Watching From Darkness: My Vampire Stalker

POV: May *** My alarm cut through my hazy half-sleep like a knife. I jolt awake, almost cracking my head against the bed frame. What time is it? I frantically kick my sheets off, reaching down to grab my phone and swipe it on. 8:20. Great, my alarm must have snoozed a couple of times. I have class at 9:00. I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and slide a pair of fluffy slippers on. I head to the bathroom, hoping yesterday's makeup will be alright for now. I stand in front of my bathroom mirror, pleased to see I'm not looking as rough as I feel. My curly, brown hair has gone frizzy but it kind of frames my eyes so I'll leave it. My mascara is clumpy but my blue eyeshadow still looks good, a gentle tone to bring out the grey of my eyes. It looks stormy and wild, exactly what I was hoping for when I went to last night's party. My lipstick remains unsmudged, a taunting mockery of my perpetually single lifestyle. My red dress hugs my curves tightly, accentuating my thick thighs and stomach rolls. Perfect for a sloppy night out, not so much for class. Sighing, I grab a pack of makeup wipes and get to work tidying up my mascara and blush, leaving it less obvious. I pull my dress off and toss it in the hamper in the corner. It slumps against the wall, full. Another job to put off till later. My entire flat could use a clean really. It's exam season at uni and even though I'm passing, it's wrecked havoc on my living space. I normally keep it minimalist - neutral colours, clutter in drawers, rubbish in the bin and a couple of carefully selected photos on the wall. I have a single accent wall in the bedroom. Red, of course. But now it looks like my life has exploded everywhere. There's takeout boxes and scribbled notes everywhere, clothes on the floor and I think half my bookshelf has been used as a distraction within the last week. Last night was the first time I'd gone out in weeks, a celebration of our final exam. I'm not sure how many people will show up to the lecture today. Some of my classmates drank a lot more than I did. Once I'm satisfied with my hair and makeup, I rifle through my wardrobe for something comfortable. I pull out a pair of light pink tracksuit bottoms and a black crop top, throwing a sparkly cardigan over the top for flair. I'm just turning to go to the kitchen when I see it. A fleeting glimpse out of the window, just quick enough that I could have missed it. But I never miss it. "Hello, shadow." I whisper. The shadow has been there forever. I can't remember a time without it. At first, I used to think my eyes were playing tricks. Maybe it was just the trees or the birds flying overhead. But as time went on, I couldn't deny there was something there. I don't see it all the time. Only at night or early winter mornings when the sun still isn't out. I don't know what it wants, and maybe I really have just gone crazy, but it's nice to know there's someone...watching over me? I shake my head, laughing at myself. You certainly sound crazy. It's a shadow, not some guardian angel. I don't have time to make anything fancy for breakfast so I just chuck a couple of pieces of toast in. With jam and thick butter, it's heavenly. I grab my car keys and lock up, heading to the car park down the road. As much as I love my little flat, and the neighbours, it's a pain to walk in the cold drizzle this time of year. At least my pumps don't get damp The car chirps as I approach, a cute, yellow mini. It cost a bit more than I wanted to spend but I fell in love as soon as I saw it and couldn't stand the thought of leaving without it. The drive to uni is peaceful, even with my music blaring through the speakers. As I pull into the campus, my song cuts out and ringing trills instead. I hit answer. "Oh my gosh, May, I am dying! Please, please, please say that you're around the corner with coffee?" It's Kat, my absolute best friend. We met a few years ago at karaoke and really hit it off. She's more outgoing than me and she's constantly dragging me to her events to keep her company (and I think hoping I meet someone). "Sorry, Kat, not this morning. Early lecture for me. Breakfast tomorrow instead?" "You're such a bore! Skip class and hang out for once." She's teasing me, and I joke, "If I'm so boring, enjoy dealing with your hangover alone. I'm going to be late." I hang up on her. A few seconds later, a picture comes through - a blurry portrait of some guy's chest, passed out in Kat's bed. Her caption says 'I'm not alone!'. I burst into laughter. Kat is ridiculous, although I wish I could be more like her. I head to class, taking my seat near the back as usual and booting up my laptop. There are a couple of others in the hall but not many. The teacher strolls in, gives us all a disapproving glare then huffs as he pulls out a thick folder. "Class, what few of you there are, we have a new student. She's taken her exams a few weeks ago at her old uni so she's all caught up. Please make her welcome." He hands the folder to someone I hadn't spotted, a women my age stood near the side. When I set eyes on her, I feel my throat close up. She's beautiful. And she's looking right at me.