I opened my eyes to see colorful butterflies on my ceiling. I sighed, rolling on my side and burying my face in my pillow. I heard a low moan and scanned the room to see Margo curled in a blanket on the floor beside the bed. I glanced at the time before getting up. 9:14 AM. I took a shower and ran to the kitchen to make lunch. As the eggs bubbled, Margo bolted down the stairs. She skidded to a stop as her eyes came over me. “Mornin’.” Margo laughed sarcastically.

“Morning?” She sat on a barstool and watched me in silence. When I finished breakfast, I set the plates on the bar and we ate quietly. “Your mom is gonna kill you, huh?” 

Margo glanced up at the clock and shrugged, “ Yeah.” I furrowed my brow, set down my fork, and leaned forward. 

“You okay?” Margo looked up and quickly looked away. “Usually you’d be freaking out about your mom and missing school. You literally shrugged it off like it was no big deal. What’s up?” Margo shuffled her eggs. I slapped my hand on the counter. “You won’t even look at me! Margo, what the hell?”

“You died!” I froze as she started to cry. “You stopped breathing, your heart stopped. I had to do CPR for the first time, on my best friend. I watched you puke your guts out, scream in your sleep, hallucinate!” She shook her head. “I heard your bones snap, Cat. I felt your finger break on my knee!” Margo swallowed, staring teary-eyed at me. “That was the worst night of my life. I had to watch you suffer all night, by myself, and you wake up and cook breakfast like nothing happened?” 

“I didn’t break anything. I had a fever, that’s all.” Even I knew I didn’t sound confident. 

“I was terrified, Catrina.” I looked up at my full name. “Don’t believe me?” 

“Ask the dishes?” I muttered hoping to break the mood. I shuffled nervously. Margo was a cool cucumber, nothing usually bothered her.

“Look.” Margo flashed me her phone and pressed play.  Heavy panting and whimpering came from the dark screen. ‘Marky, I’m scared. She’s acting really weird.’ Margo whispered in the video. A small light flicked on to show me lying on my bed with my eyes open. I jumped as a scream pierced the air and the camera shook as the angle changed to the floor next to the bed. It was quiet for a moment until she whispered ‘Cat?’. Silence. Margo moved closer to the bed. ‘Cat.’ When she didn’t get a reply she flipped the camera back to her face, ‘The Doctor isn’t responding to me anymore and I don’t know what else to do. Wha-’ another scream caused me to jump as Margo screamed and the video cut off. “You were terrifying.” Margo restated.

I looked her over, the exhaustion more obvious than before. Her beautiful dark hair was in a frizzy, tangled braid, the black eyeliner from yesterday smudged, and dark circles under her dull brown eyes. Everything that made Margo Bishop was gone - the sass, the style, the confidence- it was gone. I swallowed, shuffling my feet. “I’m sorry.” ‘What else can I say?’ Margo continued watching me intently. I swallowed, avoiding her gaze. We finished eating and started on our homework. ’Might as well do school work if we’re not actually gonna go to school.’ The next few hours were quiet. Margo didn’t come near me during that time. 

I glanced at the grandfather clock: 2 PM. I sighed as I thought about lunch. ‘I used the last of the eggs for breakfast. Guess I have to go grocery shopping.’ I stood up and stretched. “Hey, Margo, you wanna-” She stood up and started packing her things.

“No, I’m gonna go home and sleep. I was kinda up all night.” Her harsh tone pierced through me. A small knot of guilt formed in my chest. Tingles erupted on my skin. 

“You didn’t need to come over. I was fine.” She stopped, turning to me. 

“Fine, then I won’t do it again. I’m obviously not needed.” Margo snapped, walking to the door. ‘Really Margo?’

I crossed my arms as goosebumps rose. “You make yourself needed, no one asks for it.” Her head whipped around and she stilled with her hand on the door knob. Her eyes widened. “What? Got nothing to say? No wisdom to share, for once in your damn life?” She gasped her eyes watering. Margo opened the door and ran outside without shutting it behind her. ‘What the fuck?’ I stormed forward and slammed the door shut. 

The tingles and goosebumps faded and the gravity of what I did weighed down on me. I leaned on the door, sinking to sit with my head in my hands. ‘You fucking idiot.’ I felt like crying but couldn’t. I shook my head in regret. ‘I had no reason to do that.’ I sighed, thumping my head against the door as my stomach growled. 

