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(Matt's POV)

Silence. Dark. A chilling breeze. That’s what surrounds me right now. It’s another late night, but they don’t bother me. It’s a time I get to be me in my own space, doing my own thing. It’s a time I don’t have to worry about putting up a front around others. The little sleep has been affecting my school, but that too isn’t something I’m worried about. I graduated last year, so school right now isn’t something that is truly affecting me. Quiet honestly, it's more of a burden than anything else. It wasn’t at first, but I haven’t gained anything new for some time now, so the time spent there is nothing more than just that. Time spent.

That’s not always the case though. There are some times it doesn’t feel like I’m simply waiting for the time to tick out for the end of the day. A class or two I find myself enjoying. Mainly the time when with Claire. It’s nothing special, but it is time that makes me feel a little bit normal. Times I get to imagine what it would be like if I lived a life more normal compared to what it is.

As if she knows my mind is drawn to her in this moment, my phone rings.

Shoot!

My ringer’s off, but the vibration is loud enough to catch any ears that may hear within the silence. To possibly wake anyone not sound asleep, or is relatively a light sleeper like myself. I’ve trained myself to be as such to easier pick up on moments that could lead to something fatal. To make sure I’m aware even when so vulnerable.

Quickly trying to grab my phone out, I click it off.

Well, I guess it’s time to leave.

Giving it a moment longer with myself hidden, I move on when no movement can be detected and no lights are turned on.

“She’s going to make you slip up.”

Everything’s fine.

‘Maybe this time, but what if things didn’t end so simply? What if you got caught and your cover was blown.’

“You know how important this is.”

I know.

‘You shouldn’t have given her your number.’

It’s fine.

“NO, IT’S NOT!”

‘You’re acting a fool simply because you want to feel something you weren’t meant to. He raised you different for a reason! So why throw that all away to be fantasizing about being average?’

…

“Get it together! You’re better than this.”

Heading away from the house, I keep my surroundings in check to be sure there are no eyes to catch me. I made sure to be in disguise enough that anything odd shouldn’t be pointed to me, but if rumors spread, then maybe Alyssa or her family would put their guard up.

That would make things harder.

‘You mean more than you’ve made it on yourself?’

Getting back to my place, I turn my phone back on and notice some messages from Claire.

💬Hey!

💬Are you up?

💬Sorry, I couldn’t sleep, and I remembered you telling me that you’re up most nights, so I thought maybe you’d want to talk.

Yeah, I’m up.🗨️

What’s up? You know, besides you. 🗨️

💬Oh! The Stalker has jokes.

I do. I’m not always so serious as you put it.🗨️

But, seriously. What’s making it hard for you to sleep?🗨️

💬Just usual home stuff I guess. My stepdad’s getting loud again, and it’s hard for me to not get worried at times when he gets like this.

Yeah, I know someone like that. My dad gets the same way at times.🗨️

💬Really? Is that why you stay up most nights?

Uh, no. I’m just more of a night owl.🗨️

What makes you worry when you’re stepdad gets like this?🗨️

💬He just, can be abrasive to say the least. He’s never laid his hands on anyone but has come close to it a few times with Andrew. Honestly, I think he’s the reason Andrew is the way he is now. He used to be a lot less confrontational, but something flipped a little over a year ago. I’m not sure why. I kind of miss it, him, but I guess that’s what happens when people get older. They change.

That sounds hard. I’m sure things will get better. Like you said, he’s never laid his hands on anyone, so that’s good. Some people are more expressive than others.🗨️

💬Yeah, some people are, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to yell at people. Especially those you say you love. We should be kind and gentle, even if that doesn’t come as first nature to us. But, I guess not everyone sees things the same way. Things could be worse, but that doesn’t mean they should be what they are.

I guess you’re right.🗨️

Is she though? Some people feel they need to scream to be heard. Some people do because that’s how they grew up, but that doesn’t mean it’s something bad. I guess some people are too soft.

“She also hasn’t seen what you have. The kind of evil in the world that would make yelling the least of your concerns.”

‘Kids nowadays are too soft.’

Let’s just change the subject.

Hey, did you finish Mr. Campbell’s project yet? 🗨️

💬I plan on finishing it up tomorrow. I was going to tonight, but I helped my younger brother with something he was working on. He has a crush on a girl, and I had to help him find the right gift for her birthday. It’s super cute. I haven’t seen him crush this hard on anyone.

Maybe he’s in love?🗨️

💬You know what, maybe he is. Probably not though. He’s only 14, so I think those feelings are a little mature for him. I hope so at least. The last thing I want is for him to have to go through some kind of heartbreak. I’m not sure if he’ll come out of it the same. He already has a hard time dealing with things at times.

‘See, too soft.’

Sometimes it takes going through the tough stuff in life to help you better learn how to deal with them.🗨️

💬That might be true, but he’s still a kid. He handles a lot already that he shouldn’t, so life holding off on the rest of the hard stuff would be fine.

What is she talking about? I know her younger brother is in a special program only two others in our school go to, but he seems like a pretty normal kid beyond that.

‘You don’t know everyone’s story, like others don’t know yours.’

“Secrets are pretty commonly hidden right in front of people.”

What does he handle that he shouldn’t?🗨️

💬Yeah, maybe I shouldn’t have said that. He just deals with normal people problems, I guess that’s what older sisters do. Worry for their siblings and not want them to grow up.

No, there’s something more to what she was saying.

‘And? She’s not where your focus should be, so don’t worry about it.’

“You need to be putting your attention on your assignment, not on some girl and her family's homelife.”

That makes sense. It’s getting late, so we should probably actually try getting to sleep now. Goodnight, Claire.🗨️

💬You’re right. Goodnight, Stalker. Sweet dreams.