Him
The night I found you was a lonely one for me. I sat on my uncomfortable stool, at my unfulfilling job, and dreamed of a life that felt unobtainable. Month after month I watch them come in, so routine you can set your watch by it. The first week they buy tampons, the second week make-up, 3rd week some sort of pain killer, and on the 4th week they buy chocolate. Do they even notice the pattern of their spending habits? CVS does, Walgreens does, and they market specifically around the cycle of women. They're only able to track that and market it so successfully because of the routine. The routine of last-minute tampon purchases and that urge to grab a Reese's at the checkout counter.
Day after day I sit here, watching the beautiful women, completely ignorant of their beauty and grace, going through their routine. I long for them, to solve their loneliness and mine, and yet none of them see me. None of them notice me, noticing them, until you.
You noticed me, noticing you. I remember the moment specifically, when you dropped the box of tampons on the counter and the largest bag of chips in the store. You looked stressed but also disconnected. Were you high? The slight tang of air around you reconfirmed my assumptions, you smoke a little weed to help with the cramps, don't you?
I remember you from the many weeks and months prior, you've been coming on the 2nd Tuesday of the month for at least a year now. So routine and yet you never stopped by the pharmacy for a birth control pick up. You almost always buy a Reese's cup, or two, but today you seem to have forgotten. I snickered to myself and casually tossed one on the counter, "On the house." I say with a wink.
The smile that blooms across your face is something I hope to never forget. Pure joy doesn't describe the look in your eyes. Acts of service? Receiving gifts? Is one of those a love language for you? You smiled while I finished ringing you up and bagged your items. We kept making eye contact and I couldn't help but wonder if you'd see me more in two weeks when you're ovulating. Would you see or smell how good I could be for you?
This is when I started tracking you specifically. At first, I was curious if you were really on such a steady cycle without any birth control. It took me 3 months to be certain you weren't stockpiling at the pharmacy. Then I started paying attention to your glow, to your stride. Your confidence when you're near ovulation is intoxicating. It takes every bit of my self-control to not ravage you each month when you come into the store, smelling of flowers and desire.
It's a Thursday in March when you share that you're going out of town for work. You're buying a full set of travel-sized soaps and excited about the trip. I ask you a few questions, is it for a seminar? Yes, a well-known one too. Are they springing for a decent hotel at least? Yes, the Hilton Garden. Do you know how much you've told me? I smile and keep up the chitchat as you pack up and leave. My phone is out of my pocket researching the seminar and nearby hotels before you've left the parking lot.
I book a room in the same hotel and arrive a day ahead of you. I spent a lot of time in the lobby the first night and tried to make friends with the night shift crew. Some part of me feels as if having them familiar with me will remove their suspicion when I am following you around the hotel. Much to my surprise, they are far more disconnected than I thought and spend most of their evening napping behind the tall check-in counters.
Her
I noticed you watching me while I was still at the mall. I think you were on the bench when I came out of Spencer's, did you see what I was shopping for? Maybe you did and that's why you chose me. Either way, I knew you were there, always right behind me but never there when I turned to look. Not knowing which person you could be was strangely the most exciting part.
As I walked to the restaurant, I made sure to take it slow and give you plenty of time to enjoy your hunt. The way your eyes penetrated me I could feel my primal urges to run and hide but this was too much fun. Was it wrong to enjoy being your prey? The heat rushing through my body told me it was wrong, wrong, intoxicating, and overwhelmingly wonderful. It took every bit of me to not touch myself discreetly as I sat down at the bar and felt your continued gaze digging into me.
Did you notice that I ordered a strong drink? It helped calm my nerves a little, the excitement of being your prey and the energy from your stare were making me shake a little. Who could you be? I casually looked around the restaurant and there's almost no one here but still, I can't tell who you are. It's been more than an hour now and you're still here, how badly do you want me?
When I ask for my check, I make sure to be a little loud and then take my time paying. I want you to continue your hunt, I don't want this to end! I'm weighed down with my shopping bags as I leave, slightly buzzed from the strong drinks, and high off the adrenaline of your continued presence.
It's a quick walk to my hotel, the lobby is as empty as the restaurant, and I can still feel that you're there. As I enter the elevator, I accept that this is most likely where we'll part as you won't know what floor I'm on or what room I am in. The realization makes me sad; this entire experience has made me feel so alive and, more than anything, horny! I press the button for my floor and wait, watching the doors closing I'm thinking about you, wondering who you are.
A split second before the doors close, A hairy hand appears and forces them back open. A tall man entered the elevator with their hat pulled down, not making eye contact or saying anything to me. From the reflection of the elevator doors, I can see him leaning against the back wall and even with his hat pulled down I can feel his eyes on me. I have no way of knowing if he is the same person who's been following me, but the intensity of his presence reignites all the excitement I've felt this evening.
"What floor?" My voice comes out as a squeaky whisper, it surprises me how submissive I feel in this moment.
His voice is a stark contrast to mine, deep and rough, "Three."
My hand reaches to hit the button and stops. The button is already lit because that's the floor I'm on. My heart rate skyrockets. It must be you, the one who's been watching me. I try to take a closer look at the reflection in the elevator door, but the polish has faded leaving you blurry. When the elevator dings, I feel myself jump from surprise. Did I hear you giggle at that? Do you know and enjoy how intensely hunted I feel right now? Do you enjoy knowing that my adrenaline is rushing, my body in full fight or flight?
The doors open and I step out into the small lobby for the floor. My shoes echo in the quiet night of the desolate hallways. I steal a glance back as I take a right towards my room, you haven't left the elevator, I can see your hairy hand holding the door open and the brim of your hat around the wall. I know you're watching me.