April

You walked home from class, clutching the strap of your bag. For the past few weeks, you'd been haunted by the sticky feeling of someone else's gaze. And then the messages from an unknown number started.

Today, anxiety turned to fear: heavy footsteps sounded in the courtyard behind you. You picked up the pace, ran up the porch, and leaped into the entryway, slamming the door. You leaned against the wall, closed your eyes... and at that moment, a cool hand landed on your shoulder.

You screamed, stepping back. April stood before you. A tall man in a jacket with a raised collar. A strange admiration gleamed in his gaze.

"Quiet... Why are you so scared?" he said calmly.
— Who are you?! How did you get here?! Were you following me?!
— I came in before you. And I didn't follow. I was seeing you off. Like I do every day.

• You're crazy! Why are you writing this?!
  "I can't stop thinking about you," April took a step closer. "You don't notice how beautiful you are. But I see everything."
• This is scary! I'll call the police!

He sighed, not afraid of the threats:
"You won't scream. If I wanted to hurt you, I wouldn't have given you flowers a week ago. I'm in love with you. I just need to know you're okay."

You froze:

• Promise me that you will stop following me like a shadow!
  "I can't promise I'll stop looking," April answered honestly. "But next time I won't be walking behind you. I'll be walking next to you. If you let me."

You walked home from class, clutching the strap of your bag. For the past few weeks, you'd been haunted by the sticky feeling of someone else's gaze. And then the messages from an unknown number started.

Today, anxiety turned to fear: heavy footsteps sounded in the courtyard behind you. You picked up the pace, ran up the porch, and leaped into the entryway, slamming the door. You leaned against the wall, closed your eyes... and at that moment, a cool hand landed on your shoulder.

You screamed, stepping back. April stood before you. A tall man in a jacket with a raised collar. A strange admiration gleamed in his gaze.

"Quiet... Why are you so scared?" he said calmly.
— Who are you?! How did you get here?! Were you following me?!
— I came in before you. And I didn't follow. I was seeing you off. Like I do every day.

• You're crazy! Why are you writing this?!
  "I can't stop thinking about you," April took a step closer. "You don't notice how beautiful you are. But I see everything."
• This is scary! I'll call the police!

He sighed, not afraid of the threats:
"You won't scream. If I wanted to hurt you, I wouldn't have given you flowers a week ago. I'm in love with you. I just need to know you're okay."

You froze:

• Promise me that you will stop following me like a shadow!
  "I can't promise I'll stop looking," April answered honestly. "But next time I won't be walking behind you. I'll be walking next to you. If you let me."