Chapter 4

"Oh, is Mike picking you up?"

"No, Mason is. He asked me on a.. date?"

"Alright... I'm going to bed. Are you sleeping in here?"

"I uhh.."

"Haha, Eli it's fine if you are. I'll be upstairs though so if you change your mind or get spooked I'm here."

"Okay, good night."

"Good night."

He smiled softly then left, closing the door behind him. I smiled then got up and got ready for bed. 

* *<3* *< p>

Fun Fact: Kit was on the basketball and volleyball team all of high school 

* *

I quickly got up, dressed, ready, then checked my phone, left the guest room, looked around, and finally went out to Mason's car, getting in. He smiled at me then drove out of Alan's empty driveway. 

"You live here?"

"No, that's Alan's house. I'm staying with him while I don't have a home."

"Right, after the whole apartment thing. Okay, okay. I thought for a second you two were a thing."

"What!? Really?"

"Yeah, I was having my guesses yesterday because he got really jealous when I was flirting with you."

"Oh, well.. We're nothing more than friends and he's straight."

"No way he's straight. No straight guy gets that jealous when someone flirts with their buddy, just saying.."

I smiled to myself a bit at the thought that might be true. 

"So where do you want to go?"

"Uhh.."

I thought then shrugged. 

"I don't know."

"There's a little diner downtown we could go to."

"Sure."

"I heard they have good food there."

"Let's go there then."

He nodded and I looked out the window, watching the scenery change as we drove by different things. It was a pretty silent ride and pretty long until we got to the diner. We got out of his car and went in then got seated. I looked around the cute mom and pop diner then looked at Mason.

"So, you're taking a break from work?"

"Yeah. There's a lot going on right now and I don't want to have Alan drive me there and back everyday until I can live on my own."

"Mmh. I'm going to miss you a lot. It's been boring without you to entertain me."

"Entertain you? I don't think I entertain you. I just do my job."

"Well whether you think it or not, you do entertain me quite a bit."

"How do I entertain you?"

He smiled and rested his elbows on the table then rested his chin on his hands.

"You're fun to watch. Just how you work and because you're a klutz. It's funny."

"Oh."

"Mhm but I'll live. At least I get to still see you, right? While you're off."

"Yeah, I guess."

I smiled at him then got a chill and a bad uncomfy feeling in my gut. 

"It is! I enjoy our time together!"

He smiled then looked at the waiter coming up to our table. I looked around then felt my phone buzz

"Eli?"

I looked at Mason then the waiter.

"I'll just get the special."

"Alright, that will be right out."

The waiter left and Mason looked confused at me.

"Something on your mind?"

"No.. no, Nothing just zoned out."

"If you say so."

"I wasn't thinking of anything. I swear. I honestly just zoned out."

"Okay, I believe you."

I looked around again then looked at Mason. 

"Did you have nightmares last night?"

"No, I slept pretty well actually."

"Yeah?"

"Mhm, did you?"

"Hahah, no way. I never get nightmares because I'm a fuckin mvp. I love scary things~"

"I don't.."

"Oh, I know. I could swear you were getting murdered in the theatre."

"It was really scary."

"That's why I thought you were going to have nightmares."

"I don't really have dreams in general so I'm not really surprised."

"I didn't know that. Do you never get dreams?"

"No, I do. Sometimes. Only sometimes though. It's very rare for me and nightmares are even rarer for me to have."

My phone binged again then again and again. I put my hand in my pocket and turned my volume down. 

"Someone is really trying to get your attention."

"Yeah, I guess."

"You should see who it is."

I pulled out my phone and looked at six new messages from an unknown number. I went into the chatroom and felt my heart drop.

Unknown: It's been a long time Darling 

12:10pm

Unknown: Look at your phone

Unknown: Darrlinggg 

Unknown: Did you miss me?

12:14pm

Unknown: I found you

12:15pm

I stared at my phone then put it away and looked at Mason.

"Who is it?"

"No one... It was just something else."

"Hmm, alright."

I nodded and we talked until our food came then we ate and left. I tried to think of something else but I just couldn't stop it from staying in the back of my head. Mason was telling me a story as he drove back to Alan's house. I listened but also kinda didn't at the same time. It was hard when I couldn't stop thinking about the texts. We stopped and I looked at him. He looked at me and smiled. 

"That was fun. We should do it again."

"Yeah."

"Eli, I really do like you."

