Accidentally yours

RUNNING AWAY

Chapter 4: Running Away

Alex was walking straight toward me.

My stomach dropped.

For a second, I genuinely thought I was imagining it.

There were dozens of girls at this party. Girls who had spent the entire evening trying to get his attention. Girls who looked prettier, more confident, and far less awkward than I did.

Yet somehow, Alex was walking in my direction.

No.

Absolutely not.

The memory of yesterday's fight flashed through my mind.

The blood.

The punches.

The cold look in his eyes.

Then there was the way he had looked at me afterward.

As though he had seen something nobody else had.

I still didn't know why.

"Uh... I'll be right back."

Before Samantha could ask where I was going, I slipped away.

The music pounded through the room as I squeezed between students dancing and laughing.

My heart raced.

I finally stopped behind a group of girls and carefully peeked over someone's shoulder.

Alex had stopped walking.

His gaze swept through the crowd.

Searching.

For a brief moment, confusion crossed his face.

Then his jaw tightened.

I immediately ducked.

Oh God.

Had he noticed me running away?

A few seconds later, curiosity got the better of me.

Again.

I peeked out.

He was gone.

Relief washed through me.

Followed immediately by guilt.

Why had I run?

It's not like he was going to hurt me.

At least... I hoped not.

After making sure he wasn't nearby, I returned to Samantha.

A moment later, Ellie appeared carrying drinks.

"There you are," she said.

"Where did you disappear to?" Samantha asked.

I forced a smile.

"I just needed some air."

Ellie glanced around.

"In the middle of a crowd?"

I opened my mouth.

Closed it.

Then smiled awkwardly.

Neither of them looked convinced.

Thankfully, they didn't ask any more questions.

---

The party continued for another hour.

Students danced.

Music echoed through the building.

Laughter filled every corner.

But my mind wasn't really there.

Every now and then, my eyes wandered through the crowd.

Searching.

Not that I was looking for Alex.

At least that's what I kept telling myself.

When the party finally started winding down, the three of us headed back to our dorm.

The cool night air felt refreshing.

Ellie spent the entire walk talking about random things while Samantha laughed at her dramatic stories.

Normally, I would've joined them.

Tonight, my thoughts were elsewhere.

Back in our room, I changed into my pajamas and climbed into bed.

The lights were switched off shortly afterward.

Within minutes, Ellie and Samantha were asleep.

I envied them.

I stared at the ceiling.

What had Alex wanted?

The question refused to leave my mind.

Maybe he had simply wanted to introduce himself.

Maybe he wanted to ask why I kept staring at him.

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

I buried my face in my pillow.

This was ridiculous.

I barely knew him.

Yet somehow, I couldn't stop thinking about him.

Eventually, exhaustion won.

Unfortunately, sleep wasn't much kinder.

In my dream, I was running through a dark forest.

Branches scratched against my arms.

The wind howled through the trees.

Behind me, footsteps echoed.

Slow.

Steady.

Relentless.

I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

Alex.

For some reason, that terrified me more than the darkness.

I ran faster.

The footsteps followed.

Closer.

Closer.

Closer—

I woke with a gasp.

My heart hammered against my ribs.

For several seconds, I simply sat there staring into the darkness.

Trying to convince myself it had only been a dream.

I reached for my phone.

5:02 AM.

Great.

There was no chance I was falling asleep again.

---

Monday arrived faster than expected.

After showering and getting dressed, I found Samantha already awake.

"You're up early."

I laughed.

"Trust me, it wasn't intentional."

A few minutes later, we attempted to wake Ellie.

Attempted being the important word.

"Five more minutes," she groaned.

"You said that ten minutes ago," Samantha replied.

"I know."

"Get up."

Eventually, after a lot of complaining, Ellie finally got out of bed.

The three of us headed to class together.

The lecture hall was enormous.

Students filled almost every seat.

After a brief introduction, Miss Kelli explained the coursework and upcoming assignments.

Then came the group presentation announcement.

The entire hall groaned.

Including me.

"You have all been divided into ten groups," Miss Kelli announced.

"Participation is compulsory."

Unfortunately, neither Ellie, Samantha, nor I ended up in the same group.

"This is tragic," Ellie whispered dramatically.

"You'll survive," I replied.

"Will I?"

"No."

Samantha burst out laughing.

After class, students gathered with their assigned groups.

Leaders were chosen.

Meeting schedules were arranged.

I ended up in Group Six.

Our first meeting was scheduled for five o'clock at the library.

---

The rest of the afternoon passed quickly.

Back at the dorm, Ellie and Samantha eventually left to spend some time together.

For the first time all day, I had the room to myself.

I immediately called home.

The moment my parents appeared on the screen, a smile spread across my face.

"Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad."

"My baby!" Mom exclaimed.

"How are you?"

"I'm good."

Dad smiled.

"How's university life treating you?"

I thought about it for a moment.

"It's... different."

They both laughed.

We spent nearly thirty minutes talking.

Then my younger sister appeared.

"Kelsey."

She grinned.

"Hey, big sis."

Seeing them made my chest ache a little.

I missed home more than I wanted to admit.

When the call ended, I sat quietly for a few moments before checking the time.

4:48 PM.

My eyes widened.

I grabbed my bag and hurried toward the library.

Thankfully, I arrived before five.

Most of my group members were already there.

The meeting lasted nearly three hours.

By the time we finished discussing our presentation, my brain felt completely exhausted.

All I wanted was my bed.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans.

---

The campus pathways were mostly quiet as I headed back.

Then I heard it.

A bark.

My entire body froze.

No.

Another bark echoed.

Closer this time.

Slowly, I turned around.

A large dog stood several feet away.

My heart nearly stopped.

Ever since a childhood incident, I had hated dogs.

The dog barked again.

I started walking faster.

It followed.

I walked even faster.

It followed again.

Panic immediately took over.

I turned and ran.

The barking grew louder behind me.

"Why me?"

I wasn't even paying attention to where I was going anymore.

I just wanted to get away.

Then I spotted a ladder leaning against a building.

Without thinking, I climbed.

One step.

Two steps.

Three—

I reached an open window and immediately pulled myself inside.

Worst decision of my life.

The moment my feet touched the floor, I lost my balance.

Thump.

Pain shot through my ankle as I crashed onto the ground.

I winced.

A scratch stretched across my skin.

Fantastic.

I slowly pushed myself upright.

Then I heard a click.

The sound of a door opening.

My entire body froze.

Slowly, I lifted my head.

And instantly regretted every decision I'd made today.

Standing a few feet away was Alex.

Fresh out of the shower.

A towel hung loosely around his waist while another rested in his hand as he dried his hair.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Neither of us moved.

His gaze shifted from me...

To the open window.

Then to the scratch on my ankle.

Then back to me.

One dark eyebrow rose.

I swallowed hard.

My face burned with embarrassment.

Out of every room on campus...

Why did it have to be his?

The silence stretched.

Then Alex finally spoke.

My heart stopped.