I really liked her. She was a very real person and didn’t hesitate to tell you like it is. The three of us went to dinner after we finished coloring and spent hours talking. Clarissa had always been nice to me but this was the first time I was actually getting to know her.
When we finished, I headed back to my room. My computer class had a huge project due this week and I had just barely started. With the comedienne coming this weekend, I knew I needed to finish it ahead of time. As I dropped my stuff on my desk, I noticed something that didn’t belong. There was a bouquet of violets in a vase on my desk. I didn’t have a vase, and I damn sure didn’t have fresh flowers.
My heartbeat sped up as I looked at the card.
Maybe a different type of flower is enough to please you, baby. If not, I’ll keep trying.
Love,
Your Protector
“Finn,” I mumbled. Then I realized a bigger problem. My door was locked. Finn had broken into my room to leave these flowers. I felt a tear fall down my cheek as the fear and frustration took over. How could this man who was supposed to protect me take away any semblance of safety I once felt?
I grabbed the flowers and ran outside. My pulse raced as I rushed toward the woods behind the dorm building. I ignored the path and pushed forward as low hanging leaves whipped at my face. Finally, when I couldn’t see my dorm anymore, I hurled the flowers at a tree and watched as the vase shattered into a million pieces.
My knees gave out and I fell to the hard ground, barely registering the pain that shot through my legs. I fought for control, forcing my breathing to return to normal. If Finn wouldn’t take a hint, then I would spell it out for him. I’d make it clear as day that we weren’t ever going to be together. He would have to accept it and leave me alone, right? I pushed the doubt away and then returned to my room and went to sleep.
I woke up terrified and gasping for air. There was a sound and for a second I thought it was Finn.
“Sorry, did I wake you up?” Lola asked as she crept in wearing what looked an awful lot like a walk of shame dress. Things must have still been going well with Tyler.
“No, I mean, yeah, you woke me up, but my alarm was just about to go off so no worries.” I rubbed my face and tried to get ahold of myself. Once I talked to Finn today, it would all be over and I wouldn’t have to worry about this panic. He would be free to find someone who shared his feelings.
I got dressed and headed to David’s class. I didn’t expect any attention from him so I brought my homework for some of my other classes. I figured he would not care too much since my project for him was already done. I could always make it up to him later.
The class was uneventful. If he noticed I was working on other homework, he didn’t say anything. Another student was doing their presentation and that took up most of the class. David decided to let us out early to work on our papers. I was headed to the library when I got a text from Annabelle about selling tickets. I had completely forgotten that I had agreed to do that with her so I turned around and headed to the table she had set up in one of the hallways.
“So what’s the plan?” I asked, sitting down next to her.
“I mean, it is pretty self-explanatory. We sit here and ask people if they want to buy tickets,” she said, and grabbed a bunch of flyers. “I thought we could hand these out to people so maybe they can think it over if they don’t want to buy tickets straight away.”
“Okay, I can do that for a couple minutes. Then do you mind if I put some finishing touches on my project?” I asked, hoping she would not get irritated.
“Yeah, its fine. I really just wanted the company. No one else was available for this time slot.” She had just pulled out her sign-up sheet.
“How were you? Don’t you have class during this time too? I was only free because I got out of class early.”
“My first class was a test so I asked the teacher if I could take it early because I had EET stuff that had to be done; David wrote me a note. Apparently, teachers do not care that much about taking the test early. It’s when you take it late that they get irritated. Anyway, I took it last Friday.”
“Well, aren’t you dedicated,” I teased.
“Shut up.” She rolled her eyes and we went on to pass out flyers when classes let out. After about fifteen minutes, the halls started to clear up as people went to their next classes and we were generally alone. We had sold about twenty tickets, which Annabelle said was really good, and we had given out a lot of flyers. I sat down to work on my homework but Annabelle was not having it.
“So when are you seeing him again?”
“Tonight. That’s why I’m trying to get all of my homework done in advance. This way I can have no distractions when we’re together,” I said, trying to ignore the blush creeping up my face.
“Good thinking. I would hate for homework to interrupt your booty call.”
“Stop, it’s more than that.”
“I know, I’m kidding.”
About a half an hour went by and I was just closing my laptop. My computer project was done and all I was doing at this point was nitpicking and I needed to stop. I put my computer away in my bag and went to the sandwich stand to grab Annabelle and me a small lunch. On my way back, I noticed him. It was Officer Finn. I tried not to make eye contact and headed back to the table with Annabelle.
“Hey, Violet,” Officer Finn yelled, and came over to the table.
I gave a forced smile and introduced him to Annabelle.
“Nice to meet you,” he said, and returned his attention to me. “So, how have things been since that threat against you and your roommate?”
“What threat?” Annabelle asked, looking white as a ghost.
“It wasn’t a threat against me. Lola and her boyfriend got in a fight and there was some confusion about a knife. I was not even there and she said it’s all fine,” I said, trying to explain to Officer Finn that I wasn’t the one in danger.
“Right, but you two live together, so if he threatened her, then you could also be in danger,” he said with an air of condescension.
