Every Time I Turn Around Part VIII

Michael. Here. Now. In my class. 1

How in the world did he get in here??? I guess he just snuck in, after all, it IS a substitute. But hah, there's no possible way that he'll get past roll call. 2

'Ryan Allman', the sub calls out above the noise of mindless chatter from our now seated class.3

No answer...4

'Ryan Allman?', she calls out again. She's not going to get an answer, Ryan's been out with the flu all week.5

'Oh, sorry, here.' He's back? Cool, I'm glad he's better. I turn to see him. 6

But it's not Ryan that answered. It's Michael. That sneaky little stalker!!  7

He flashes me a smile and winks. I hate that smile. It's desperate, pleading, and scary at the same time. I guess he just has that appearance about him. Especially his eyes. I realize he's watching me, with his hungry stare. Those eyes...I can't stand to have him watching me. I pretend to be looking at the poster on the wall behind him. He just keeps staring at me. I turn away, then glance back. Still staring. I sigh and mentally bang my head against a wall. Somehow he's unfazed by my ignoring him. Idiot.8

He's really starting to scare me now, though. I can't take this not knowing when he's going to just pop up. Especially because he decides to pop up mostly everywhere. 9

'Sandi...uh...', the sub finally gets to my name on the list.10

'Here.' I stop her from saying my last name as she's calling roll. No one can ever pronounce it anyway. It's Polish and it has a lot of consonants together. Not that I don't like my Polish heritage, people just make fools of themselves trying to say my last name, so I spare her the trouble.11

'Hey...Sandi...', the girl behind me (Maybe Kristen is her name?)nudges me in my side with her foot. She has a note tucked in her shoe. Clever... 12

I look on the front:13

'To: <3Sandi<3     From: 'Ryan Allman' (a.k.a. Michael)'14

No, no, no, no, no. I don't want a love note from him. Not now, not ever. But I'm curious. Darn my curiosity...15

I open it:16

' Dear <3Sandi<3,17

Clever of me huh? I just HAD to be near you again. You set me on fire! If you only knew. I can't wait til this afternoon.'18

Oh really, he can't wait? Well trust me, I can...19