I know okay!...I fucking know! I should NOT be starting a new story when I have like 80 to finish...but...I can't help it. I'll be checking into story rehab tomorrow.

I could feel eyes on me, it was weird, and this was certainly not the first time either. For the past week I have sat down at this very bench to read my book and every time I would do this, at least ten minutes into the book, I would feel as if someone was watching me. Every time I would glance up I would see no one, not in particular anyway. There were kids running and screaming as they played with one another, others riding their bikes or running the trail either alone or with their pet, groups of girls giggling about something on their phone, squirrels jumping from tree to tree and birds flying without a care. I saw a guy painting once, but he never looked up, and when he did, he couldn't stare because his back was always turned towards me. But not once did I ever look up and see the person who I felt was staring at me, and quite frankly, it was making me both nervous and excited. Was it a student playing a prank? was it a secret admirer or was it just some total creep? I was hoping it was one of the first two.

I sat my book down on the bench and stood up to stretch, I looked down at my watch and then up at the sky, it was a beautiful day today, so calming and relaxing. I looked down when I felt something touch my foot, it was a ball. I bent down and grabbed it and smiled as I saw a little boy running towards me, he looked to be about 3 or 4. "That's mine" he said bluntly, to which I laughed. He was adorable, he had the prettiest brown eyes and a head full of blonde hair, he had on a red shirt with wrestlers on it, I knew them from when my brother forced me to watch when I was younger. He also wore black nike shorts with shoes to match. "Oh, this ball here?" I said teasingly

"Yes" he replied in the same tone of voice, then he pointed to it "that ball right there is mine"

"Would you be angry if I kept it?" I asked

"No."

"You wouldn't?" I asked as I furrowed my brows, confused by his answer

"If it makes you happy, then no."

I smiled. "You're so sweet. Does it make you happy?"

He nodded. "Yes"

I lowered myself to his level. "Well, I want you to stay happy" I said as I handed it back to him.

He smiled. "Thank you"

"You're welcome" I said as I reached into my pocket and pulled out a blow pop I was saving for later. "You can have this too" I said as I handed it to him.

His entire face lit up as he grabbed the candy and smiled "Thaaaaaanks!"

I chuckled. "You're welcome."

"What cha got there sport?" a man said as he walked up behind the young boy

"Candy, Daddy…look" he said holding it up

"I'm jealous" the dad said as he fake pouted and crossed his arms over his chest.

"I'll share" the little boy said as his father picked him up and kissed him on the cheek.

"That's alright, I want you to have it." he said ruffling his hair before looking at me. "Thank you" he said flashing his beautiful smile.

"No biggie." I said shrugging as I took a moment to look at the father. He was handsome, very handsome. Tall, brown eyes, nicely trimmed beard, he had a buzz cut, but from what little hair that was growing back, I could tell it was blonde too. He had a nice shape, you could tell he worked out, but not a lot, he wasn't too big or too small. "Stephanie, by the way" I said offering my hand.

"Chris" he said shaking mine.

"Well, I'll let you two get back to your activities" I said with a smile

"Thanks again Stephanie" he said with a smile

"Hey" I said calling out as he turned around

"yes?"

I walked up to them. "I never learned your name" I said smiling at the small boy

"Matt!"

"Okay Matt" I said playing in his hair as his father had earlier "You enjoy your candy alright?"

"I will, thank you" he said reaching over and hugging me while still in his father's arm.

"Awww, you're so sweet" I said pulling back "you give the best hugs"

At that he smiled and looked at his father who smiled back at him, giving him the confirmation he needed.

"Bye, Stephanie" Matt said waving

"Bye" I said with a smile as I waved at him and then I turned around and went back to the bench and sat down. My book had been moved, it was not in the same spot as I left it, but I just shrugged it off, I probably moved it when I bent down to talk to Matt. I opened it up and started reading again, it was not long until I felt that same weird feeling again. I looked up and saw a guy staring at me, I couldn't make out his face because he turned away and walked at a wicked fast pace. I furrowed my brows and decided I had enough of the park for today, I gathered my things and headed towards my car, once I was in I thought back to what happened and it just baffled me. "Let's just hope that was a one time thing" I said to myself as I started the car and headed home.

"Don't forget that you are to read chapters 5 through 8 by the end of this week" I said as I listened to the disgruntled moans of my students. "Come on guys, it's not that bad, you'll live" I said smiling as I erased the board.

"Professor McMahon"

"Yes?" I said turning around to face the podium

"I was just wondering if I could have one more day to complete my paper?"

"Chad" I said gathering my things "Did I not give you three extra days last week?"

"Yes" he said softly

"And why did you not complete it then?" I said, still gathering my supplies, not looking at him.

"If you want the truth, I was with my parents…they practically hate one another and being with them is not the best working environment. I'm not trying to use that as an excuse, but they argued the entire trip and I couldn't take the car to drive somewhere else because one of them always hopped in and left when they were angry. I could have worked after the argument, but when you hear the things I did….well….your mind is everywhere but there." he said taking a brief pause. "i'm sorry…I"

"You have another day" I said looking up at him

"Really? I mean, I don't want you to feel like i'm taking advan…"

"I know you're not" I said as I picked up my briefcase and papers. "My parents are the exact same way" I said with a sly smile as I walked towards the door. "Have it in to me no later than 12:30pm Wednesday" I said as I turned with my back facing the door using my elbow to press against the lever, I winked as I left the room and headed towards my car.