"Mason, I-"

"I don't like you, I really really like you. Just give me a chance."

"I need some time... I wish I could just know but I can't. Like... is it even right? We're coworkers.. We could get in trouble."

"They don't have to know."

"Mason..."

He put his hand on my cheek and leaned close to me. 

"Give me a chance.."

He kissed me. I pushed him away and opened the car door, unbuckleing. 

"Thank you for lunch, I'll talk to you later."

He smiled and nodded. I got out and went to the front door, going in. I closed the door and took a breath in then felt a guilty feeling fill me. 

"How did it go?"

I looked at Alan walking down stairs and shrugged. He walked up to me. 

"Are you okay? You look sad."

"I feel bad... I just can't like him.. But he likes me so much."

"Who likes you? And why did you say he?"

I looked at Heather coming down stairs. 

"Uhh, my friend's.. Sister likes me but I don't really like her."

"Oh.. I thought you were a fag for a second."

"Heather!"

"What? That's what they are, fags! Gross, mentally ill, fags."

"Be kind!"

"They don't deserve kindness..."

"Keep what you think to yourself.."

"Why are you getting so defensive? It's not like you're gay.."

Alan went silent then sighed. 

"Not everyone wants to hear what you think about gay people.."

"I'm going to the guest room."

I left the area and went into the guest room, closing the door. I stood there panting then broke down and tears started to stream down my face. My phone started to ring and I pulled it out of my pocket, clearing my throat then put it to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Hayy, Darling. I'm happy I get to hear your voice again~"

"Who are you?"

"Mmh, I'm not saying~"

"What do you want from me?"

"I've been looking for you everywhere, Eli~"

A chill went up my spin and I pulled my phone from my ear and hung up then blocked the number. I stared at it then sat on the guest bed and called Joy. I put the phone to my ear and let it ring till Joy answered.

"What's up?"

"I can't do it.. I can't date Mason.."

"Why do you say that?" 

"Nothing is changing... he kissed me twice, took me on a date, and confessed twice but I'm still in love with Alan... I can't take it.. I don't want to date him if I don't have feelings for him. I don't want to hurt him."

"Well then.. You know what you have to do."

"I can't... confess to him."

"You've liked him since day one! Ninth grade! Come on, won't you want someone to tell you their feelings for you after years of hiding them?"

"Well, I-I guess I would B-bu-t I..."

I grabbed my arm and looked at the ground.

"I can't... What if i-it ruins our-our friendship? Mmm, I won't be-be... able to live on..."

"Pfft... Alan shows that he likes your two's friendship too much to end it. So, the worst that can happen is it's a bit awkward for you too for a bit."

"I guess..."

"Tell himm!"

"Mmmh."

"That's the only way you'll be able to fall for someone else."

"I don't think it works like that, Joy. I've tried dating someone before to get over him and that didn't work, I tried to hate him, that didn't work either... Nothing works..."

"So you're telling me that you already told him?"

"W-well... no..."

"Then you don't know!"

"FINE! Fine... I'll do it... BUT!.. Not today or tomorrow, I'll do it when I'm ready. And no, I won't wait years. Maybe, longest a month or two."

"Yay!! Eli!!"

The guest room door opened and Alan came in.

"Joy, I have to let you go."

"Okkkayy! Byeee, love you!"

"I love you too."

I hung up and put my phone onto the bed then looked at Alan. He closed the door then sat down beside me and looked me in his eyes. I felt my face burn and looked to the side.

"Sorry about that.. She gets out of hand sometimes."

"Yeah."

"It's not true though. You're not gross or mentally ill."

I looked down at the ground then he moved my chin so I looked at him.

"Please never take anything she says to heart... it's not true. Really, you're amazing. Even if you do like guys, that doesn't make you any different than if you didn't like guys."

I stared at him and held back my tears. 

"Anyways, how did the date go?"

"I... don't know.. I don't want to be with him. I just can't check feelings for him.."

My phone started ringing and I looked at it. I turned it face down and looked away from it. 

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing.."

"Eli?"

I looked at him then caved and told him about the creepy texts and the creepy call. My phone started to blow up and Alan grabbed it from my hand when I went to check. His face got all annoyed and angry. He did something on my phone then handed it back to me, sighed then smiled at me.

"Let me know if anything else happens, okay?"

I nodded.

"Now, shall you continue?"

