Unwanted Attention

Creeping, crawling, lurking behind
He doesn't care, he doesn't mind
Getting caught is part of the job
As he watches her angrily sob
He knows he's succeeded
It's something he's needed
He's looking now for a new prey
So he can stalk night and day
Silent and swift he's moving quick
Skin is crawling feeling sick
But pain comes with pleasure
And this pleasure is an almighty treasure


June 14th, 2002
9:30 a.m.
Criminal Court
District 15
State of Alabama

Chapter 1
Waiting with her attorney, she nervously sat in the courtroom fidgeting with her hands. Was it to finally end? Was the nightmare about to be over soon? Jacque lowered her head and softly whispered, “After ten years I hope to finally put this behind me.” Her best friend sitting behind her patted her shoulder and smiled. She nodded to Jacque in a gesture that things would be all right.

Jacque’s mind raced back to where this horrid nightmare had all begun. She was only eighteen at the time and attending college. It was her first year, and her first time away from home. She had considered going to a local school, but when she received a scholarship to the University of Southern California, she could not say no. It wasn’t too far from home, only a couple hundred miles. Still, she missed her family.
She had made a friend in her roommate Nikki. Nikki was very pretty, the typical girl from Southern California. Deep blue eyes and long blonde hair. Jacque was a little intimidated by Nikki, but soon learned that Nikki was nothing like people assumed. She was nice, helpful, kind and quite shy. Jacque, being fairly short with shoulder length brown hair, was not shy in the least. Nikki and Jacque complimented each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They helped one another in everything…school, boys, and classes they attended. Nikki wanted to be a model but her mother insisted that she attend college so that in case modeling didn’t work out she would have a degree in something. Every chance that Nikki got she would go to a modeling audition. In the meantime, she studied very hard to earn her business degree. Jacque found a job working as a waitress in a local diner. Even though she had gotten a scholarship, she needed some spending cash. Her parents sent her money as often as they could, but money was tight and they weren’t able to send much to Jacque. Between classes and after work, Jacque worked on her studies to earn her marketing degree. She wasn’t yet convinced in which market she wanted, but everyone had told her that no one picked a major in their first year of college.

December 15, 1992
One night, while at work, Jacque’s section was about to be closed so that she could clean up and go back to her dorm when a man seated himself at a table near her. Being quite tired, Jacque walked to him and said, “Sir, I am very sorry but my section is closing.”
He smiled and replied, “Oh really? I wanted to sit here so you could wait on me.”
His smile made her uneasy. She shook her head. “You’ll have to move towards the front, if you don’t mind.”
He laughed as he stood up. “Alright then. But I should tell you, I tip rather well.”
She half smiled. “Maybe next time.”
The man moved to another seat and sat down. A waitress soon came to take his order. As he looked over the menu, he watched Jacque cleaning up. She refilled the ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper shakers. She made sure all of her tables were cleaned before telling her boss, Mark, that she was leaving. He told her goodnight as she grabbed her coat. There was a nip in the air and she didn’t want to get cold walking back to her dorm. She didn’t own a car so the job she had taken she made sure wasn’t too far away from her room. Only a couple blocks, it wasn’t a big deal.
As Jacque walked past the man that had wanted her to wait on him, he smiled at her and said, “I’m holding you to that.”
She looked at him oddly and asked, “To what?”
He grinned. “Next time.”
She shook her head and walked away, causing the bell to ring on the diner door as she exited. She pulled her coat around her and made her way back to her dorm room where Nikki was already asleep. Jacque sat down on her bed and removed her shoes. She yawned. “I am way too tired to shower now. I’ll just do that in the morning.” She quickly changed into her pajamas and went to bed.
Walking to the diner one evening, Jacque noticed a car slowing down. She kept walking, keeping her eyes straight ahead but also listening for the car. It stopped and someone called out to her, “Need a ride to work?”
She stopped and glanced to the car. She saw that it was the customer that had tried to sit in her section. She shook her head and smiled saying, "No thanks, I’ll walk.”
“Looks like rain,” the man said to her.
She started walking, shaking her head. “I’ll be fine.”
“See you there,” he called out to her as he drove on past.
“You freaking idiot, just go away,” she said as his car rounded the corner out of sight. She wished that maybe he would not be at the diner as she got there. However, there was his car in the parking lot. Rolling her eyes, she entered.
“You already have a customer,” Her middle aged boss Mark told her.
Mark was in his fifties, gray haired, quite short. The diner belonged to him. He was married to a woman named Lucille for thirty years. They had two grown sons and five grandkids. Something you learned about Mark as soon as you were hired. He was proud of his family and let it show with the numerous pictures on the diner wall.
Jacque didn’t have to look; she knew exactly who the customer was as she hung up her coat. She put on her apron and approached the man. “What can I get for you tonight?” she asked him.
He smiled to her, causing her to flinch just a bit. His teeth were jagged, not crooked just looked like the sharp points you would find on vampire’s teeth. Only his were all that way. She wondered if he had done that on purpose or if it was some defect. “What would you recommend?”
Jacque pointed to the special on the board. “Mark’s lasagna is really good.”
The man handed his menu to Jacque. “I’ll have the special with a glass of tea.” She didn’t look at him as she took the menu from him. “I’ll bring your tea out; your food will be ready soon.”
“No hurry, I am not going anywhere.”
Not what she was wanting to hear. She placed his order with Mark, served him his tea and went on to take care of other customers. Every time passing by the strange man she could feel his cold stare. Men had stared at her before but not like this. This was a deep, dark, cold, uninviting stare. She did not like it and she did not want it.
Finally able to bring him his food she sat it in front of him on the table. “Anything else you need?” she asked hoping for him to say no.
“More tea would be nice,” he said as he looked her over.
She nodded and hurriedly got it for him. Silently wishing he would leave soon.
Jacque carried a tray of dishes to the back. She peered out into the diner and saw the man still eating. She checked her watch; it had been over an hour since he was served his food. “Damn, how long does it take to eat lasagna?”
“As long as it takes honey,” Felicia, a waitress, said to her as she carried plates to the back.
Jacque smiled to her. “I just want this guy to leave.”
Felicia sat the dishes down at the sink and looked into the diner with Jacque. “What guy?”
“The weird looking guy at table six. He’s been here for over an hour. I want him to leave.”
“The longer the customer sits, the better the tips.” She smiled to Jacque as she went back to work.
“I don’t care if he leaves a hundred dollars,” Jacque said as Felicia passed by.
Mark called to her, “Jacque? What’s going on?”
Jacque looked to Mark. “Oh nothing, I was taking a break.”
He walked to her and smiled. “You’ve got tables to clean. Wait until that’s done and then take fifteen.”
She smiled back to him. “Sorry Mark.” She walked towards the man that seemed to be finishing his meal. “So, ready for the check?”
He looked past her and then back to her. “How about some pie?”
She wanted to scream, but forced a smile instead. “What kind?”
“I saw someone with a pie that had ice cream on it. I’d like that one.”
She nodded and reached for his plate. “May I take this?”
He handed the plate to her, letting his fingers graze hers. “Please do.”
His touch made her shiver. She could have kicked him, or atleast hit him with the plate. She took the plate and carried it back to the sink. She gathered herself together, not wanting him to see that he had an effect on her, and got a slice of pie topping it with ice cream. She grabbed a spoon and a fork. “God knows he’ll ask for both.” She walked to him and sat it down with his check in her hand. “If that’s all, I’ll leave this with you.” She slid the check near him.
He took the spoon and dipped it into the ice cream. “Mmmm,” He grinned at her as he licked the spoon and said, “this is good.”
Barely able to keep from losing her composure she said, “When you are ready to pay, let me know.” She turned from him and attended to the rest of her customers.
Finally, the man gestured to Jacque that he was ready to leave. She walked over to him and took the $20.00 that he had placed on the ticket. “I’ll be right back with your change.”
He touched her hand lightly. “No need, keep the change.” He stood and smiled to her.
She nodded. “Thank you and have a good night.”
“It has been,” he said to her as he walked out of the diner.
She exhaled deeply and looked at the receipt. The total for his bill was $12.56.
Felicia looked over Jacque’s shoulder. “See? The longer they stay the better the pay.”
Jacque laughed. “Did you think that one up all by yourself?” She went to the register and placed the money inside, withdrawing the nearly eight dollar tip she made. She finished her duties and clocked out for the night.

