Well I'm pretty sure this kind of threatening justifies a warrant." He said, putting my phone in his pocket and I gave him a look.

Bitch... excuse me. That's mine.

"So you've been keeping Chance up to date with this?"

"Um, I haven't told him about the pictures... but he knows about the man following me." I admitted and he scrunched up his face.

"Fucking hell." He muttered and I blinked.

Woah.

"Well I'll call him." He started to turn around but I grabbed his arm.

"Shouldn't I reply or something? That situation is kind of urgent."

"Oh yeah I'll reply for you, by sending the police." He said and I bit my lip.

A bit intense, but okay.

Well, I'm glad I didn't tell Chester or Luca first, they would have freaked out.

I sighed as Aaron just paced up and down while on the phone.

His reaction makes me feel almost... immature. Kind of pathetic.

I seriously shouldn't have replied, maybe I really did cause this escalation.

I hate that damn psycho with all my being.

I really want to check if he has sent anything else though...

I glared at Aaron's back pocket.

Maybe it's best if he does keep it.

"Hey." Aaron suddenly touching my shoulder made me jump. He stared at me with a frown. "Do you usually zone out in these kind of situations?"

"What?"

"You're frozen, like a deer."

"...Sorry..."

He gave a heavy sigh as he looked at my phone.

"What's happened?"

"He's just getting irritated you're not replying."

"Shouldn't I?"

"No, and I'm keeping this."

I felt like protesting, but maybe he's right.

I just hope Finn, or whoever is outside Erin's house, doesn't do anything stupid.

"Can you tell Erin?"

"Sure. Sit." He pointed to the sofa and I frowned, but still did what he said.

Okay...

I gave a heavy, stressed sigh and tapped my foot.

Great.

--

It's a bit inappropriate considering the situation, but I'm starting to get really bored.

Chance had come home a few minutes ago, and started to 'freak out' as it were. He was quickly shut down by Aaron, who told him to grow up.

Other than that there's been tense silence, and texts from my phone that Aaron hasn't shown me.

Which is really annoying.

What am I, five?

I should be doing schoolwork...

Gross, I can't believe I just thought that.

Aaron suddenly smirked and I looked up.

"What?" Chance asked with an irritated frown.

"He's annoyed that Riley got his 'friend' arrested."

"Arrested?" I sat up more.

"He won't get any charges I don't think. Depends what's on his phone." Chance inputted.

"Probably not much..." I sighed.

Aaron frowned as another text came through, but then didn't say anything.

Oh dear...

"It's best if I have that Aaron." Chance tried to take it from him but he swiped it away.

"Not with how useless you've been with it."

"Excuse me?"

"You're the one who let it get to this point."

"Let? I was doing as much as I could!"

"Guys..."

It is my phone...

"You haven't even been interested until now!" Chance spat, and he glared at him.

"It wasn't like that."

"Oh really?"

I rolled my eyes at them and stared out of the window.

"It's none of your business. Besides, this number won't be of any use to him for much longer."

Ugh, that's so much effort though.
I'm going to kill him if I ever see him again!

"At least show me the texts, I need to look at them, as a lawyer, you know?" He seemed to be patronising him and I frowned at how immature they all got sometimes.

"I kind of need my phone?" I pointed out.

"You're the last one that would get this phone, trust me."

"Um, okay? Why?"

Its my phone, damnit.

"Reading these kind of texts surely can't be good for your mental health." Aaron commented as he frowned down at the screen. "What a vile creature."

I'm guessing he's started threatening me or something. He was rather good at that.

"I don't want you reading them either." I worried, thinking about all the things Finn would insult me with.

Aaron did seem upset about what he was reading, and it made me anxious.

"I won't read anymore." He said seriously, and put it away.

It would be amusing to think Finn had lost his composure, but I wasn't sure that was possible. He was probably just calmly making some sinister and sexual threats.

Chance jumped up when Aaron's phone started to ring and grabbed it, making Aaron glare at him.

"It's them." He simply said before walking off with it and I frowned.

"Chance seems desperate to help, so let's just let him sort it out with the police okay?" Aaron smiled at me warmly, although I didn't really feel like returning it.

"How's Erin?"

"He's only just replied, he wasn't in, but his mother was."

Oh of course, he was at the hospital with Delilah this evening. I hope Clara's okay.

"Did anyone get hurt?"

"I don't know much about what happened, but they never got further than the sidewalk so everyone is alright." He sighed. "But that also means they can't do anything, legally."

