Page 87 of Under His Protection
I roll my eyes as I give it to him. “I survived four years of high school carrying my own backpack. I’m not helpless.”
He slings it effortlessly over his shoulder like it weighs five pounds instead of forty and winks.
* * *
As we walk into the liberal arts building, we find our friends waiting for us.
Layla rushes forward to hug me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’ve moved off campus to a secure location, and Philip has been assigned as my bodyguard.”
“We’re here, too,” Jasmine says as she steps forward for a hug. “If you need anything, just let us know. We’ve got your back.”
When it’s time to take our seats, I walk with Layla and Jasmine to claim our usual spots. Philip remains in the back with Jason.
“Do you have any idea who it is?” Layla asks.
“No, but I think it’s someone in my chemistry class. I just came from there, and someone texted me during class—someone coming up as UNKNOWN on my screen—and he asked what Philip was doing there. How would someone know Philip was with me unless he was right there in the same room?”
Our history professor starts lecturing, so I turn to face the front of the room.
Toward the end of class, she tells us about our research papers that are due by the end of the term. It looks like I’ll be making a trip to the library again sometime soon.
At the end of class, we gather up our things and meet the guys in the hallway.
“Were you bored to tears?” I ask Philip.
“No,” he says. “It was actually pretty interesting.”
The five of us walk over to the cafeteria for lunch. With Philip here, it feels like a special occasion, so we all sit together at a big round table.
Everyone wants to know all the juicy details of what’s been going on with the stalker situation. Once I catch them all up to date, they’re shocked.
“I’m glad the campus police are investigating,” Layla says. “I hope they catch him quickly.”
“Catch him, lock him up, and throw away the key!” Jasmine says.
“Don’t worry,” Philip says. “We’ll get to the bottom of this.”
“Can we please talk about something else?” I ask. “Something that doesn’t involve stalkers?” I glance at Layla. “What’s the latest on the wedding plans?”
“Well, since you mention it,” Layla says, “I know this is short notice, and you have more important things on your mind right now, but I was wondering if you girls could come with me to the bridal shop this afternoon to try on your bridesmaid dresses.”
“I’m available,” Jasmine says as she picks up her grilled chicken wrap. “What time?”
“I was thinking around three,” Layla says. She turns to me. “Haley? If you don’t feel up to it, we can reschedule.”
“I can do it. It’ll get my mind off of things.” I glance at Philip. “Is it okay with you?”
He sets down his soft drink. “I am at your disposal. Just tell me where you want to go and when.”
I laugh. “Is that a bodyguard answer or a boyfriend answer?”
He smiles. “Both.”
We sit and eat and talk for a good while longer, until it’s time for the others to leave.
Once we’re alone, Philip says, “We have some time to kill before your chemistry lab. Would you like to take a walk?”
