• Li shot up in bed, startled. Someone was there; she felt their eyes on her and was convinced that that was what had awoken her. Clicking on her bed lamp she peered accusingly at the shadows.

    Nothing.

    Her dog gazed at her sleepily from the foot of the bed. Sensing her distress he emitted a small whine to distract her. Relieved but not completely relaxed, she gently stroked his fur. The rhythm soothed her and she lay back down only glancing at the red numbers of her alarm clock that shone the time of 1:30am. Briefly it penetrated and was followed out of her mind with her thought of having only five hours until school.

    When he was sure she was asleep again a young man stepped out of the shadows. The dog at her feet gave a slight thump of the tail but did not deter the boy from leaning over and turning off the lamp. The dog was well used to this stranger and was not bothered by him lest he got too close to his mistress.

    The darkness covered the young man completely but he was still there, hovering over the girl. Her dog gave a soft warning growl but it was enough to remind the boy that he needed to leave.

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


    School for Li was of its usual gossip and nonsense but she was different. She didn't give her usual sardonic comments on what the topic was or attempt to steer the conversation away from the latest heart throbs.Her friends thought nothing of it; Li got into these moods every once in awhile and no matter how they pestered her she never told them what was on her mind.

    No, Li didn't really think them capable of understanding. What would they say if she had told them, still newly minted frineds, that her nerves were shot and it was all because she thought someone was watching her in her sleep! No, this was something only a best friend could solve, or at least swallow without thoughts of men in white and a padded room.