Chapter 84 Watch

Chapter 84 Watch


Sydneys Point of View

I felt it the moment Zane walked out of Study Room 4B. It was like someone was watching us from somewhere we could not see. I got that feeling on the back of my neck the kind that makes you feel like something is off.

I stopped walking. Zane stopped too. "What is wrong?" he asked. I looked around the room. I saw people studying at tables their faces buried in laptops and textbooks. "I just felt something " I said.

Zane asked me if someone was watching me. I looked at him. Asked him how he knew. He told me it was because he felt it too. That made me feel even worse.

We stood in the hallway for a bit. Zanes hand was close to mine. Not touching. I could feel the warmth from his skin. "Let us go " he said. "Where do you want to go?" I asked. "Anywhere. Here " he replied.

We walked past the desk past the study carrels and past the big windows that faced the quad. The sun was setting. I did not look back.. I could still feel those eyes watching me.

Outside the air was cold. October was. November was starting. It was the kind of cold that goes through your jacket and makes you wish you had worn a scarf. I pulled my coat tighter. Zane noticed. He always notices things like that. "You should wear something tomorrow " he said. "This is warm " I replied. "It is not " he said. "I run hot " I told him. "You run stubborn " he said back. I almost smiled.

That feeling was still there even outside. With the door closed behind us. I turned around. The library windows were dark and reflective. I could not see inside.. Someone could see out. Someone was probably still watching us.

Zane said I was doing it again looking over my shoulder. "Maybe I like looking over my shoulder " I said. "Maybe you are scared " he replied. I walked faster. "I am not scared " I said. "Then why are you walking like someone is chasing you?" he asked. I did not answer. Because someone was not literally chasing me not yet.. Jade Mercer had been watching me since the gala. Since the hallway. Since the moment I told everyone the truth about Cole.

Jade does not like me. That is fine. Lots of people do not like me.. Jade does not just dislike people. Jade collects them studies them finds their spots and presses until something breaks. I know because I saw her do it.. Now I was in her sights.

Zane walked me to my building. We took the route past the same broken streetlight. We stopped at the door. Neither of us knew how to say goodbye. " Time Friday?" he asked. " Time Friday " I replied. "Sydney " he said slowly "whatever you are worried about you do not have to carry it " "I am not worried " I said. "You are lying " he replied. "Maybe " I said.

He did not push. He just. Put his hands in his pockets. "Goodnight, Sydney " he said. "Goodnight Zane " I replied. He walked away. I watched him go. The feeling of being watched stopped.. I knew it would come back.

Inside my apartment it was dark. I did not turn on the lights. I just stood in the doorway. Listened. The building was quiet too quiet. I locked the door the deadbolt, the chain and the little slide lock I never use. Then I walked to the window. The streetlight was still. The quad was dark.. I could see the library in the distance with lights on in some windows and off in others. Somewhere in there someone had been watching.

I pulled the curtain closed. Sat on my bed. My phone buzzed. It was a number. "You looked good today " the message said. My blood went cold. "Who is this?" I asked. "You know who " the reply said. "What do you want?" I asked. "To talk " the message said. "Coffee tomorrow at 11am at the place on Maple. Do not be late."

I stared at the screen. My hands were shaking. I wanted to throw my phone across the room block the number and pretend this was not happening.. I could not. Because Jade is not someone you ignore. Jade is someone who destroys you when you look away.

I texted Sally. "Jade wants to meet " I said. "What? When?" she asked. "Tomorrow coffee on Maple " I replied. "Do not go " she said. "If I do not go she will come to me " I said. "Then let her " Sally replied. "You do not owe her anything." "I know " I said. "Then do not go " she said.

I put my phone down. Looked at the ceiling. Sally was right I did not owe Jade anything.. Jade does not play by those rules. Jade takes what she wants.. Right now she wanted me.

I did not sleep. I just lay there staring at the dark thinking about the library the feeling of being watched and the text from a number I did not recognize but knew by heart. At 2am I grabbed my phone. Texted Jade. "I will be there " I said. "I know " she replied.

I put the phone down. Rolled over. The ceiling stared back. Tomorrow I would walk into that coffee shop. Sit across from the girl who wanted to destroy me.. I would smile. Because that is what I do. I smile.. I survive.. Tonight I let myself be scared. Just, for a while.