“I’m not in danger, but thank you for your concern,” I said, and started to eat my lunch.
“You’ve said that before and yet here I am.” He was standing tall and pushing his chest out. The effect was not impressive but rather pathetic. All this macho man act did was make me feel uncomfortable.
“Like I said before, I’m fine,” I commented sternly, hoping he would hear me, but doubting he would listen.
“I would think that after last night you’d be more than fine, Violet.” Finn winked at me. He must have not thought that the flowers were creepy.
“Actually, now that you mention it. Can I talk to you, over here?” I stood up and walked away from Annabelle. He quickly followed, probably assuming I was thrilled about the flowers. Boy, was he in for his own surprise.
“So, did I hit the nail on the head? Beautiful violets for Violet. But you know, none of those flowers are anywhere near as pretty as you are.” He reached his hand out to try to stroke my cheek but I jerked away from him.
“No, I don’t like violets. I think they’re super cheesy. I’m more concerned about the fact that you broke into my room,” I lied, hoping he’d just back off.
“We talked about this, I was just trying to make sure that guy with the knife wasn’t waiting for you. I’m just thinking about your safety. I’m always thinking about your safety.” Finn nodded as if this were obvious.
I felt the frustration begin to boil inside of me and I exploded. “Look, I’m not interested in you. I don’t want you anywhere near my room, I don’t want you to continue to give me flowers, and I don’t want your help!”
Finn’s face barely moved. It was like he had botox or something because only his eye twitched slightly. “Let me get this straight, you’re breaking up with me? I can get you different flowers. Sunflowers, yeah, sunflowers seem more your thing,” Finn decided, wagging his finger in my face.
“I don�
��t know how I can make this any clearer, back off or—”
“Or what? Relationships between staff and students, or even professors and students, are forbidden. We wouldn’t want someone to find out about you, would we? I’d watch what you say to me if I were you,” Finn whispered as he stepped into my personal space. He was now inches from my face and it took everything inside me to keep from shaking. That was what he wanted, to see my fear. Well, I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction.
“First of all, don’t you dare threaten me! Second, Finn, we were never a thing. We will never be a thing. So leave me the hell alone.” I walked away, leaving him standing against the wall. At first I thought he was going to follow me, but he just walked away.
“What was that about?” Annabelle had closed her laptop, and much to my dismay, she was focusing on me.
“He just doesn’t seem to understand the word ‘no,’ or anything close to it.” I wanted to brush it off and pretend like everything was over. He was going to stop bothering me and I didn’t need to worry about him saying anything about David.
“What’s he doing?”
I should have known she wasn’t going to just let this go. “He keeps giving me flowers, and when I asked him to stop, he assumed it was because I didn’t like the type of flower. Well, last night, he broke into my room and gave me a bouquet of violets. So—”
“Wait a minute,” Annabelle shouted, cutting me off. “What do you mean he broke into your room?”
“That’s just it. My room was locked, and when I unlocked the door and went inside, the flowers were sitting on my desk.”
“Violet, you need to report this to campus safety, like, right now.” Annabelle started packing her things up.
“It’s fine. I talked to him and told him to back off. Before, I was being too nice, but I was very clear this time. Plus, he keeps hinting that he knows about Berneli and me. What if he reports me?” I said, dread pouring out of me.
“And what if he kills you? He broke into your room. What’s to stop him from breaking into someone else’s? He’s a freakin’ cop! As for Berneli, if he really had proof, then he probably would have done something already.”
“Annabelle, I’ve—”
“No, we’re going.” Annabelle got up and grabbed my bag. She rushed out of the building and headed straight for the campus security office. I had no choice but to follow her.
I caught up to Annabelle just as she reached the building. “Geez, these doors are heavy,” she groaned as she struggled with opening the door against the wind.
“Seriously, you took my bag?” I asked her as she handed it to me.
“You just needed proper motivation,” she gloated, and then shoved me to the front desk.
There was a woman, maybe a couple years older than us, who was messing around on her phone. “What can I help you with?” she asked me without looking up.
“I have an issue with one of the officers. Um, specifically Officer Finn.”
Her head shot up and she looked at me wide-eyed. “What’s the problem with Officer Finn, is he all right?”
“Uh, yeah, he’s fine but I’m not. He snuck into my dorm room last night and left me flowers.”
“Okay…and…?” she said, waiting for me to continue.
“He’s been following me around campus and I think he has crossed the line. I’m uncomfortable.” My face flushed as she looked at me, confused, again. I felt the heat all along my neck and straight to my roots. Was I really making a big deal out of nothing?
“I’m sure he is just trying to protect you. Officer Finn is a really good police officer. Plus, have you really looked at him? He’s fine! I certainly wouldn’t be complaining if he broke into my room.” The secretary fluffed her brown hair and stood up a little straighter as she spoke about him. It was almost like he could see her and she wanted to impress him.
“Well, I don’t feel comfortable with him breaking into my room. It isn’t right.” I was trying to steer the conversation back to his crimes.
