Page 6 of Sweet
Haze exhaled loudly. “You sure about that? Our cousin is obviously trying to uncover whatever he can. Your little friend might keep his mouth shut, but who knows if others will talk?—”
“They know better,” I snapped, cutting him off. “Trust me, my friends would rather piss off the entire Northern Lights network than cross the green-eyed devil.” Just then, I noticed a speck of her frosty hair in the distance, peeking out above the rest. As she walked towards her apartment, my mood instantly lifted, and I felt this tug of excitement.
I whispered quietly, fighting back a smile, “There you are.”
Haze’s voice played through the phone. “Who?” I didn’t answer. “Felix…what’re you doing?—”
I lowered the phone, hyper-fixated on the woman.
“Hello? Felix? Hello!” Haze’s voice shrieked from the phone that was now at my side. “Felix? Listen, I don’t like the idea of leaving Indi back at our place all alone. Family or not, if that little fucker even so much as looks at her, I?—”
Without a word, I hung the call up and shoved the phone back into my pocket.
Right on time, little cottontail.
Dream was wearing an oversized, cherry blossom-colored sweatsuit which had bedazzled wings along her back and the words ‘bite me’ sparkling across her ass as she moved. Her long, pin-straight hair was pulled up into two pigtails, bouncing as she galloped up the steps of her apartment, blowing and popping a large bubble of gum. She was bobbing her head and wearing headphones, completely oblivious to the world around her. I took a small step in her direction, watching closely as she dropped her bag next to her and fumbled with her keys, dancing to the music from her headphones. She wiggled her perfect little ass, taking her sweet time, and completely vibing out. I couldn’t help but smile as I pulled a small piece of hard candy from one of my pockets, popping it into my mouth while keeping my eyes on her.
Hmm. I wonder what song’s got her moving like that.
Retrieving my phone again, I unlocked the screen before tapping at the glass, searching for the music app I knew she was using. I then opened it up, still logged into her account, and glanced at the screen to see which song she was listening to.
Interesting.
From my other pocket, I grabbed the small case for my wireless headphones, carefully sticking them under my mask and into my ears, before pressing play. The music picked up instantly, already midway through the track. I listened with the volume low enough to still hear the world around me, all while keeping my gaze locked onto her. Dream moved in perfect unison with the beat, and before I knew it, I caught myself bobbing my head alongside the song as we both listened. And with each passing second, my curiosity about her continued to grow.
Months later, and I’m still hooked on you…Like taking the first hit of crystal meth…I’m hooked. No, I’m fucking addicted.
Dream continued to live in the moment, moving her body in a seductive little dance, completely uncaring of what anyone was thinking. She was carefree and unbothered, wearing a smile that came from pure joy. “Only you,” I whispered to myself, biting down on the sweet, hard piece of candy in my mouth, the sugary aftertaste flooding my tastebuds. A warm feeling filled my limbs and core as I watched her like a performance, a tightness forming in my chest, snaking its way around my heart. And I knew instantly, I was no longer just curious or hooked…I was obsessed. Hell, I’d spent damn near all my free time finding out everything about her online presence. Who she spoke to, where she went, everything. I knew every second of her schedule and daily routines…every fucking thing I could about her. Why? Because I was fucking crazy about that little cottontail.
The hazel-eyed vixen spun around before playfully kicking her front door open. She grabbed her bag and stepped inside, closing the door behind her as the song ended. I stood still across the street, silently hiding within the shadows.
I stepped back and leaned against the alley wall, forcefully pulling my focus back to my phone as I scrolled through her playlists. Her taste in music was rather intriguing, and before I knew it, I had caught myself doing this exact thing over the last couple weeks—listening whenever I could. Even when I was working. It wasn’t because I liked it, per se, but because if I ever decided to ‘accidentally’ bump into her, I wanted something seemingly organic I could talk to her about.
I paused. “Wait…did she remember to lock the door this time?” My eyes shot across the street and back to her apartment.
I should go check?—
I stopped myself. There were still a few cars driving by and a couple stragglers walking along the sidewalk. If I ran up toher door to check now, someone would absolutely notice me…especially with my mask.
Chill out, Felix. Just give it a few hours and then, when the night is dark and no one’s looking, go check.
I forced my focus back to my phone, choosing another random song from Dream’s playlist. The song began with a slow reverb, followed by a rhythmic bass, and my head turned back as I looked at her door.
Sleep tight, cottontail. As long as I'm here, you’re safe.
The hours sped by,the night thickening with absolute darkness as the world fell asleep and left only a nighttime lullaby of crickets beneath the stars. The street of Dream’s apartment was desolate, lit up only by a few flickering incandescent lights. I checked my phone, seeing it was well past midnight, all while still listening to Dream’s never-ending and very colorful playlist.
She’s got to be asleep by now…right?
I smoked my cigarette, my mask now pulled back up along my face. “Just to be safe.” I checked a few apps and other things on my phone.
Hmm. She’s not streaming or camming anywhere…and it doesn’t look like she’s online. She must be asleep, then. Better check…
I tapped open another app as I held the cigarette butt between my lips. A live camera feed, one which looked straight into the woman’s bedroom, filled my phone screen. I peered more closely, zooming in and adjusting the angle with myfingertips. Her hair lay sprawled along the bedding, rising lightly with her slowed breathing.
She looks so delicate.
I took one final hit from the cigarette before flicking it away. “If only people knew how easy it was to hack their cameras.” I reached down and picked the now stomped-out butt, carefully returning it to my pocket. The phone screen lit my entire face as I stared back at it, observing the dark room. The clear image of Dream laying there in her bed, peacefully wrapped in a large, knit blanket, made me smile. “Safe and sound,” I whispered to myself. “Good.”