I stood up and walked up to my room, I got dressed and put on my shoes. I stared at the dark blue converse on my feet. They had many stains and scuffs, they also had blood and mud caked on them. The other night replayed in my head. ‘I can’t say anything, people will think I’m crazy.’ I grabbed my wallet and locked the house on my way out. =Walking to the store, I contemplated texting my dad. ‘He could tell me what to do… No, he wouldn’t care.’ 

As I approached the doors and older woman looked at me and gasped, “Dear Jesus, child. Aren’t you cold? Where’s your coat?” I looked down to see my bare arms. My thin grey t-shirt provided no protection from the cold, and yet I didn’t notice the cold. 

“I’m fine, thank you.” I walked inside and began shopping. My phone vibrated and quacked in my back pocket. Staring confused at two jars of the same thing I pulled out my phone and glanced at it. Text From Dad. I took a deep breath and opened the text message. 

‘I deposited your monthly check. Get food. - Douglas Malone’
‘Gee, thanks dad.’ I shoved it back into my pocket, I walked down the aisle. I scanned the shelves for anything that seemed good. After a while, I walked to check out, waiting as the lady scanned the items. Her silver hair pulled in a long ponytail was something to admire. 

“How’re ya deary?” I shifted my weight. ‘Why does everyone seem to ask that? I don’t need a nanny just cause my dad’s gone.’ My eyes flicked down to the stack o junk food. ‘It was a momentary slip of judgment. Don’t judge me, Karen.’ 

“I’m good. And you?” ‘You're great.’ 

“I’m doing just great, thanks for askin’. You feeling alright? You look a little pale.” The little woman asked. I nodded, taking some of the bags and putting them in the cart. 

“Yeah, just getting over a cold.” I sighed as I looked at the number of bags I had. ‘There’s no was I’m walking home with all these bags.’ 

“Okay! Your total is $136.83, is that cash or card?” I flashed her the card and slid it through the machine. 

“Can I leave these here for a few minutes? I walked…” Karen looked at the cart full of bags and nodded. “Thank you! I’ll be right back.” I quickly walked outside and around the corner of the store. A pressure nudged between my shoulders. ‘I’ve felt this before.’ I swivelled to look behind me and my eyes caught sight of a young guy smoking a cigarette next to a small green truck. He looked right back at me, before the wind blew his long hair in front of his face. I fast walked down the street, being alert of the things behind me. 

I got home and instantly drove back to the store to see the little truck gone. I sighed in relief and went inside to get the groceries. Karen wasn’t at the register, so I simply took the cart outside and started lifting the bags into the bed. A car pulled into the lot and parked behind me, I glanced up to see the same forest green Toyota. I gulped as my air rose on end. ‘He left and he’s back.’ I cleared my throat and ignored him. I finished and pushed the cart into a cart rack. ‘He’s not getting out. Okay, don’t panic yet.’ 

I jumped into the truck and turned on the radio, watching him in my rearview mirror. I took a deep breath before turning the ignition and driving home. I put down the tailgate and put my black hair into a ponytail. I got to work climbing in, grabbing bags, crawling out, and taking them inside, repeating it until there was no more bags. I sat on the couch and starred in the distance until I walked up stairs to grab one of the books I got from the library.

 I read until my stomach growled and stood up, walking to the kitchen with the book in my hand. I cook some food for a late lunch and reached for a plate when something moved in the corner of my eye. I looked over to freeze. A green Toyota sat at the corner of Maydale, facing the front door. ‘There’s no way that a coincidence. He’s stalking me. I have a stalker.’ A cold shiver rushed over me as I casually filled my plate and sat at the counter. ‘Was I casual enough? No, Cat, maybe he’s visiting a neighbor.’ I relaxed slightly but my gut told me otherside. I ate lunch and continued reading until the room got too dark to see the words. I stood up and stretched. I walked outside to check the mail and the guy was sitting in his truck watching me. There was no mistake on what he was doing. ‘I was right. I have a stalker and I’m alone.’ I walked inside and tossed the mail on the couch before rotating and closing the front window curtains then going to the kitchen to do the same. 

