Under the wrapping paper is a small cardboard box. I lift the top off of it, and lying inside is a delicate silver necklace and two plane tickets. My jaw drops when I look closer; it’s a first-class trip to the Bahamas this May.
“What the…?” I say softly. David doesn’t hear me, and he leans forward excitedly.
“My buddies and I are going to the Bahamas for spring break. A bunch of the guys are bringing their girlfriends, and I’m perpetually single, so I figured I’d take a chance on the girl who always captured my heart. You!”
It almost sounds as if he scripted this or read it off a hallmark card. Like he’s giving me a sales pitch. It’s not sweet or romantic; it’s…slimy.
Something turns in my stomach. I don’t want to go on a long trip with someone I barely know and a bunch of strangers. We haven’t so much as Snapchatted in years. What if he’s just trying to harvest my organs? This is incredibly suspicious.
“David, no,” I say, looking at him with a pleading expression. “I’m really uncomfortable with this.”
“Why? Don’t you think I’ll keep you safe?” He crosses his arms over his chest, and I step back, rotating, so my back is to my front door.
“It’s not that, David, but this is way too extravagant, and I barely know you anymore.”
“Come on, Faith, if you think you don’t know me well, then this is the perfect opportunity to get to know each other.” He steps closer to me while he speaks, glowering slightly. He’s barely blinking, and the effect is eerie.
“David, please, take this back.”
“No.” He takes another step toward me, towering over me at this point, arms crossed. I’m pinned against my front door. My heart is pounding in my chest; David is bigger and stronger than me, and my front door is unlocked. I have no idea what he might do.
“You’re scaring me. Stop it!”
With my pulse ringing in my ears, I think I hear a door slam, but I can’t be sure. He’s got me pinned in the small alcove of my door, where I’m trapped on two sides by brick columns. David puts his arm on either column, leaning forward until his breath visibly pants into my face. He’s almost spitting now, mouth curling into an ugly frown.
“Christ, Faith, I’ve wanted you since I was twelve! I’ve spent years being nice to you. Trying to get in your pants, and you can’t swing me one favor?”
“I’ll do you a favor, buddy,” a voice says behind David.
He jumps and turns around, only to be greeted by a left hook to the face. I yelp as David reels to the side, jumping back before laying eyes on the assailant.
It’s Vincent, in nothing but jeans and a white T-shirt, with a wild look in his eyes. A look that makes me think he might just kill David.