Chapter 16
1123 Words
The Notes
The dorm was unusually noisy that Thursday evening. Ethan’s roommates, Jamie and Mark , had decided it was the perfect night to clean their shared space — which really meant digging through piles of laundry, snack wrappers, and Ethan’s untouched textbooks.
Ethan sat at his desk, headphones on, absorbed in typing out an essay draft. He barely noticed when Jamie, in his eternal nosiness, pulled a notebook off Ethan’s bed and a thin folded paper slipped out.
“What’s this?” Jamie muttered, crouching to pick it up. The handwriting on the outside was sharp, slanted — not Ethan’s. He unfolded it. His eyes widened.
You don’t know me yet. But I know you. One day you’ll understand.
Jamie blinked. “Okay, that’s creepy.”
Mark, who had been balancing a tower of instant noodle cups, froze. “What is it?”
Jamie shoved the note at him. “Our dear Ethan’s got himself a secret admirer… or a stalker.”
Mark’s mouth fell open. “Wait—there’s more under here.” He tugged Ethan’s old textbook off the shelf. Three more slips fluttered to the ground.
By the time Ethan noticed the commotion, his roommates had spread a dozen notes across the floor like they were arranging evidence for a crime drama.
“Guys, what are you—” Ethan yanked his headphones off. His face went red instantly. “Don’t touch those!”
Jamie’s grin was mischievous, but his eyes were wary. “So it’s true. You’ve been getting creepy love letters and you didn’t think to tell us?”
“They’re not— I don’t even know what they are,” Ethan stammered, diving forward to grab the papers. “They just… started showing up. I didn’t want to make a big deal—”
“No big deal?” Mark’s voice cracked. He snatched one back from Ethan’s hands and read aloud: ‘You looked beautiful when you smiled in class today. I wish it was for me.’ He shivered. “That’s not cute, Ethan. That’s straight up horror movie.”
Before Ethan could protest, a knock sounded at the door.
---
Adrian stepped in first, carrying his usual calm like armor. Behind him, Leo barged in loudly, and Kai slid in last, smirking as if he’d been expecting entertainment.
“What’s going on?” Adrian asked, gaze flicking from Ethan to the scattered notes.
Leo spotted the papers and froze. Then he whirled on Ethan. “WHAT THE HELL, E? You’ve been keeping love notes from a creeper and you didn’t think to tell me?!”
“They’re not— it’s not like that—” Ethan stuttered, clutching a handful of crumpled slips.
Kai crouched smoothly, plucking one off the floor before Ethan could grab it. His eyes scanned the page, the smirk fading from his face. “Interesting…” He held it up. “These aren’t romantic. They’re obsessive.”
Adrian took the note, his jaw tightening as he read. His voice was low, controlled. “How long?”
Ethan wilted under the three sets of eyes. “A… a few weeks.”
“A few weeks?!” Leo exploded, pacing across the room like a caged tiger. “Do you even value your life, Ethan? What if this weirdo’s been following you everywhere? What if—”
Kai cut him off, voice silky but sharp. “Yelling won’t fix anything. What matters is who wrote them.”
---
Mark, unable to resist, whispered dramatically to Jamie, “It’s like a live episode of a dating reality show, but with extra murder.”
Jamie nodded sagely. “We should sell tickets.”
“Not helping!” Ethan groaned, burying his face in his hands.
Adrian crouched beside him, steady and quiet. “Ethan. Look at me.”
Reluctantly, Ethan raised his eyes. Adrian’s gaze was steady, grounding. “This isn’t your fault. But hiding it makes you vulnerable. Do you understand?”
Ethan nodded weakly.
Leo plopped down on the bed beside him, throwing an arm around Ethan’s shoulders a little too roughly. “From now on, you tell us everything. No secrets. Got it?”
“I wasn’t—” Ethan tried, but Leo pulled him into a half-hug that made his face burn.
Kai leaned lazily against the desk, watching the two with narrowed eyes. “Touching. But while you’re busy playing bodyguard, the stalker’s still out there. And clearly close enough to leave notes in his room or books.”
The words hung heavy. Even Ethan’s roommates went quiet.
---
The New Note
Just when the tension seemed ready to explode, Mark frowned. “Wait… this one’s different.”
He held up a folded paper he’d found tucked behind Ethan’s pillow. The ink was fresher, the handwriting hurried. Adrian snatched it and unfolded it. His eyes flicked across the words, and for the first time, his calm cracked.
“What does it say?” Ethan asked nervously.
Adrian’s voice was grim. “Tonight. Rooftop. Alone.”
The room went silent.
Leo’s fists clenched. “Oh no. Oh hell no. This psycho wants a meeting? Not happening.”
Kai’s smile returned, but it was sharper now. “Actually… it is happening. Just not the way they think.” He turned to Adrian and Leo. “We let Ethan go. With us nearby. Whoever it is won’t resist showing their hand.”
Ethan’s heart hammered. “You want to use me as bait?!”
“Yes,” Kai said simply.
Leo nearly lunged at him. “Over my dead body! We’re not dangling him in front of some lunatic!”
Adrian’s eyes met Ethan’s. “He’s right about one thing. Whoever’s doing this won’t stop unless we confront them. But you won’t be alone.”
Mark raised his hand timidly. “Uh… as Ethan’s roommate, I feel like I should veto the bait plan.”
Jamie nodded. “Agreed. Unless I get popcorn.”
Leo groaned. Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose. Kai just laughed softly.
Ethan slumped back against the wall, overwhelmed. His roommates were bickering, his so-called “protectors” were plotting, and his chest tightened with a mix of fear and something else he didn’t dare name.
The notes weren’t just words on paper anymore. They were pulling everyone closer to something inevitable.
---
Adrian finally stood, his decision sharp as steel. “Midnight. Rooftop. We end this.”
Leo cracked his knuckles. Kai’s smile widened. Jace and Mark exchanged a look that screamed, we’re definitely spying on this.
And Ethan, sitting there with his heart in his throat, wondered how on earth his quiet college life had spiraled into this storm of danger, rivalry, and confusing affection.
- Writer
