Winter sat at her desk in her Algebra class, staring at the clock as her stomach stirred.
The teacher hadn’t come in yet, all the students messing around and tossing papers at each other even when class started in two minutes…
She let out a sigh, resting her head on the table…
She just wanted to do the math test… to take her mind off Cameron… the thoughts that questioned her sanity…
She looked down to her lap, where her wallet rested in her hand…
Just comprehending how the hell he knew all those things was making her thoughts stir…
She never told him her last name… and he asked for her first name…
Maybe she knew him when they were in elementary school… did she even know any Camerons back then…?
The name didn’t seem familiar in any sense…
And… he said “It’s almost time to go. Be cautious” just like the boy in her dream… He even called her… “Snowflake.”
If this was a coincidence then this was one hell of one…
He hadn’t appeared in her dreams in over a month… and the next day… this happened?
Winter started to think she was going crazy.
“Alright, class,” Mr. Young’s voice broke through her thoughts, and she looked up, watching him stroll into the classroom. He was one of those overly kind teachers who gave Winter some alternative assignments… mainly when there were group projects, but when it came to distractions, he wasn’t the… kindest…
“Class starts in thirty seconds,” he said, proving her point, “and all of you better put your phones away now. I don’t want to see them. And if I do, I’ll throw them in the trash can and you’ll have to dig it out of the disgusting tissues after class ends.”
Some of the students muttered something angrily, other’s listening without another word.
“Good job,” he praised sarcastically, the bell rattling Winter’s years a second later. “Before I start class,” he uttered, “we have a new student today.”
Winter’s stomach stirred…
Oh, God… not him… please not him…
“This is Cameron Arcus,” Mr. Young continued.
God dammit…
“He’s not new to this school, but he transferred classes due to there being overcrowding in his other class.”
And as a new actor introduced to the play, a dark-haired boy strolled into the classroom confidently, standing in front of the room as his dark blue eyes searched all the students curiously.
Then his eyes landed on Winter, and his lips titled into a smirk.
Crap…
“Where do you want to sit, Cameron?” Young wondered. “You can sit anywhere. There’s a lot of room.”
Winter looked to the empty chair next to her, then back at Cam, shaking her head.
He knew very well what she was saying, but clearly did not care.
“I know her,” he said, gesturing to Winter with a wave. “I’ll sit next to her.”
She wanted to slam her head into the table until this dream would be over.
“Alright,” Young said, “go on.”
And he weaved through the valley of desks, clearly knowing some girls staring at him in surprise, others with jealousy, but he didn’t seem to care.
He was hyper focused on Winter, and she couldn’t understand why.
Cam settled into the seat next to her, resting his cheek in his hand while eyeing her thoughtfully.
She just kept her face in her hands, trying not to look at him and give him the satisfaction.
“Hey,” he said, tapping her back, “you awake?”
“Don’t touch me.”
He pulled his hand away then, though she still didn’t look at him. “You okay, Snowflake?”
“Don’t call me that either.”
“Why?”
Because it was what the boy in the dream called her, and she felt her sanity hanging from a thread, but she kept silent.
“Why, Winter?”
She gritted her teeth, wanting to snap at him but she knew the entire class would watch their conversation if she did. Right now, she’d rather be the only one hearing him talk.
“Playing the silent game?” he said, tone dripping with amusement. “If I get you to talk, I’ll win?”
“Leave me alone.”
“Why are you suddenly so freaked out by me?” he questioned.
Because he was making her feel insane.
“So, Snowflake,” he said then, leaning down as an attempt to see her face, “how’s your mom?”
“Stop talking to me like you know me.”
“Why?”
“Because you don’t.”
“Yes, I do.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Will you look at me if I prove that I do?”
She was silent.
But he only continued, “Your name is Winter Evans, your favorite food is bagels and cream cheese, strawberry specifically, you enjoy reading young adult romances and fantasize being in them.”
“Hold on,” she said, “what?”
But he ignored her. “Your favorite book is Darker than Day, which is about a vampire and a teen girl. And your father died a year ago.”
She was silent, but despite her entire body screaming otherwise, she looked to him, brows drawing together.
He only smiled.
“How did you know that?” she questioned then.
“It’s all here.” He tapped his forehead.
He didn’t mean he could read minds...
She hoped he didn’t...
“So, Snowflake,” he said then, smirking, “any questions?”
“Who are you?”
“You know very well who I am, you just don’t want to admit it.”
Because who she thought he was couldn’t even be slightly possible.
“I want you to meet me somewhere, Winter,” he said then.
“No.”
He raised his brows at her stern tone. “You’re going to meet me there whether or not you like it.”
“You can’t force me, Cameron.”
“No,” he said, smirking with mischief, “but I’ll hunt you down and take you myself.”
“That’s called kidnapping,” she stated despite her heart pounding against her chest. “It’s illegal.”
“I don’t really care,” he said, eyes growing dark, “because I’ve done much worse things, and I haven’t been caught.”
He couldn’t be serious... He was messing with her.
“Are you trying to freak me out?” she questioned silently, glancing at Mr. Young to make sure he didn’t overhear them talking. “Because if that’s your ‘hookup’ tactic, it doesn’t work.” She narrowed her eyes. “On anyone.”
“You can drive,” he said, ignoring her comment, “right?”
She glared.
“Yep, you can. So,” he tilted his head to the side, “after school, meet me at Dunston River.”
“Or what?”
He repeated the threat. “Or I’ll hunt you down and drag you there.”
“You’re freaking me out.” She looked away.
“I’m very much aware, but I have my reasons.”
“Like what?”
He smiled. “Ones I’m not telling you.”
She shook her head, attempting to take deep breaths. “What did you mean by... ‘done much worse’ than kidnapping?”
“If I tell you, you’ll freak out.”
“Like I’m not already.” She shot him a glare.
“Are you?”
“Answer the question.”
“Meet me at Dunston River, and I’ll tell you, Winter.”
She shook her head and stared back at the teacher. “No.”
And before he could respond, the bell rattled the classroom, and she grabbed her backpack, stood, and stepped out of the classroom without another word.
She hoped he would back off... because something was building up inside her...
Some sort of curiosity... and she needed it to settle.
Because she knew something about him was dangerous... and she shouldn’t be near him.
She doubted he knew where she lived, and if her mother was home—and she should’ve been because she worked from home—he wouldn’t be able to get near her...
She was safe...
“You’re fun, Winter,” a voice echoed from behind her. “Very fun, and interesting, too. I’ll see you soon at Dunston River.”
She turned to snap at Cam, but the spot where the voice came from was empty.
It probably was just in her head.
But she shook her head as if to clear her thoughts, and started to her next class.252Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfM8Edg2FJ
