Just The Boy Next Door

~25~

~Naomi~

Making my way out into the early morning chill, I closed the door silently. Throwing my hood over my head, I prayed that no one had heard me leave, especially DJ. Walking at first I made my way across the street. Finding myself sprinting down six block and over three, I was impressed I had not snapped my slides by the time I had reached the front door to the studio. Unlocking and opening the door, I took care to secure the lock back so no one could get in after me. Looking around, I checked for anything unusual; my paranoia was at it's peek since the night before.
I knew some of the students on campus were attending classes as early as 6 a.m and were just waking up for the day, and some people who frequented the coffee shop we gathered at were avid listeners. Our show had been requested to start as early as 6 in the morning, but we declined. Making a mental note for the future to take this event as an eye opener, I reached our radio show room.
"Sorry, kids," I spoke to myself and sighed, "No radio show for a while, not with this shit."
I spoke of the nutcase mad woman who was stalking Lena, her own daughter for fuck sake. And not to mention DJ being pregnant. Sitting down in the chair and turning on the broadcasting equipment, I waited for the final song of the previous 50 minute playlist and began my assault on the airwaves.

"Good Morning, VCU," I tried to sound peppy but urgent, "I am here early this morning due to an issue that has come to our attention here on 97.5, involving our own, Selena James."
Sighing, I closed my eyes and thought hard for a second, hoping the words would come naturally.
"Yesterday in the late afternoon, Selena had an unwelcome guest visit her; her estranged mother, Maggie James. She not only threatened the well-being of Selena herself, but of her boyfriend and pod cast host, Christian Coma, The Wild Child. Previous to this, she managed to do the same to They Don't Need to Understand solo demo vocalist, Andrew Biersack, DJ Dollie's fiance."
I looked down at the notes I had scribbled as I spoke.
"Mrs. James drives a blue Honda Civic sedan with a missing rear bumper; license plate reads 56Y-89P7. If you see this car anywhere on campus, report the sighting to the campus authorities or the Richmond PD. She currently has a restraining order against her, submitted by Selena herself, and could have gotten arrested yesterday for being within 500 feet of her."
As I took a breath, the radio show phone line light began sounding, blinking rapidly. Calls were flooding in from numerous people, so I decided to take them while on the air.
"I saw that car last night at the coffee shop."
"NayNay, what does she look like? I saw a middle aged would get in her car by the Noodles and Company down the street from my dorm just now."
"She was in my dorm last night and approached me, looking for Selena..."
The call I need but dreaded most came on the air last.
"Hey, Nay, it's Ashley," he paused and took a breath, "I saw her down the street from our house two minutes ago. I had been following her around town for the past three days, hoping to see where she lived or worked. She left something on our mailbox; looked like an envelope. I'm too scared to go near it, so i called campus police who will be here within the hour. I think she is out to get both Lena and CC."
My heart sunk in my chest; I couldn't believe what i was hearing.

"Thanks, babe," I hung up with Ash, "And thank you, listeners, for your information, but Mocha Morning Mondays radio show is cancelled for today, and could possibly be for long term temporary due to these circumstances. Please, help us that this mad woman and keep out campus safe."
Turning the music back on, and scheduling a new podcast to run in our place, I turned off the broadcasting equipment and stood up. Feeling on edge as though someone was watching me, I turned off the lights carefully and made my way down the dark hallway, turning towards the lobby. Peering stealthily around the corner, I stared out in the direction of the still locked door.

The blue sedan was sitting outside, Mags within it, staring into the studio.

~DJ~

I woke up at six with a strange feeling, and no, not a pregnancy feeling. Taking care not to wake Andy, I made my way downstairs to find a note on the door from Naomi and grabbed my phone from my robe pocket. I had received texts from both her and Ashley.

AshBash(4:47am): Deege, please be careful. When I was coming home from a run, Selena's mom was by the house; that was ten minutes ago. She put something on the mailbox; do not go near it, I don't know what it is. The campus police are on their way, I ducked into the bushes in the neighbor's yard so she didn't see me. I'm going to pick Naomi up in about ten minutes. When you are awake and dressed, come outside on the porch and I will tell you everything.
****************************************************************************
NayNay(5:03am): that fucking bitch is outside the studio.
NayNay(5:07am): okay, she just left. I know you aren't awake yet, but Ash is coming to get me. I love you.

Making my way back upstairs, I looked over towards the bed at Andy, peacefully sleeping. He had had a rough night last night and I didn't want to wake him. Grabbing some leggings and a sweatshirt, I made my way into the bathroom. I decided to get ready for the day, seeing as though I had a doctor's appointment at 12:30 that afternoon. Tiptoeing out of the bathroom, I opened our bedroom door one last time and closed it behind me, heading towards Selena's room. Peeking inside, she, too, was sleeping peacefully, but was in the arms of CC. He, on the other hand, was wide awake.
"Hey," I whispered at him, "when did you get here?"
Holding his finger up for me the give him a moment, he slowly placed Lena back down onto her pillow and left the room with me, closing her door.
Walking down the stairs with CC following close behind, I began to panic a little. Naomi wasn't back yet, and her phone and keys were gone. I turned to CC, still waiting on his reply.
"I woke up when Ashley and Naomi walked into the house," He sat on the couch, patting the space next to him for me, "I was asleep on the couch, just in case, ya know? Naomi is safe with Jake, and Ashley has been sitting near his window since I walked out of the house at 5:30."
She stopped, rubbing his hands together frantically.
"It is getting intense, Deege," shaking his head, he looked up at me, "I don't know how to get her to stop. Selena is losing sleep, and quite frankly it is beginning to piss me off."
I gave him a hug, squeezing him tightly.
"We can get through this, buddy," I sighed, "Your girlfriend is my cousin, and best friend. Fuck, that crazy bitch is my aunt, and her mom."
I pulled away and paced, placing a hand on my forehead.
"Fuck, CC, I'm sorry we dragged you into the dysfunctional side of our family." Tears began dripping down my cheeks.
"DJ," he stopped me, rubbing my back, "I don't care about that. You brought happiness into my life with your friendship, and now with Selena. She makes me happier than I have ever been, and I know Andy will agree with me when I say I will be damned if that fucking bitch touches her, or you."
He took pause as I made my way to the kitchen for coffee.
"Oh, and DJ," he spoked as I turned back.
"Yea, man?"
"You are my best friend. Thank you for everything."
Smiling for what seemed to be the first time in a night or so, I felt a little relief.
"You are mine, too, C."
"Coffee?" He pointed to the pot I was holding and smiled.
"Coffee."

Notes

I dusted off the story and heard nothing but crickets. Let me know what you think so i can update more often.