I just laid there in the car, hoping the coast would clear so I could escape this mess I had put myself in. To my surprise, a police officer suddenly shone his flashlight into the car and knocked on the window, signaling for me to step out. Things took a turn for the worse when I found out that a neighborhood watch had spotted me.
A camera had caught me getting out of Allen's car, entering his house, and then bolting down the street to hop into the abandoned vehicle. Before I knew it, I was arrested and taken to jail. I had become a stalker and a burglar; my family would be devastated.
But good fortune smiled on me that evening because Allen sent the young woman to the police station, and just like that, the charges were dropped. The officers thought I was just a homeless person looking for shelter since I hadn't taken anything from the house. I ended up walking away with just a warning for trespassing, and by nightfall, I was free to go.
I called an Uber and made a clean break, heading straight for home. I decided it was best not to return to the café or to seek after Allen again. I did feel a flicker of curiosity linger about who he was, but I wasn't that stupid to make the same mistake twice. Feeling guilty and looking foolish for stalking him after threatening to report him to the police.
I finally returned to my apartment, and the familiar scent of home wrapped around me like a warm hug. When I walked through the door, I noticed the message light flashing on my phone. I took a moment to scan my apartment before sinking into the comfort of my sofa. Glad to be home, I sank into the cushions as a deep sigh of relief escaped me.
I listened to my messages and after what felt like an eternity, I finally heard back about the full-time job I'd applied for right after graduation. The anticipation had been nerve-wracking, but now, I was finally ready to embrace whatever came next. Sure, it meant I'd be relocating to a city a couple of hours away from my family, but honestly, I felt like it was time to take flight. This was the moment I had been dreaming of, and I felt ready to spread my wings.
I put in my 2 weeks' notice at the community center and contacted Ms. Anderson to let her know that I won't be taking the job after all. She was genuinely happy for me and wished me all the best. I called my family to let everyone know my good news, plus I was getting my car back just in time for the move.
I was so relieved that I didn't need anyone to bail me out of jail. It would have been a big disappointment to my parents and possibly could have caused me more trouble than I would have bargained for―not to mention the unwanted label of stalker hanging over my head, which would have stuck with me.
I kept my secret a secret, never to breathe a word to my family about what I had done or about Allen. The craziest part? Allen never knew I was the one who had been in his home, and honestly, that's how I intended for it to stay.