I got there just a few minutes late, hurrying to change into my gym shoes and clothes in the Ladies’ locker room, a handful of others running just as late. “Hurry up!” came the Coach’s harsh call, “You ladies are late, and you know I don’t tolerate it! As soon as you hit that floor, 20 laps around the gym followed by 20 free-throws, after class!” she yelled as the last of us gathered in the gym.

        “Now that we’re all here,” she started, “let’s start with warm-ups. Go!” she shouted, and we sprang into action.

        Every time we had this class, we started with stretches and simple movements, eventually moving into practicing lay-ups and free-throws, along with passes and other moves. By the time we’d been in class for half of it, she blew her whistle and told us to line up on the half-court line, so we did.

        “Alright, ladies; its shirts vs skins; starting with Rosalyn, every other one is a skin. Hope y’all got sports bras on underneath!” she shouted.

        Soon as she said that, half of us were divided into shirts and skins, either by having a sports bra on (like me) or keeping their shirts. I was starting point guard, and the last hour and fifteen minutes we had just flew by. My other teammates were pulled out and replaced several times, though I never was. By the end of class, I was drenched in sweat and my muscles ached and yelled at me, but it was ultimately for the better and helped keep my muscles toned.

        After Basketball, I was done for the day, so I went home, showered, changed into something comfy, and sat down in front my computer to play one of my favorite games, Mass Effect. It was right around then that I noticed a strange email, mainly because I didn’t recognize the sender. However, I was curious, so I opened it up.

‘Hello, Ms. Rosalyn,

I know you don’t know me, but I know you. A lot about you; I know who you are, where you are and, most importantly, what you are. I know your parents, and your family history; you see, I know everything about you. If you don’t want yourself, your family, or your friends to get hurt, you will come see me at the corner of Marianne and North Highland at noon tomorrow. Should you choose not to show, I’ll be forced to come find you after…. ‘taking care of’ your family & friends, and I’m sure you don’t want that. Don’t respond to this email, I’ll know you read it. I’m watching you, and you’re done for.’

        I frowned after I read it and put my skills to work, trying to track the sender down, somehow. Unfortunately, for all my knowledge and skills, nothing was useful, nothing was working. The email address, not to mention the email itself, didn’t even exist! It fucking disappeared a few minutes after I read it!

        I sat back in my chair and sighed heavily, running my ands through my hair as I thought about what it’d said. “What did they mean by ‘what you are,’” I asked aloud, “What is that supposed to mean? I’m a human girl, well, besides the extra appendage between my legs. Other than that, I’m nobody important, or anything special.”

        I sighed again and stood up as I closed my laptop, opting to go for a three-mile run. I swapped my comfy clothes for a sports bra, running shoes, and a pair of capris. I snagged my headphones, some cash, and my phone. Within minutes, I was out the door to the beat of “Me, Myself and I” by G-Eazy. By the time I got the restaurant I’d already planned on visiting, I’d put my headphones in my pocket, turned off my music, and I was unfortunately sweaty. Again. Great; and here I was about to enter a fancy restaurant, so I did the only thing a girl could do: went shopping!

        First, the ‘convenience’ store for some deodorant. Though, it’s more of a small department store, with some exceptions, like no clothes.

        Second, the nearby tailor; though I usually only come here for lingerie, but this time I needed a whole outfit, which I changed into, telling the clerk I’d wear everything out as I stuffed my previous outfit into the offered bag.

        Even after the expense the clothes were, I still had a few hundred left over, and was about to spend more on dinner, (Go, me!)

        As I walked up to the restaurant, I was greeted by the doorman, “Good evening, Ms. Rosalyn, have a wonderful stay!” he said politely, though he’s paid to be, so I never know how genuine it is.

        “Hello again, Ms. Rosalyn,” the hostess said with a big smile, “Your usual table?” she asked.

        I simply nodded and yawned, feeling all eyes on me as I followed her. She sat me at my usual table, far and away from all the prying eyes in the far back corner, “Your waitress will be here soon, and I’ll make sure it’s your favorite!” she commented as she turned away to go back up front.

        The waitress in question, a gorgeous young woman no older than 30, stepped up to my table, “Hello and welcome to…” she started as she raised her head up from her notepad, licking her lips a bit before finishing, “Hello, Rosalyn. What would like tonight? Your usual dish, or something a little more… meaty?”

