Page 24 of The Midnight Confessions: Part Four

Lyra and Trent walk into the bathroom together, laughing and I smile. The water turns on as I roll over and stretch. My stomach is off from all the things I have eaten and I just need a moment to get it settled.

I didn’t want to tell them. All it would do is bring up more questions, and I’m having a nice night. I don’t want to bring them down with my stress. Climbing from the bed, I stretch and moan softly.

My body is deliciously sore and once my stomach is back to normal, I’d love to go another round… or three. Lyra and Trent have spoiled me tonight and I want to return the gesture.

Glancing at the clock, I sigh. It’s close to nine at night. It was sweet that they planned this for us. It can’t become a regular thing, it’s too dangerous, but it was nice for tonight. Trent’s phone buzzes on the nightstand and I grab it.

Not to spy, I would never invade his privacy like that, but to bring him his phone. It could be important. I glance at the device to see if it’s a call or text and freeze. Trent doesn’t have any passcode on his phone and he has messaging open.

There’s a photo of us from dinner with a red line across Lyra’s throat and Trent’s eyes crossed out. It’s from an unknown number, but I know it’s them.

Check your phone, Cassie.

The message states and I quickly delete the photo and text from Trent’s phone, then grab mine. Sure enough there are ten missed messages from UNKNOWN. They get more psychotic as they go.

My hands shake and tears run down my cheeks as I read all the things my stalker wants to do to the people I care about. Even Frank is being threatened.

Lyra and Trent are laughing in the shower and I know I need to get out of here before they return. I quickly dress, leaving my ruined panties on the floor, and slip on my shoes. I know I look like I’ve been fucked six ways to Sunday and I’m doing a walk of shame, but I don’t care.

I leave the room and run to the stairs, ignoring the elevator. I order an UBER, and wait out front for it.

I don’t talk to the driver, but I do decide to stop at the coffee shop on campus. The one where all of this started. Where Dena was kidnapped from while getting a late night treat with Marsha.

I should avoid being out here alone at this hour, but what’s the point? I don’t think my stalker wants to hurt me. If anything, they want to own me, or control me. Isolate me.

Opening the car door, I thank the nice woman who picked me up, and walk into the shop. I probably should have stopped by a mirror and fixed my appearance, but I don’t care.

There is no way in hell I’m going to be able to sleep tonight, so caffeine it is.

The place isn’t busy and I take a small table in the corner. My phone is vibrating non-stop and I know it’s Lyra and Trent. I turn it off and close my eyes, resting my head on the table.

“Cassie?” someone asks from behind me and I quietly groan. The chair in front of me is pulled out and I listen to the screech as it moves. Someone sits down and waits for me to lift my head up.

“Hi, Marsha,” I mumble and she scrunches her nose up before masking her disgust at how I look. I probably smell like sex too, but whatever.

“Wow, you look like you had a fun night. Did you go out to the bar with the other girls?” she asks, sipping on some whipped creamed drink. I shake my head and groan.

“No, I had dinner with Lyra and her boyfriend. I just got back to campus and needed some caffeine,” I say with an exaggerated yawn, hoping to show her I’m exhausted and don’t want to talk.

She nods, and then looks off at the shelves of coffee. “You don’t like me very much. Do you?” she mumbles, surprising me.

“I like you just fine, Marsha,” I say, hoping this doesn’t set her off. She can be unpredictable at the best of times, and right now she seems pouty.

Laughing and shaking her head, she turns back to look at me. “No, you don’t, and I can’t figure out why. I lost my best friend and I’ve been lonely. I know I can be clingy, but you’re the only one here who interests me enough to have a conversation, and you always seem to push me away.”

Sighing, I sip my coffee and groan. “You’re right, but it’s not you. I struggle with opening up to people. I’ve been hurt in the past. I don’t trust easily,” I mumble and she leans closer, offering me her hand.

“I’m sorry you were hurt, Cassie, but I would never do that. If you would just give me a chance,” she says quietly and I look at her. Really look at her. I’m not attracted at all to her, but she does seem to like me. Maybe this is my one chance to get the stalker off my back.

I don’t want to put Marsha in the crosshairs, but this might help push Lyra and Trent away…

“There’s this party on Saturday night. Want to be my date?”

Chapter Eleven

After returning from the shower to Cassie being gone, Lyra and I didn’t bother staying at the hotel. The room just held too many ghosts of a few hours prior, and it hurt. We returned to campus and Lyra asked to come back to the fraternity house with me.

I don’t think she was ready to see Cassie, which I understand. I don’t get why she just left us. No note, text, or even a shout saying goodbye.

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