"Uhh.. right, I Just don't want to hurt him because I go out with him hoping that I catch feelings for him and I lose feelings for my crush. What if nothing changes and then I'd have to hurt him."

"Eli, you're so nice. I think you're right."

"But the thing is... Joy wants me to confess because I don't want to go out with him."

"Do stress yourself out. You don't need to confess unless you want to."

"See Joy was all about that too until it became a seven year thing."

"Seven years?"

"Mhm."

"That's a long time."

"He's really cute.."

I looked to the side then the guest room door opened. 

"Your sisters here."

I looked at Alan and he quickly got up then walked out of the room. I followed him and looked at Mike. Mike came up to me and messed up my hair. 

"It feels like it's been years."

"It's been a couple of days."

"That's too long for me."

I looked at the siblings hugging and smiled. 

"Do you think they missed each other?"

"A tiny bit. Make sure not to squeeze her too hard."

Alan flipped him off and I started to laugh then Alan looked at Mike and let go of Nova. 

"There's a reason to not squeeze her too hard, you know."

Alan looked confused then looked at Nova. 

"Okay so umm, we need to tell you something. But I just want you to let you know that we were supposed to tell you one of these things before but you moved."

"Nova, what's going on?"

"Umm well, I'm.. ..okay, okay first.. Mike and I have been.. Kinda.. Together for five years."

"What?!"

I looked at Mike shocked and he shrugged then nervously laughed. 

"Mike.."

He looked at me. 

"Sorry I didn't tell you sooner... I thought Alan should have been the first to know since it's his sister so I never told you."

"Wait... what's the other thing?"

I looked at Nova and she smiled. 

"I'm pregnant!"

My mouth dropped and I looked at Alan who was just blankly staring at Nova. He then looked at Mike angrily. 

"You got my baby sister pregnant before even telling me you were with her!!?"

"We were supposed to tell you before but then you moved and we wanted to tell you in person but you were so busy over there that we didn't want to bug you to come up.."

Alan looked at Nova. 

"I'm sorry, Alan.. We really were going to tell you but so much happened before..."

Alan sighed and then took a breath. 

"Nova?"

"Yes, big brother?..."

"Are you happy?"

Nova looked at Alan and smiled.

"Yes, Alan. I'm very happy!"

"Hhuh, then I'm fine with it. Congrats, little sis."

She smiled and hugged him.

"Thank you."

He hugged her back and I looked at Mike confused. He looked at me and smiled awkwardly. 

"What the fuck..."

"Haha, surprise."

"Have you told Joy?"

"No..! We wanted to tell Alan first."

"You better have.. I'd be pissed if someone else knew before me.."

"You seem a little pissed as is."

"A bit but not as bad as I would be. Just be happy your face looks the same."

Mike grabbed my shoulders and hid behind me. Nova went in front of Alan. 

"There's no need for that, Alan.."

"You're lucky, bitch."

"Scary... scary man.."

Alan narrowed his eyes at Mike and clenched his fist. He then sighed and looked at Nova. His face changed and he softly smiled at her then whipped her hair behind her ear. 

"How is your eye?"

"It's fine."

"That's good..."

I looked at Heather death glaring at me. Mike leaned down and looked at me, making me focus on him. 

"Soo, how's it going?"

"Seth's back in town."

His eyes widened.

"And I've been getting creepy texts and calls from..."

Then the realisation hit me and my blood went cold. 

"Seth..."

"Show me."

Mike's eyes seemed to go dead cold and his stare sent chills up my spine. I nodded and pulled out my phone, Mike quickly yanked it and turned it on, as he got it and looked at everything. He looked at the others. 

"Give me a sec."

His voice was low and shallow then he went down the hall. 

"Wait, Mike!!"

I quickly went after him and went into the kitchen, looking at him with my phone to his ear. He looked at me and pointed at me. 

"Stay."

"Mike!"

He looked at the ground. 

"Hey, heard you're back..."

"....... "

"What gives you the right to bug Eli, huh!? Are you not over this after years!! Remember last time?!"

"...................."

"Someone's cocky.."

".............................."

"Shut the fuck up!"

"................ ... ..."

"You're not going to lay a hand on him.. Ever!! You fuckin creepy as mother fucker!!!"

I felt a hand on my shoulder and jumped then looked at Alan looking at Mike. I looked at Mike who looked like he was seeing red as he clenched his teeth almost like what seemed hard enough to break them. 

