MADISON POV:

Sitting in class, my mind never left the thought of the guy I ran into back by the lockers. It was a weird moment for us both, and I knew that he had to be the type of guy who had his charm on every single girl.

Maybe it was just me, It's not everyday I talk to boys unless it was my father, my brothers, or my friend Jack. I don't think it was that though. It was something about him that had me caught in an awkward daze.

My thoughts shouldn't be left alone to handle themself, for I know that it won't be long till my head floods with unwanted thoughts. When I mean this, I mean how I didn't want to think of him or anyone at all.

I needed a distraction, or better yet my head. My eyes stayed glued to the front of the classroom where my teacher was explaining to us about some assignment. I had no clue what it was though. Honestly, my attention was on other things.

I knew that I was starting to lack and that wasn't good for a college girl. I had to stay in a good mood so I could focus on my work and pay attention in class. Not paying attention will only lead to struggles I didn't want.

Everyone knew I was one of the most dedicated kid in my classes. I can't believe I'm letting such stupid things control my head to the point where I'm oblivious to everything around me.

Moments later, I heard the bell and I knew first class was over. My teacher continued talking for a few minutes, and I tried my best to pay attention if not anything else.

"We will continue tomorrow, please make time to study because I will ask questions. You all may be dismissed," Professor Charles said next.

Everyone almost instantly got up and started walking out. Half of them were asleep the entire time, not waking up until the end of class. I sighed and got up out of my seat.

On accident I turned my head backwards and saw Nicholas and Justin in deep conversation about something I couldn't make out.

My eyes left the sight of them, and I walked out of the class. I saw Jack in front of me, farther away. I quickly ran and stopped behind him.

"Hey, Jack!" I called out, trying to catch my breath after running so fast.

He continued walking for a moment, but stopped when he heard me. He turned around and faced me with a smile.

"Hey Mads," He said softly.

"Where is Valerie and Georgia?" I asked him.

We all shared the first class together, but I only saw Jack in class. I wonder where they were the entire class, or if they even came today.

"Georgia has a bad hangover and Valerie is sick so neither of them came today," He told me flatly.

"Oh," It didn't make sense for her to drink heavily on a school night.

I knew Georgia was a party girl who loved to drink, but that was just careless and stupid. How could she be that dumb to intoxicate herself the night before school. I wouldn't ever think of doing such a thing.

I shook my head and dismissed the thoughts I was having about how dumb Georgia was for getting drunk. What was her reason for drinking anyway? I wouldn't be surprised if I found out she went to another party, but I would think she would kind of feel it was too early to attend another one after what happened at the still recent party we all attended together. No matter how long ago it was, it was still a fresh memory in my head as if it was new.

"Are you mad at me?" I asked him next.

A part of me felt like he was trying to avoid me after telling them that I needed space. I didn't mean for him to avoid me, I just wanted a little alone time to think. It wasn't like I was giving up on friendship because of that one time.

"Honestly Madison...no, I'm not. You deserve to want space and it was the least we could do after that. I was just giving you space like you asked." He said to me.

He gave me a sad face and bowed his head down. "I'm sorry, we're sorry about it all..." Jack meekly spoke out.

My lips turned a little and I gave him a small smile. I knew he was sorry, and I shouldn't have been snappy with them. They deserved it after what happened, but I wasn't the type of person to hold grudges. Especially not with my friends.

"I know, it's okay. I'm sorry too," I replied.

"Why are you sorry, you didn't do anything?" He looked up at me and asked.

"Yes I did...I was mean when I asked you guys to give me space. I didn't mean to say it like that, or give you the wrong idea about how I was feeling. I could never stay mad at you guys."

"You don't need to apologize, I barely noticed anything mean about your tone. You were just hurt and needed some time alone, and I completely understand that. Besides, we deserved the silent treatment from you." 

My smile got bigger and I hugged him, which he gave back after a few moments.

"Thank you for understanding..." I said softly while still wrapped in our hug.

He pulled away after a few seconds and we both gave each other a friendly smile.

"Sure," He said back.

I was still wanting to know why Georgia was stupid enough to get drunk, and I didn't understand how Valerie all of a sudden got sick. She seemed perfectly fine yesterday.

"Why would Georgia get drunk like that on a school night?" I couldn't help but be curious about it.

"Once she tried to call you and she continued to get your voicemail, she knew that you were ignoring her. She thought that you'd never talk to us again or something, and she got drunk." He told me.

My mouth formed an 'oh' and I felt bad for her, just a little. I knew that I gave her the wrong idea with the way I spoke to them yesterday and I knew she called me.

I didn't know she'd go out her way and get drunk not even a day later. It wasn't like I could stop talking to them, and I honestly did feel a little disappointed that she'd do such a thing.

It wasn't healthy to drink heavy, no doubt that it'd cause bigger problems. It was also a bad choice made to do that the night before school.

Now she missed a day and we all know that even one day could turn into a habit. I didn't want that for her all because of me.

"Please tell her I apologize for being harsh with my words and ignoring her. Also tell her that she shouldn't do such things like that...and tell Valerie I said get well soon." I asked him and he nodded at me in agreement.

We talked about casual things just to pass time while we walked to our classes. We went to our respective classrooms and met back up at lunch.

The entire time, I felt like someone was staring at me. My eyes roamed my surroundings and I looked around hesitantly. No one seemed to be looking at me, everyone doing their own thing.

