no control

• twenty three •

gladys

The rest of my shift blinked by. I didn't even realize it was time to go until the next employee came in. I quickly packed my backpack and scrambled out of the chair.

My thoughts were in a nervous clutter. I spent the last hour of my shift pretending to study while I stole glances at my stalker from where he stood outside.

Elijah was just very distracting to begin with. He didn't need to say or do anything—just stand there and glare out at the world.

I could tell people pulling into the gas pumps were wary of him. Some very obviously admiring.

His face remained ever neutral through it all, eyes coolly roaming the vicinity.

I had to be firm with him to get my
way. I needed to see Bernice and get more clothes. All my stuff was still at her house.

He may not give me the choice of where to sleep, but I needed my shit. None of it was valuable or even sentimental, but god knew what Alyssa would steal if I didn't get everything.

"Is that guy waiting on you?"

My neck snapped up.

I recognized the figure as the next shift guy who spoke. His name was Tony, I was pretty sure.

I followed his nod to Elijah, who was now staring at me through the window. He arched a brow and glared at the back of Tony's head.

I rolled my eyes and nodded. "Yep."

"Thank god," he said. "No offense, but he's creepy as fuck."

I chuckled. "You have no idea."

Tony gave me a weird look but I just waved goodbye and walked out.

I stopped in front of Elijah once I was outside and mirrored his stance: arms folded and face stern.

"You're frightening my coworkers," I admonished him.

"Good," he muttered, nodding to his car. "Now, get in. Please."

Biting my lip, I nodded slowly and walked around the hood to the passenger door. He opened his door but didn't get in, eyes fixed on me.

I realize he was waiting to see if I'd run off.

Why was everyone looking at me like that lately? Was I really that much of a flight risk?

"I need to go to my cousin's first," I said.

He held my gaze but finally nodded. I relaxed and climbed inside.

Once I was in and the car was in motion, he asked, "What do you need from her place?"

"My textbooks. My clothes."

"I'll have the superintendent send you new books. And I'll buy you new clothes."

I blinked, waiting for him to punk me.

But he never did. He was dead ass serious.

"Elijah, no," I said. "You're not buying me clothes. And the superintendent is seriously not going to fall for that. Please, it'll take two seconds for me to get what I need. I'll be in and out."

"No, angel. I don't want you going back there. I can replace whatever you don't have."

My anger returned, hot and slippery inside me. "You tricked me into getting in the car with you," I seethed. "Damn you and your trickster ways."

"If it keeps you safe, I don't care what I have to do."

I stared out the window and thought of all the bad words I'd like to use on him right now.