"You try to do anything and it's your fuckin life..! I don't want you to text him, call, talk to him, stalk him, nothing!!"

".............."

"Ohhh haha, you better fuckin listen to me.."

"M-Mike..."

I went up to him and he looked at me. 

"Hang up. .. Please."

He pulled the phone from his ear and hung up. 

"What's going on?"

"Nothing..!"

Mike handed me my phone then left the kitchen. I looked down at my phone and felt like I was about to have a panic attack. 

"Are you alright?"

I nodded and looked at Alan. 

"I just.. I'm going to take a nap."

I left the kitchen and waved bye to the other two before going into the guest room, and laying down. I put my phone down then laid there staring at the door in silence. I took off my glasses and squeezed my eyes shut. 

* *<3* *< p>

Seth:

Eli's ex from high school

Age: 20

Hair colour: Black

Eye colour: Hazel 

Height: 6"1"

Fun Fact: Mike and Eli have known each other since SK. 

* *

I opened my eyes really fast, sat up just as fast, panting and covered in cold sweat. I was shaking really badly and I grabbed my arms, hugging myself to try and stop it but just bursted out in tears. My dream replayed in my head of Seth finding me and chasing me down the hallways until he caught me. He then pushed me on the ground and I woke up. I looked around then got up and left the guest room after putting my glasses on. I heard water running in the kitchen and I went to the sound. I walked in, looked at Alan with his back turned to me then turned to me.

"Eli?!"

He quickly went up to me and looked at me. I sniffled and started to cry more.

"I h-h-had *sniffle sniffle* a night..mmmare.."

"Hey, hey.."

He hugged me and rubbed my back.

"It's okay. It's not real."

I hugged him tightly and cried more then started to calm down. I went on my tippy toes and wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him. He hugged me back, put his hand under my shirt and picked me up.

"Come on, let's get you back to bed."

He brought and put me on the bed then let go of me. I hugged him tighter.

"No, I don't want to let you go.. Seth will get me.." 

"Who's Seth?"

"The guy that Mike was yelling at on the phone. He's the one that kept calling and texting me. He's my.. Ex."

"So can you enlighten me on what happened?"

"I told Seth that I liked someone else but Seth didn't like that so he went crazy. He was obsessed with me and had a whole notebook of just things he was going to do to me... Mike found the notebook and beat the shit out of him for the book, the police ended up getting involved and he got moved to a different town and school."

I let go and looked at Alan who seemed a bit mad.

"He's scary.. I don't want him to get me, or look at me, or touch me..."

I shook my head and chills went up my spine.

"I thought he was gone... He.. he... was looking for me. Stalking me."

I felt sick to my stomach.

"That fuckin bastard! I'll fuckin kill him if he!"

I sat up and grabbed his arm. I squeezed my hands around his arm and started crying. I looked down and closed my eyes. I started shaking, thinking about it and looked at the ground terrified. The day replayed in my head and I dug my nails into Alan's arm without realising it. I felt a hand on my cheek and I looked at Alan. He hugged me tightly.

"Shhh, he's not here. You're alright, I promise."

"Alan, he's scary."

"I know but he can't hurt you anymore. I'll protect you, no matter what."

"I don't want to go back to bed.. I don't want to see him.."

Alan looked at me wiping hair out of my face and behind my ear.

"How about I lay down with you until you fall asleep? I'll be right here next to you."

I moved to the side and he sat on the bed then watched me lay down under the blankets, and took my glasses off. I closed my eyes and turned then felt Alan lay beside me. He played with my hair softly. 

* *<3* *< p>

Fun Fact: Leon and Joy are both really big fans of anime

* *

I opened my eyes and grabbed my glasses, looking at the empty room. I got up, got dressed and walked out of the room. I heard a noise coming from the living room and I walked over to it. I looked at Heather watching tv and she looked at me. I smiled and waved but she just looked away, crossing her arms. 

"So... Eli, I heard about what happened with you and your ex... boyfriend last night when you were crying to MY boyfriend."

"O-oh, you did."

"Yeah and I just wanted to say... don't try anything with Alan you fag because just between me and you I'm pregnant, with his child."

I leaned back into the couch and felt myself start shaking.

"I-"

"Now, don't tell him and don't hit on my man!"

"I'm not..." 

"Good."

Heather looked at Alan walk into the room and I held my breath, feeling like I would choke up on it and burst out crying. I cleared my throat.

"Heyy, babe~ did you finish working out?"