As I closed them I had a sudden need to flip him off. ‘Oh I want to.’ I smirked biting my lip. ‘No, don’t want to anger him. Should I call the police?’ I shook off the thought and turned on the living room lamp, the dim light soothing. After locking the front and back door, I changed into pajamas and sat on the couch. The quiet house felt sickening with the looming thought of someone outside. I turned on some music and turned it up until I felt the beat in my feet. I sang alone loudly as I danced around probably looking like an idiot. I swayed into the kitchen, snapping my fingers. I couldn’t sit still, my nerves transforming into energy. I cooked a small dinner and snacked on it as I danced barefoot in the kitchen. 

I finished eating, put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, and turned everything downstairs off. I went upstairs and curled up on my bed with the book. I turned on a small lamp on my bedside table. The same pressure stabbed my back and I turned, pulling my curtains closed. ‘Probably first time those have been closed.’ I settled in to read until my eyes felt heavy and I read the same sentence four times. I set the book down and turned off the lamp.

~~~~

I rolled over and looked at the alarm clock; 1PM. ’I wanna go out.’ I closed my book that I had been reading for the last few hours and got dressed in some leggings and a tank top. I put on some tennis shoes and put my hair in a ponytail, slipping it through a baseball cap. Texting Penny to meet me, I trotted downstairs to grab a water bottle. I put the water bottle and the two books I had finished in my backpack, along with a snack. I walked outside, locking the door and stretching. 

My sore limbs popped into place and I started jogging down Crescent, passing the end of Maydale and the green truck. I hummed as my shoes slapped on the sidewalk. It felt good to be outside. ‘It’s not that cold out considering it’s October.’ I put in earbuds and listened to a good beat as I turned onto a main street, traffic occasionally passing by. I neared the park and pulled out my buds. Crossing the street to the library, I took off my backpack and pulled out my water. 

The bell chimed as I pushed inside and walked up to the counter. “I’m back. I finished two of them.” I said loudly. Maddie emerged from the shelves and smiled. 

“I knew it wouldn’t take you long. I assume you’re getting more?” She winked as she checked the books in. I backed into the shelves shrugging. 

“You know I can’t help myself.” I sent a while looking through book after book and coming back with three. I set them on the counter quietly as Maddie typed away at the computer. 

She glanced over and took the books. “Young lady, you know we have a four book limit.” Her serious voice threw me for a loop. ‘What? A limit? When did they add that? Which book can wait?’ She scoffed and burst out laughing. “I’m kidding, Cat. It’s okay. Well, it is a limit but I can override it for you, like always.” 

“When did that become a thing?”I said. 

She waved me off, “It’s been around for a while. Hmm, probably since you were in middle school. But it’s okay, because I trust you; you’ve never been overdue or mean to the books. A true reader.” She smiled at me proudly and a warm bud blossomed in my chest. I smiled brightly as she placed the books in my backpack for me. “You out for a run? Why aren't you at school?”

“Yeah, I felt like being outside. I was sick wednesday and the school doctor said to just stay home until Monday. So, I have plenty of time to read.” I shrugged, settling my backpack into a comfortable spot. 

“Okay, well get some clothes on, girl! It’s 48 degrees out and you’re in tank top. You’re gonna get yourself sick again.” Maggie rubbed my arms. 

“I will when I get home, I promise. See ya!” I backed out the door and waved before I walked across the street to the park. I looked around for Penny but didn’t see her so I jogged around the park. The green Toyota sat on the far end of the park. ‘Like I wouldn’t notice him.’ He got out of the truck and walked over to a bench, lighting a cigarette. He stared right at me, not even hiding his suspicious behaviour. I got tired of jogging and sat down in the grass opening one of the books to read for a while.

A ugly purple car squeezed to a stop in a parking spot not far from me and a blonde girl with a rob zombie shirt under a coat popped out with a blanket. I sat up to laugh at her. “Bitch, how are you in a tank top? I’m freezing my tits out here. Come get the food.” I chuckled jogging over and grabbing a duffel bag full of food. I texted Marcus but he has football, so he might not make it.” We set up in the grass and got comfortable. Penny worked on some homework as I read, snacking on chips. “What the actual fuck does that mean?” She whispered. I looked up to see her doing English. I chuckled.

“You don’t know english, Pen?” I asked smirking.

“Shut up.” She waved her arm at me but missed. I laughed as she scratched her head. I turned on music and she moaned. “Thank god, maybe I can actually focus now.”

“I doubt it.” She set her heavy textbook on my back with a thump. I chuckled, going back to my book. After a while, Penny started sniffling with a red nose. “Can we go to my place now?” I fake pouted and she shoved me.

 I agreed and we loaded everything back into her car. As we drove away, I saw the green truck back out of his parking spot. ‘He is 100% following me. Why? Is it ‘cause of my dad?’ I thought about the guys outfit;  grey jeans, black boots, and a white tank top. ‘He wouldn’t work for my dad. Maybe a bad deal or laid off worker?’

 I pushed the thoughts back as we pulled into the driveway of a large grey and white house with a dark green lawn. The purple car with chipping paint and dents stood out like a sore thumb next to the white BMW and charcoal Lincoln in the driveway. “You’re car’s a piece of shit.” I stated, walking up the steps behind Penny.

“Shut up, I know. They still won’t give me the money for a new car. Stupid.” Penny stomped inside and yelled “I’m home!” at the top of her lungs. I cringed as my ears rang. I followed her to her room and we set up base again. Eventually, Penny finished her homework and declared we watch TV. ‘Finally, took her long enough.’ 

“Penelope Sue Shor!” Penny’s mom yelled from the living room. 

“What?” She yelled back, I covered my ears. 

“You better get down here to help with dinner or Marcus can stay outside!” Penny rolled her eyes and scoffed. A guy whined. 

“This woman, using my kind heart against me.” Penny pressed her hand against her chest dramatically. “You gonna help?” She stood up, offering me a hand. I nodded and let her pull me up. We walked down the hallway to the living room where a brunette woman stood with her hands on her hips and Marcus standing awkwardly outside the doorway. “Seriously? You didn’t even let him inside?” Penny pulled Marcus inside and closed the door. 

“Oh, please, he could have came in.” Marcus gave us a look that said otherwise. “You even dragged Cat down here? Are you really that lazy? My goodness.” Shannon walked into the kitchen shaking her head. 

Penny gesture after her mom, “See? She’s crazy.” I rolled my eyes and we all filed into the kitchen to help with dinner. The Shor’s had an early dinner for some reason; always eating at 7:30PM on the dot. We all sat down to eat and waited for Jared to come to the table. Soon, he sat at the head of the table and two little boys sat next to me. As soon as everyone settled in, Jared asked one of the boys to say the prayer and his eyes flicked nervously around the table before sitting on me. I smiled at him and closed my eyes, not long after his little voice stuttered out a mismatched prayer. I waited uncomfortably for them to be done. ‘I feel like I’m lying when they pray. It’s not that I don’t believe, I just don’t know what I believe.’ I cleared my throat as they said Amen and reached for some food. 

