Chapter 4 The Shadow

Ady's POV

"You woke up late."

My grandma was already up and about in the kitchen, making breakfast for us. I haven't been getting much rest since the night of the party. I've been staying up to finish my drawing. Over a week has passed since the day I drew to beat the deadline, and I still haven't had a chance to relax. I also thought about Damon, a man I met at the party who suddenly left. Even though Elsa says otherwise, I haven't seen him since that night, even though many people on campus do. I knew he was avoiding me for sure.

I told my grandmother what had been bothering me for several days and nights, so I stayed up late. I didn't tell her about my dream because I didn't want her to worry anymore. Of course, she knew about my nightmare, but when the bad dream stopped visiting me, I didn't tell her anymore, and even though it came back, I didn't plan to tell grandma. My grandma made me coffee and set it next to my plate while eating.

"How are you, Ady?" my grandmother asked. "Since we moved to the city, we don't have time to talk, even when we eat together."

"I'm sorry, Grandma, but I've had a lot of schoolwork," I said, averting her grandmother's gaze.

My grandma drew a deep breath. "Take care of yourself, all right?"

Subtly, I nodded. "Yes, granny."

--

The train is my daily transportation to and from school; as expected, it is always crowded. Damon and I never see one other again. Maybe he doesn't take the train anymore.

"My loves!"

I turned around when I heard a man standing beside me and grinning.

"I have been chasing you for a while. You walk so quickly. Don't tell me you are related to Flash." Jasper said jokingly.

Jasper has been my closest friend since we move to the city. Jasper's parents are nice to us, which makes me feel good about him. Jasper also goes to the public university right next to the school I go to.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you call," I said, smiling.

After a while, the train suddenly stopped, so everyone leaned over a bit. The train passengers who were standing almost swayed as the train stopped, and they started bumping into each other. In an unexpected move, I felt a hand grab my hip from behind and pull me closer to the pole.

"Are you OK?" Jasper backed me up by standing behind me.

I nodded. "OK, I'm OK."

Shortly after that, the train resumed its journey. Although the train was packed, I did not feel it was crowded. Maybe it's because Jasper protected me like a weak woman who needed protection so I wouldn't get hurt inside the train. We got to the train door quickly and waited for it to open. Someone brushed against us as we walked off the train, knocking down the bag and the drawing tube I was holding.

"Hey!" Initially, Jasper shouted to the guy and was going to follow him, but I stopped him.

"I'm fine. I'm not hurt, so just let it go." I watched Jasper get my bag and canister.

"I'll carry this," said Jasper.

"No, it's embarrassing," I said, taking my bag.

"We're friends, so why are you shy?" Jasper said, taking my bag from me.

"Jasper, I will bring my stuff." Again, I took my bag from Jasper's grasp.

"If you keep on insisting, I will kiss you."

I wasn't expecting Jasper to say that, so I dropped my bag and let him carry it for me. With such muscular biceps of his, he could easily hold my backpack.

Jasper's lips curled into a smile. "So, is it true? You haven't been kissed yet?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" I asked as we down the steps from the station without making eye contact.

"I noticed your reaction earlier," Jasper replied. Haven't you had a boyfriend at that age yet?"

I turned around and noticed that people were walking and glancing at us. "Jeez, do you need to shout about that, huh?" I said. Jasper just laughed about what I said.

With most of the students from the other university, Jasper and I strolled along the walkway connecting the three campuses. The two private universities and one public university.

"Give me my things," I said to him. "Your school is almost there."

"I'll take you to school first," said Jasper.

"Just don't bother." I tried to take my bag off Jasper's canister, but he still had a firm grip. With a scowl on my face, I frowned. "Jasper..."

Jasper grinned. "After school, let's go home together."

"I'll be out late, later," I said.

Jasper pulled his phone out of the pocket of his jeans and gave it to me. "Save your number there," Jasper said.

With a grimace, I gave Jasper my most intense gaze.

Jasper laughed at the way I was gazing at him. "Grandma Nancy will worry less if we go home together."

I took a deep breath and then grabbed Jasper's phone. He looked at me with a smile.

"Does my grandma become worried if I'm late getting home?" I asked and then handed Jasper the phone.

The sudden ringing of my phone made me pull it out of my pocket. There was a missed call from an unidentified number.

