Erotimaniac

"Where are you, Emiko?" Ethan whispered as he stared at the foyer of the

community college. "I've been here since eight in the morning. Did you

even have class today? You're not talking to other guys, are you? No, no,

no. You wouldn't do that. No, you're a good girl..."

Ethan glanced at the clock on his radio – 12:23 PM – then he glanced

around the area. From his parking space, he could see the administration

building, the student store, and a few buildings filled with classrooms. He

could also see the same bus stop from Emiko's picture across the street. He

had the perfect vantage point of the area.

Emiko was nowhere in sight, though.

Ethan grabbed his tablet computer and leaned back in his seat. He

flicked his finger across the screen and browsed Emiko's Facebook page.

He searched for more hints about her schedule. Judging from her posts and

pictures, he could see she went to school before dusk – she didn't take any

night classes. The waitress appeared to work in the mornings on weekends

and during the afternoons if she worked on weekdays.

Ethan said, "You have to be around here somewhere. I said I'd wait for

you, so I'm going to wait. I just... I wish you'd give me a specific time. I

have to work, too, you know? I'm not mad. No, I'm not mad. I'm just a little

disappointed. I'll wait, though."

Time passed at a snail's pace. He watched as students entered and exited

the school. Students ran down the street and tried to wave down the buses.

A few students walked past his car, but no one seemed to notice him –

security was conveniently lax. He leered at some of the young women's

asses, especially those who wore leggings as pants, but they didn't really

arouse him. Sure, he was interested enough to take a look, but he didn't

become aroused by watching them.

Ethan glanced at the clock – 2:07 PM. He leaned closer to the steering

wheel and stared at a group of women near a building on top of a hill. With

the eyes of a hawk, he could see Emiko was part of the group. The other

girls were nothing but a blur to him – insignificant. Emiko's glowing beauty

blinded him.

He said, "Monday. Two o'clock. I didn't see you get here, but I'll see it

next time. I know when you leave, princess." He held his hands over his

mouth and laughed deliriously. He whispered, "I'll have your entire

schedule soon. I promise, I'll memorize the whole thing, sweetie."

His chest on the steering wheel, he pulled his phone out of his pocket

and aimed the camera at the group of students. He zoomed in as close as the

app would allow him without distorting the image. She wore a sleeveless

gray dress, so he snapped pictures of her bare legs, arms, and chest.

Someone made her laugh, so he captured an image of her gentle smile, too.

He even tried to take a picture of her feet, but she was too far away to

capture a clear image.

All smiles and giggles, Emiko was unaware of her stalker's presence.

She accepted Ethan's hefty tip, but she tried to shrug off his outburst at the

diner. She acted as if it didn't happen.

Ethan leaned back and sank into his seat, hiding in the shadows of his

car as Emiko walked down the hill. She waved at her friends, then she

briskly walked across the street to the bus stop – just as he predicted. Sitting

by her lonesome, she shoved some earbuds into her ears and played her

music. It was the perfect setting.

Ethan smiled and said, "Holy shit. She's alone. She's actually alone.

Now's my chance."

He checked his reflection on the rear-view mirror. He adjusted his

button-up shirt and picked at his teeth, then he rubbed the stubble on his

jaw. He couldn't do anything about his wild hair, so he only hoped she liked

his style.

As he gazed at himself, he whispered, "It's now or never, buddy. You can

do this."

He pulled out of the parking space, then he slowly navigated the parking

lot. He constantly glanced over his shoulder and checked on the bus stop –

she was still alone. He drove to the other end of the parking lot, then he

took a left onto the street. He cruised at a leisurely pace as his heart raced in

his chest.

With each passing second, Emiko grew larger – and his anxiety grew

stronger. With his blinkers on, he stopped beside the bus stop. Head down,

Emiko was focused on her phone – swiping and tapping. Ethan rolled the

passenger seat window down, then he leaned over the center console.

Ethan said, "Hey, Emiko."

Emiko disregarded the car and focused on her phone. If it wasn't the bus,

it didn't matter to her.

Ethan coughed to clear his throat, then he shouted, "Hey! Emiko! It's me,

Ethan! Ethan Miller!"

Emiko pulled the earbud out of her right ear and glanced up at the car.

She furrowed her brow and leaned back on the bench, baffled by Ethan's

sudden appearance at her school. She glanced to her left, then to her right.

She was looking for her friends in hopes of discovering an elaborate prank.

They weren't around, though.

She stared into the car and stuttered, "Wha–What are you doing here?"

"I was just driving by and I saw you waiting here by yourself. So, you

know, I thought I'd stop by–"

"Are you following me?"

Rosy-cheeked, Ethan huffed and shook his head. He stammered,

constantly restarting his sentences. He was being accused of stalking a

woman. He was only trying to love her, though.

As he recomposed himself, Ethan said, "I'm... I'm not following you.

Like I said, I was just driving around the city and I saw you here. It was just

a coincidence. I don't know, maybe... maybe it's a sign, too."

"A sign? A sign of what?"

"You know..."

Ethan's eyelids flickered and the side of his mouth twitched. He looked

out the windshield as tears welled in his eyes. He could feel a lump in his

throat, too – a lump of shame and embarrassment. Breathing deeply through

his nose, he fought off the urge to cry.

Ethan said, "Listen, I... I know it sounds strange, but I just stopped

because I saw you here alone. I wanted to ask if you needed a ride home or

to work... or anywhere. It's really no trouble for me. I'm not in a hurry or

anything."

Emiko shook her head and said, "No. I'm fine. I don't need a ride. I'd

really appreciate it if you left me alone. Thank you."

"Are you sure?" Ethan asked. He chuckled and ran his fingers through

his hair, anxious. He said, "It's really nothing to me. I can take you

anywhere you want. There's plenty of room in here, too. It's better than

taking some crowded bus full of bums and pervs. Come on. Get inside."

"No. Please, stop bothering me before I have to–"

A blaring horn echoed through the street. Ethan glanced at his rear-view

mirror and frowned. The bus had arrived.

As he rolled forward, reluctant, Ethan asked, "Are you sure? I can drive

you. We can... We can look for a party or something. Come on, everyone

parties after school. R–Right? Right?"

Emiko shoved the earbud into her ear and ignored her stalker. She waved

at the bus driver, making sure he wouldn't leave her behind. Ethan was out

of options. He took a right and parked at the corner of the neighboring

street.

Disappointed, Ethan whispered, "I blew it. Why wouldn't she get in?

I've... I've picked up girls before. What... What's wrong with her?"

Misty-eyed, he stared at his rear-view mirror. He could still hear the bus'

coughing engine. He rubbed his eyes as the bus departed from the stop. He

refused to quit his pursuit – it was out of the question. He glanced over his

shoulder, then he did a u-turn. He returned to the street and followed the

bus.

As he stared at the back of the bus, he whispered, "Bus 6. She takes Bus

6."

Following two cars behind, Ethan trailed the bus and checked each bus

stop. He wouldn't quit until he found Emiko's next destination.