"Yeah *pant pant*"

"How many did you do?"

"Hundred I think."

"Ohh, gotta keep those hot muscles of yours~"

"And if I don't?"

"Ugh, don't even make me think about it."

"He looked and looks good with and without muscles."

They both looked at me and Alan smiled then sat down next to me.

"How did you sleep?"

"Good."

"No more nightmares?"

I shook my head and he smiled.

"That's good!"

Heather leaned over then hugged Alan arm and looked up at him when he looked at her. She leaned up and kissed him but looked at me as she did. I looked away and pulled out my phone, checking my notifications but nothing was there so I just looked away at the tv. 

"Heather, now's not the time.."

"What? I'm just showing you my love~"

She made him look at her and she kissed him again, looking at me. I looked away uncomfortable then at my hands, playing with them. My phone started to ring and I jumped a bit then grabbed it. I got up and answered as I put the phone up to my ear. 

"Joy?"

"Do you know where Mason is?"

I stopped. 

"No. Why?"

"His brother said he didn't come home after your date and he tried to call him, I tried, Kit tried but it just went to voice message."

"Did you check with Lily? I'm pretty sure he worked yesterday."

"His brother did."

"Nothing?"

"No... fuck!.. Can you see if Alan can track him or something? I know he's good at that stuff."

I nodded and turned around to look at Alan then pulled the phone away slightly. 

"Alan? Do you think you can track someone?"

He looked at me and stood up then nodded. 

"Yeah, who?"

"Mason.. No one knows where he is and he's not answering his phone."

"Can he help?"

I put my phone to my ear. 

"Yeah."

"Okay, I'm coming over. Give me his address."

"I'll text it to you."

"Okay."

I hung up and texted her Alan's address then looked at Alan. 

"Joy's coming over."

"Okay. I'm going to need Mason's number and I can track his phone from there."

He started to walk down the hallway and into an office looking room. He sat in the chair in front of a computer then turned it on. I went on my phone and turned it on then went onto Mason's contact, showing his number then put my phone down in front of him. He looked at it and did something on his computer, putting in a sight then Mason's number and did a couple other things, then it started loading. He turned to me on his chair and leaned back in it, resting his arms behind his head. 

"Now we wait."

I nodded. 

"I'm sorry about Heather... I can't imagine how uncomfortable that must have been for you."

"It's fine. She is your girlfriend after all."

"Yeah but she shouldn't be so.. On me just to show off I guess."

"I mean.. She should show off that she's your girlfriend. I mean look at you, you're way handsome."

He smiled. 

"You think I'm handsome?"

I froze and stood up straight, starting to burn up. 

"W-well, uhh yeah.. You are handsome..! Like overly, haha.. Oh shit I just- s-s-sorry!"

He chuckled and put his arms down. 

"I'm flattered, Eli."

"Really? Not creeped out?"

"No way. You're not creepy."

I heard footsteps and looked at Joy who walked in. 

"Did you find him?!"

I looked at Alan and moved out of the way from them. 

"No, but."

He clicked onto something and I tried to see but couldn't. 

"I can track his phone and it looks like it's.. In the bush. Oh, that's not good. Here I'll send it to my phone and we can go there."

He did something else then got up and left the room with Joy. I followed them and we all got into Alan's car. Heather sat in the front with Alan while Joy and I were in the back. I looked at Joy, who was all worried. I tried to comfort her until we got to the place and she left the car so quickly. We all got out and went in the bush, other than Heather who stayed in the car. I looked around then stopped at the sight of Mason's car. I looked at the other two walking away then went to the car. I looked around it then checked the front door if it would open. It did and I looked into his car to see if I could find anything. I couldn't, so I stood up then jumped at a hand press against my mouth and my arms being held behind me. I looked back at Seth then forward when he got closer. I felt his breath against my neck and my skin crawled.

"Hi, Darling~ It's been so long since I felt your skin~"

I struggled but he let go of my hands and put a knife to my throat. 

"No need to struggle~"

I looked at the knife and my body pushed me back against him.

"Where's Mason?"

"Somewhere safe."

He put his hand on my waist and slid it under my shirt. His cold hand touches my stomach. He pressed the knife against my throat then leaned his head close to my neck. 

"Please don't rape me..."

"I would never do such a thing. I just want to feel your warmth."

"Eli!?"

I looked around and Seth laughed. 

"Looks like there looking for you~"

"What do you want from me?"