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Turning on the ball of her foot, she marches toward the guy. She’s going to ask what his problem is. And whether he’s aware of the definition of stalking.
The forest engulfs her with the scent of pine and earth as she trudges forward determinedly. She stops several feet in and glances around, looking one way, then the other. A soft breeze tickles her hair and rustles the pine needles above her. A bird calls somewhere.
She’s alone.
Frowning, she checks around the nearby trees, feeling more and more foolish. And frustrated that all she finds are more trunks. This is where she saw him. She knows it is. Her hands on her hips, she peers into the gloomy depths of the forest. Nothing. He’s disappeared.
“Elara!” calls Kira. “Get your three-toed sloth ass in here!”
Huffing, Elara turns and stalks back out. The next time she sees him, she won’t take her eyes off his brooding face. Then she’ll get some answers.
She’s just passed the tree line when she glances over her shoulder one last time, wanting to make sure. The forest is just as still and empty of weirdos as it was before. Letting out another annoyed huff, she turns back toward the swimming hole. She won’t let him ruin her nice afternoon.
She slams straight into someone, bounces back, and falls flat on her butt.
“Are you okay?” asks a masculine voice as a hand enters her line of sight.
Her eyes shoot up, but it’s nothim. Although he’s also tall, and well-built, the guy looking at her as if he’s mortified isn’t asbroad ashim. And he has light hair, dark blond waves that hang into his now-wide green eyes.
Elara shakes herself for comparing the two of them at all.He’sno one, just a strange, potential stalker who she never would have given another thought to if he hadn't been following her. She shouldn't be comparing him to anyone, let alone a guy who is polite enough to help her after she accidentally slammed into his chest and landed on the ground, which was definitely her fault. “Sorry. That was my fault. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going.”
He shakes his head, his long bangs flipping into his eyes. “Not at all,” he says easily, ducking his head a little.
The action has Elara realizing she knows him, making this even more humiliating. Laith’s in several of her classes, although they’ve never spoken. Although if he’d been some random guy, she could have gone on her way with just an apology, and not had to worry about seeing him again and reliving this little…incident.
Conscious that an awkward silence is stretching out, making this even more, well, awkward, Elara mutters another apology and steps away, surprised to find Laith steps with her, staying in front of her. She stills, but tries to tell herself that it’s just because she’s weirded out by losinghimin the forest.
She angles her head, looking at Laith in askance. She doesn't know much about him, other than the fact that he’s in several of her classes this semester. That’s not uncommon, given the fact the college isn't very big, which was why she knows him well enough to know his name. He’s always seemed quiet. Kinda shy. Which is why his action is surprising. She’d expecthimto do something like this.
Laith takes a deep breath, as if he’s gathering his courage. His cheeks are flushed, even though it’s her who landedgracelessly on her ass, which has her softening her smile. He seems sweet enough.
“I was just, ah, wondering if you’d like to go out to the movies or something sometime?” he asked hurriedly, ducking his head and averting his gaze.
Elara’s eyes widen, and she takes a second to gather herself before she responds. Now she realizes why he looks so embarrassed. He’s trying to gather his courage to ask her out. She shifts a little, adjusting the crisscross straps of her bikini across her flat stomach. She barely knows Laith, but she does know there’s no real spark of attraction on her part. And she doesn’t want to lead him on.
She’s going to have to let him down.
“Thanks for the invite, Laith.” He glances at her, almost as if he’s surprised she knows his name. “But I’m, you know, just focusing on my studies right now.”
Laith’s gaze slips away, and Elara cringes inside at her lame-ass excuse. She doesn't want to hurt his feelings, but she also doesn't want to give him false hope. “That’s cool,” he mumbles. “It was a stupid idea, anyway.”
Before she can respond, he walks away, his gait stiff and uneven. Elara wipes her hand down her face, sighing.
One guy she can’t get off her back.
Another coming out of left field.
When what she told Laith is kinda the truth. She’s enjoying college. The freedom. The chance to define herself. To forge a future she’s excited about.
“Elara!” This time it’s Jordyn calling. “Are you doing your weekly, ahem, ablutions?”
Rolling her eyes, Elara strides to the edge of the water, her hands on her hips. “A week is a long time to be backed up, okay?”
The other two burst into laughter, splashing water at her. Laughing herself, Elara leaps high, landing with a large splashbetween them. A furious water fight breaks out, Kira quickly showing her competitive side as she launches waves and waves of water at her opponents.
The three of them swim for as long as they can, but soon enough evening is falling and even Kira has to admit that it’s time to leave. They climb out and Elara notices it’s later than she realized. Long shadows stretch out over the stony ground. The forest is dark, the pointed tops of the pine trees barely discernible against the indigo sky. What’s more, there’s no one else here.
“Ooh, it’s going to be a full moon tonight,” says Kira.