“How was your night?” Nikki asked just as Jacque entered the room.
“It was okay. Fairly busy,” she said as she changed for bed.
“You seem tired.”
Jacque nodded. “I am and this weird guy came in tonight.”
“What did he do?”
“Offered me a ride to work, I said no thanks. Spent almost two hours eating lasagna and some pie. Left me almost an eight dollar tip. It wasn’t worth it.”
“Sounds strange.”
Jacque slid into bed. “He’s creepy I’m telling you.”
“Oh come on, he probably just likes you.”
“Nikki, it’s more than that. The way he looks at me makes my skin crawl.”
“So next time refuse to serve him. You can do that, can’t you?”
“I could but he’ll still come in and sit someplace else and watch me.”
Nikki closed the book she was reading. “He can look all he wants to but atleast you won’t have to speak to him. That’s what he wants, to talk to you.”
“Maybe you’re right. I’ll talk to Mark tomorrow.”
Nikki crawled into her own bed. “He’s a nice guy. Just tell him that this dude is weird and you don’t want to deal with him.”
Jacque switched off the bedside lamp. “That’s what I’m going to do.”

Before going to work, Jacque had to stop off at the university library. She needed a book for her economics class. Finding it and realizing that she was going to be late for work, she hurried out. If only she had a car. The diner didn’t pay enough for her to afford one and her parents certainly couldn’t buy her one. Luckily the weather in California was nice and she didn’t have to walk far to get anywhere.
The bell rang as she entered the diner. Mark looked to her. “You’re late Jacque.”
“I’m sorry Mark. I needed a book for a class. It won’t happen again.”
He smiled. “Hey, you know I’m just giving you a hard time.”
She nodded putting her things away. “It’s what you do best.”
“You’ve got a customer already,” he said pointing towards the dining area.
Not wanting to look, dreading seeing that weird man, she slowly turned her head to see him. She laughed softly seeing Nikki sitting in a booth. Jacque walked to her. “Mark said I had a customer and I was freaking out about it being that guy.”
Nikki smiled. “Sorry about that. Why are you late?”
“I needed a book and had the hardest time finding it in the library.”
“I had some free time and thought I would come in and keep you company. Maybe I’ll see that guy and he’ll see me and he might leave you alone.”
Jacque laughed. “Doubt that. You may get him interested in you.”
“I hope not.” Nikki laughed.
“Do you want anything to eat?”
“A diet cola and a slice of apple pie.”
“Nikki, I don’t know how you keep so skinny.”
“I’ll throw it up later,” she joked.
“Be right back,” Jacque told her.
Nikki spent the entire evening at the diner. The man never showed up. Not that Jacque missed him in the slightest, but she did want a second opinion on this guy’s behavior.
The girls walked home together that night.

After her English class, Nikki walked back to her dorm room. About to open the door she looked down and saw a flyer lying on the ground. She bent to pick it up, taking it in her hand she walked inside her room. She put her books on her desk and sat in a chair. She read the flyer, “Think you’ve got what it takes to become a world famous model?” She smiled and nodded continuing to read aloud, “Prove it. Photographer ready to make your dreams come true. Stop by this Tuesday between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.” She folded the flyer and put it in her purse. “I know I’ve got what it takes.”
Jacque opened the door. “Are you busy?”
Nikki shook her head. “Not right now. Why?”
“I thought maybe you could come hang out at the diner again.”
“Oh Jacque I wish I could but I do have that class meeting tonight.”
Jacque smiled. “It’s okay. I totally understand.”
“I could leave early and stop by.”
“That’s alright, it’s no biggie. I’ll see you after work.” She changed into her uniform.
“You know, maybe he won’t come by. He hasn’t in the past couple days.”
“Here’s hoping that you’re right.” Jacque crossed her fingers and headed out the door.
Nikki opened her purse and looked at the flyer again. “I am going to prove that I can be world famous.” She smiled placing it back into her purse.
Jacque looked up at the clock on the wall, only one hour left in her shift and so far she hadn’t been bothered by the creepy guy.
Ring of the diner’s doorbell, Jacque turned to look. She smiled seeing an elderly couple enter. They were seated at one of her tables. She took their order, went to the back and spoke to Mark.
“Jacque, you’re needed out here honey!”
Felicia had called to her. Figuring the couple needed something, Jacque walked towards the man and his wife. She stopped just before reaching them, there he was. He was sitting right near the door smiling at her. She rubbed her hands together and approached him, “You should know, my shift is almost over.”
“Then I got here just in time,” he said to her.
“What will it be?” she asked coldly.
“A smile to start with.”
“Not in the mood tonight.” She looked away from him.
“Well then, if I can’t get a smile then I’ll just have a piece of pie. Ooooh, with the ice cream like before.”
She nodded to him and quickly walked away. His unnerving stare made her shudder. She got his pie and placed it on the table.
He grabbed her hand as she was about to walk away. “Spoon?”
She pulled her hand away. “I forgot, I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll be waiting.” He grinned at her.
Jacque got his spoon and returned to him with it. She placed it on the table. “Is that all you need?”
He took a spoonful of ice cream, swallowed and said to her, “If I need anything more, you’ll be the first to know.”
Jacque looked at him, wanting to tell him to go to hell, to drop dead…anything at all to make him understand that she did not like him, but instead she just walked away.
The elderly couple finished their meal. Jacque smiled to them as they left. She picked up her tip. “Wow, fifty cent.” She cleaned the table, putting the dishes away in the back. Knowing that the only person left that she had to deal with was the man, she got his bill and handed it to him. “My shift is over. If you don’t mind, I need to collect from you.”
He reached into his wallet and handed her a twenty. “Keep the change.”
Shaking her head, “No thank you. It’s far too much of a tip.”
“Hey, it beats fifty cent.” He smiled.
He had been listening to her. She said, “Look, your bill is only $3.25. I cannot accept that much of a tip.”
“Well, either you can take it now or if you bring me my change I will leave it on the table so that you can take it after I leave.”
“Again, thank you.” She walked away carrying his money. Taking the tip she needed made her feel like she owed him something. Maybe that was what he was banking on. She got the change and put it with her other tips.
“See you later,” the man said to her as he left the diner.
“I hope never,” she said after the door closed.
Jacque finished cleaning her tables and refilling the bottles. She was very tired and wished she didn’t have to walk home. Opening the door of the diner, she walked out into the night air.

