The gang had left just before my mum was due home, heading their separate ways. The next few hours were spent playing video games, keeping my mind off of how that idiot's voice made me feel. It scared me, feeling such immensely strong emotions. I wasn't used to it and it was making me feel queasy every time I thought about him.

I grabbed my fags, heading to the window. I swung it open, letting the cool air hit my face. It felt really good, since I had been cooped up in my room all day and it smelt like stale cigarette smoke. Climbing up onto the window sill, I took my usual space. I knew Xavier wasn't there, because I couldn't feel him.

I peered into the darkness, spotting a shadowy figure in the tree line. My heart stopped. I knew it wasn't Xavier, so who the fuck was in my garden. I fell backwards, scrambling to shut the window and sitting up against the wall, panting. Who the hell was that?

I grabbed my phone, quickly dialling Xavier's number.

"Hello?" He answered quickly, his voice sharp.

"Xavier, there's somebody in my garden." I panicked, accidentally using his name.

I cursed mentally, regretting that, but I had bigger problems right now- there was a strange man in my garden. I peered through the window, watching him pace back and forth in the tree line. He looked pretty scary and a lot older than Xavier from what I could see. I really should install a light at the back of the garden.

"Cameron?" His voice softened, "It's okay. Don't panic, I'll be right there."

He hung up at that. I prayed he was close by, because that guy was scarily buff. If he decided to use his body as a ramming baton on the backdoor, I'm not sure it would hold for very long. His eyes flitted to the window and I ducked, hiding.

I buried my head in my knees, waiting for it all to be over.

It wasn't long until I felt him nearby, the feeling growing strong and stronger until there was a soft knock at my window, surprising me. I cautiously raised my head, glancing at the window above me. There stood the familiar masked face I knew. He was so close, I could make out a lot more than I usually could. He didn't have very much hair, sporting a jet black buzzcut. I liked it.

He made a phone gesture with his hand and I nodded, wide eyed. He was so close. I scrambled to pick up my abandoned phone, calling him. He answered straight away, per usual.

"Shall I back up? I can go to the end of the garden." He offered, his voice very soothing.

I sighed deeply, relaxing. He had gotten here in mere minutes. I rose to my feet shakily, taking tentative steps towards the window. Looking out, the guy was long gone. Xavier was only a few inches away from me, separated by a layer of glass. I looked into his eyes, feeling my legs go to jelly. I could barely see them through the mask, but they were intense and settled right on me.

I rested my hand against the glass, wanting to open the window, despite my better judgment. My mind was in a constant battle with my heart whenever I was near Xavier. It was like I was naturally drawn to him. He settled his bare hand on the other side of the glass, making my heart skip a beat. Usually it was gloved, but he had clearly gotten ready in a rush.

My feelings went into overdrive, freaking me out. I gasped, clutching my chest and taking a step away.

"Cameron? Are you okay? I'll back up- one second." He rushed, his voice coming through the phone, despite me being able to hear him slightly through the glass.

He jumped, alarming me. I rushed forwards, trying to see if he was okay. I couldn't see him, so I flung the window open to get a better look. He had landed perfectly, on both feet with his knees bent- he didn't even stumble. He backed up, looking up at me.

I grabbed my cigarettes again, climbing onto the window sill to take my seat from before. Once I was settled, I slid a fag out and lit it. After the stress of that situation, I certainly needed one. I was practically chain-smoking these days.

"Who was that?" I asked finally, my voice shaken.

"He works for me. He was keeping an eye on you while I was... busy. I'm very sorry he scared you, I didn't think. I thought it was win-win. You didn't get the feeling I was there and I got peace of mind." He replied quickly, "My turn to ask a question?"

"Shoot, I guess." I grumbled, watching him take his usual seat in the middle of the garden, crossing his legs.

"How do you know my name, Cameron."

His voice sounded sort of amused, a hint of a laugh coming through. I stilled, feeling dizzy. That sent a wave of attraction crashing over me, almost knocking me off of the damn window sill. I was already flustered by the sound of his voice, but the question flustered me further.

"Try not to fall off of the window sill- I'd have to catch you." He tutted, making me blush slightly.

"I warned you the other night that I would find out- whether you told me or not." I reminded him.

"I'm impressed." He chuckled, lighting my heart on fire again, "I like the way you say my name, by the way."

I blushed fully this time, my face lighting up like a fire hydrant. He laughed more at that, seemingly amused by my embarrassment. He was definitely flirting with me- there's no doubt about it. I'm not sure how I feel about it, but my heart definitely liked it.

"My turn for a question. Why me? Why are you following me? Protecting me?" I really wanted to know, since the question had been buzzing around my mind since this whole ordeal began.

"That's difficult to explain through the phone, when you're at the other end of the garden." He sighed, "I didn't want to tell you, but I know you're not going to drop it. So will you accept that I can't tell you for now? I will soon, I promise."

"Fine. Since I know who you are, will you take off your mask? I'd like to see who I'm trusting to keep a promise." I bargained.

"Not while you're on a window sill. I don't want to toot my own horn, but you might faint."

