Weird.
I open it and the contents fall out.
There are so many photos of me in here. Photos of me with the guys, with Indi—all of their faces scratched out.
I think I’m going to be sick.
Then I see the note.
One day we’ll be together. You won’t have to be alone anymore. You won’t have to run to them when you’re sad.
One day isn’t too far away.
This can not be happening.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
After reporting the pictures to Smithy’s friend at the FBI and actually having a meeting face-to-face with the guy Smithy sorted my security out with, I feel a bit better.
Needless to say, Halloween was fucked up, and I felt so bad for Indi. Which is exactly why I’m about to cave to her yet again.
“Please.” She gives me those puppy dog eyes of hers, and I about die.
I hate telling her no, especially after how shit these last few weeks have been, but I can’t help but want to hide away in my house and never leave again. “This probably isn’t a good idea. Not if I have a weird stalker out there.”
“There’s no way your stalker would dare to do anything to you at Ryker Donovan’s party. The stalker seems like a total creep, but Ryker Donovan’s a legitimate psychopath.”
I swear, she almost sounds wistful when she talks about him like that. “I think I’ve had enough of psychopaths lately.”
She bursts out laughing like I’m a fucking comedy genius, and I can’t help but shake my head at her.
“Come on, we deserve some fun. We’ve been so good, and this is our senior year. One party won’t hurt. We won’t even drink if you’re worried. I just want to dance and have fun. We could both use a night of that. I’m friends with Ryker’s little sister, Scout, too, so if we hang out with her, Ryker will keep an eye on us anyway. Plus I have, uh… history with the twins. But that’s a story for another day.”
“Don’t think we’re not going to revisit that little tidbit.” I bite my lip, indecision eating me. It would be really good to let loose for a night and live my life like an actual fucking teenager, but I can’t help feel uneasy about it. Between the flowers, the dress, and the creepy-ass pictures, I want to hide in a hole somewhere that no one can find me.
We head to my locker so I can pick up my books before heading home for the weekend, and I consider going to the party. It’s the moment I have all of my books gathered in my arms that I hear my name called.
“Octavia.”
I look up to see Lincoln stalking toward me, looking just about ready to commit murder.
What the fuck did I do now?
Indi winces as he comes to a stop before us, and I put on my cheeriest smile.“Hey, what’s up?”
“The flowers. Have you gotten any others?”
Ah yes, I almost forgot I asked him to look into that. The creepy stalker thing took over my every thought, and it only just occurred to me that the flowers could be from whoever that is too.
“A few different bunches since I came home, yeah. Some were also delivered when we were away on our spa trip… And there’s the dress too, I guess.” I pause, contemplating telling him about the photos. I ultimately decide it’s probably better to tell him since he offered his help once already. “I, uh… also had to call the police last week because I seem to have a stalker.”
He clenches his jaw and quirks an eyebrow at me, like he’s waiting for me to continue. “Someone sent me a manila envelope full of pictures of me with Indi and you guys. Everyone else’s faces were scratched out, and there was a creepy-ass note too.”
“Why are you only just telling me about this now?” he asks, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides.
I bite my lip, not afraid of him, but definitely afraid of how he’ll react. “Honestly, I didn’t even think about it. I only just called the police. It’s the first envelope like this I’ve gotten.”
His eyes flash, but he locks down his features in a heartbeat. “If you get any more shit, call me first.”