chapter 10:He showed up again

Professor Adams was halfway through his lecture on market structures when the door at the back of the hall creaked open.

I didn't think anything of it. People usually came in late all the time.

Until Chloe grabbed my arm and whispered, "Oh my god. Don't look now."

Of course, I looked.

Trex.

He walked in wearing a black hoodie and that confident smile that made half the girls in the Econ department blush. But it never worked on me. Not once.

His eyes scanned the hall and landed straight on me. Like he knew exactly where I sat. He smiled wider and started walking down the aisle toward our row.

My stomach dropped.

"Is this seat taken?" he asked, already pulling out the empty seat next to me.

Chloe looked at me, then at him. She knew I didn't like him. Everyone knew except him who I have told multiple times but he wouldn't listen .

Before I could say no, he sat down very close. His knee brushed mine under the table and I shifted away immediately.

"What are you doing here?" I whispered, trying to keep my voice low so Professor Adams wouldn't hear. "This isn't your lecture."

"I switched sections," he said, like it was the most normal thing in the world. "I asked them to move me here. So I could be in the same class as you."

My chest tightened. Not in a good way. In an uncomfortable way.

Chloe gave me a look that said this guy is obsessed.

"I told you I needed space," I said under my breath.

"And I told you I'm not giving up that easily, Mila,he said softly, leaning closer. His cologne was too strong. "You know everyone on campus knows I like you. Just give me one date. One.

I was about to tell him to leave me alone when my phone vibrated under the desk.

My heart skipped before I even looked. I knew who it was.

One new message.

Andrel: Who is sitting next to you?

My blood ran cold.

I looked up at the window instinctively. His car wasn't there anymore. He had left. So how did he know?

I looked around the lecture hall. There were almost a hundred students here. How could he possibly know someone sat next to me?

Another vibration.

Andrel: Mila. Answer me. Who is it?

My fingers were shaking as I typed.

its nobody pay attention in your meeting.

It was a lie, and he knew it was a lie.

Trex leaned in again, thinking I was texting a friend. "You look tense. Do you want to get coffee after class? Just to talk?"

I didn't answer him. I couldn't. Because my phone lit up again.

Andrel: Don't lie to me. I have eyes on campus.

Eyes on campus?

What did that mean? Was he having someone watch me? Or was he still here somewhere I couldn't see?

My heart was beating so fast now I was sure Chloe could hear it.

I quickly turned off my phone and shoved it deep into my backpack, like that would make the problem disappear.

It didn't.

Trex kept trying to whisper to me through the rest of the lecture, offering me his notes, asking about my weekend. I kept my eyes on Professor Adams, pretending to take notes, but my hands were sweaty and my mind was completely gone.I wasn't scared of him I was just scared of my feelings growing .

The lecture finally ended. Chairs scraped. Laptops closed. everyone going home.

I stood up fast, wanting to get away before Trex could follow me.

"Mila, wait up," he called after me, grabbing his bag.

I walked faster, Chloe was right beside me.

We were almost at the hallway door when my phone rang.

Not a text. A call I didn't know whether I should pick but my heart was willing to hear his voice.

Andrel.

My heart stopped.

Chloe looked at my screen and her eyes widened. "Your dad's friend? Why is he calling you during class?"

I couldn't answer her. I pressed decline.

It rang again immediately.

He never calls me .

Something was wrong.

I swallowed and answered with a shaking voice, turning away so Trex wouldn't hear.

"Hello?"

His voice was low, calm, and dangerously quiet on the other end.

"Come outside. I'm in front of your building."

The call ended.

I looked up at the big glass doors of the lecture hall. And through them, parked right in front, was his black car

He was back.