Page 13 of Smoke the Enemy

Steffan: You must really be missing me. Anything to do with sex makes you think of me.

Me: Wishful thinking on your part, Steffan.

Steffan: Don’t worry, Little Mouse. Soon.

The next morning as I’m walking to class, Steffan catches up to me. “You didn’t respond to my text.”

“Is that a question?” I keep looking straight ahead.

“Guess not.”

The wind has a little bite, but nothing too chilly. He remains in step with me, until finally he gently takes my elbow and stops me. “I do have one question. Have you seen Bryce Van Doren anywhere?”

I haven’t seen or spoken to Bryce since I began to suspect him as the murderer and learned his family betrayed the Carmichaels. “No. Why?” When he doesn’t answer me, I jerk my arm free. “Either you tell me, or I’ll find Bryce myself and askhimwhat’s going on.”

Steffan scoffs. “This doesn’t concern you.”

“Apparently, it does, Steffan!” I shout. “I wish it didn’t, though. You. Soren. Alex. And even Bryce have crossed my path. Why? People around me keep dying.”

Steffan runs a finger along my cheek. “That I don’t know. Seems you attract danger.”

“I have to get to class.”

“If you see Bryce, you call us immediately. I’m serious. Don’t hesitate.”

“Will do,” I promise. Steffan leans down and places a lingering kiss on my forehead before walking away. When I turn around to continue walking, I stop when I notice a figure by a tree in the distance. I can’t stop myself from smirking as I pull out my cell and send Soren several eye ‘looking’ emojis.

Sure enough, a few seconds after I hit send, he walks toward me. An unlit cigarette dangling from his lips.

“You don’t light most of your cigarettes,” I tell him in confusion.

“True.”

“Why?”

“Honestly, I don’t care as much for the smoke as I do playing with the bud in my mouth. It’s a nervous tic, I guess. Helps ease my anxiety.” He doesn’t stop in front of me, but instead circles me. “Enjoy your chat with Steffan?”

“You’re giving off serious stalker vibes.”

“I’ve been stalking you for months now. Don’t act like now it bothers you.”

I narrow my eyes and squeeze my backpack straps. “Maybe I’m getting tired of it.”

“Fine.” With that, Soren begins walking away. “Like my brother said, call me if that prick Van Doren shows his face around you.”

Luckily, there’s only a few weeks left before Winter Break. I see Soren and Steffan around campus, but they maintain a safe distance. I work in the library with Lois, and then go home to veg out and watch shows with Kali. It all becomes very routine.

I’m busy restocking books one night in the library when I hear feet approaching. Assuming it’s Steffan or Soren, I say in a snarky voice, “The juvenile section is downstairs.”

“I’m more interested in what’s on this aisle.”

Alex.

I spin around, clutching two books to my chest. The brothers are so worried about Bryce, but here I am more concerned with Alex. One is a rich douchebag, while the other one is a full-on deranged master manipulator. “What are you doing here?”

I’m all alone in this aisle with him. He appears so harmless and sweet. I know better. Most monsters don’t look like the things we imagine them to be, the ones who go bump in the night. They can actually appear in the form of the sweet boy from a small wholesome time.

“It’s a campus library. I’m a student here now.” Alex’s eyes roam over me. Am I blushing? I hope not. I feel like my dream is plastered over my face — like the dirty little fantasy of sleeping with my worst enemy is written in neon letters across my forehead. My shorts are suddenly feeling too short, and my top is clinging to the curves of my breasts. I never dressed this way back home, but college life and these people are making me do things I’d never have even thought of before.

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