Page 86 of Under His Protection
I make it to my chemistry lecture class with five minutes to spare. We actually didn’t have time to stop at the student union to grab a quick breakfast, but Philip had stashed some protein bars in my backpack, so we made do with those.
When we reach the science building, Philip opens the door for me, and I step inside. The air conditioning feels good on such a hot day. The hallway is full of loitering students waiting for the room to become available.
I spot Andrea and Christian waiting just down the hall and wave. They come over.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Andrea asks, nodding pointedly at Philip.
“Sure. This is Philip, my boyfriend. Philip, this is Andrea and Christian. They’re in my chemistry classes.”
Philip nods in greeting. “Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too,” Andrea says as she gives me a look that says,You go, girl!
Christian is about to say something when the lecture hall doors open, and dozens of students stream out into the hall. “That’s our cue,” he says, grabbing Andrea’s hand and pulling her along with him. “I want to get good seats.”
We wait a minute for the crush to die down.
“Don’t look now,” Philip says, “but there’s your lab partner.”
I scan the hallway and spot Mark waiting in line at the other door. He glares at us until he disappears inside the room.
“Ready to go in?” Philip asks as he nods toward the door.
“Do I have a choice?”
“You can play hooky,” he suggests.
He’s grinning because he knows I’d never go for that. “Ha, funny. Yes, I’m ready.”
Philip leads the way into the room, stopping just inside. “I’ll sit back here. You go find a seat where I can see you clearly. If there’s a problem, text me.”
“Or,” I say with a grin, “I can yelldandelion!”
He laughs as I continue down the aisle and find a suitable seat.
Just as the professor walks in and takes her place behind the podium, a notification pops up on my phone.
UNKNOWN – WHAT IN THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE?
Oh, my God.The stalker is in this class. He has to be.
I text Philip.
Me – He just texted me. I think he’s in this class.
Philip – what did he say?
Me – He asked what you’re doing here.
I glance back at Philip, who is methodically scanning the room.
I do my best to pay attention to the rest of the lecture, but I’m having a terrible time focusing. Instead, I find myself looking around the room, wondering if I’ll catch someone staring at me.
I locate Mark, but his eyes are glued to the projection screen in front of the class. I notice a few more students I recognize from my lab class, but they’re listening to the professor. I spot Andrea and Christian seated near the front of the room. Christian happens to look back at me and waves. He elbows Andrea, who glances back and smiles.
But no one’s staring at me or glaring.
When class ends, I shuffle out of the hall with everyone else. Philip is waiting for me at the exit, his big arms crossed over his chest. As I approach him, he holds his hand out expectantly. It takes me a moment to realize he’s waiting for me to hand over my backpack.
