Awakened (9 page)

"Thank you Charles" I said to him as
he walked out the door. He shot me a quick smile and closed the
door. Stefan collapsed on my couch putting his face in his hands. I
felt the tension and the stress that was coursing through his
veins. What could I do to take this away? I sat down next to him
and wrapped my arm around his, laying my head on his
shoulder.

"Stefan, please don't worry. I’ll be
okay. I promise."

"Jennifer, I have to leave in the
morning for Dallas. I have a lot of meetings and things to catch up
with. I don't know how I let you get into this situation. Why do
people care about my boring life anyways?" He let out a long sigh
and turned to face me, his head still in his hands.

"I have a roommate, I have a security
system, I have a bat around here somewhere, and I will be okay. I
will manage." Stefan let out a sigh and leaned back into the sofa,
running his hands through his dark hair.

We sat there in silence for a while,
each too deep in our own thoughts to carry on a conversation with
each other.

Before too long; he was signaling he
was ready to leave. I stood to my feet and started walking to the
front door. The air had become stuffy between us; I felt like I
would never see him again. Stefan grabbed my hand, forcing me to
look into his eyes.

"Are you okay? I’m worried about you."
His eyes were searching my face and I knew I had to be strong; for
myself and for him.

"I’ll be okay. If I get worried, I’ll
contact you, promise." I kept my face straight so he wouldn't know
I felt otherwise.

"I’ll call you when I get home, tell
you what my schedule looks like. As soon as it clears up I’ll
either come back up here or fly you down there. Is that okay?" He
kissed my forehead, releasing my hand and my chin.

"It’s okay. You have my number." I
leaned up on my tippy toes and kissed him, passionately.

"If you need anything, or have any
worries, please call me Jennifer." With that he was out the door.
As I went to close it behind him; he turned on his heels at the
bottom step and looked up at me.

"Lock your doors. Go through your
house and make sure the back door and windows are all locked and
that your alarm is set. Understood Jennifer?" Part of me enjoyed
his control, but the other part of me feared it.

"Yes, I understand. Have a safe trip
Stefan." I closed the door, immediately locking it. I quickly set
the alarm and waited. I heard his car purr to life and slip out of
the drive-way. Before too long, I couldn't hear his car anymore and
I knew he was gone. I slid down the door until my body found the
ground. I felt like half of me was gone.

I walked through the house,
locking every window in the house. Now that Stefan was gone, I felt
scared and unsure. I flipped on every light in the house, not sure
how that would stop a crazy person, but it made me feel better.
After I was done I fixed a glass of white wine and laid on the
couch, flipping on the television.
Maybe
this will take my mind off things.
I
flipped through the channels, not really paying attention to
anything until Stefan’s name caught my attention. I quickly hit
record on my remote.

“
Tonight on Hollywood
Express; America’s most eligible bachelor, Stefan Long, owner of
Long Publishing, looks to be off the market. Sources close to Mr.
Long stated he is here in Oklahoma on business and that he is
indeed in a relationship with Jennifer White, a college student at
Oklahoma University. The relationship seems to be hot and steamy.
Sorry ladies, but the pictures don’t lie; looks like Stefan Long
has found his princess.”

What the hell? In a relationship?
These people have lost it. Note to self: don’t listen to gossip
magazines or channels ever again.

I clicked off the television right as
I heard the door handle turn. My heart quickened like I just ran a
20 mile run! When I heard the beating of the hands on the opposite
side I got up, wishing I had found that bat, and walked to the
door.

“
Jennifer, why the fuck is
the door doing locked? Open the door!” Crap, I forgot to text
Kennedy to check if she had her key.

I punched the numbers into the alarm
and opened the door. Kennedy flew through it and headed straight
for the guest bathroom downstairs. I closed the door and set the
alarm again, going to sit back down on the couch.

“
Why did you lock the door?
We never lock the door!” Kennedy was hollering from the bathroom.
“I almost didn’t think I was going to make it. Where’s
Stefan?”

Here we go.
I grabbed my quilt that my grandmother had made me
before she passed away and wrapped myself in it. My grandma always
knew how to make me feel better, and sometimes, when I wrapped
myself up in this quilt, I felt it was her, wrapping her arms
around me and telling me everything was going to be
okay.

“
Stefan left to go back
home to Dallas.”

“
And…?” Kennedy walked over
to sit down on the couch beside me.

“
Have you seen a magazine
or watched a gossip show lately?”

“
No, I haven’t. Why?” I
turned the DVR to the recorded show and pressed play. After it was
over she sat quietly, staring at the TV. Finally she looked over at
me, a huge smile on her face.

“
Jennifer, that’s fucking
awesome! You’re like a movie star now! Why didn’t you tell me you
two were serious?”

I put my head in my hands
and groaned.
She has got to be kidding
me.
“Kennedy, I would’ve told you if it was
true, but it’s not. And it gets worse. My dad has heard this and
text me earlier, so now knows where I am. If he comes here, I’m
leaving. I’ll find some other way to finish my degree, because I’m
not going to stay here and let him torment me. Stefan doesn’t know
so please don’t tell Ayden. But I have to leave if he shows up. And
not the worst of it. Stefan has a crazy ex-girlfriend who also
heard this and is now out to kill us.”

Her jaw dropped. She was not expecting
that. “What.the.hell? Since when?”

“
It’s a long story. I guess
she is obsessed with him and told him at one point that if she
couldn’t have him, nobody could. This is just a shit storm!” I
grabbed my face harder. Maybe if I buried my head deeper into my
hands I would wake up, and find out that this is all just a
nightmare.