Chapter 2
Nikki entered the studio and called out, “Hello? Is anyone here?” She looked around holding the flyer in her hand. Her boots clicked on the hard wood floor as she walked. She saw a tripod holding a camera and a blue, plush rug on the floor just below the camera. There was a bright yellow screen sitting in the background. “Maybe the photographer wants to create a beach scene,” she said still walking around.
“You would be right,” a man’s voice said behind her.
Nikki jumped from being startled and turned to look at him. She smiled catching her breath. “Hi, I’m Nikki. I found your flyer at the campus.”
He looked her over as he moved past her. “I’m glad you came Nikki.”
She watched him as he stopped in front of her. “I am going to school to earn a business degree but what I really want is to be a model.”
He brushed a strand of her hair across and back over her shoulder. His fingers were cold, making her shiver slightly. His eyes moved over as if he was trying to see through her. “You’re very pretty. Might have to lose a few pounds. But I think I can work with you, for now.”
Lose a few pounds? Was he nuts? Nikki had always been told that she needed to eat. Even Jacque had mentioned numerous times that she wished she had Nikki’s metabolism. She sort of smiled and said to him, “I’ve never had a weight issue before.”
He leaned in close to her and remarked, “You’ve never worked for me before.”
She leaned back from him. “Maybe this isn’t right for me,” she said to him turning to leave.
“Suit yourself,” he replied as he went to work on the scene he was creating.
She glanced over her shoulder at him and asked, “How much weight?”
He grinned to himself before turning to look at her. “Five, no more than ten pounds.”
Nikki looked over her body and then to him. “I can do that. Should I come back after?”
He shook his head and motioned her to him. “Let’s shoot some test shots for now. I want to see what you can do. Do you have a resume, portfolio perhaps?”
Nikki nodded walking to him as she handed the folder she had been carrying to him. “There are a few pictures inside that I hope you like. My stats are in there as well but I can see that it will change when I lose the weight.”
The photographer took the folder from her. He glanced at her pictures and said to her, “Remove your clothes and go sit on the rug while I set up the camera.” He placed the folder onto a nearby table and went to his camera.
Nikki’s eyes blinked as she swallowed hard. “Remove my what?”
He looked to her and said, “Your clothes. Ever seen anyone on the beach wearing jeans and a t-shirt?”
She laughed nervously. “Well no, but I don’t have a bathing suit to wear.”
“You’re wearing a bra and underwear, aren’t you?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yes but that’s not a bikini.”
He rolled his eyes and said to her, “It’s the same principal.”
Nikki shook her head. “I don’t think so. This isn’t what I came here to do.”
The man sighed deeply. “Look Nikki, if you want me to work with you, you are going to have to trust me. All models, at some point, have to strip down in front of many people. If you are modest, there is no place for that in the modeling world. I am not asking you to get naked. I just want to see what you will look like in a bikini. I have to know that your body looks as good in person as it does in the pictures you showed to me.”
She nodded. “I understand that, I really do. But…..”
He waved his hand. “I don‘t want to hear this. Either get undressed or get out. I have things to attend to.”
Nikki felt her face getting hot and turning red. She had posed in a bikini before and she did just show him the pictures. She was not ashamed of her body but having pictures taken of her in her underwear felt like a violation somehow. She shook her head and walked to pick up her folder he had laid on the desk. “I am sorry for wasting your time.”
The photographer nodded not even looking at her. “When you are serious about modeling, come back to see me.”
Nikki felt so foolish as she left the studio. She quickly hurried back to the dorm. When she opened the door to her room, she was crying.
Jacque had been sitting at her desk studying when Nikki entered the room. Upon hearing her cry she got up and went to her. She sat down on her bed and asked, “What’s wrong Nikki?”
Nikki shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about it.” She removed her shoes and slid onto her bed on her belly, holding her pillow as she cried.
Jacque moved to Nikki's bed and sat beside her. “What happened at the photo shoot?”
Nikki just shook her head. “It was so humiliating.”
“I don’t understand. You’ve always had such a great time before.”
“This was different,” Nikki sniffled.
Jacque stroked her friend’s head and smiled. “Aren’t they all?”
Nikki shook her head and looked up at Jacque. “He wanted me to take my clothes off.”
Jacque’s eyes got big. “Nude photos?”
“No, it was for a beach scene and he said that my underwear was no different than a bikini.”
“Well, in a way he’s right. But that’s just odd to ask someone to strip down like that just when you meet them.”
“I know, no other photographer has asked that of me before.”
Jacque continued to rub Nikki’s hair. “Maybe he just wasn’t the right type. Probably a pervert just looking to take pictures of girls in their underwear.”
Nikki wiped her eyes. “You’re more than likely right. I felt so weird around him too.”
“I’ve always said, trust your gut instinct. If it doesn’t feel right, it isn’t.”
Nikki nodded. “I know you’re right. I’ll be alright after I get some sleep.”
Jacque looked to the bedside clock. “It’s only after nine. Come on, get dressed and we’ll go catch a movie.”
Nikki sighed. “I don’t feel like a movie tonight. I felt so humiliated. Oh, and you won’t believe what he said I needed to do.” She sat straight up in bed.
“He asked that you take off your clothes, I shudder to think what else he wanted.”
“He said that I needed to lose a few pounds. Five, maybe ten.”
Jacque started laughing. “You cannot be serious.”
Nikki nodded. “He really did.”
“Well, that goes to show you that he’s an idiot. You are the perfect size. You know I would kill for your figure.”
She smiled. “Jacque thanks for making me feel better.”
“Come on, let’s have a hug.”
Nikki giggled and hugged her friend.
“Get off your butt and clean your face. We are going out. You are not going to let that moron ruin your Friday night,” Jacque said to her as she stood up.
Nikki smiled as she got up from her bed. “Yes ma’am.”

At the movies, Jacque whispered to Nikki that she was going to get them some popcorn. She made her way to the concessions at the movies and ordered a large popcorn with two diet colas. Waiting for the extra butter to be squirted on her popcorn, Jacque felt someone tap her on the right shoulder. She turned and saw no one there. She heard a laugh causing her to turn to her left. There was the male customer from the diner.
He smiled to her. “I saw you buying a ticket earlier. I would have said hello but you disappeared after you came inside.”
Jacque bit her lower lip. “Ummm, yeah I am with a friend.” She hoped he would leave her alone without her saying so.
“I saw your friend, very pretty blonde girl.”
Watching the woman at the popcorn machine, Jacque looked away from the man. “Yep, that’s my friend.”
He brushed his fingers up her left arm. “You’re pretty too.”
She pulled her arm away and glared at him. “Look, I’m not interested in you.”
He put his hands up and took a step back. “Sorry, I just thought we had a connection from the diner.”
Taking her popcorn from the woman behind the counter she firmly told him, “The only connection we have are that you are a customer where I work. That’s it, nothing more.”
He nodded with a smile. “Okay then. I won’t bother you.”
She exhaled slowly and walked away from him feeling his eyes on her. She found her way back to Nikki and sat down. “You are not going to believe what just happened to me.” She told her of the man and what he had said and done.
“All men are jerks,” Nikki whispered as the movie began.
Jacque nodded. “I agree. I am just going to ignore him and tell Mark that I don’t want to wait on this guy again if he comes back to the diner.”
“Surely he wouldn’t be so stupid after you told him off.”
Jacque shrugged. “You never know.”
“You just tell Mark what has been going on and he’ll take care of that guy.”
“Ladies, please. I am trying to watch the movie,” a voice from behind them said.
Both girls giggled, eating their popcorn and watching the movie.

