That evening, I had my normal shift at the library. I planned on getting some work done, but Shane had me stacking books instead. We were getting close to finals, and people were using some of the textbooks for thesis statements, mostly the graduate students. That would be me one day. Working on law papers, attempting to reach my goal. I also saw them studying, nervously sweating in the tiny little cubicles that they used to block out the rest of the world. I hope that part wouldn’t be included in my future, but I knew that was wishful thinking.

I was on the top floor of the library, stacking books about sexual harassment law when I saw two people arguing in the next aisle. It looked like a couple just having a relationship issue, and I didn't want to intrude, so I moved to the other side, and waited for them to figure it out. I saw a guy sitting by himself with headphones on, but I realized that he wasn't studying. He was talking on a cell phone, but he kept the headphones around his head to make it look like he was busy. Or maybe I was just being paranoid.

I couldn't help but overhear the conversation as I walked away from the arguing couple. I tried to appear inconspicuous as I looked through the shelves, pretending to need a book. I'd abandoned my cart in the corner so that I just looked like another college student.

"I’ll have your money. You don’t need to tell Rudolph anything. I will have it tonight." He paused for a moment. "No, I haven't seen her. But there was some weird shit going on in class today. The professor cancelled class and gave us some online assignment. But I know that she stayed. At least, I think she did."

He paused again listening to the person on the other end of the line. "Okay I know, but you guys need to stop calling me. Someone is going to figure it out."

I wondered what someone was going to figure out, and if that someone was me. Hudson was the professor who didn't finish the class, and I was the girl who stayed after for some…extra activities. My heart rate quickened just being reminded of our encounter.

The kid put his phone down and put his headphones back on, furiously typing on a laptop. I tried to look over his shoulder, but I couldn't see anything. I opened a book and began paging through it, and moving closer to him to try to see what he was working on, but he turned around and looked right at me. He shook his head and took off his headphones, slamming his laptop screen down, and shoving his things in a bag. I turned around and walked back to the stacks, thinking he would just leave, but instead he walked right towards me.

"You better watch yourself. You're not the only one involved."

I shut the book. "What the hell does that mean? And who were you just talking to?"

He looked me up and down in a way that made me feel dirty. "You'll see soon enough. Watch your back."

"Watch yours,” I spat back at him.

He just shook his head, and stormed off. I didn't even know his name. He was just some kid I'd seen in class. But who was he even talking to? And why were they interested in me?

* * *

When I got back to the apartment, Alexis was drowning herself in wine as per usual for a Monday evening. Our favorite television shows were on and, typically, when I got off of work we ordered a pizza, and drank ourselves silly. It was a good ritual, one that I wanted to stay intact even after our conversation earlier in the day.

"Hey," I said, as I dropped my bag next to the couch. "Did you leave any for me?"

She finished her glass. "Bottle’s in the fridge. Mind refilling me? I already ordered pizza."

I took the glass from her and obliged, walking over to the kitchen, and pulling the bottle out of the fridge. "So, I had an interesting shift at the library."

Alexis sat up, and looked over the back of the couch. "The library was interesting? Isn't that like an oxymoron or something?"

I rolled my eyes at her. "I think some kid was talking about Hudson on the phone. It was really weird, but then he came up to me, and told me to watch my back. I mean, I know Hudson is a powerful guy, but what would that have to do with some college kid?"

Alexis shrugged. "I don't know. You think he’s some low level dealer?"

I brought the wine back over to her, and sipped my own glass. "I mean, I guess I could be. I don't know. I don’t want to put us in danger. And I can handle myself, but, Alexis, I don’t want you to get hurt. Maybe I should just call things off with Hudson. Maybe you were right all along."

She shook her head. "I've got to show you something. Come with me."

She walked into her bedroom, and I dutifully followed. Sitting down on her bed, she opened up her nightstand drawer to reveal a handgun. "You don't need to worry about me, Calla. But if people are watching you, you need to be careful, and you should tell Hudson about this."

I was shocked at the fact that my best friend owned a gun, kept it in our home, and I had no idea. But that was Alexis, small but mighty. "I'm not going to tell him. It was just some stupid guy trying to scare me. And that's not going to happen."

The doorbell rang, signifying that the pizza had arrived.

Alexis walked past me, but put her hand on my arm right before going to the door. "Just be careful, okay?"

I nodded. "I wouldn't want you to have to shoot anybody."

She smiled, but only for a moment. "I wouldn't want to either."