“
Okay, so have you called
the cops?”

“
No, nothing has happened
yet but Stefan said we have to keep the windows and doors locked at
all times. That’s basically everything.” I looked up at her;
grabbing her hand, hoping she would understand. She was my best
friend, and I needed her so much, but I would not let her give up
on the last semester of college for me. She had already sacrificed
so much.

“
Jennifer, I’ll come with
you. Anywhere, anytime. I can’t lose you!”

“
No you won’t. You’ll stay
right here. Hopefully he’ll just stay as far away from me as
possible. But until then, let’s try not to worry about it. I am
beat so I am going to bed, goodnight.” I released her hand and got
up. My mind felt like Jell-O.

“
Oh, okay. Well goodnight.”
Kennedy hugged me before I walked upstairs. I knew she was
expecting more answers, but I just didn’t want to give them. If I
didn’t say it out loud, then maybe it wasn’t true.

I changed into shorts and a t-shirt
and cuddled into my bed. My phone vibrated on my bed. I must have
left it. I must have forgotten to take it with me on the date; I
hadn’t even realized. I picked it up; five text messages, all from
Stefan.

*I had a lot of fun
tonight with you.

How are you
doing?*

*I miss you
already.*

*Jennifer, what’s going
on?*

*Jennifer, I am getting
worried.

Why aren’t you answering?
Are you okay?*

*If you don’t call me in 5
minutes

I am coming over there.
And I will

Not be happy
either.*

I looked at the time; it had been 3
minutes since he sent that text. I didn’t feel like talking, so I
quickly typed back a response.

*Stefan, I’m sorry. I left
my phone upstairs

I’m okay. I miss you
too*

As soon as I hit send, I received a
text back from him.

*Please don’t do that to
me again.

I was so worried something
happened.

How are you
doing?*

*I’m sorry. I’m fine, just
lying in

My bed trying to clear my
head.*

I knew I would have to tell him about
my dad, eventually. But right now wasn’t the time. He had his own
issues to deal with, he didn’t need mine too.

*You don’t need to worry
about Nicole.

Everything else
okay?*

Well I guess I finally got a name out
of her. Nicole. I wish I knew what she would look like, but then
again I didn’t want to come close to her to find out.

*I am fine but I am going
to sleep.

Goodnight
Stefan*

I wished I could talk to him all
night, but I was so drained. I needed to sleep.

*Alright. I hope I talk to
you tomorrow.

If you need me, please
call me.

Goodnight Jennifer
(:*

I loved when he put a smiley face in
his text; it always made me smile more. I reached over and plugged
my phone into the charger, making sure to turn it on loud, and set
it on my nightstand. I rolled over, snuggled further into my bed
and tried to clear my head. The thoughts of my father walking
through my front door, or Nicole slipping through my window at
night, made me cringe. I took a deep, calming breath and relaxed
myself. Before too long, the only person I could see in my dreams
was Stefan, kissing me and holding me.

Eventually, I drifted off
to sleep without any worries
.

Chapter Six

Everything seemed to pass
by in a blur once Stefan had left. He hadn’t called or texted me
all week and I didn’t want to be the first to initiate contact. I
was hoping it was just because he was too busy, but a small part of
me had a bad feeling he was ignoring me on purpose,
maybe he had already moved on
. I hadn't heard back from my dad and no sight of Nicole
anywhere.

Finally Friday was upon us. I went to
class and as soon as I got home at the end of the day, I went
upstairs to lay my head down. Soon after, I heard Kennedy unlock
the front door and walk into the house laughing with Ayden. Ever
since they’d become an official item, I only saw them together. I
was a little jealous, considering my current love interest was 190
miles away from me at the moment. Kennedy opened my door and
plopped down on my bed.

"Where's Ayden, I thought I heard him
come inside with you?" I sat up, waiting to hear what our plans
were for tonight.

"He's in the bathroom. Are you doing
anything tonight? Ayden is throwing a party at his house, and I
want you to come." I could tell by her voice that she was very
hopeful. I went back and forth in my head, but I couldn't come up
with a reasonable excuse as to why I couldn't go. I had nothing
better to do. Stefan hadn't thought to call or text me all week so
I guess it was time to let him go.

"Sure, sounds fun! What
time?"

"Awesome! It starts at 9, but we have
to go over there and help get everything ready. Do you mind helping
me? You can catch a ride with me."

"Sure, I just need to get ready and
then we can go."

Kennedy walked out of my room, closing
the door behind her. I rolled over, trying to find it in me to get
in a good mood for tonight. Suddenly my phone vibrated.

*Hello beautiful.
Sorry

I haven't contacted you
before.

I have been so busy. What
are?

your plans for
tonight?*

My heart dropped. He hadn't contacted
me in a week and now he wants to talk?

*Hi. It’s okay, I’ve been
busy.

Nothing
really.*

I hit send and tossed my
phone on the bed. I turned on my radio and started getting ready. I
was about to show him! I could get any guy I wanted, I did not need
to
settle
for him.
But settle was the last thing I was doing with him.

What was it about me that he craved?
Why had he chosen me over anyone else he could have? Oh well,
history is history. It was time to start a new night.

I took extra care in getting myself
ready. Making sure my hair was curled and my makeup made me look
irresistible. I decided on a pair of skinny jeans and a black tank
top that had a little lacing around the top and bottom. I paired
them with some silver, rhinestone sandals knowing I would be on my
feet all night.