Cat and Mouse

Emily rushed off the dance floor, her cheeks were hot and her heart was pounding. Her mind raced, who was that guy? Why had he acted so strange with her...and...had his eyes changed like she believed, or was it just her eyes playing tricks? She looked down at her hand, three distinct marks left from where he had pressed his nails into her skin. She shivered at the thought and walked faster. Passing her mother, she said quickly, "I'm going down to the river, mom. Be back later!" Before her mother could object she had run off and down the hill.

As she gained distance from the pavilion the lights faded from view and the stars returned to their unhindered brightness. She stopped at the edge of the woods and took a deep breath, taking in the crisp night air. She was always at peace out here, and she failed to understand why anyone would prefer to be surrounded by noise and sweaty, drunk dancers. Glancing around first to see if anyone else was nearby, she continued on into the woods.

The sound of crickets and cicadas filled the air, drowning out the sound of the music coming from the top of the hill. She smiled and ran down to the river, kneeling down to splash her face before lying on her back and staring up at the stars. She could stay here forever, if they let her. She began to sing softly, her voice soothing, mixing with the sounds of the nature around her and she soon lost track of time.

After singing a few songs she sat up to grab a stone to skip across the river, but she froze as she saw a figure standing among the trees, watching her. Panic set in as she realized how vulnerable she was out here and all she could do was stare back, hand still frozen to grab the nearby stone, and wait for something to happen to show her if she was in danger or not.

"Please, continue singing. I was enjoying it. No need to stop now that you've noticed me."

Wait....she recognized that voice... it was the man from before. How long had he been listening!? Her cheeks went red at the thought, but she stood now, braver than before at the insult of his intrusion. "You know, its rude to spy on people!"

He came closer, walking into the moonlight so she could see him better. "Last I checked..." He lifted his arms as if to draw attention to the whole forest, "It isn't spying if I happen to stumble upon someone in the woods. The question is, why are you out here? There's a party going on up there, but you...", He walked closer to her, eyes looking her up and down as he grinned, " You've chosen to run and hide away. Aren't you lonely? "

She turned back to face the river, refusing to look at him and allow him to work her up again. She crossed her arms over her chest and spat out the words, "I told you, I dont do well with people. I prefer being alone".

"Alone to do what, exactly?" he had leaned over her shoulder to whisper into her ear again and, after an involuntary shiver, she turned and pushed him back slightly.

"Ugh. I don't know! To read, to sing, to write, to just....be alone!!!!" She realized she had grown louder and quickly hung her head, blushing. She sighed, "I'm sorry. I'm just not good with others".

He sat beside the river and began skipping stones, his eyes glistening in the moonlight as they gazed at the sparkling water in front of them. "So, Emily" He saw the surprised look on her face at her name being spoken and laughed, "Stop freaking. Your mom told me your name. Now, why, pray tell, don't you like people? Is it...the greed? Their usual closed minded nature? Their destruction of everything beautiful?" He laughed again, mocking her.

She clenched her fists and tried not to let him upset her. "I...look, its not really your business... let's just say I've been hurt by a lot of people, and have preferred my own company ever since, okay? Now can you please leave me alone?"

He ignored her question and continued poking at her emotions, "Hurt. Right. Let me guess, some guy broke your heart and now you hate the world, is that it? I mean come on, what are you, eighteen? You're going to get hurt, happens all the time. You have to move on".

"You dont know anything about me!!!" Emily shouted. There were tears in her eyes now and they stung with the memories of her broken past. "It wasn't some boy, and I'm fifteen by the way. Stop acting like you know me".

He turned to look at her and she grew angry when she realized he was observing her chest. She had always been bigger chested than other girls her age and it was something she hated. He smirked, and his growling voice returned, "Such a shame...l thought you were older...hm...you intrigue me, Emily. I would like to talk more... do you have a phone?"

She was embarrassed to say she didn't, as she had no need for one with no friends. She shook her head silently.

"Hmph, that's a surprise. Okay, well, tell you what." He stood abruptly and faced her again, "I will give you my number, and if you can remember it by the time you get a phone, text me". He said his number, smirked at her once more, and left back towards the hill.