Just as Jacque had left for class, Nikki picked up the flyer about the modeling job. She sighed and sat down on her bed. “Maybe I should go back with a bikini already under my clothes and then he can take my photo.” She got up and went to her trunk and opened it. Rummaging through for her turquoise bikini. She found it, undressed and put the bikini on. She slipped on her jeans, t-shirt and wrapped her coat around her. “I’d better take my flip flops just in case,” she said slipping on her tennis shoes. She grabbed her blue sandals and left the dorm room.
“I wonder if he’ll even speak to me let alone take my picture,” she said just as she got to the front door of the studio. “Only one way to find out.” She took a deep breath, exhaled and went inside. Looking around once again she didn’t see him. The beach scene was still set up near the camera. She walked around the room and over to the fake sand he had created with a brown rug instead of the blue one he had previously.
“Ready this time?” a voice came from behind her.
She turned and saw the photographer looking at her. She nodded. “I wore my bikini under my clothes.”
He scratched his head and traced her over with his eyes. “Well then, let’s see what you have brought.”
She smiled and asked, “Where should I undress?”
He rubbed his jaw. “Right where you are standing. You have the bikini on, so no need in a dressing room.”
Nikki did not like this man at all but she really wanted to further her career. If she refused this time, he would never let her come back. “Okay then,” she said as she kicked off her shoes. “I brought my flip flops just in case,” she stated as she slipped her jeans and t-shirt off.
He didn’t look at her as he adjusted his camera. “Won’t be necessary.”
She lay her clothing in a pile near her and folded her arms across her chest. “So, what should I do?”
He glanced at her and then back to his camera. “Go sit on the sand.”
She nodded as she strolled to the rug, which was the sand. A bright colored beach ball was tossed her way. She caught it and looked to him.
He smiled. “Play with the ball honey.” He started snapping pictures of her.
Nikki laughed slightly as she bounced the ball around, posing, smiling as the photographer kept taking her picture.
“I want you to lean over the ball. Get on your knees and push your breasts forward over the ball. Men love cleavage you know,” he said to her.
She felt weird about this but he was right. Even a ten-year-old boy would go nuts at just the sight of cleavage. She did as he told her, he kept taking her picture.
“One second while I reload and adjust the lighting,” he said to her.
She sat back on her butt and waited for him to instruct her on what to do next.
He reloaded his camera, turned on two very big lights on either side of her and fluffed the rug. “Need lots of sunlight.” He smiled pointing to the lights.
As the photo shoot continued, Nikki started feeling a little more at ease with the guy. “On your back over the beach ball,” he said to her. She did as he wanted.
“Now, toss that ball away and lose the top,” he told her.
“Topless?” she asked very stunned. At ease had now went out the window.
He nodded and told her, “I am going to have you to cover your breasts with your hands. Don’t worry, not much will show.”
“Ummm, I’m not sure about this….”
He rolled his eyes. “Here we go again. Miss Modesty is not going to cut it.”
“Okay okay, I’ll do it.” She sighed turning her back to him. She unlaced her top and let it fall. She covered her breasts and turned to him. “Like this?” she asked.
Shaking his head, “Don’t cover them like you really don’t want anyone to see them. Cover them like you’re being coy. Teasing the guys.”
She tried her best to play coy, letting her hands move around her skin. Keeping her breasts covered with her fingers, just as he told her to do.
“On your belly, raise your head up, legs crossed over in the air,” he instructed her.
Nikki did as he said, wanting this shoot to end soon.
“On your back, arms folded, legs crossed,” he said as he kept snapping her picture. “That’s right, look at the camera and give me a naughty look.”
Nikki started to get into the process. Even though she was topless he hadn’t ask her to show everything.
“Alright, how far are you willing to go?” He stopped taking her picture and asked her.
“What do you mean?” she was afraid to ask.
“Lose the bottoms and lay on your belly. Only your cute little ass will show.”
She shook her head. “Oh no, I cannot do that.” So much for not showing everything.
He shrugged. “It’s your call. But, calendar girls show some ass.”
“In a thong,” she said.
He grinned. “You didn’t wear one.”
She thought for a moment and then asked, “Should I come back in one?”
He shook his head. “No, this should be enough.” He took his camera from the tripod and started to unload it.
“Wait,” she said to him as she slipped her bikini bottom off, “do it now.”
He winked to her. “That’s my girl.” He snapped several pictures of her on her belly.
She could not believe that she was completely nude. How on earth did this happen?
“All done. I’ll send your pictures to you when they are ready,” he said to her.
She gathered the rug around her and got dressed as best she could without him seeing her. He chuckled as he took his camera to the back.
Nikki left without saying a word to the photographer. She was glad that it was over.
Three days later Jacque walked into the dorm room carrying a brown envelope. She handed it to Nikki. “This is addressed to you.”
Nikki took the envelope and smiled. “Thanks. Wonder what…,” she trailed off her words just as her eyes saw the studio’s name in bold print.
“Pictures?” Jacque asked her.
Nikki nodded slowly. “Yep. Just some photos I did awhile back.” She hoped she would not have to tell Jacque that she had returned to the photographer. Let alone let her see the pictures.
“So open it. I want to see.” Jacque smiled sitting down on her bed.
Nikki shook her head. “Not right now. I know what they are, they can wait until later.”
“What’s so bad about seeing them now? You usually are really excited about seeing your photos.”
“Because it’s no big deal. Just the same old picture as always.”
Jacque looked to her oddly. “Why are you being so weird about this?”
Nikki laughed nervously. “Weird? Me? You know how I am.”
Jacque tapped her foot on the floor. “I do know how you are and this isn’t you.”
“Look, I don’t want to show them to you right now. Okay?”
“Alright, it’s your pictures. So, I have a date.” Jacque smiled.
Nikki, glad that Jacque had dropped the subject about the pictures, smiled back to her. “Who with?”
“You know that really cute guy from my economics class?”
“No way! He’s so gorgeous!” Nikki squealed.
“You don’t have to tell me that.” Jacque grinned. “We are going to the park to hear a new band that is in town. Savannah something…I can’t remember the name and I really don’t care.” She laughed.
“You won’t know the name even after tonight.” Nikki laughed.
Jacque tossed her pillow at her. “I hope I remember mine.”

Six-thirty p.m.
A knock at the dorm room. Jacque walked past Nikki. “I’ll get that.”
Nikki grinned. “Of course.”
Jacque opened the door and smiled. “James, hi. I am ready to go.”
Nikki cleared her throat, “Ahem.”
Jacque laughed. “Sorry, this is my roommate Nikki.”
Nikki offered her hand to James. “Have her home at a decent hour.”
James laughed. “I’ll do my best.”
Jacque nudged her friend away from her date. “See you…later.” She winked and left the room with James.
Nikki sat down on her bed and pulled the folder from beneath her pillow. She sighed and opened it slowly. One by one the pictures of her in her turquoise bikini was flipped through her fingers. Then, the photos of her topless. Five, maybe six pictures. Lastly, the nude pictures. She breathed in slowly thumbing through them. He had taken several of them. She smiled slightly, liking how she looked. She had worked very hard to get in the shape she was in. “I don’t need to lose weight,” she said looking at her photos. “That man is crazy.”
The ringing of the phone startled Nikki. She layed the pictures aside and answered, “Hello?”
“Did you get the pictures?” the man’s voice asked her.
“Who is this?”
Laughter was heard. “How many people know about the photos?”
“Oh, you must be the photographer. You know, I didn’t catch your name.”
“Pete,” he said to her. “So, enjoy the shots?”
“I did, very much so.”
“You have an amazing body.”
“You said I needed to lose weight.”
“After seeing the pictures I still think five pounds wouldn’t hurt.”
“I’m looking at them now and I don’t agree,” she stated.
“So am I.”
She paused for a moment. “You know, I don’t recall leaving my phone number with you.”
He laughed. “It’s on the back of one of your pictures that you left from before.”
“I took them all with me.”
“All but one.” He chuckled.
She wasn’t very happy about the way the conversation was going. “Why are you calling?”
“I wanted to know what you thought of the pictures.”
“Like I said, I don’t agree with you about me losing weight. I look great as I am.”
“Come back in next week. I want to take more pictures of you.”
“I don’t think so,” she said to him.
“Why not?”
“Because I have what I need.”
“You think a few pictures of you in a bikini are enough to get a job?”
“I have others.”
“I have connections in the modeling world.”
About to hang up the phone, she asked, “What kind of connections?”
“Stop by the studio next Tuesday and we’ll talk,” he told her and hung up the phone.
“Hello?” She could not believe he had just hung up on her. She sighed and placed the receiver back onto its base. Looking over the pictures as she lay back on her bed, “No more nude shots.”

