Chapter 3: NEW FRIENDS

"Stalker ex-boyfriend?" Dave asked.

"What? No, not even," I replied.

"So, you're not seeing anyone?" He went on.

"Is that your way of asking if I am single?" I replied. "Or are you wondering why I never texted you after you skillfully gave me your number on a napkin?"

"Touché," he said smiling. "So why didn't you text me?"

"You won't let it go, will you?"

"Not really," Dave said.

"I chose not to because I do not text strangers," I shot back, smiling.

"Ouch," he said, feigning hurt. "I am glad I did though."

"Yeah, why?"

"It's not every day you see a beautiful woman walk into a McDonald's that's off the highway," Dave replied. "Trust me, I have been there a while. Seeing you was the highlight of my five years as a cashier."

"Um, thank you," I said, nervously looking away. What was I to say to that?

Moments later, the lecturer walked in as a couple of students were still settling down. A girl with long red hair and a boy with short cropped dark hair quickly passed by me and took the seats right in front of us.

"Sam? Anna?" Dave whispered. They both turned around in their seats.

"Hey, Dave!" they both whispered back smiling.

"We'll talk after class. You know how Alan gets when we chatter," Sam added.

The next two hours flew by with me scribbling a couple of notes down, Dave secretly staring at me, and Sam casually running his fingers through Anna's hair.

"We will have a pop-up quiz next week so add that to your schedules," Professor Alan said at the end of class.

I excused Dave and he went to chat up Sam and Anna. Once I was packed, I put my phone in my front pocket and walked towards the back of the class to exit.

"Hey Mila, wait up," Dave called out, making me stop in my tracks. When I turned around, I caught them all smiling weirdly at me. "I'd like you to meet Sam and Anna."

"Hi, nice to meet you," I said smiling.

From the front, Anna had hazel eyes behind a set of round glasses and cherry-coloured thin lips. She was shorter than I was, about 5'3, and Sam towered over everyone with his 5'11 height. He too had glasses.

"Would you like to join us? We are heading to the café to grab some brunch," Anna asked sweetly.

"Yeah, I was heading there myself," I replied.

We walked down the hall and took the elevator down to the 1st floor. The café was on the left from the lift. Students thronged at tables, some were standing sipping coffee or just chatting away.

As we joined the line, I hoped they had good smoothies. Sam and Anna both had coffees with large sandwiches, Dave went with a medium-sized cappuccino and bagels, and I settled for an all-green smoothie with a potato and beet salad. We took the table by the huge windows right after a loud group of boys left.

"So, where are you from Mila?" Sam asked once we were all seated.

"Montreal," I replied right before I took a fork full of the salad.

"That's quite a drive," he said, eying Dave who gave him this weird 'Don't you dare do it' look.

"Stopping at McDonald's was worth it though," I replied, joining in on the tease.

"You don't say," Sam said, elbowing Dave.

Anna chuckled and whispered something quickly to Sam. They all knew that Dave had met me at McDonald's but what I didn't know was if he told them about the napkin move he pulled on me.

I was about done with my salad when my phone buzzed. I hesitated before I finally picked it up. It was a text from my mother. She would pick me up in 20 minutes. Seconds after reading her text, my phone buzzed again.

The message appeared on the notification bar and it was from the Unknown number. That marked three unread messages. I decided to open them because there was no point in putting them off any longer.

'Be careful, I see trouble coming your way.'

'Oh, he did not just pull that move on you.'

'Enjoying your salad?'

I nearly dropped my smoothie. I could feel the colour drain from my face. My hands trembled. I scanned the café frantically. It was way too packed to spot anyone. Whoever it was, definitely went here!

"Mila! Are you okay?" Dave asked, placing his hand on mine. "Is there someone you're looking for?" He asked, scanning the room too.

"I'm fine, sorry about that," I lied, staring at him with a faint smile.

"Okay, we are about to leave. Do you want to come with us to my place?" He asked.

"Um, not today. I'm leaving soon actually."

"Want a ride?" He pressed.

"Thanks, but my mother is on her way."

"Your mother?" He asked skeptically.

"Yeah, my car's not here yet so, she's my ride home," I replied, ignoring the look he gave me.

Another buzz. My stomach flipped as I swiped the screen to read the message.

'I'll be there in 5 minutes. Same place I dropped you off in the morning.'

Relief swept through me momentarily. Everyone was getting ready to leave. We walked out the grey building and I quickly said goodbye before they disappeared to their cars.

I spotted my mum's black Chevy pull up and I quickly walked towards it. She opened the door and I got in, placed my bag on my lap, and buckled up as we drove out.

"So, how was it?" She asked, not taking her eyes off the road.

"Well, not bad. I started with Photography today and we already have a pop quiz next week," I replied, staring at the black screen of my phone.

"Made any friends?"

"Kind of, well, I'm not sure we're friends, but we had brunch together."

"I'm glad you had a good start. Your father and I are going out later in the evening for a cocktail dinner. Will you be okay with yesterday's dinner?" She asked, feeling slightly guilty.

"Absolutely, you guys have fun, but don't forget–"

"To bring you some cake, and I won't," she finished, eyes still on the road.

We pulled into our driveway and I headed upstairs after grabbing some vitamin water from the fridge and promising to come down for some supper later.

I changed out of my clothes and sat at my desk, nervous about the texts, and jumped when my phone buzzed.

'It was nice seeing you today.'

I stared at my screen. Andrew had to be behind all of this. Someone was tailing me. I was about to get up and tell my mother about the texts before she left for the party, when another message came through.

'I wouldn't do that if I were you. No telling mummy, not yet.'

I was in full panic. They knew what I was about to do so that means they were watching me. I scanned my room and quickly pulled my curtains. With trembling hands, I reached for my phone and replied.

'Who's this and what do you want from me?'

I bit my lip and pressed send. Seconds later, I got a reply I never knew would be so straight forward.

'Hi, Mila, it's Lloyd. You have something I need. Let's have some fun, shall we?'