        I noted the obvious lust exuding from both her face and her voice, and smirked, “Well, I’d like you as always, but I know it won’t happen. As for my dish, I’d like something different. Start with the typical soda choice, a double cheese-burger with all the fixings, as many fries as can share the plate, and then for dessert,” I pause purposely, glancing up and down her body as I mentally undress her for a brief second, my mouth watering just a little, “A banana split covered in hot fudge with cherries and sprinkles on top.”

        I looked up from the menu, barely having needed to after all the times I’ve been here before, either by myself, with friends, or with dates. I noted her gaping mouth and the slight blush that accompanied it, “Well? Did you write it down?” I asked gently, a gentle smile on my face as I nodded at her pad.

        She shook her head as she swallowed to clear away what was probably a dry mouth, “I uhm yea, sure. I’ll be back momentarily with your order, love,” she replied, shocked by the rather unusual order, given what I normally choose.

        I giggled as she walked away, swaying her hips enough to make me lick my own lips, ‘Someday,’ I thought to myself, ‘Someday that ass of yours will be mine.’

        After the waitress left, a mysterious woman came to my table and sat down without asking, “I know what you are,” she stated.

        Up to that question, I’d been people watching, “What do you mean?” I replied casually, without looking at her.

        “I know what you are, that’s all there is to it. You might not, but I definitely do. If you want to know more, you’ll meet me at the corner of Marianne and North Highland, tomorrow at noon.”

        That sparked more than a little interest, and I turned to look at her with a steely gaze, “What was that?” I asked calmly, though bordering on anger as I thought back to the email I read earlier.

        “You heard me; what’s it to you?”

        ‘Should I tell her about that email? If she’s not the person I’m supposed to meet, then why did she say the exact same time and place?’ I thought to myself as my gaze roamed over the waitstaff walking about, making sure their patrons were taken care of.

        “I received an email earlier today,” I start slowly, as I turn my gaze back towards her, “Someone wants to meet me at that same time and place, with the added bonus of friends, family, and myself being harmed if I don’t.”

        As soon as I mentioned the email, I saw her eyes light up, though with what emotion, I’m not sure, “Okay. Are you doing anything else after this?” she asked, suddenly a little too eager to know.

        I shook my head in response, “Go straight home, then. I’ll follow you, and keep you safe, at least for tonight.” She said as she got up, leaving in quite a hurry.

        “Wait, I don’t know who you are!” I called out as I grasped her wrist before she could get too far from my table.

        “You will soon enough. Good-bye, Rosalyn.”

        “I…” I started as she wriggled her hand out of my grasp and left, ‘How does she know who I am?’

        It was just then my waitress appeared, a big man behind her who I knew as the chef, “Here’s your… different order, Rosalyn. I hope you enjoy!” she stated before stepping aside so he could step up.

        “Yes, it is my finest creation, though all my creations are,” he said proudly, “If you don’t enjoy, I will remake it again and again until you do!” he finished, the pride never leaving his voice.

        I nodded at him with a smile, before turning my head towards the waitress and licking my lips with a wink, “Thank you, Chef. Your cooking is always wonderful, there’s nigh a possibility I would need it remade.” I stated softly.

        He seemed ready to cry as he turned and hastily made his way to the kitchen, “Oh dear; you sure set him off this time.” She said.

        “All I said was a compliment; was that bad?” I asked, my confusion evident.

        She shook her head and smiled, “The opposite, actually. You’re one of his favorite guests, as well as probably the restaurant’s most important customer. Hearing that from you made his day, quite literally.”

        I smiled, winked, and licked my lips at her again as I began to eat, watching her walk away to assist her other tables. I began to eat, the smile practically glued to my face throughout the evening. I ate slow enough to savor each bite and every little bit of flavor, but quickly enough that I wasn’t there for more than two or three hours. When I finally exited the building, it was dark, and the moon was in full view.

        I’d managed to get a few blocks away, and finally irritated with the presence behind me, I turned my head to see who it was. Color me surprised to notice it was the woman from the restaurant; though under the moon light, she seemed familiar, as if I knew her from somewhere.

        “What’s your name?” I asked suddenly as I stopped and turned around to confront her.

        “Hmm. What’s it to you?” She asked, a smug grin on her face.

        “You look familiar, like I’ve seen you somewhere before.” I replied softly, “but maybe I’m mistaken.” I added hesitantly as I turned around to continue my walk home.

        Which means I didn’t see her step up behind me, a little closer than she just was, and a soft smile on her otherwise vacant expression, though she didn’t respond.