Eight o’clock, Delyn Park.
“This is totally awesome!” Jacque exclaimed looking to James.
He smiled to her. “I knew you would like it. This band is going to be a major seller.”
Jacque bobbed her head to the band’s beat. “I never really thought I would like Reggae.”
James put his arms around her from behind. “Never hurts to try new things.”
As the night went on, Jacque and James laughed, talked and danced to the Reggae sounds from the band.
“Listen, I need to use the ladies room,” she informed him.
He pointed to the restrooms. “They’re just over behind the concessions.”
She nodded and smiled to him. “Be right back.” She danced her way through the crowds of people to the restroom door.
Just as Jacque exited, a guy bumped into her. About to apologize she looked up and was faced with the guy from the diner. She sneered and tried to move past him.
He smiled. “How are you tonight?”
She shook her head and kept walking past him back to James. Upon returning to James she put her arms around him. “Want to leave?” she asked him.
He shook his head. “No way. Why?”
Considering telling him about the guy but deciding not to, she replied, “I thought that maybe we could go someplace quiet.”
He patted her butt lightly. “We can have sex later.”
Her eyes got big. “That’s not what I meant.”
He grinned and kissed her cheek. “Sure it wasn’t.”
She shook her head. “I’m serious.”
He turned her around and put his arms around her waist. “Then let’s stay here and listen to the band.”
She really didn’t mean she wanted to have sex with James, she just didn’t want to stay with the creepy guy around. Then again, he couldn’t harm her. She was on a date.
As the night ended, James walked Jacque back to her dorm. He could not enter, it was past midnight and no boys were allowed. She smiled to him. “I had a really great time.”
He leaned in and kissed her on the lips. “Me too and sorry back there about the sex thing.”
She laughed. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Maybe next time?” He grinned and laughed.
She giggled. “Maybe, maybe not.”
He pulled her close and kissed her deeply this time. “See you in class Jacque.” He winked to her and walked away.
She watched him go, just as she turned to open the door she heard a noise that seemed to come from the bushes. She called out, “Who’s there?”
No reply, no sound.
She shrugged and opened the door, hearing the sound of crunching leaves she stopped and asked, “If someone is there would you please stop fooling around?”
Nothing, total silence.
She sighed, opened the door, and made her way to her dorm room. She opened the door slowly hoping not to awaken Nikki. She crept in and slipped just past her sleeping friend to her own bed. Slipping off her shoes and changing into her pj’s, she rolled down her covers and got into bed. About to close her eyes she noticed the brown envelope that Nikki had gotten earlier. It was the pictures, she assumed.
Should I look? She pondered. Shaking away the idea of snooping she closed her eyes and tried to go to sleep. Curiosity getting the better of her, she reached down and got the envelope. Carefully opening she took out the pictures and turned on her pen light so she could see them.
Seeing her friend in the bikini seemed okay but as soon as she saw the photos of Nikki without her top and then without her bottoms made her gasp. She could not believe that her friend had done this. All of her other pictures had not been like this. She wondered why Nikki would let someone take photos of her in the buff. She carefully put the pictures back into the folder and placed it where Nikki had layed it down.
Jacque glanced to Nikki whom was still asleep. She slid under her covers and dozed off to sleep.

Just after Jacque’s speech class had ended she caught up with Nikki. “You were gone this morning before I woke up.”
“I needed to get in the gym before my first class,” Nikki replied.
“You’ve never done that before.”
“I know, but I feel like I need to tone up.”
Jacque stopped her friend in the hallway. “What is going on with you?”
Nikki shook her head. “Nothing. So how was your date with James last night?”
“You are not changing the subject on me. I want to know what is up with you.”
“Jacque, I really don’t want to talk about it.”
“Sorry, but you are going to. Does this have anything to do with those pictures?”
Nikki sighed, “Yes. I don’t want to talk about it in the hall.”
“Back to our room,” Jacque said to her as they walked back to their dorm.
Once inside Nikki told Jacque that she had went back to the photographer from before. She told her that she had worn the bikini to the shoot.
“Why did you get naked?” Jacque asked her.
Nikki’s mouth fell open. “You looked at the pictures?!”
“Don’t be mad at me Nikki. When I came in last night the folder was lying there and I tried to get some sleep but I couldn’t.”
“So you snooped in my stuff?”
“I’m sorry, really I am. But only for snooping. I’m glad I saw them. What were you thinking?”
“He said that all models show some skin.”
“The bikini was more than enough skin.”
Nikki sat down in a chair. “He said that I needed to not be so shy.”
“Sure, so he could ogle at you.”
“It wasn’t like that Jacque,” she protested.
Jacque sat down near her. “Then how was it? Looks to me like he got you naked and somehow made you think it was okay.”
“I wasn’t showing anything.”
“Close enough.”
“Listen Jacque, I know what I’m doing.”
“I hope so. And I hope you aren’t going to see him again.”
“Next Tuesday I am.”
“What for? To really bare all?”
Nikki shook her head. “No, he has connections in the modeling world. I need more photos.”
“I’m sure he has connections Nikki. Probably with some porno magazine.”
“Pete isn’t that type of guy.”
“Pete the photographer, sounds so porno Nikki.” Jacque rolled her eyes.
“Just drop it okay? I want to hear about your date.”
“Fine.” She smiled. “I had a really good time with James. The band played Reggae music, they were really good. We danced, talked, kissed.” She grinned.
“Was it good?”
“Not bad.” Jacque laughed. “Silly thing thought I wanted to leave to have sex.”
“What gave him that idea?”
“I did ask if he wanted to leave and go someplace quiet.”
Nikki giggled. “No wonder he thought he was going to get laid. Why did you want to leave?”
“Because…well…when I went to the restroom and came out I bumped into that weird dude.”
“The one from the diner?”
Jacque nodded. “Yep. He smiled and asked how I was. I just sneered and kept walking.”
“Why didn’t you mention that guy to James? He could’ve kicked his ass.”
“On a first date bring up that I may have a stalker? I don’t think so.”
“Did you see weird dude again?”
“Nope, thankfully the night ended at the front door with an amazing kiss.”
“Going to see him again?”
Jacque smiled. “I may. There was one other thing that happened but it’s probably nothing.”
“What was it?”
“Just as I was about to come inside I thought I heard something in the bushes. I called out, no one answered. Then I heard it again, for sure that time.”
“You don’t think it was that guy, do you?”
Jacque shook her head. “No way, he wouldn’t be that crazy. Right?”
Nikki shrugged. “Who can ever know with someone like that?”
“You know what; I am not going to think about him anymore. I am just going to put that freak out of my mind and go on with my life.”
“You should. But also, you should be aware. Just in case.” Nikki smiled to her.
“I’m always aware. My dad taught me that.”

