Dollar tree trash

A couple of months ago, I (19 F at the time) met quite the charmer at my local Dollar Tree. I'm shopping for some cleaning supplies and keeping to myself. I don't enjoy interacting with strangers if I don't have to, so I do my best to keep out isles that are occupied.

A young man approaches me, who looks to be in his mid-twenties. I don't like to judge a book by its cover, but you could tell how skeezy this dude was by the look on his face. Middle school mustache, raised brow, and a shit-eating grin as if he already had my phone number.

I'm looking pretty disheveled myself, having barely showered and walking in the heat to run errands - it's pretty clear I'm not open for conversation. He opens anyway by asking my name. I reply, keeping my gaze at anything but him. He follows up with my absolute favorite game - "guess my race!" He's complimenting me on my complexion and figure, saying how I must be X, Y, or Z based on my features!

I thank him awkwardly and attempt to exit the very one-sided conversation. He invites me to his house, I decline. I tell him I have a boyfriend, he invites me as "friends." Again, I politely decline and finish my shopping. As I go to checkout, I see that he's bothering another girl with the same routine. Of course, he's turned down again.

Once I leave, I notice he's still behind me and trying to grab my attention. A little odd, but nothing out of the ordinary for cat-caller types. He smiles at me and asks if I'd like a ride, I decline. Several more times and finally he leaves - or so I thought.

He pulls up next to me in his truck and asks again if I need a ride anywhere, all while throwing in the occasional compliment or pet name. I tell him that I'm fine to walk and to have a nice day. At this point, I'm becoming more than annoyed - I'm getting creeped out. For reference, I don't own a car. My house is only half a mile away, but it felt like forever at this point and I'm far too shy to tell him to fuck off.

That was the last he spoke to me. Now, he was just following me. He made circles around the parking lot as I walked out. He followed me down the sidewalk. He even drove down the same street twice just so he could make sure he didn't miss what turn I was taking. I gave him the benefit of the doubt - perhaps he was lost?

He was staring every single time. After several minutes, it was clear that he was targeting me. I did not want this guy to know where I lived. It's possible that I was overly paranoid, due to a history of bad experiences. Though, something in my gut was saying that this guy wasn't your average douche.

I called my boyfriend and told him I was being followed. I asked if he'd stay on the phone with me until I get home. The guy prowling must have thought I was calling the police, because he quickly stopped staring and drove the other direction. I am no stranger to cat-calling and flirting, nor are many women... but this situation rubbed me the wrong way.