Just One of the Guys
Chapter Six

Emerson

"Once you've finished, everyone please be sure to put the tools that you used for today's lab back in the cabinet where you got them. Put the cover back over your microscopes and then gently put them back in the cabinet at your table." Professor Sanchez says before turning his focus back to the papers that he's been looking at for most of the class.

"Your name is Emerson, right?" A boy that sits two lab tables behind me asks, as we take our supplies up to the front of the classroom and wait in line to place them back into the cabinet.

"Yeah, and I'm sorry, I recognize you, but I'm honestly horrible with names..." I say giving him a sheepish grin and hoping that he will throw me a bone and tell me his name, considering that I seem to be drawing a total blank on what it is. "I'm Shawn," he says, flashing me a smile full of straight white teeth. Taking Shawn in, I realize that I recognize him from a couple of my other classes as well. He's hot, in that bad boy sort of way. Which, typically, I would be all about, but I've got my own hot, former bad boy and I am in no way interested in looking in anyone else's direction.

Knox is the most amazing boyfriend that I could have ever asked for. He's sexy as hell and incredible in bed, not that I'd know otherwise, but still. He's funny, and kind. He's considerate and doting. He would undoubtedly give his life for mine if it came down to it. Not to mention, how many eighteen year old boys do you know that would leave everything they know, everyone that they love, behind and go into witness protection with you, because they can't see their life without you? I'm betting not very many, if any at all.

My man is one of a kind, and I couldn't be happier.

I think back on our conversation a few weeks ago. When he told me that he wanted to start trying for a baby, I'd been taken by surprise at how excited he was at the idea. I mean, it's most definitely been something that had been on my mind, but I didn't think that he was there yet. We're only eighteen, after all. So, color me surprised when he asked if it would have been so bad if we, not I but we, had already gotten pregnant.

After several more rounds of very hot sex, I fell asleep in his arms. That night, I dreamt that we were at a park, I was sitting on a bench resting and my hand was rubbing at my belly that was round and swollen with his baby. I watch as he pushed a little girl with long, curly black hair and bright blue eyes on a swing. The smile on his face was breathtaking when he looked at our little girl.

"So, there's this party tonight that one of my buddies is throwing," Shawn says, pulling me out of my thoughts of me, Knox, and babies, "you should come."

We're standing at my lab table, leaning against it as everyone else begins filing out of class. I guess class is over, I think as I bend over and grab my bag. Turning back towards him, I take in his hopeful expression, "Sorry," I say, watching his face fall at the single word. "I'm just not big into parties. Plus, my fiancé and I already have plans," I say, making sure to grasp ahold of the strap of my bag with my left hand, showing off the ring that Detective Hernandez had given Knox to give to

me.

"Oh, uh...s-sorry," he stutters, glancing from my face, down to my ring and then, to the lab room door. "I, uh...damn, I'm a-an idiot," he curses, and begins kicking at the floor, no longer able to look me in the eyes, "I d-didn't know."

I chuckle at his sudden nervousness, "It's fine. Don't worry about it. I do appreciate the invite though." I say as we reach the doorway. "I'll see you in American Government on Monday?" I ask, as he stands back and motions for me to exit the classroom first.

He nods his affirmation, but doesn't say anything more as he casts a sad smile at me, and then heads down the hall in the opposite direction then I need to go. As I emerge from the basement onto the first floor of Thatcher hall, I cringe as I glance through the glass front doors, taking in the eerie darkness that envelopes the campus out front. Even with the light poles lining the sidewalks, it's dark as heck and with the recent time change, I haven't adjusted yet to it getting dark so early. I can honestly say that I'm already missing the long days of summer.

Since it's barely after six, Nash will still be at football practice, and as if appearing just to remind me of that fact, I spot the field lights glowing above the buildings off in the distance. A spurt of fear shoots through me at the thought of having to walk home alone in the dark.

I've never before had a fear of the dark, nor has walking home alone ever bothered me. But, recently, I can't shake this uneasy feeling that seems to get stronger with each passing day. To add to the uneasy feeling, I've had that raised hair on the back of your neck, tingly feeling that you get when it feels like someone is watching you, and it's become almost overwhelming.

I keep telling myself that it's just my imagination or paranoia but I just can't seem to shake it, whatever it is.

Hitching my bag up further on my left shoulder, quicken my pace and make my way down the darkened street, my phone gripped tightly in my right hand, as sweat beads begin to accumulate along my neck and trail their way down my back. A loud crash down the alley to my left causes me to jump, then the sound of cats screeching hits my ears, but even the knowledge that it was probably just a couple of strays digging for food doesn't settle my nerves in the least. Quickly, I take off in a sprint and try to regulate my breathing, as I was taught to do as I take note of my body becoming heated and ears beginning to ring. The telltale signs that I'm heading toward having a panic attack.

Once I'm a block away from home, I slow down, placing my hands above my head and take deep pulls of breath in through my nose and out through my mouth, as I continue trying to calm myself down. As I cross the road, needing to get to the other side in order to reach my house, the sound of tires screeching assaults my ears moments before something slams into the back of my head. I fall to the ground, the sound of feet shuffling, and muttered words that I can't make out, the last things I hear before everything goes dark.