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Thank you for the flowers. And the bracelet is beautiful.

The reply is quick. Was he waiting for my reply?

Ghost.

Not as beautiful as you.

Sadie

Do I get a clue to who you are?

Three dots.

Ghost.

You see me almost every day.

What? I read the message again and again to make sure I’ve read it right.

Every day. Almost every day. That doesn’t narrow it down for me. This campus has hundreds of people I see every day without remembering who they are. Every walk to practice, every morning at Grounds, every afternoon in the library.

Sadie

That doesn't narrow it down. This campus has thousands of people.

Ghost

You notice me.

Sadie.

How do you know I notice you?

The reply takes longer this time. Long enough that I get up and start getting dressed. I grab my phone again when it beeps.

Ghost.

Because I notice you noticing.

So, this person has to be someone at college, as I spend all my time there. Another student? A teacher? Ewww, I hope it’s not a teacher.

The cursor blinks in the reply box, and I have absolutely nothing. I don’t know what else to ask. I want to meet him, but I have a feeling he won’t agree to it. Unless there are rules. What those rules are I have no idea. I’m making this up as I go along right now, but I want to be in the same room as him while I’m awake.

I put my phone in my bag.

I get up and finish getting dressed. I take one last look at the violets, put my alarm on, and go down to meet Juno. I quickly grab my phone out of my bag, and before I can change my mind, I send a text.

Sadie.

Last night was nice, next time you help me I want you in the room with me.

Fuck, did I just write that? My heart is pounding in my chest, what am I doing? I’m finally living my own life, without having to look after my brother, and this is the first time someone is looking at me, and the train wreck behind me. But am I going to risk my life for this stalker?

Ghost.

And what will I be doing in the room?

My breath catches, and I stop mid-step going down the stairs. Heat floods my face as I reread what I wrote. This is crazy, but I don’t want to stop.