“You’re right. Who would want a sexy guy to sneak into their room and leave them flowers? The horror!” The secretary started laughing at me and I felt tears start to well up but I fought to keep them from showing. Luckily, I wasn’t alone.
Annabelle slammed her fist on the desk and the secretary jumped about three feet in the air. “Look, it’s not sweet, it’s creepy. I know it’s against the rules for him to be in her room without probable cause, which Violet did not provide. It is her right to complain about this and we want to file an incident report with the department, now,” Annabelle demanded loudly.
My mouth fell open as I looked at her. She was always so mild and quiet, but here she was showing what a badass she could be. While I loved the attitude shift, the secretary clearly didn’t. She opened her mouth to respond, but then shut it quickly.
“Listen, we are a real police station and don’t have time for this kind of nonsense. Has Finn hurt you?”
“No, but he just threatened me.”
“Did he say he was going to hurt you?”
“No, it was implied.”
“I’m going to level with you, sweetie,” she said, and patted my hand. “I could go get the chief and let him know that you want to complain about one of our most decorated officers on the force because he is bringing you flowers and he ‘implied’ a threat to you, or I can let the chief deal with more pressing matters. Your choice.”
The condescension dripping from her voice was so thick I couldn’t handle it. I was embarrassed and I needed to get out of there. It was my word versus the cop’s. Why did I ever think they’d believe me? Plus, I’d tossed the flowers out. Those were the only evidence I had.
I ran out of the security center and fought to keep my tears at bay.
Chapter 14
After Annabelle and I left campus security, I refused to talk about it. She tried to tell me that I wasn’t being overdramatic but I wouldn’t listen. The secretary had completely humiliated me and I didn’t want to deal with this anymore. I told Finn to back off and he would. That was what I decided.
My class went by pretty quickly, which suited me just fine. I was meeting with Berneli at six to go get the stuff on the rider for the comedienne this weekend and I wanted to run by my room to get a jacket and pack a bag.
David texted that he was going to pick me up in the parking lot near the dorms. I was waiting by the curb for about five minutes before a black Mercedes pulled up in front of me. The window lowered and I saw David’s face.
“Looking for a date?” I asked, smiling. He laughed and unlocked the door. I climbed in and gasped. This may have been the nicest car I had ever seen. The leather was beautiful and it still smelled like a new car. The radio had all sorts of fancy buttons and a touch screen. Not to mention it had amazing speakers.
“This is a fun car.” I looked at him in awe, all efforts to act cool and collected gone as I started pushing random buttons.
“Cheers. I leased it for my time here. It’s a real smooth drive.”
“Plus, it’s pretty,” I exclaimed.
“So are you,” he said, and then handed me a sheet of paper. “Here is a list of all the things we need to get for the rider. We have a deal with a catering company so most of the main food is covered, but we need to get some snacks and a couple other things.”
“Okay, this doesn’t look too bad.” I stole a look at him as I handed him back the rider. He was wearing his glasses today and his curls were pushed back off of his face. His cream button-down shirt was rolled up over his elbows and he was wearing a grey vest on top. He looked like Hercules was dressed by a hipster. I loved it.
“So, did you finish your paper today in class?” he asked, and I turned bright red.
“What are you talking about?”
“Do you really think I didn’t notice you working awfully hard in class today?”
“I finished your paper the other night. I just needed to finish a paper for another class.”
“Uh-huh,” he said judgmentally.
“Well, it’s due tomorrow and I knew that I was going to see you tonight but I didn’t have time to get it all done. I knew someone was presenting today so I paid enough attention to think of a couple questions if needed. But I finished it.”
“Appreciate it. I have a lot planned for you tonight so I doubt you would have had time to finish the paper anyway.”
“Just trying to be proactive,” I mumbled, trying to control my blush. We had been together multiple times but I just couldn’t keep the blush off of my face. Berneli must have noticed. He reached over and took my hand and then brought it to his mouth, placing a gentle kiss on it, but didn’t let go.
That was what messed with my feelings. I didn’t want to be with someone who I got used to. I wanted to feel the jitters when he kissed me, and the exhilaration as his hands caressed me. Without those feelings, what would I have?
I looked out the window and took a couple deep breaths. Before anything happened tonight, I needed to tell him about Finn.
“Okay, so I don’t really know how to say this so I’m just going to come out with it. There is this campus police officer, the one who was following me around that day? Well, he has been stalking me kinda and he keeps dropping hints that he may know about us.” I sat there, unmoving, waiting to hear what he had to say.
“He has been stalking you? Have you reported it?” David looked at me and was horrified. It was the same look he gave me when he heard about the first Tyler incident.
“I tried, but the secretary made it seem unimportant. He hasn’t done anything but I’m more worried that he knows about us.” I didn’t want to tell him about the flowers. David would freak out and that wouldn’t help any of us.
“Sod that! He doesn’t have any proof. You have a stalker and you’re worried he might tattle on us?” David had pulled the car over to the shoulder and he turned to look at me with nothing but concern. It kind of infuriated me. Why couldn’t he understand I was trying to look out for him?
First Semester (Elton Hall Chronicles Book 1) Page 22