Chapter 3
Jacque walked into work, putting her coat in the closet just past the kitchen. She saw Mark and walked over to him. “I need to speak to you about something.”
He nodded as he kept making burger patties for the next day. “Sure, go ahead.”
“There’s a customer, a man, that comes in here a lot and he always sits in my section.”
“You mean that tall, goofy looking guy?” he asked her.
She nodded. “That’s the one. The other night at the movies, he approached me. He said some things that made me uncomfortable. And then I saw him again when I was on a date and he tried to speak to me.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“All I want is for you to say that I don’t have to wait on him anymore. No matter where he sits.”
“Jacque, there’s going to be a lot of men that come in here and flirt with you. You can’t take it personal.”
“You don’t understand Mark; he touched my arm and said that I was pretty. He also said that he thought that he and I had a connection.”
Mark smiled. “Jacque, you are pretty. You’d better get use to guys being stupid around you.”
She shook her head. “It’s not like that Mark. I know when a guy is being normal flirty and when one is being creepy flirty. He’s the creepy one.”
Mark sighed and looked at Jacque. “Alright. If he comes back in you don’t have to serve him.”
She smiled and hugged him. “Thank you Mark.”
He laughed. “Hey, are you being normal flirty or creepy flirty with me?”
She laughed and walked away. “Very funny Mark, very funny.” Jacque told each waitress at the diner about the man and of her talk with Mark. They all had seen the guy and were more than happy to help Jacque.
The night passed with no sign of the man at all. Jacque was more than relieved.
After several nights working with not one incident, she came to the conclusion that the guy had gotten the message and was going to leave her alone.
Jacque said goodbye to everyone and grabbed her coat to leave. Mark handed her her check, she thanked him and left.
With the University in sight, Jacque noticed her shoelace had come untied. She bent to tie it, a shadow cast over her own. She spun around and looked up. She jumped to her feet upon seeing the man that she had hoped would leave her alone.
“Jacque, so nice to see you.”
“Look, if you come any closer I am going to scream.”
He looked to her oddly, tilting his head to one side. “Why would you scream?”
“I told you to leave me alone.”
“Have you seen me at the diner?”
“No. But I did see you at the park.”
“So? I have not been bothering you. The festival was for everyone.”
She took a few steps backwards. “Why are you near my school?”
He stepped forward. “I have a date with a girl that attends.”
She sneered. “Who?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Why sneer? Jealous?” He smirked.
“Are you insane? Why in the world would I be jealous?”
He shrugged and took another step closer to her. “Because the attention is no longer on you.”
She laughed. “I don’t want your attention.”
He looked into her eyes, making her shiver. His stare was cold, his eyes bearing into hers. He walked just a step ahead of her. “You no longer have it.”
She watched him walk away. Considering finding out who would be stupid enough to go out with this guy, she shook her head and decided it would be best not to do that. He might see her and really get it into his head that she was jealous. She quickly got to her dorm, slamming the door shut as she entered.
Nikki, being startled by the sudden sound, awoke and cleared her throat. “Are you okay?”
Jacque shook her head and paced the floor. “You truly won’t believe what just happened to me.”
Nikki rubbed her eyes and asked, “Did that guy come to the diner?”
Undressing she replied, “No, he has avoided it like the plague. Let me tell you what happened just a few feet from this very school.”
Nikki sat up in bed and yawned. “Our school?”
Jacque nodded slipping on her pj’s. “I was on my way home from work and noticed that my shoelace was untied. When I bent to tie it, I saw a shadow from behind me. It was that guy!”
“Did he try to touch you?”
“No, the freak said it was nice to see me.”
“You know Jacque; you really need to call the police about this.”
“And tell them what? That a guy likes seeing me?”
“Tell them about the things he has said and done.”
“I’ve read enough books and watched enough movies to know that the only way the police will do anything is after something happens to you.”
Nikki nodded. “Well that’s true. So what else happened?”
“I told him that if he came any closer to me that I would scream. He asked why I would do that and I told him that I wanted him to leave me alone.”
“And then what?”
“So then, he tells me that he has a date with a girl that goes to this school.”
Nikki looked shocked. “Seriously?”
“That’s what he said. When I asked with whom, he laughed at me and asked if I was jealous.”
“Why would you be jealous?”
“That’s what I asked him and he said because the attention was no longer on me.”
Nikki shook her head. “Girl, he’s insane.”
“I know! I even said that to him. He laughed at me and walked on past going to meet up with his date.”
Nikki looked at the clock. “Who has a date after eleven o’clock?”
Jacque shrugged. “Who knows. I had thought about following him and finding out who she was but if he saw me he’d really think I was jealous.”
Nikki rubbed her eyes and laid back down on her bed. “You know what; tomorrow I think you should speak to campus security about this guy.”
“If he’s dating someone, security will not do anything about him.”
Yawning she added, “You’d better do something before he does. Don’t end up being a victim.”
Jacque crawled into bed. “Oh no, I am not going to be anyone’s victim.” She closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep. Being unable to chase away the vision of his face, she got up and took a couple of sleep aid pills. Soon she was able to forget about the man and get to sleep.

Next day at school, Jacque decided maybe it was best that she talk to campus security about the man. He may have been lying about his date and was just there to see her. She knocked on the door of the security office. She hears a man telling her to come in.
Upon entering, she is told to have a seat. The man at the desk pulled out a form and handed it to her. “Fill this out,” he told her as he went back to playing a computer game.
She looked at the paper and then to the guy. “Excuse me, but I don’t know exactly how to fill this out.”
The guy sighed deeply and looked to her. “Some guy on campus is bothering you, right?”
“No, he doesn’t attend the school.”
“Then what are you here for?”
“A guy had been coming to where I work and annoying me. I told him to get lost and I thought he had until last night.”
“What happened then?”
“I was on my way back to the dorm when he approached me.”
“Did he harm you?”
“No, he just said some weird things to me.”
“Look, we can’t do anything just because a guy says weird things to you.”
Jacque folded the paper. “He said he had a date with someone that attends this school. I think he was lying.”
“Did you see where he went?”
“I wasn’t about to follow him. He already thought I was being jealous when I asked him who his date was with.”
“Is this a case of an ex-boyfriend?”
Jacque stood up and looked at the guy getting rather annoyed with him. “No, he is not an ex anything. He is a potential stalker. All I want is for you to keep a watch just in case this freak comes after me or someone else. Isn’t that what your job is?”
The guy stood up and leaned over looking Jacque in the eyes. “My job is to protect the students when a threat has been made.”
“If you don’t call this a threat, what the hell do you call it?” she asked.
“The guy likes you, just tell him to go away and he will.”
“I have damnit!” She slammed her fist onto the desk.
The guy narrowed his eyes at her. “When you have something substantial to report, come back then.” He sneered as he sat back down and began playing his game again.
Jacque snarled tossing the form that she had been holding onto the floor and left the office, slamming the door behind her. “I was right; they won’t do anything unless you get hurt.”
Nikki had seen Jacque enter the office and was waiting for her just outside. “Hey, what happened in there?”
Jacque shook her head in disgust. “Nothing. The idiot thought this was a case of an ex-boyfriend. Then, he said until I had something substantial that nothing could be done. It’s like I told you, you have to be attacked to get any help.”
“There should be a female guard for the women. Men are just stupid.”
“Nikki, I am telling you, this guy is not going to stop. I do not believe for one second that he had a date last night. I think he was waiting for me outside the diner and followed me. Just waiting for his chance to talk to me.”
“Hey, why don’t you have Mark drive you back to the dorm instead of walking?”
“He has a wife to go home to. Besides, he has to finish closing the diner and lock up. I would have to wait atleast an hour.”
“Better to come home later than not at all,” Nikki told her.
“I am not going to let this man rule my life.”
“Come on; let me treat you to an ice cream.”
“I could go for that.” Jacque smiled.

Weeks later, Jacque had just arrived to work. Mark told her that it had been crazy all day and that he may need her to stay over a little later that night.
She agreed, “More tips sound good to me.”
Mark was right, the night brought in patron after patron. It would make a person think that the Superbowl was being held in town. Jacque was busy right from the start. Tips had improved as the night grew older. Just as she was about to carry a tray of dishes to the back, the door to the diner opened and in stepped the man. Jacque dropped the tray just as she saw him. Everyone got quiet as they turned to see where the sound came. Two waitresses came to help Jacque clean up. Mark looked out from the kitchen, about to ask what happened when he saw the guy. He turned the fryer over to his nephew that worked there and walked directly to the guy.
Mark looked at Jacque and smiled. The man had already seated himself acting as if nothing had happened. Mark walked to his table, leaned in close and said to him, “You are not welcome here.”
The guy looked up at him. “Why not?”
“You make one of my employees nervous. She doesn’t like you being here, that affects the way she works which in turn affects my diner.”
“Do you mean Jacque?”
Mark nodded. “Yep.”
The man looked over to Jacque as she had finally cleaned up the broken glass and was hurrying to the back of the kitchen. His gaze returned to Mark. “I don’t mean to make her nervous.”
“Look man, you are creepy and weird to her. I don’t want you here.”
“I thought Jacque and I were friends.”
Mark looked to him oddly. “You can’t be serious.”
“Listen, we had one date and things got a little out of hand. She’s feeling a bit embarrassed about it.”
“There is no way you and Jacque had a date.”
“It was a couple weeks ago; I walked her to her dorm just after work.”
Mark glanced to Jacque as she passed him. Then he looked back at the man. “I refuse to believe that. She has told me that she does not want to serve you.”
“Believe what you want to but she and I had a date. We went back to her dorm room and fooled around. Her skin is so soft.” He smiled at Mark.
Mark cleared his throat, “Get out now.”
The man stood up and nodded his head. “Fine but tell Jacque that Glen says hello.” He laughed and left the diner.
Mark shook his head and started back to the kitchen. Jacque grabbed him by the arm and asked, “What did you say to him?”
“I told him to get out.”
“That wasn’t all you said. You had to have been talking about something else.”
“Jacque, he said that you two had a date a few weeks back. That you went back to your dorm room and fooled around.”
Jacque’s mouth fell open. “He what?!”
Mark took her by the arm and led her to the back. “I didn’t believe him. I am just telling you what he said to me.”
She shook her head. “I swear to you I have never been out with him.”
“Jacque, he’s crazy.”
She began to cry. “I know that. One night he walked up behind me and after I accused him of following me, he said he had a date with someone that goes to my school. It wasn’t me, I swear it.”
Mark took her by the hand. “Jacque, you cannot walk alone anymore at night. You need to speak to campus security about this.”
“I already tried that. Unless something happens I can’t do anything about it.”
“Something needs to be done. You have to report him to someone.”
“I don’t even know his name,” she sighed.
“Oh, he said to tell you that Glen says hello.”
“That’s a start, first name.”
“Why don’t you take the rest of the night off?”
“No, he is not going to do this to me. I am fine and I will pay for the broken dishes. Seeing his face really made me nervous.”
“Don’t you worry about the dishes. After your shift I am going to get you a ride home, even if I have to do it myself.”
She smiled to him. “Thank you Mark.”

