Chapter 1: Stalking the Bad Boy

ADDY

Like every other day, I sneak over to my window, peeking out to see if my attractive neighbor is in his room.

And just like every other day, he’s sprawled on his bed, guitar in hand, strumming a soft melody. I gaze at him, longing in my eyes.

His name is Asher King.

He’s the bad boy of Northwood High and the most stunning person I’ve ever seen in my seventeen years of existence.

He never catches me staring. He never does. Even though I yearn for his attention, he never glances my way.

His curtains are always open, though.

Once, in a moment of utter desperation, I even strutted around my room in just my bra and panties! But did he look? NO.

I mean, seriously. I’m not the most beautiful girl out there, but when you can see straight into your neighbor’s room and she’s prancing around half-naked, YOU LOOK!

It’s that simple!

The jerk didn’t even flinch that day. He was too engrossed in his phone game.

Twenty minutes later, I gave up. After that, I never tried anything like that again. In fact, I became even more self-conscious about my body.

Stupid!

Asher stands up, setting his guitar aside. He grabs the hem of his shirt. I press my face closer to the window, trying to get a better view.

~Why are you so damn attractive?~ I whine internally, waiting with bated breath.

But before I get a chance to see his chiseled abs, I’m yanked away from my favorite spot in my room and the buttery curtain is drawn, blocking my view.

~No! He was just about to take off his shirt! I want to see!~

A smack on the back of my head snaps me out of my daze, and I yelp in surprise.

“Hey!” I rub the back of my head, frowning, before looking up to see my best friend glaring at me.

~Busted!~

I give her a sheepish smile, scratching my neck awkwardly. Then I pull out my best puppy-dog eyes, hoping she’ll overlook what she just saw.

But of course, she doesn’t buy it. Only Dad ever does.

“I thought you were going to stop this nonsense!” Kaylee scolds me.

“I was, but I can’t!” I blurt out, turning around and stomping toward my bed.

“Why not, Addy? He doesn’t even glance your way. I wonder if he even knows you exist!”

I huff, tossing a book in her direction. She catches it effortlessly before flopping down next to me on my bed.

“Look, I know you like him. Maybe you don’t know him personally, but you’ve been crushing on him for ages.

“Ever since the day he moved in here eight years ago, you’ve been fascinated by him, but I think it’s time you let go,” she whispers, scooting closer to me.

Biting my bottom lip, I curl up on my bed.

“I don’t get it! Am I that unattractive? Why doesn’t he give me a single glance?” I groan.

“I know! I know you’ve tried to get his attention—in some pretty bizarre ways.”

“My methods weren’t weird!” I glare at her.

“They were definitely weird, but he’s a jerk who can’t see what an amazing person you are!” She positions her face opposite mine. “You deserve so much better.”

I shake my head at her.

“No, you’re wrong!” I mumble.

“What do you mean?” she asks.

“You’re wrong. He deserves so much better than me.” I gaze longingly in the direction of his room.

“Addy—” Kaylee starts to argue, but I cut her off.

“He deserves someone who isn’t a freak. I mean, look at me. I’ve been stalking him for eight years now! Eight years!

“In those eight years, I haven’t spoken to him even once! But I still know so much about him! I’m ashamed of myself…”

“You know that’s not true,” she says soothingly, but I shut my eyes tight, hoping that my aching heart will find some peace.

~Man, I sound so dramatic.~

“Kaylee, could you please leave me alone for a bit?” I ask, looking back at her.

Her eyes hold a sad expression.

“Sure, I understand. I hope you feel better soon!” She hugs me tightly, and I hug her back.

“Don’t let your silly crush get to you!”

I nod and look down at my clenched fists in my lap.

~Pathetic.~

When I look up again, she’s gone.

I feel bad. We were supposed to have a sleepover, and she just arrived, but I need to see someone.

Like, right now.

So that’s exactly what I do. I throw on a random pair of jeans, a hoodie, my cap, and finally my running shoes. Then I open my door.

“Mom, Dad, I’m going to bed!” I yell and wait for a response.

“Okay, sweetie! Sleep well! Good night!” they yell back.

I smile to myself, closing the door again, locking it to be extra sure that no one notices I’m going to be gone for a while.

With my phone in my pocket, I climb out of my window, something I’ve become a pro at after all the practice, even though my room is on the third floor.

On my way down, something slices a deep cut into my hand, and I yelp. I hear a sound from behind me and turn around, quickly looking up into Asher’s room, but no one is there.

I look back at my hand, where the blood is seeping out.

“Shit, Mom and Dad can’t find out that you sneak out, Addy!” I mutter to myself.

I internally scream when the pain intensifies and climb all the way down, knowing I’ll fall if I don’t. Once on the ground, I take out my phone and turn on the flashlight, examining my wound.

~Well, shit. It’s bad…~

~Do I climb back up? No!~

I shake my head, trying to come up with a different plan. If I can just get the bleeding to stop, I’ll be okay.

~Come on, Addy, think!~

My hand slides under my hoodie, reaching for my bra.

~Bingo!~

It’s a cotton sports bra. I have a ton of these at home; no one will miss this one if it gets ruined. Keeping my injured hand steady, I peel off my hoodie.

The wind grazes my bare torso, now only covered by a sports bra. My fingers clutch the piece of clothing I need to staunch the bleeding when I suddenly hear a cough.

My entire body goes rigid, and my eyes dart around in panic.

~Did I just hear a cough?~

But there’s no one here, and there’s no way that Asher... I glance up at his room again. I’m right, his lights are still off like before.

~Am I hearing things? Screw it!~

I yank off my bra too, shivering a bit before pulling my hoodie back on. Then I wrap the bra tightly around my hand.

The bleeding stops, and I can’t help but smile.

Before I know it, I’m dashing off into the chilly night, oblivious to the fact that a pair of eyes continues to watch me long after I’ve vanished into the forest.