CHAPTER THREE: UP CLOSE WITH DANGER
1424 Words
Kyle’s POV
“You’re unbelievable,” Selene’s voice scolded. She moved around the kitchen with a tray of steaming mugs. “Really? You must have scared the poor girl to death.”
I smirked faintly but didn’t meet her eyes.
Typical Selene. I knew she was going to react like this when I tell her.
We were alone in the kitchen, the rest of us weren’t home, so I decided to talk to her about it first.
“She didn’t see me. I stayed far enough.” I shrugged, though I knew it wasn’t the full truth.
“Far enough to give her a panic attack, maybe,” she shot back.
“You’re supposed to be happy for me.“ I groaned.
“I am happy for you. All these years and she’s finally here and now you don’t have to marry…”
“Don’t say it please” I cut in and she laughed.
I finally looked up.
“I wasn’t trying to hurt her. I just… needed to know she was real.”
My sister set the mugs down with a huff. “Well, now you know. So what’s the plan? Stalk her forever?”
I leaned back, jaw tight.
“No. I’ll find a way in. Without scaring her.”
She raised a brow. “And how exactly do you plan to do that?”
A faint smile curved my lips.
“I’m already enrolled.”
****************
Myla’s POV
The rest of the week dragged like a nightmare on repeat .
No matter how many times I told myself it was nothing—just my imagination—my chest still buzzed with the echo of his voice.
Looking for me?
The words coiled in my head, squeezing tighter every time I blinked.
And the worst part? Hailey swore she hadn’t seen him.
Which meant either I was losing my mind…
Or something far worse was happening.
“You’ve barely touched your fries,” Hailey said, pushing the pack toward me in the late afternoon. We’d found a quiet corner in the library, but even the rows of books couldn’t muffle my unease.
“And that’s saying something, considering you usually inhale food like it’s your last meal.”
“I’m fine,” I lied, flipping open a textbook I hadn’t even registered grabbing. “And I do not inhale my food plus eating in the library is prohibited” I added, making a face.
She gave me that look—the one that said she didn’t believe me for a second.
“Fine people don’t go ghost-hunting in the cafeteria.You haven’t been yourself since that day.”
I forced a laugh, but it came out thin. “I wasn’t ghost-hunting. I just thought I saw someone.”
“Keyword: thought.”
Maybe she was right. Maybe it was all in my head.
Except… I could still feel the press of his gaze, cold and heavy, as if it had marked me.
The bell finally rang. I gathered my things with more relief than I cared to admit. Classes had a way of distracting my thoughts.
As we strolled to English class, Hailey leaned in, whispering like she was sharing a royal secret.
“Did you hear? We’ve got a new transfer student starting today.”
I barely looked up. “And?”
She grinned. “And rumor has it, he’s insanely gorgeous.”
I rolled my eyes.
I didn’t care about that, my life wasn’t the way I wanted it to go. It wasn’t normal yet but… I could do this.
One day at a time.
One more day survived.
One more step closer to normal.
At least, until I stepped into my last class.
The chatter hit me first. A buzz of excitement, louder than usual. I frowned, sliding into my seat as Hailey plopped down beside me.
“What’s with everyone?” I whispered.
She smirked. “Didn’t you hear me earlier ? New student. Apparently he’s drop-dead gorgeous.”
My stomach dropped.
The door creaked open.
Cold swept through the room.
My pulse stumbled as a tall figure strode into the room, the late sun catching in his storm-colored eyes.
The same eyes that had haunted me since the cafeteria.
His gaze swept the room once.
Then it landed on me.
And held.
Was he really here ? I wondered, scared to look away. What if I did and he disappeared again?
I froze, breath lodged in my throat, as the teacher’s voice barely registered.
“Class, please welcome our new student…”
But I didn’t hear the name.
Because in that instant, I knew—
whatever he was, my life in Elderwood would never be normal again.
“Earth to Myla “ Hailey nudged me .
I turned to look at her, her eyes glinted with suspicion.
“He’s extremely handsome isn’t he?”
“Well…err…um” I tried to find my tongue.
“It’s okay I understand“ she winked.
“No, it’s not that” I facepalmed .
“Then what is it ?” She wiggled her brows .
“You’re such an i***t “ I chuckled and playfully hit her shoulder “He’s the guy I saw at the cafeteria…the ‘ghost’ “ I whispered.
She stared at me point blank .
“What?” I wondered
“Um Myla, I think you should go see a doctor …h…he just started here today. I think something might be happening to you” she sounded worried .
“You know what? Never mind “ I said ,slightly hurt.
If Hailey couldn’t believe me, who would?
“Myla I...”
“Silence please. Let’s begin with today's work “ Professor Kennedy, our chemistry instructor, said loudly , hushing everyone .
I grabbed a cup of coffee as I sat, waiting for the bus after school. Coffee had a way of calming me.
“Hello beautiful“ A deep silky voice called.
“What do you want?” I asked not even bothering to look at who it was.
“Can I at least sit?” He motioned for the chair next to me.
“What do you want?” I snapped looking up at him.
My breath caught in my throat. My heart beating so fast as though I’d just ran a 200m mile.
It was him… he sounded different.
I took a deep breath preparing for what was coming—but nothing came.
He just stood there in a brown leather jacket and black loose pants. His eyes, the most beautiful shade of blue.
His hair brown, well groomed and shiny,his lips were the faintest shade of light pink. He seemed to have shaved off his stubble because I recall there was a light stubble when I saw him that day or was it really him I saw?
I mean, he just enrolled today.
He had the looks of a top fashion model and though I couldn’t see his body, I could tell he was fit.
In general, he looked very much like a—heartbreaker.
“If you’re not going to say anything, I’m gonna leave. You’re creeping me out“ I gulped down the last of my coffee.
“Wait” he said and sat down
I watched him closely and stared into his eyes and suddenly I could feel the hair at the back of my hair stand as realization dawned on me.
He wasn’t human. Did he know who I was ? Was that why he kept following me?
I got really frightened but I hid it well. If there was anything I was good at, it was masking my emotions .
I knew fully well what he was, he was what I should never mess with and if he knew what I was, he would literally tear me apart .
I stood up and made to leave.
“Where are you going? I just wanna talk” His voice sounded like music to my ears, I just wanted to sit and listen to him talk all day but I also wanted to remain alive.
Grabbing my coffee cup I showed it to him and he knitted his brows in confusion
“Here’s my cup of care …ohh look it’s EMPTY” I tried to sound as normal as possible as I sassed. I spun around and walked away putting a distance between us for my own good.
He wasn’t just danger.
He was the kind of danger I thought I’d left behind and he wasn’t here by accident .
- Writer
