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My eyes drop to my hands, which are twisting nervously. I wait. And wait. Morgan is fiercely protective of people she loves, especially me. She has bugged me about those damn flowers and going to Campus Safety. I deflected. Then ignored it all. When she doesn’t say anything, I look up and she’s deep in thought.
“Morgan?”
With a sigh, she focuses back on me. “Sophia, how does he know you’re wearing black?”
I look down at my shirt and tug at the hem. “I wear black a lot. It’s a neutral.”
Morgan smiles and rolls her eyes a little. It’s the truth and something we are both guilty of. “Oh, Soph, I hate that you’ve dealt with this by yourself. I cannot imagine how afraid you must be. I’m trying hard not to be selfish and make this about me and how hurt I am that you didn’t trust me enough to come to me.”
“I’m sorry. I wanted to ignore it all. Everything I’ve read on this topic says not to engage. I haven’t. Not since... okay, well I did once, but only because I thought the text was for someone else. But after that, I have been blocking them.”
Scooting forward, she wraps me in her arms. “We’re going to Campus Safety tomorrow and if you argue with me, I will call your mother.”
Oh, she plays hardball. “I’ll go to security. Not that I think there’s anything they can do.”
“I’m sure your main man Rowdy will open a high priority investigation just for you.”
I can’t help but laugh.
• • •
Morgan and I walk in stunned silence away from the Campus Safety office. I remember vividly walking across this same pathway on my first tour of campus. The guy leading us stopped in front of this very building and told us the great strides the university’s board was making to ensure we have a safe campus. Their Safety Department teamed up with the local police and were trained on how to properly handle many crimes college students face.
It's a harsh reality but crime is rampant on college campuses. The idea that this school, my dream college, made safety a priority was a huge sell to my parents. Except, what was not told to us is that it has to be avisiblecrime. You have to be able to show the safety officers an imminent danger or provide physical evidence that you’ve been victimized.
I could jump on a soap box about crimes that happen when we aren’t awake or that there isn’t always a visible injury, but I digress. I spent the entire night reading article after article and deep diving into message boards about stalking.
As much as I’d like to deny it, I must face facts. Someone is stalking me. From what I read last night and into the sunrise this morning, there are many different kinds of stalking and levels of danger. Stranger stalkers, intimate partner, workplace, familial. The list is long and utterly frightening.
The scariest part is I have no idea who it could be. Therein lies the problem with Campus Safety. I told them about the texts and the flowers. Of the specific comments about what I was doing or wearing. As I expected early on, an unsigned card and a few texts to or from a wrong number do not equal stalking in their eyes.
“So this psycho has to physically harm her in order for you to do something? That seems ridiculous.”
Morgan was heated when the officer explained the reporting of stalking to us and the uphill battle I was facing. She excused herself when he suggested I simply change my number.
“No kidding. And changemy number? Why should I be the one to change my life? I’m not doing anything wrong.”
Stopping at the fork of the pathways, Morgan steps aside so we aren’t blocking anyone’s way. “Sophia, as much as I hate to say this, maybe he’s right. Changing your number may deter this weirdo. Then again,” she says, her eyes looking over my shoulder, “it could set him off. I read all kinds of articles last night and from what I can tell, there is no formula to this type of crime.”
“You were online searching this?”
“Of course. You’re my best friend and I’ll be damned if some weirdo is going to hurt you.”
My heart grows double in size. When they say ride or die, they must have a photo of Morgan Valencia next to the definition. Her deep blue eyes are almost midnight blue today and I know the look on her face. She’s concocting a plan.
“I think we need to go to the police department and file an actual report. Something on record that there is an issue. I’m not trying to be morbid, but a paper trail is important... just in case.”
A lump forms in my throat. Her words hit me hard. From my toes to the top of my head, I feel the fear growing and producing roots that will stay with me forever. She doesn’t have to say it but we both know the “the just in case” is my being hurt. Or worse.
Chapter 6
Sophia
Opening night never disappoints. The energy in the theater is vibrating. Actors stand quietly, some repeating their lines while others are taking a moment for only themselves. Our stage manager is rushing around shouting reminders but with a smile on her face that tells us all she’s as thrilled for this night as the rest of us.
“Everything looks great, Soph.”
My head turns to Colin and I smile at my friend. “We make a great team. I’m sorry I’ve been a little off the last few weeks.”