I scoffed, trying to play it off as a joke. He wasn't joking, though, and he wasn't wrong. Something tells me that I probably would have fallen off of the window ledge if he suddenly ripped that mask off- if the attraction didn't go away that is. As hopeful as I was, I knew my feelings for him wouldn't just disappear. It's more likely that they'll just get stronger when I see him, unfortunately.

"Thank you for coming, even if you were the reason I freaked out." I said sincerely, meaning it. It was strangely comforting to know that he would be here at the drop of a hat.

"Always. Also, I'm sorry." He breathed, his voice thick with an emotion that I couldn't identify.

"What were you doing, anyway? What's more important than me?" I teased, making him chuckle.

Every time he chuckled, he had the same effect on me. It didn't die down the more I heard it and I certainly didn't get used to it; he could knock me off my feet at any given second with a laugh like that. I hated myself for saying it, but it's true.

"Nothing's more important than you, but I was in a meeting. Business." He revealed, making me blush again. I could tell he meant it when he said these things, because the feeling in my stomach told me so.

"A meeting this late?" I asked, "Shouldn't you be asleep?"

"Shouldn't you?" He shot back.

"Touché."

"At least I do sleep. It's hard to keep up with you; you don't get even a single wink of sleep most nights. You're always on the move." He groaned, making me laugh, "How am I supposed to stalk an insomniac?"

"Oh I'm very sorry that I'm inconveniencing your stalking." I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes.

"Never an inconvenience." He flirted, "If you knew, you'd understand why you need to be protected. Honestly, you're taking it better than I expected."

"How long do I have to wait to know?"

"I'm not sure. That's what the meeting was about." He seemed hesitant to tell me, as if there would be consequences.

"Do you need to get back to it? I'm sorry for calling, I just panicked and my gut told me to call you."

"No, no, no. You should always call me- night or day. I'll pick up. You did the right thing and I've loved talking to you; It's our first semi-normal conversation. Besides, they can wait."

I smiled at that, nodding. It was weird, don't get me wrong. I was sat on a window sill, talking to a guy who was sat at the end of my garden through the phone. The guy in question was my stalker/protector, who I knew next to nothing about. Who I also have an attraction towards. Strange, but nice. At least he respects my boundaries.

"I guess this big secret involves your business being fake?" I got the confidence to ask, shocking him.

"You really did do your research." He muttered, slightly impressed, "Do me a favour and keep that information on the low-down? It'll speed up me being able to tell you things if you do."

"I wasn't going to tell on you, anyway. I owe you one for saving my life after all."

"I didn't save your life, but that guy was a prick." Xavier was strangely humble about it.

"What even happened? Did you get hurt? I felt really guilty about leaving." I confided, still feeling slightly guilty about it.

"I can handle myself." He reassured me, "It was barely a struggle; he lasted two seconds max."

"Okay, don't boast. I was just making sure you didn't get hurt." I rolled my eyes, a smile dancing on my lips.

"I made sure he got dealt with properly, so he shouldn't be bothering you for a while at least."

"You didn't hurt him, did you?"

"God, no. I believe in reform." He reassured me, making me sigh in relief.

As much as I disliked Dug, I didn't want him to be attacked. Especially if this guy really is a criminal- that could be nasty. Xavier certainly didn't seem like a criminal, but you never know. Maybe he was only doing light crime, like tax evasion or fraud; I couldn't imagine him being a murderer.

"I'll tell you my address soon, too. I promise." He smirked, "Your friend wasn't very convincing."

"He was!" I defended Mike, "I was quite impressed with his performance."

"Didn't fancy a trip to the library?" He joked, making me bite my lip. Why was I enjoying this conversation so much?

"I'm going to a party this weekend. Just a heads up, I'm getting hammered." I decided to let him know, since he would only find out anyway.

"I appreciate it. The one at Marie's house?" He asked, shocking me, "Don't look so astounded. I'm not much older than you, I know her too. I was going to go."

"Weird. I wonder if I've seen you at a party before." I mused, "Are you still going to go?"

"I've certainly spotted you at parties." He flirted, "I don't know if I'll go. It's up to you, really. I understand if you want me to keep my distance, it must feel pretty weird for you."

"You mean you feel it too?" I gasped, "The sense thing? I know when you're watching me."

"It's not so much a watching thing, but I know when you're close because I can feel a pull to you." He explained, his voice going soft, "Don't tell anyone I told you that."

I pretended to zip my lips and threw away the pretend key. I was happy to know I wasn't a freak. He could feel it too, so I wasn't paranoid and making it up in my head. I'm pretty sure Heather thought I was just sleep deprived.

"You should come to the party. Maybe I'll get to see what you look like." I whispered, my heart pounding.

"Maybe." He murmured, but in a sexy way.

"Goodnight Xavier." I sent a little wave, feeling a wave of tiredness hit me.

"Night, Cameron." He whispered, sending me his own small wave.

I climbed inside and closed the window, drawing the curtains. I got into bed, thinking over everything that had just happened. I could still feel him still in the same position; he was lingering, probably thinking about what had just happened too. Soon, he left and I let my eyes droop closed- a small smile playing on my lips.