Ceaseless (Existence Trilogy #3)(29)

“Caramel latte with whipped cream. Just for you,” the happy stranger said. How had he known what I was going to order? And why did he order it for me? Was he a stalker? Should I call the police?

“Next, please,” the guy behind the counter said in an annoyed tone. We were holding up progress.

“Take it. The guy just made it. I can’t drink two of them.” The sincere kindness in his eyes sold me. Maybe he was just a lucky guesser. Or maybe I should really call the cops.

I took the cup from his hand and stepped out of the line. The girl behind me sighed loudly and mumbled, “Finally, Thank you.”

I took a sip of the coffee and realized it really was exactly how I liked it. I should at least thank him and be polite. I’d think about the restraining order later. “Um, thanks for the coffee. Not sure how you knew what I wanted but thanks. I’m gonna be late for class so this helps out.”

“Can I walk you?” He asked moving with me as I made my way to the door.

“Uh, yeah, I guess. Do you go here?” I asked as he fell in step beside me.

He chuckled softly and the hairs on my arms stood up. Not a good sign. I stopped drinking my coffee. Something was off here.

“I’m just a local,” was his reply. A local serial killer whose clutches I may have just walked into. “I have to admit I took an educated guess with your coffee and got lucky. I was trying to impress you with my chivalry. It looks like I’ve scared you instead. I didn’t mean to.”

He was observant. I’d give him that. Nodding I still didn’t take another drink of the latte. This entire situation was beginning to annoy me. I didn’t have a coffee I could safely drink and I was going to be late for class if this guy didn’t leave me alone.

“I was curious. Do you have a boyfriend?” Well he was straightforward. I could lie and send him packing or I could answer honestly and run toward my building.

“Um, not that it is your business, but no.” Now should I run?

“So, you and Dankmar, I mean Dank Walker aren’t a thing?” Wait…. What? How did he know about Dank? Was he a fan? Maybe this was Dank’s stalker.

“Uh, no. I just met Dank Walker,” I replied stepping up my pace. The guy paused and I thought I was going to get away from him until I heard him jogging up beside me.

“You didn’t know him before college? Like in high school?” What was with this guy’s questions? Oh. Questions… he was one of those gossip magazine reporters. That had to be it. I didn’t realize Cold Soul was that big yet. I was being harassed by the paparazzi.

“Listen, I just met the guy. I know nothing about him. Leave me alone,” I snapped and shoved my coffee back at him before turning and breaking into a run to get across the street before the light turned. I’d have to tell Dank about this. Or Dankmar… was that his real name?

“Whoa, Peggy Ann. Who ya running from?” Gee asked stepping in front of me as I reached the Science building.

“Some whacko nosey guy. I’m thinking he was a gossip reporter. He was asking me about my relationship with Dank. Or Dankmar, as he called him.”

Gee’s amused look vanished and she turned her head back toward the street I’d just crossed. A snarl appeared on her face. I glanced back and sure enough the guy was still standing there watching us, both hands holding a coffee cup.

“You know him? Because he seriously creeped me out.”

Gee shook her head, “Voodoo boy doesn’t know when to quit.”

“Voodoo boy?” I asked confused.

Gee turned her gaze back to me, “Nothing. Water under the bridge and shit. Come on, we actually have a class together. This will entertain me. Oh, and here take this. It’s from lover boy.” She shoved a backpack in my arms.

“What’s this?” I asked confused.

“You needed a laptop and Dank delivered. Come on,” Gee said and spun around in her black leather combat boots and stalked toward the building. I had to hurry to keep up.

I’d forgotten he’d mentioned letting me use his other laptop. This would make my week so much easier. Mom still hadn’t gotten enough money to order one for me. I would be sure to thank him properly as soon as I saw him.

I’d been hoping to see Dank this morning but there was no way we had more than two classes together. At least I had Gee in this one. Well… maybe that wasn’t a good thing. She might end up being more distracting than anything.

Gee had actually flirted with the professor. Heavily. As in made him blush bright red several times. The man stammered all over himself through most of the class. It was more entertaining than anything. I hadn’t learned one thing. At least he had given us some references and a website with this week’s assignments.

“I can’t believe you,” I said, laughing as we walked to the dorm. I had three hours before Calculus with Dank.

Gee shrugged, “What? He was a cutie. The quiet nerdy kind. I like to f**k with their heads. Besides that shit is boring in there. I got better things to do.”

“If you want to pass this class then you had better pay more attention to what he is saying than how to make him blush.” Although, it was funny to watch.

“Subject change. The guy this morning. Stay away from him if you see him again.”

Did she know him? Her comment about ‘voodoo boy’ had bothered me but Gee was weird and said off the wall things. I’d blown it off. Now, I was concerned. “Is he dangerous?” I asked glancing back to see if we were being followed. Maybe that call to the cops wasn’t such a bad idea.