Several months passed with no sight at all of Glen. Jacque had all but forgotten about him when she attended her new class. Spring was here and she was ready for it.
Everyone had taken their seats when the Dean of Students entered the room. He stood before them all and said, “Professor Morgan will not be teaching this semester. It seems he had an accident while on vacation and is going to have a cast on his leg for the next eight weeks. We have been looking for someone to replace him, quite a hard job to do. However, we have been fortunate enough to employ Professor Williams. I know many of you were looking forward to the lectures from Professor Morgan.”
There was laughter about the room. Professor Morgan was known quite well for his strict teachings and his ability to often make students cry. Male and female alike.
Jacque smiled hearing the news that Professor Morgan would not be her teacher. She had heard so many horror stories about him that she had almost decided not to take his class. Nevertheless, it was a requirement and she had seen no way around it. Alas, he was not going to be there and she could learn from someone else. Hopefully someone that was much nicer. Although, her thoughts took her back home to when she worked for a real pain in the ass at a clothing store. He was terrible, everyone hated him. There was an actual celebration when he finally took another job. But when the new guy came, he made the tyrant seem like a saint. Be careful what you wish for. The grass isn’t always greener.
The Dean interrupted her thoughts, bringing her back to reality when he said, “So without any further ado,” he chuckled, “I give to you, Professor Williams.”
The door opened and a tall man stepped into the classroom. He shook hands with the Dean. “Very nice introduction.”
The Dean patted him on the back and left the classroom.
Professor Williams sat on the edge of his desk and looked at the students.
Jacque’s mouth was agape. Her heart was beating frantically. Her hands were twitching, she felt sweat on her brow. Professor Williams was the man that had been following her! He was Glen!
“As Dean Johnson said, or as I like to call him…DJ,” the class erupted in laughter. All except Jacque. She was in utter disbelief. “I am Professor Williams and I will be teaching this class for the next six weeks.” His eyes found Jacque, staring at her for a few seconds. He glanced about the room and said, “I have been a Professor for the past ten years. I have taught at two Universities and am looking for a full tenure at this one. I hope you learn something from this class.”
Jacque wanted to run, to scream, anything but sit there. What was she going to do? Was she really expected to sit in his class for the next six weeks and pretend? What did he expect from her? She shivered at the many answers she had in her head.
He instructed them to all open their books as he began his lesson. Many times over the next hour and a half he was staring right into Jacque’s eyes. Even when she would look away, or try to avoid his stare, she could feel his eyes on her. She kept checking her watch, tapping her foot nervously, wishing the time to hurry so that she could leave this room.
After completing his teachings for the day, he made an assignment for them to complete by the end of the week. Upon dismissing the class, he stepped in front of Jacque as she was about to pass.
Not in the least surprised by his move, she asked, “What in the hell are you doing?”
He smiled to her. “Teaching a class. So nice to see you again. It has been awhile.”
She brushed her hair from her face. “Look, I don’t know what kind of game that you are playing but if you bother me in the slightest I am going to report you.”
He leaned back onto his desk and folded his arms. He looked down at her and replied, “I am here to teach a class, that is all. As fate would have it, you are my student. I will treat you only as such.”
She nodded. “Good, that’s all I want.”
He moistened his lips with his tongue. “Let’s hope you make an A.”
She sneered and walked out of his class, growling low.
Once again entering the dorm room and slamming the door she caused Nikki to be startled. “Professor Morgan a hard ass like I have heard?”
Jacque couldn’t speak; she dropped her books to the floor and started to cry.
Nikki ran to her side. “Oh my God, I have heard that he can make people cry but I didn’t think he would get to you on the first day.”
Jacque shook her head. “It’s not Professor Morgan.”
“Then who or what made you cry?”
“Professor Williams,” she sobbed.
Nikki thought for a moment and then asked, “Professor who?”
Jacque sobbed harder, Nikki took her friend and sat down on her bed.
Nikki, unable to figure out what was wrong, just held her friend until she could control her emotions. “That’s it, let it all out and then you can tell me what’s wrong.” She rocked her friend in her arms.
When Jacque could finally regain her composure she said through reddened eyes and a tear stained face, “It’s Glen, Professor Williams is Glen.”
Nikki shook her head. “No way. You have got to be mistaken.”
Jacque nodded her head. “I am right. Dean Johnson announced that Professor Morgan would not be teaching because of an injury and then he said we had a Professor Williams in his place. I thought this was going to be a good thing until he came into the room. He stared right at me, he stared through me.”
“Oh Jacque, you have to tell someone about this. Go to Dean Johnson and talk to him. This guy is a lunatic. He is now putting himself where he can see you everyday.”
“What am I going to say? He hasn’t been around in months.”
“He lied to Mark and told him that you guys had a date. Tell Dean Johnson that this guy is stalking you.”
“What if he doesn’t believe me?”
“I will go with you.”
“Nikki, you have never seen him or heard anything he has said to me.”
“It doesn’t matter. I am going with you anyway. If just for moral support.”
Jacque wiped her eyes. “When should I go?”
“Now, before he has the chance to see you again.”
“I have to wash my face first. Give me a few minutes.”
Nikki nodded. “Only a few because he has to be reported now.”
Jacque cleaned up and went to the Dean’s office with Nikki in tow. The secretary told them that they would have to make an appointment. Nikki protested, “This is an urgent matter that cannot wait. It involves a Professor that has just come here.”
The secretary left and went to speak with the Dean. When she returned to them they were told that they could go inside.
Jacque nervously entered the room with Nikki. The Dean smiled to them and offered them a seat. “I understand this is urgent about a newly hired Professor?”
Jacque nodded. “Professor Williams.”
“Oh yes, the replacement for Professor Morgan.”
“Sir, he should not be here,” Jacque said to him.
“Why not?” The Dean asked.
Jacque looked to Nikki and then back to the Dean. She began by telling him about the first time she saw him, about him coming up to her at the movies, seeing him in the park, the encounter as she was walking home and then what had happened at the diner. She then told him exactly what was said in class that day. She began to cry softly. “I cannot be in that class.”
Nikki handed her a tissue and said to the Dean, “He is basically a stalker. This guy keeps popping up in her life every few weeks or so.”
“Have you been around when any of this has occurred?” he asked Nikki.
“No, I am her roommate. I have been there when she comes in terrified of this man.”
He looked to Jacque. “If what you say is true, we do have a problem. Why didn’t you report this to campus security?”
“I tried to but I was told that as long as he hadn’t done anything that they could not help me.”
The Dean narrowed his eyes. “Who did you speak to?”
“I didn’t catch his name but he was playing a computer game. Freckled, redheaded guy. Really skinny.”
The Dean nodded his head. “Paul. Did you fill out the paperwork anyway?”
“What was the point? He accused me of the guy being my ex. This guy is nothing to me, I have never gone out with him, and I just want him to go away.” She wiped the tears that trickled down her face.
“The way this has to be handled is that I must have a meeting with Professor Williams. You have to attend as well.”
Jacque shook her head. “I don’t want to be in the same room with him.”
“I’ll be there with you,” Nikki said to her.
“I’m afraid you cannot be there. Since you have not witnessed any of this, it would be a privacy breech. I am sorry,” he said to Nikki.
Jacque looked to her friend and then back to the Dean. “You know what, I am sick of this. Once and for all he is going to leave me alone. Bring him in right now and let’s end this.”
“Professor Williams has left for the day. I can see if he can be reached at home. If not, tomorrow before that class is to begin you come to my office and I will have him brought here as well,” the Dean told Jacque.
Jacque nodded and stood up. “Thank you so much Dean Johnson.”
He smiled to her. “Leave your name and dorm room with my secretary. If I can get this meeting this afternoon I will contact you. Otherwise, tomorrow as I stated.”
Jacque and Nikki thanked him again and left the office. Jacque made sure that the secretary got her name and dorm room number. She and Nikki headed back to their dorm.
“I want this over tonight Nikki,” Jacque said as she kicked off her shoes upon entering the room.
“If not tonight, it will all be over tomorrow.”
Jacque sat down on her bed and layed back. “I hope you are right.”
“He is going to be fired, you know that.” Nikki smiled to her.
“Dean Johnson didn’t say anything about that.”
“He said that there would be a meeting. He looked kind of worried as you told him everything.”
“I have to be in that meeting with Glen.” Jacque sighed.
“And you will get to see that asshole fired.”
“He’s going to deny all of this.”
“Jacque, he can deny until he turns blue in the face. It doesn’t matter because Dean Johnson believes you.”
“I wish you could come with me.”
“Me too but since I haven’t actually seen him or heard anything I can’t. But you know, if you need a witness you could call on Mark. He has seen the guy and he was lied to about dating you.”
“It makes me sick that he would tell someone that we had a date.”
Nikki yawned as she curled up on her bed. “He’s a sick man and needs to be in jail.”
“What if he doesn’t get fired? What then?”
“Then you go to the police. If this damn school isn’t going to help, you will have to bring in the real security.”
Jacque closed her eyes. “I am going to try to take a nap. I need to get my mind settled. Figure out what I am going to say.”
“You are going to look that idiot in the face and tell him to go to hell.”
Jacque smiled as she drifted off to sleep. “Can’t wait…..”

