AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Morgan shrugs. “Chad. It was fine.”
Fine is never good. Morgan had a steady boyfriend last year but after he graduated, they went their separate ways. She took the breakup harder than expected and has only been back in the dating scene for a few weeks. There have been more “fine” dates than anything else.
“Online dating is hard. If you did more than date your textbooks, you’d be wallowing with me.”
We both sit up and I nudge her with my elbow. “Have you heard yourself? Why would I even consider online dating? It sounds awful. Maybe we should all give up internet dating and go back to the old school ways of meeting people in person. Talking on the phone and getting to know them.”
Morgan howls in laughter and grips her stomach to drive home how funny she thinks my idea is. She’s amused, but I’m serious.
Her giggles have slowed just as the vibration of my phone blares like a bull horn in the quiet room. Before I can rise, Morgan grabs the device from my side table and hands it to me.
Unknown: I hope you liked the flowers.
My breath catches and I stare at my phone and then the flowers. Morgan grabs my hand, reading the screen out loud. “I hope you liked the flowers?”
I stare at the screen, waiting for another message. My dad telling me he has a new number or maybe Jeremiah is playing a joke on me. Nothing comes. There are no floating dots or indicators another message is coming.
“Soph, that’s creepy. And don’t blame my true crime obsession. An unsigned card and now a text message.”
Quickly, I type out a response.
Me: Who is this?
We watch as the three dots appear and then disappear more than once. I’m suddenly aware of every sound around me as we wait. My heart beats in my ears. Morgan’s breathing, a slight whistle coming from her nose as it does when her allergies are acting up.
Unknown: An admirer. Good night, Sophia.
Me: Tell me who you are.
My text comes back undeliverable. I toss my phone on the bed before standing and taking the flowers from the dresser. Hot on my heels, Morgan peppers me with question after question but I am on a mission. Moving quickly through the house, I don’t bother with shoes or even slippers and throw the deadbolt of the kitchen door.
Frustration quickly builds inside me. A blank card and now an unknown number? Nope. I’m too old for this shit. I throw open the lid of the trashcan and toss the poor flowers into the can. It’s not their fault an asshole bought them.
When I turn back toward the house, Morgan is standing in the doorway, her arms crossed over her chest and worry all over her face. I do not have the mental capacity for the conversation she wants to have.
“If that secret admirer really knew me, they’d know I hate random texts.”
That draws a quiet chuckle from my friend, but as we move back to my room, she lets me walk into the en suite bathroom and wash my hands before stating the obvious.
“Soph, that was creepy. We need to call Campus Safety.”
“And say what? Someone sent me flowers and didn’t sign the card and then sent me a text message?” I sigh and offer my friend a soft smile. “I’m obviously blocked now and the flowers are gone. I’m exhausted.”
Nodding, she wraps her arms around me and the gesture brings moisture to my eyes. I release the hug but she holds on. Tightly. In hopes she will get the hint, I smack her butt with both hands. She laughs and finally lets go, taking two steps to the doorway.
“Get some sleep, but I still think it’s creepy.”
“Noted. Goodnight.”
Morgan nods and retreats to her own room across the hall. I close my bedroom door and flip the light switch before sliding between the sheets. The adrenaline that overtook me earlier is gone and I close my eyes, welcoming sleep.
Chapter 4
Sophia
When I was twelve years old my mom took me to a production ofLittle Women. It was only a small community theatre performance but I was mesmerized, nonetheless. The lights, the costumes, the actors. Each element of the production intrigued me and drew me in like a moth to a flame. For Christmas that year, I asked for season tickets so I could immerse myself in a world that fascinated me.
My parents’ responded by enrolling me in acting programs through the same theatre. It was clear from almost day one that I was not meant to stand center stage. Or really on the stage at all. Besides the fact that I had zero talent for acting, the thought of standing in front of hundreds of people made my stomach churn. Okay, not just churn. I would vomit anytime I was asked to perform. Once, I was asked to help with the lighting by simply standing in for Dorothy inThe Wizard of Ozand had to use the little basket in my hand as a receptacle.
