racing and chest tightening.
Oh, God. Please no.
Please yes.
“Hey sexy, fancy a shag?” my friend Owen asks.
I release a breath. Whether it’s out of relief or disappointment, no idea.
Spinning around, I swing my handbag and hit him in the chest. “You scared the hell out of me! And I told you a million times that I don’t care for,” I make finger quotes, “ ‘a shag’.”
“Hon.” He give me one of his playboy winks. “One day you will.”
“Stop with the sexual references, Owen.” I laugh and nudge him on the shoulder. “We’re friends, for God’s sake!”
His gaze gleams with deviltry as he leans forward. “Ever heard of friends with benefits?”
If it isn’t for national beauty preservation, I would ruin his face with my nails. Owen might be attractive by societal standards, but to me, he’s like the obnoxious brother who won’t shut up.
Before I can retort, a silver-haired girl brushes past me to hit Owen on the chest. “Ever heard of shut the fuck up, arsehole?”
I bite my lip to suppress a smile.
Oh boy, a war is coming.
“Hello, Sydney.” Owen’s voice mimics the tag line from Scream, which sends Sydney fuming every time.
“Fuck. Off.” She smacks him twice, then turns to plant a kiss on my cheek. “A sod like him doesn’t deserve that face. How about we ruin it for him?”
Laughing, I interlace my arm with Sydney’s and walk to the building. “I was having the exact same thought.”
“I’m still over here if anyone cares.” Owen follows close behind us. “Say, Mae, me and witch-head here,” he points to Sydney, which earns him a glare, “are usually late. What’s your excuse?”
I wave my free hand. “Got caught in painting.”
“As always.” Sydney green eyes twinkle. “Ever since primary school, you used to get lost whenever painting.”
At least I hadn’t been possessed by whatever dark entity back then. I would do anything to go back to that innocence.
Go away, omniscient thought.
Today is to have fun with my closest friends and forget about everything.
Contentment fills my chest when the three of us sit like the old days. We have been inseparable close friends since young age. Although Sydney chose theatre and Owen opted for the police academy, we still meet on a weekly basis.
We settle in the cosy restaurant decorated with a palette of warm colours and make our orders. The tones of honey-coloured wallpaper against the soft yellow curtains are aesthetically pleasing.
“Hey, Mae,” Owen says. “Any chance you will become a renewed artist soon? Should I start collecting your autographs?”
“My professor wants to exhibit my painting and sign me up for contests.” I sip from the glass of water. “I’m not so sure about any of this.”
“Why do you seem down?” Sydney asks. “This is your chance to attract people of the industry.”
“I know. It doesn’t mean I’m less stressed.” Or scared.
“Listen, Missy.” Owen’s voice takes the rare serious tone. “You’re brilliant. Work hard for it and you’ll do just fine.”
“For the first time in ever, I agree with the wanker.” Sydney points a finger at me. “What’s the worst case scenario? Lose? Sign up for another contest. Besides, you have us. We’re here to support you.”
God, I love these idiots.
“I’m here to eat!” Owen pats his stomach when our food arrives.
The scent of recently-cooked pasta seduces me as I pick up my fork. “I could kiss the cook.”
“Oh come on, Mae.” Owen slams his napkin on the wooden table, fake hurt in his eyes. “Have pity and kiss me instead!”
Sydney puts her glass of wine down and points her fork at Owen. “No one wants to kiss a pervert like you.”
“Sweetheart.” Owen’s devil smirk is on. “Lots of people want to kiss me in many places that your imagination can’t fathom. For instance—”
“That’s it, Owen. We get it. Shut up.” I cut him off with a napkin to his mouth.
He grabs the cloth and throws it near Sydney’s plate.
No war this time. Just a glare.
As we dig into our meals, my mind wanders to my latest disturbance. I itch to share the encounters of my stalker, but I also want to keep him a secret. Besides, what was there to share? I didn’t even know what to think of it myself. I’m scared, but to my horror, that’s not all what there