Page 30

Mo: You finally found him!!!

Mo: The wait has been kiiilling me. I hid that duck there two weeks ago.

Me: He's just lucky his scuba suit is so bright, or I don't think I've ever have found him.

Monstera sent a series of emojis before I could finish my reply.

Me: Or he would’ve melted right into the leather. I swear I think he dislikes summer even more than I do.

I searched for a proper emoji, the vibrations of incoming texts tickling my fingers.

Mo: Oh, come off it, bitch.

Mo: *Several laughing emojis*

Mo: What are you up to?

Me: I just closed up the library. And now I'm going to find somewhere to get dinner. Hopefully, there's a diner or a café close.

Mo: Fuck, I really am THE BEST fated B. *gold star emoji*

Mo: At-hem. *microphone emoji* I already took the liberty of researching the local eateries. You know, for my impending visit!!!

Mo: Which is in less than 5 days now by the way!

Mo: Eeeeeekkk *Excited and party emojis*

Mo: Anyway, if you'd like I can send you my top choices.

Me: Yes, please *heart emoji*

While I waited for her response, I stuck my hand through Jeepie’s partially lowered window, and a sigh of relief whooshed from me as cool air breezed across my fingers. I grabbed the scuba-ducky, tossed them into my backpack with its brethren, and sealed myself in the vehicle, utterly relaxed in the billowing air-conditioning rushing through the vents directly into my face.

My seatbelt clicked audibly as I checked my phone again, unsurprised to see a slew of messages from Monstera.

Mo: I know you don't like just driving around trying to find these places and you'd rather have a direct route. So, I sent you their links to GPS, as well their websites with their menus if you want to call ahead

Mo: Because you're probably not going to eat in the actual restaurant and deal with

Mo: *gasp*

Mo: People

Mo: *laughing with tears emoji*

Me: How do you know I don’t have plans to chat up the waiter, and maybe ask a cute waitress out for a drink?

Mo: *eyebrow raised emoji*

Mo: I know you, Koko. Don't argue with me.

I chuckled, watching the text bubbles on my screen, then propped an elbow on the door and rested my head on my palm. Light glowed around my thumb as I scrolled through her suggestions, picked a place to eat, ordered, and paid directly on their website.

Sometimes, technology was fantastic, especially when it enabled my anti-social proclivities.

A shiver raised the hairs on the back of my neck, Bane popping into my thoughts, as I pulled out of the student designated parking lot.

Is it him causing this reoccurring sensation? Stalking me from the shadows?