"I guess that makes sense..."

"At least he has no connection to you at the moment. And I'll try my best so he isn't able to establish one again, okay?"

"Thanks Aaron, not sure that's under your control, though." I chewed on my lip, and Aaron sat down next to me on the sofa.

He sighed and looked down at me with a sad expression. I tilted my head at him.

"What?"

"I'm just realizing how real that part of your life was. It's hard to empathize when you don't know anything about it. But the things he sent makes me sick."

I chewed on my lip and looked away in discomfort. "He does have a way with words doesn't he."

"I've never experienced someone as manipulative before..."

"He gets worse, depending on the context..."

He was silent for a little while, and I tensed when I felt him gently touch the scar on the back of my neck.

"You need to eat something." He suddenly said with a start, and I gave him a confused look.

"I do?"

"Yes, you're very low energy, you're not eating enough. Or looking after yourself."

"I don't really feel like it..." I stared at the floor with a frown.

"I'm sorry, Sunshine, you really can't catch a break can you." He sighed and then gently stroked the side of my hair. I gave him a small smile with a blush.

"Maybe I should take it as a compliment?" I teased and he made a face.

"That's a really messed up compliment, but, if you want." He chuckled slightly, but I could tell he was a little worried about Finn.
"I'm sorry you couldn't talk to me about this earlier, if I had known that was going on..." He sighed and shook his head.

"It's fine, I appreciate your help now."

"I'm sorry about your phone."

"It's for the best, it was really stressing me out."

"You don't have to worry about that anymore okay?"

"Well, I do worry about how far he'll go if he doesn't get a reaction out of me..."

"I'll keep an eye on the messages."

"I don't really want you to read them." I frowned.

"I know, I'm sorry, but it's better than you reading it yourself." He said, and I sighed heavily.

"I'm not so sure. I'm certain he's got plenty of demeaning remarks up his sleeve."

"Uh, yeah..." He coughed awkwardly, hinting that he had already read a few of those. I looked away from him with a red face.

Aaron, of all people, had to read that, great.

"Leave it a few days and you'll forget about him. I can assure you it's much better than trying to ignore his harrassing everyday. Which... you weren't very good at." He gave me a crooked smile and I chuckled slightly.

"Okay, you're right. It's best if I don't have it. As long as you make sure he doesn't do anything rash?"

"I've got it Riley, you don't have to worry any more. And I'll make sure Chance stops being useless and actually does something."

"Unfortunately Chance is limited to the confines of the law."

"Yes, he's not very good at thinking outside of his career field is he."

"Hm, no not really." I laughed slightly and he smiled at me.

I then leaned up and gently kissed his temple.

"Thank you." I mumbled against his neck with a sigh. Although, I'm not exactly sure what I was referring to.

He leaned into me slightly and stayed silent for a while.

"I'm sorry I cause so much drama." I smirked when I lifted my head.

He took a moment to process what I said, making me raise a brow.

"Is that why you've been hiding in your room and at Erin's all the time, you think you cause drama?" He eventually answered quietly. His mood seemed to have changed, and his voice was slightly deeper.

I smiled, then rested my forehead against his when I felt a little tension from our close proximity.

"Maybe..."

"Hm, maybe you should come with me?"

"'Come with you'? What, to college?"

"Well, I do go other places than college, you know, but I'm not against that either."

"Oh, you mean the animal sanctuary?"

"Yes, and the kindergarten."

Ummmm.

"I'll think about it." I chuckled.

"Maybe not the kindergarten then." He snickered. "But I'd take any excuse to get you out the house." He smiled at me as he lifted his head. "And away from my brothers." He added, and I almost choked.

I think I misinterpreted what he meant by that...I think.

I tilted my head and smiled at him. "Okay, sure."

"Great, now let's get you some food." He stood up and I made a face.

"I'm not really hungry... sorry."

"It's because you're anxious. Maybe try a little? When has my cooking ever been not worth it?" He raised a brow and I smiled.

"You got me there." I said as he offered his hand, and he pulled me up.

"You probably shouldn't tell Luca." He said without letting go of my hand.

"About what, specifically?"

"All of it would be great, but specifically the stalker part, I'm not sure he could handle it."

"Uh, I'll try." I said with a frown, and he smirked as he let go.

"Good enough, come on."

He turned around and I stared at my phone in his pocket.

My phone... We'll meet again.