~~~

I curled up on a blanket as I hummed. “I’m so full I could burst.” Marcus agreed from across the floor. Penny, Marcus and I all laid on a pile of blankets and pillows on the floor. “So where’s Margo?” 

“She went on that volunteer trip she signed up for in March.” ‘Oh, I guess I can’t talk to her for a while.’ “Are you guys going to the game on Wednesday?” Marcus mumbled, rubbing his stomach.

“What game?” Penny rolled over to look at him. 

“My game, dumbass.” She scoffed and rolled over again.

“You’re a dumbass.” She grumbled. “I mean, probably. You guys wanna play a game?” Her fingers reached for a game and I smiled. 

“I call Miss Scarlet!” I said, sitting up eagerly. Penny tisked but opened the game.

“I’ll be the mustard guy.” Marcus crawled over to us and grabbed the General, pulling it close to his face. “He looks like a douche.”

“Perfect fit.” I said, sticking my tongue out. Penny grabbed Mrs.Peacock and set her on the board. 

“Who done it?” She said, dramatically. I rolled my eyes, chuckling. We played for what seemed like ten minutes but when we realized who did it, where, and with what, the hello kitty clock said it was 10PM. My eyes felt heavy and I got caught in a yawn. 

“I don’t know about you guys but I’m frickin’ tired.” I laid down on a pillow and covered myself with a blanket. 

“You’re sleeping? Already? What a loser.” Marcus teased. My leg shot out and kicked his thigh. “Ow, monster.”

“Oops. And yes, I am a loser.”

“Night. We’ll try not to be too loud.” Penny said setting the cards. I scoffed, ‘Yeah, right.’ 

“Night, Cat.” I waved as I closed my eyes.