Chapter 5

JOE BANDIT P.O.V

“Where do you get these pictures?” she asked as she handed the envelope back to me.

I grabbed them and put them back into my locker and underneath my math textbook. I then shut the locker door, and locked it with the lock, making sure to spin the knob. I used to think that the culprit stalking my family and me, was someone from school; until I realized that it was only friends and family that was invited, the day my parents renewed their vows.

“They arrive once a week, and show up at our front door,” I replied as my mind thought of the many ways, I have tried to catch the culprit.

“You have security camera’s up around the house,” she stated in a tone, that implies I have not already thought of that.

I sighed “I already checked the recordings so many times, and nothing came up. I have not double-checked; I have quadruply checked,” making sure to emphasize the word ‘quadruple’ to her.

“What do you mean nothing came up?” she asked, waiting for me to explain more.

“There is no recording of someone putting an envelope at my front door,” I said as I leaned against my locker.

The fact that the security cameras were basically useless, and couldn’t catch a stalker who is a possible threat to my family; is infuriating. After I catch them, I am going to talk to my father about the problems with our security cameras. I would be lying, if the idea of putting up more around my house, has not crossed my mind.

“This envelope shows up on Sunday mornings, precisely at 7 am,” I said, as I looked at her.

“How has no one other than you,” she gestured towards me “seen at least one envelope by now?”

“I wake up early for my mo—” I started to explain.

“Morning runs,” Payton replied, interrupting me from explaining.

How does she know that? I thought to myself.

“Huh?” I asked back, with surprise.

“What?” she replied with wide eyes.

Her cheeks started to glow red as I narrow my eyes at her in suspicion.

I then took a step back from her “How do you know I go on morning runs?”

There is no way, she could be my stalker. She does not even live in the same neighborhood as I do. Plus, she is far from threatening. Then I quickly remembered that her friend lives across from me.

“Payton,” We said in unison.

My tone is more in realization and hers as if she was stating a fact.

RINGGGGGG!

RINGGGGGG!

RINGGGGGG!

“That is the bell,” said Chasity. “You still did not tell me how you wanted me to help you with this” she then gestured to the locker, containing the envelope filled with pictures of my family and me in it “creepy problem.”

“Meet me at my house after school,” I replied.

After seeing her nod, I started to walk away; then stopped when I realized something. I turned back around and faced her.

“Do you need a ride to my place?” I asked, after realizing that she does not have a car.

Her cheeks turned red, and I found it adorable. I had always thought she was pretty, but she never spoke. I used to think it was because she was mute since she never spoke to me. Turns out I was wrong, and It had me wondering why we have never spoken before.

She then shook her head and softly replied “No, thank you.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, double-checking, and secretly hoping she would say yes.

She nodded “I am going over to Payton’s house, and she has a car. So, I will just walk to your house, after we finish our homework; since you live right across from each other.”

“Okay,” I replied, accepting her answer.

I then turned back around, heading to class. As I started walking, I noticed from the corner of my eye, that she was walking the same way as me. She stated quiet and took the same turns I had to do when I headed to my class. I looked at her with an amused expression clear on my face.

“Are you following me?” I said with amusement.

She laughed and rolled her eyes “No, I am not stalking you Bandit,” emphasizing the word ‘not’ and ‘stalking’ to me.

I laughed with amusement “So, what class are you heading to?”

“Math,” she replied as if it should have been obvious to me.

That is such a coincidence, I thought to myself.

“Me too,” I said with a chuckle.

“I know,” she replied with a soft laugh.

What? I asked with my eyebrow raised “How do you know that?”

She rolled her eyes and we were five steps closer to my class. She then started walking a bit faster, and to my surprise, she stopped right in front of my classroom door. She then turned around and face me. She had her hand on her hips and with a thumb, pointed to the class.

“We are classmates,” she replied, before walking towards an empty seat in the back of the class, by the window.

I stood there, still outside the classroom, with a flabbergasted expression clear on my face.

Since when was she in this class? I thought to myself with surprise.

As I stepped into the classroom, I noticed her friend Payton was in here too. I headed towards my seat and sat down in the chair I always sit on. Which was the one at the very front by the window. I learned that it is better to sit in the front, that way I can hear the teacher better and not be distracted by everyone else in the class as well.

“Okay everyone, settle down. Class is in session,” said Mrs. K.

Mrs. K is the coolest teacher in the school. She keeps it real with us when she talks to us, which makes us laugh and love her even more. She literally treats us like her own kids. When it is a student’s birthday, she will buy them a gift. She is also always there when we need someone to talk to. One time I was close to telling her about the photo problem I am currently facing but decided not to because I feared that it might put her in danger.

I looked forward and made sure to pay attention in the class. My eyes remained to look forward, but halfway through the class, my mind started to wander somewhere else. It was unusual for my attention to keep wandering off. This was something I have not done before when it comes to school. It still did not wander off when it came to the photos that I showed Chasity earlier.

So, what is making it do this now? I thought to myself.

“Her,” said a tiny voice in my head.

I found my head turning just a bit to get a glimpse of the girl in the back. The girl that might mean more to me than I think. Chasity was writing down notes that our teacher was saying. She was looking at the teacher, while I was looking at Chasity. She then must have felt someone staring at her, because the next thing I see, she is looking at me.

Crap, I thought to myself as my eyes widened at being caught.

I looked up at the ceiling pretending it was by chance, that our eyes met. My cheeks were turning red and I quickly forced myself to focus back on my paper, and take the notes that I am sure our teacher is going to have on the test. I was not really worried, because I knew a lot of the answers to these math equations, and remembering the formulas was easy. By the time class was over, I waited till Payton and Chasity were out of the class.

I was still a bit embarrassed at being caught staring at her. I was the last kid in the class and was almost done packing my bag with my books. After I finished, I started walking towards the classroom door, to head to my next class but stopped when I heard my name being called.

“Joe!” called Mrs. K.

I turned around and faced her “Yes Mrs. K?”

She smiled in an amused expression as she got closer. She then put her hand on my head and ruffled my hair.

She laughed and said in an amused tone “Next time you decide to stare at Chasity Dawson, please try to do it discreetly,” emphasizing the word ‘stare’ and ‘discreetly’ to me.

I groaned “You saw me do it too?”

She laughed and nodded her head “The whole class did. It seems everyone saw you staring at her, except you.”

My face looked horrified at the embarrassment “Oh my gosh.”

“This is the first time, you have ever done that,” she said in a marveled tone. “I should be scolding you for not paying attention, but that was too funny I can’t seem to be mad at you for it,” she then finished with a chuckle.

I sighed and felt like I wanted to dig a hole and bury myself in it.

“I will not happen again,” I replied as I fixed the strap of my backpack, that was falling off of my shoulder.

She snickered and replied “Okay.”

Why does the tone of her reply sound as if she does not believe me? I thought to myself.

She then shooed me out the door and said “Now go on to your next class before you are late.”

“Okay,” I replied, and waved goodbye.

If I did not notice Chasity in my class before, why can I not seem to take my mind off of her now?