I knew I could be a bit paranoid, but I could feel stares from somewhere. I checked around once again and still didn't find anyone even looking in my direction.

"Hey, you okay? What's wrong?" Jack asked me.

I turned my head back to him and gave him a slight nod. "Ye-yeah I'm g-good..." I responded.

"You sure?" He asked again.

"Positive," I reverted my attention to him.

We talked for a while and after a few minutes, it was time to split up again. We walked to our last classes and we said our goodbyes.

The entire time I was sitting in class, I tried to concentrate on what my professor was saying but I felt uneasy. I couldn't settle down, inside I was shaking slightly.

The stares that I felt on me back at lunch, I could still feel it. I didn't believe in ghosts, and no one seemed to be looking at me.

'Maybe I've become crazy?' I asked myself in my head.

I looked around repeatedly, to at least find one unusual thing so I could convince myself I wasn't crazy. There was nothing though. Everyone in class was either talking, sleeping, or listening to what the teacher was saying. Some were even sneaking on their phones under the table.

'Okay then, I'm officially crazy'. I told myself this so I could ease, but it didn't work as I thought.

I still felt the stares, and I couldn't concentrate. It was like a horror movie kind of...

'Who am I kidding,' I felt dumb for even comparing a horror movie to my paranoia.

When my last class was over, I got up and quickly exited the class. I went straight towards my dorm, and I constantly looked around.

Something was wrong, because no matter how much I told myself I was crazy and convinced myself nothing was wrong, everything was still unsettling for me.

I looked around and I didn't see anyone besides students shuffling around. What the hell is wrong with me? Looking one more time, there wasn't anyone so I continued to walk.

Every step I took got quicker and quicker, for I just wanted to run into my dorm room and lock myself in it forever.

I didn't want to look like a complete psycho in front of everyone after what happened back at that party, so I tried my best to hide my anxiety and act normal on the outside even though I know that I was a mess inside.

****

I was halfway across campus when I started to really feel a presence somewhere close around me. My movement came to a halt and I seriously looked around in terror.

I was sure there was something looking at me, because everything felt so weird and I was never paranoid before. I stood there looking around like a looney toon.

Sure enough, I wasn't crazy after all. I noticed something coming forward at me, and in an instant, my body jerked back with a little fear of who it was.

I stopped reacting and just stood there with a red face when I noticed who was coming forward. It was Rebecca. I didn't want her anywhere near me because I knew she didn't appreciate me even looking at her boyfriend. It showed in the way she eyed us.

My fear died down, but it was still there. I felt relieved that I wasn't crazy or some crazy person was stalking me. It was just her.

"Um...hi?" I tried to start a conversation so things wouldn't be too awkward.

She didn't respond...instead, she quietly looked me up and down.

I shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, all I wanted to do was to become invisible or something. The ground could open up at this moment and swallow me for all I care.

Rebecca didn't seem like the type of girl who got mad. Surprisingly, she seemed calm but I still somehow feared her. She was calm like the waves, but still had the force of a wave to drown you in her calmness.

I remembered how calm that Jaleena girl was, before she drenched me in alcohol, humiliating me with no remorse at all. Ever since that, I don't think I trust calm people.

'CALM BEFORE THE STORM' I reminded myself.

I shifted again, and she looked at my face before I heard her speaking. "What were you doing with him?" She asked in the calmness tone I've heard. I still felt uneasy with it though.

"Please don't try and kill me, I swear I just bumped into him..." I frantically tried to explain what happened.

I remember the similar situation between now and what happened back at the party. I had accidentally bumped into that Justin boy, and his girlfriend showed me the worst of her. Or so I think...

I just hope she's nothing like her or I don't think I would survive...but who am I kidding? If Nicholas and Justin are friends, I bet they know each other. She doesn't seem to be anything like her, but looks can always be deceiving.

"Explaining won't help your case...just leave Nicholas alone," She still held the calmness tone in a situation like this. How could she though?

"I promise that I will never even look in the direction he's in..." I rushed the words out my mouth, hoping that I could keep the promise.

I mean after all, who was I to promise that I won't look in his direction? This would be nearly impossible, but I'll make it possible if it means I don't have to face her wrath. 

I always had a feeling that the calm ones were always the worst. I was calm, but this was different...

Her hazel eyes glazed into mines and she bored her orbs into mines so intensely, I felt like she was pulling them out. I shuddered with the thought of how scary that was.

We stayed like this for some time before she started speaking again. "Just know I'm watching you, I will always have my eyes on you..." Rebecca simply said while we still held the intense eye contact.

I could go on ahead now and say how this encounter was like a horror movie. If it actually was, I was sure that she would be the scary one and I'd be the scared one.

I quickly shook my head up and down in fear, not knowing why I was so scared of her in the first place. Maybe I was just overreacting and thinking too much into things? I don't know and I don't wanna find out...

She turned around and simply walked away, leaving me standing there in horror. When I snapped back into reality, I rushed back to the dorm and locked myself in it.

I used the time to study like my professor said, but of course I couldn't. I would just stare at the book blankly and drown myself in thoughts of what happened back on campus grounds.

I was sure she would be a nightmare if I even got close to her man, so for the life of me...I swore to myself never to encounter him again.

Well I should've known that what I tried to convince myself of, was literally impossible...