Alone in the room she sat looking at Glen. Her eyes staring right into his, feeling scared but not letting it show. Jacque refused to let him win this. She looked around wondering where the Dean was. She could feel Glen’s eyes on her, he never seemed to stray away from her.
“You know, he won’t believe you,” he said to her.
She glanced at him. “You are sick and you are going to be fired.”
He leaned towards her. “No Jacque, you are going to be made a fool of.”
She pushed her chair back away from him. “I swear to you, if you lay one hand on me I am going to scream rape.”
Glen laughed as he folded his arms across his chest. “Who is going to hear you?”
“I am sure someone is out there right now. Where the hell is the Dean?”
“He said he would be right back just as I came in. Lucky me, I get to be alone with you.”
She glared at him. “You are one sick asshole. Do you know that?”
He laughed loudly. “Resorting to name calling?”
“I don’t know what else to call you.”
He offered his hand to her. “The name is Glen. Or you can call me Professor, if you like.” He grinned.
She shook her head. “No way am I going to shake hands with you.”
He shrugged and took his hand back. “It’s your choice.”
“Seriously, what is wrong with you?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“You lied to my boss about me.”
“What lie?”
“The one about you and I having a date!” she screamed.
Glen smiled to her. “We had a date?”
She growled at him, “You moron, I know what you said to Mark. It was all a lie. I have never been out with you nor will I ever!”
He stood up from his chair and approached her. “Jacque, I never said that we had a date. I told that guy that I had a date with a girl from this college. He must have mistaken my words.”
She stood up and stepped back from him. “Mark did not mistake anything. You lied to him and now you are trying to get out of it. Well let me tell you that it won’t happen. Dean Johnson is going to believe me and you are going to be out of here.”
He stepped towards her again. “Jacque, Mark is lying to you.”
“Stop saying my name like you know me. You don’t know me.”
“I know you quite well actually.”
“All you know is that I work at the diner and that I go to school here.”
“More than enough.”
She rolled her eyes. “You are completely impossible.”
He walked to her and touched her face. “So soft.”
She slapped his hand away and yelled at him, “Don’t touch me!”
He smirked at her. “You say that now….”
She looked at him in horror. “I say that always!”
The door opened just as she yelled at him, Dean Johnson standing in the doorway. He looked to Jacque and said, “I see that you two have begun without me.”
She looked to the Dean and said, “This man is an utter moron.”
“Now Jacque, we are not going to handle this in such a manner.” He looked to Glen. “Professor Williams, please have a seat. Jacque, please do the same.”
She took a seat and slid it away from Glen. Glen sat down and looked to the Dean.
“Jacque has told me her story. Professor I wish to hear your side.”
Glen cleared his throat, glanced at Jacque and then to the Dean. “I met Jacque at the diner where she works. She waited on me a few times and I got to know her a bit. One night I was on my way here to pick up a date and I saw Jacque walking alone. I spoke to her and went on my way. I haven’t seen her in some time and was quite surprised to see her in class.”
Jacque started laughing. “You have got to be kidding me. This is utter baloney.”
“Jacque has told me that you have followed her and that you told her boss that you and she had a date,” Dean Johnson stated.
“I explained all of that to her. Her boss was mistaken. I did not say I had a date with her.”
“Should you really be dating someone that attends school here?” she asked him.
“That has been discussed and is no longer an issue,” Dean Johnson said to her.
Glen smiled to her. “I do apologize if you think that I was stalking you but I meant no harm.”
Jacque stood up. “I cannot believe this! He is such a liar Dean Johnson! Can’t you see that he is pretending and lying?!”
“Jacque, take your seat and please compose yourself,” the Dean told her.
“She does yell quite a lot,” Glen said as he looked to her. His eyes grazing her body.
She sneered at Glen. “Do not ever speak to me again.”
Dean Johnson excused Glen. “I want to speak with Jacque alone.”
Glen stood and shook hands with the Dean. “If you need me, call upon me. I am very easy to find.” He smirked at Jacque as he left the room.
“Dean Johnson, you are not serious about this.”
“Jacque, take a seat please.”
She kicked at the chair as she sat down. “Tell me he is going to be fired.”
The Dean shook his head. “I cannot do that.”
“Why?!” she screamed.
“Jacque, it seems that perhaps he had a crush on you but now it’s over. He is no longer seeing anyone at this school and as a Professor he knows that he cannot date anyone here. That includes you.”
“His plans for me don’t include a date.” She shivered.
“Has he threatened you?”
“No.”
“Has he harmed you?”
“No.”
“Do you have any notes, phone messages, anything of the sort to show that he is stalking you?”
“All I have is what my boss Mark said to me.”
“Was the diner busy that day?”
“It was, why?”
“Perhaps your boss did misunderstand what Professor Williams said to him.”
“Would you care to speak to him? I am sure I could get him in here.”
The Dean shook his head. “That won’t be necessary.”
She stood up and looked him dead in the eyes. “You are no more help than that useless security guard.”
“Listen, if Professor Williams does anything…”
She waved her hand stopping him. “It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.” She turned and left his office headed back to her dorm.