She Belongs to Me [A Stalker Series]

The Ride

Emily:

"Wait! Waaaait!" I ran towards the bus, trying to wave it down, but it was already driving away. "Son of a bulldog..."

My apartment was five miles away from the campus, and I'd just missed my only means of transportation. I looked down at the half eaten donut in my hand. Why did I have to stop at the cafeteria after classes? Stupid donut. I sighed and began walking down the sidewalk when my cellphone rang.

It was my friend, Hope.

I threw the donut down and answered. "Hello.."

"Where are you?"

I slapped my sugar covered hand on my forehead. Crap! I was supposed to meet her and James at The Jittery Bean after school. I shook my head and sighed, "I missed the stupid bus."

"Are you serious?" I could hear her stifle a giggle as she told James what happened. He began laughing in the background, and I couldn't help but smile myself. I guess it was kind of funny.

"Let me guess..." James said from the other line. "You went to the cafeteria to buy one of those muffins you were eye raping during lunch, then missed the bus because you didn't make it to the bus stop in time."

"Of course not!" I gasped, insulted by such an accusation. "It was a donut."

More laughter from the background. I growled at them. "Are you two finished? Because I could use a little help here! I'm stranded and I need a-"

Just when I was about to say "ride", a black BMW pulled up on the sidewalk next to me. The window rolled down, and a familiar face was on the other side.

It was the guy from my biology class.

"Hey Emily.." He said, examining me curiously.

I muted my cellphone. "Hey, what's up?"

"I saw you walking and thought you might need a lift home."

Oh, thank God! I don't have to walk five miles!

"You sure you don't mind?"

"Of course not. Come on."

I took my phone off of mute. "You guys still there?"

"Yeah, we're here. Do you need a ride?"

"I have one, but thanks anyway, losers." I joked, hanging up the phone.

I opened the door and climbed into the passenger seat. "Thanks for stopping. I kind of missed the bus for a donut." His head cocked to the side and I laughed. "Never mind, it's a long story." I reached for the seatbelt and tried to pull it over me, but it wouldn't budge. I looked at him, embarrassed."

"Oh...that stupid thing gets stuck all the time." He stretched his arm over my chest and pulled it down with ease. I couldn't help but steal a glance of his biceps. Wow, he has some nice muscles.

"Where to?" He asked.

I gave him the directions to my apartment complex and he started driving. I rested my elbow on the car door, leaning my head on my hand. "So..I never caught your name this morning."

"Vincent.." He answered, his brown eyes fixed on the road.

"Cool...I've always liked that name." His lips twisted into a smile but he didn't respond. We sat there in silence for a few seconds and I tried to think of something to talk about.

Weather? Nah..too cliche.

Politics? No..too controversial.

School? Sure..that'll work.

So, I asked him, "What are you going to major in?"

"Psychology."

"Really? That must be interesting."

"I suppose so." He answered, staring at the road.

I shrugged my shoulders.

Hmm...he doesn't really seem interested in small talk. I'll leave him alone. Don't want to annoy the guy.

I stared out of the windshield as we rode in silence. I could see him look at me every now and then from the corner of my eye, which was kind of awkward, but he never said a word.

After a few minutes, we arrived at my apartment complex. "Is this it?" Vincent asked, putting the car into park.

"Yep, this is the one." I unlatched my seatbelt and put my hand on his shoulder. "Thanks for the ride. That was really cool of you." Vincent looked at me, but didn't say anything. I smiled and opened the door, stepping out. "Well, see you tommorow!"

Vincent smiled and handed me my bag.

"Y-yeah. See you.."

*****

Vincent:

"Y-yeah. See you..." I stammered, handing Emily her bag. When she turned around, I rubbed my shoulder where she'd touched me. My eyes closed.

Why did I have to be so nervous around her?

I barely said two words to her the entire time!

How was I supposed to get to know her if I didn't even have the balls to talk to her?

I sighed and watched her go into her apartment.

Number 307.

A number I would not soon forget.

When I was certain she was inside her apartment, safe and sound, I got back on the road and started heading back home. I turned on the radio.

Bing Crosby was crooning a love ballad.

I quickly shut it off.

Damn it! I had the perfect opportunity to spend more time with her, and I blew it!

Why didn't I ask her if she wanted to go and get a cup of coffee or something?

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

"Not that she would have anyway..." I sighed, gazing at the passenger seat where Emily was sitting just a few moments ago. I've never had the best luck when it came to girls. They always treated me like I was some kind of freak. Laughing at me, whispering behind my back. But Emily would never do those things. She's the only girl that's ever been nice to me, the only girl that wanted to get to know me.

The only girl to ever....touch me.

"I want to get to know you, too." I said, still looking at the empty passenger seat. "I want to know EVERYTHING about you."