"That is my phone number. Save it, OK." Jasper whispered as he put the canister and my backpack on my shoulders.

"Looks like granny is still mired in the pain of losing your parents, just like you. She is your only family, so you shouldn't let granny worry too much," Jasper told me. "What? Don't you want me to walk with you to your school?"

"That's utter rubbish!" I said. "I am too old for that."

Jasper grinned and chuckled at my comment. "Alright. I'll call you later, OK? Make sure my number is saved in your phone. 'Who you?' is not an acceptable response." Jasper said as he got close to the main gate of his university.

---

I did not expect to see Damon sitting in our classroom on the empty seat next to mine. He is busy reading a book as if he is in his world. Even though the man's presence oddly enthused me, I ignored him out of pure annoyance. I took my stuff and sat down in my chair. Damon closed the book and glanced at me.

"Hey, Ady." Damon greeted me.

"Are you sick?" I asked. "Because you chose to show up instead of hiding. Also, why are you here in my class?"

"I swapped times and had no clue this was also your time with Mrs. Tolentino.

With a scowl on my face, I frowned. "You are free to switch classes again.."

"I will not change my schedule, especially now that we are in the same class.." Damon stared at me intently as if he meant what he said.

I couldn't believe what Damon said. "R-really? No way that's true..."

"I am sorry if I left you at the party..." Damon said.

"It's OK. I think ditching people is your hobby, or maybe I deserved to be left behind," I replied.

"I felt sick that night, so I had to leave."

"You don't need to explain." I glance at him. "Are we classmates?"

Damon nodded. "Yes. My course is also in architecture."

I've said nothing else. I set my biology textbook on the table. Elsa eventually made her way over to me.

"Ady, I left my book at home. Let's share, shall we?" Elsa said.

Elsa shoved Ady's chair, reverting an eerie screech throughout the classroom. I was surprised, and everyone looked at us.

"Sorry, classmate!"

Elsa replied cheerfully as she took the available chair. "If I know, they're just watching Tiktok. If they can react like I messed up their studies."

"Elsa, your voice. Our classmates might overhear you..." I spoke softly to her.

"Hi, Damon..." Elsa immediately greeted Damon when she noticed him.

Damon gave a little grin. "Hi, Elsa."

Damon's response made Elsa cover her mouth with her hand to stop herself from gagging. I want to laugh at Elsa's reaction. I gave Damon a cursory glance before averting my gaze.

The whole day ended quickly. Before I headed home, I returned a borrowed book to the library. Except for the two SAs (Student Assistants), the library was empty. While the SA was checking on the book I borrowed, I felt someone watching me. I looked around the library and between shelves, but no one was there. My hair rose when I felt someone pass behind me. I immediately turned around because of so much shock and fear. I can feel the temperature of my blood changing in every vein in my body. I became icily frozen.

The woman noticed me. "Are you all right, Miss?"

I turned to SA. "Ah, did you see someone pass behind me?"

"Huh? Nothing, Miss. Why?"

"But..." I looked around in every direction. "I felt someone pass behind me."

"You're scaring us, Miss. We have thirty minutes remaining in our shift."

"Huh? Umm, are we OK?"

The woman gave me my library card after it was stamped. I rushed out of the library and ran to the cafeteria. I held my chest tight because I was so scared that my heart felt like it would come out of my chest.

'Holy crap, what did I just feel there?' I thought.

The other students looked at me as they went to the cafeteria.

"Ahhh!" I yelled out in surprise as I heard and felt my phone vibrate inside my pocket. My sudden scream caught the attention of students walking by.

"Miss, what's wrong with you? You scared us!" said the students angrily.

"I'm sorry!" I said, then quickly took my phone out of my pocket.

"Hello, my loves!"

"What, my loves? Who is this?" I asked while taking a quick look at the phone screen. The screen displays an unknown number.

"You're impossible! I told you to save my number, Haist."

It was a relief to hear a familiar voice on the other end of the phone.

"Jasper..."

"Where are you? I'm here in front of the main entrance of your university. "Are you out yet?"

"Yes, I'm on my way to the gate."

Instead of waiting for Jasper to answer, I suddenly turned off the phone. Once again, I let out a sigh and whirled around. I took a peek in the direction of the nearby library. I hurried to the main gate, where Jasper was already waiting.