Clutching my coffee, I sit opposite him with a happy smile. “Oh my god, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you!”
“I know! Spill,” he says.
“Spill what?” I laugh.
“Start with prom. Was that you?”
Flushing, I smile sheepishly, “Well…”
After walking through the events of prom, skating over the stalker issue, I finally cave. If I can’t trust Teddy, who can I trust?
“Teddy,” I say.
Sensing my hesitation, he cocks his head to the side and smiles at me softly.
“I have something to tell you. Um…”
“What is it?” he asks, his smile fading to concern.
“Remember the notes I mentioned before?”
“Yeah, I haven’t heard anything out of the ordinary, by the way.”
“Oh,” I say with a pulse of disappointment.
I finally told him about the notes just after I transferred. Call it pride, but I didn’t want him to think I left North because of Colt. I skated over the details, though, because I just want a normal relationship with Teddy that doesn’t include all the bullshit I’m constantly fighting.
“You seem really worried. What’s going on?”
“Well, I kind of didn’t tell you everything about the notes. They're more threatening than I let on.”
“What! How Finn?”
“It’s hard to explain. I’ve been getting weird notes about how whoever and I were meant to be together. And other weird stuff, like dead animals.”
“Oh shit, that’s scary,” he exclaims.
“I know,” I exhale, “I thought it was Colt. I saw some stuff that made me think it’s him. But now I don’t know, and I’m scared, Teddy.”
“Oh, Finn, I’m so sorry. What can I do?”
“Just keep your ears open. Surely the creep is saying something to someone!” I exclaim. “Whoever is doing this, they have to be acting weird, right? Fuck, I don’t know.”
“What made you think it’s Colt?”
“I think whoever it is, he approached me the night before prom, and he dropped something that I recognized, but Colt denies it was him, and I got a few texts. It’s all so confusing,” I say, running my hand over my forehead, fighting back tears.
“Oh Finn, I wish I could do more, but we’ll figure this out. Maybe we just need to start with what we do know?”
“Which is what?”
“Tell me everything you’ve received. When and where you got them, and we’ll try to eliminate people based on that.”
“Teddy, you’re a genius!”
He flushes under my admiration, and we set about writing it all down, and although we’re no closer by the time we leave, I feel better with a direction.
Unfortunately, the notes were left on my desk, and I don’t always remember the exact dates, but Teddy promises to see if he can find out if any students were absent during the times I do remember. Still, it could be anyone, even someone I don’t really know, although I have my doubts because the fucker knows more about me and my actions than he should.
*****
I shuffle to school Monday morning grumpily, no closer to finding closure with what I found out about Colt. I need to be able to shut off every speck of feeling I have for the gorgeous asshat, but with each new revelation, it gets harder and harder.
It doesn’t change the face of his cruelty, but it does a better job of explaining it. Did he hate me because of her? His rich bitch stepmother? And if so, why? What did she do to him? Frankly, she’s just as much a victim of Colt’s dad's machinations as his own mother, but I know he doesn't see it that way.
Learning your whole life is a lie after years of living it, couldn’t have been easy, and although it’s foolish, I still feel bad about how he received the news. I’m curious how he learned the truth and why he seems to hate Buck so much.
It’s all downright sordid, which makes my emotions all the more confusing.
When I realize Colt’s absent, I can’t decide if I’m relieved or sad, and when the following three days fly by with no sight of him, I start to wonder if he’s back at North. Perhaps he gave up and in. Perhaps, his vendetta is finally over. You’d think I would be relieved, but no, I’m fucking devastated. Why? Because I’m fucked in the head.
Having Colt come after me meant I was still in his head, and if he’s given up, then I’ll be nothing more than a footnote soon. Gah. I need serious counseling.
By Friday, I’m moping, and I’ve ignored everyone in favor of being alone.
Walking to my car absently, I miss Nate standing beside it until he’s right on top of me.
“Hey, pretty girl,” he greets me cheerfully.
I smile halfheartedly, my stomach sinking at his eager expression. Here it comes. He’s going to ask me out or something equally wrong, and I’m going to have to let him down again. This time, he may not be so understanding, and I guess I can hardly blame him. I used him to get to Colt at prom, and he, I’m sure, misread every single one of my signals.
“Hey,” I whisper, waiting for the bomb to drop. But I’m saved, literally when Hayden intervenes, stepping between Nate and me to say, “Where are you off to, little Finn? I thought we had plans?”
Staring at him with confusion, I blink and flush under his stare as he winks at me slowly. Turning my gaze back to Nate, I spy a look of sheer hatred on his face for Hayden before he turns back to me with an angry look and mutters, “See you around.”
Staring at his back helplessly, a little disturbed by his rancor, I turn to Hayden and say with narrowed eyes, “What was that for?”
“Just looking out for my homeboy, Colt,” he smirks, leaning against my car.
“Your homeboy,” I sputter, “What does that even mean?”
“Just giving him time to come around, he will eventually. He just needs a nudge now and then.”
“Hayden, if this is some misplaced attempt to play matchmaker, I’ma kick your ass. Colt is not my