"Done for today?" I heard a voice say as I turned around and smiled. I had developed a small crush on "Dr. L" as everyone called him. Personally, I thought it was corny but he liked it, and if he liked it, then I loved it.

"Yes, yes I am" I said as he walked up to me.

"I have a 2:30 but I cancelled."

"What for?" I asked curiously

"They don't want to be there and neither do I" he said as I laughed.

"I'm surprised"

"why?" he asked as he opened the glass door for me

"Thank you" I said as I walked out first. "And mainly because you love to hear yourself talk"

He laughed, I loved his laugh, it would surely fill a room if we were in one. "I won't deny that" he said running his hand through his hair

"I'd be on your case if you did" I teased as I poked him in the chest. It was so soft, yet hard at the same time. "Still hitting the gym I see"

"all day every day" he said as his flashed his pearly white teeth at me "You should join me sometime" he said as he opened my car door for me.

I laughed. "Me? a gym? get out of here" I said as I got in and placed my items on the passenger side

"I'm serious" he said as he leaned against the door, a few strands of his hair falling in his face.

"I'll think about it" I said with a smile as I started the engine.

"I'll hold you to that" he said as he closed the door. "Oh and Steph" he said right when it shut.

"Yes?" I said as I slowly let down the window, only allowing my eyes to be seen.

He laughed. "You really know how to make my day" he said shaking his head. "But um, I wanted to ask you something"

I lowered the window all the way down and stuck both my arms and head out as I leaned against the door. "All ears…and half body"

He laughed. "See, you're just the type of person I need in my life" he said flashing his smile yet again. "But I wanted to know if you were busy tomorrow night"

"Not that I know of, why?"

"I want to take you to dinner"

He didn't know it but I screaming on the inside. YESSSSSSSS! YES! YES! YES! I thought to myself, but I kept calm and pretended to think about it. "hmmm"

"Oh, come on" he said gently hitting my arm

"Abusive, aren't we?"

He chuckled. "I'm going to take whatever you say as a 'yes'"

"Oh really?" I said admiring his confidence. "And what if I was to say no?"

"Just be ready by 7" he said as he held my hand and rubbed the back of it with his thumb before letting go and walking off towards his car.

I smiled as I fell back against my seat and squealed like a common fangirl.

I could feel it again, those eyes on me, it was not only disturbing, but it was frustrating as well. Every time I looked up or around I hoped to catch whoever it was in the act, but not once did I ever spot someone who looked suspicious. I tried to shake it off and continue reading my book, I had a date tonight with the one guy i've been crushing on since I became a professor at my new university and I needed a clear mind heading into it. I read another page or two before I felt that familiar feeling, I snapped my book shut and stood up in anger only to come face to face with that oh so beautiful smile I had grown to know so well.

"Hey you" he said

"Hey" I said blushing as I placed the few strands of hair that fell in front of my face behind my ear. "What are you doing here?" I asked

"Cardio, I come every now and again" he said taking a sip of his gatorade, "what about you?"

"I come here everyday"

"Really?" he asked as he raised his brows and he placed the cap back on his drink

"Yes" I said nodding "and I sit at this very bench every day, I used to sit over there" I said pointing to a round table "but after getting hit in the head 6 times with a ball in one day, I decided to stay away while the children are at play"

He laughed. "Good choice…you ready for tonight?" he asked as he stepped closer.

I could feel the heat in my cheeks rise, he had that type of power over me, it was annoying actually, because when I wanted to just have a regular conversation with him, I would find myself blushing like crazy, I would just go beet red.

"I'll take that blush as a yes" he said cupping my chin between his thumb and index finger, which only caused me to turn more red from embarrassment, which in turn made him chuckle. "You're adorable…you know that?"

I just looked up at him and smiled before quickly looking down at the ground, I was afraid to say anything because I knew something stupid was bound to come out, it always does when I get like this, and he knows it, I think that's why he's doing it, he's toying with me. Maybe it brings him back to the first time we met in the hall, I was new and it was painfully obvious. Long story short, we bumped into one another, the cliche scene of all of my stuff falling out of my hands and spilling over the floor like in the movies, and then the handsome guy helps the girl. Except he didn't help me, at least not at first, he laughed as hard and as loud as he could, which made me think he was arrogant, but his gentle tone and dashing good looks totally made up for it once he started to help me find my way…and I've been hooked ever since.

"Thanks," I said, not making eye contact with him

"Well, i'm going to finish my run" he said motioning towards the running trail "But i'll see you tonight" he said as he lowered his face to mine and gave me a quick peck on the lips. I was taken aback, I did not expect that at all, and before I had a chance to say anything or even to respond to his kiss, he was off and on his way.

"Bye Pa…oh never mind" I said as I placed two fingers to my lips and smiled against them before I sat back down on the bench and opened my book. But who was I kidding? I was far too excited to read, this man just kissed me! But my moment was short lived when I looked up at the perfect moment and saw him, the guy who had been staring at me, the one that has been making me feel so uneasy. I knew it had to be him because when our eyes locked his mouth dropped open in shock and he quickly turned away like he did the last time, except this time he was not going to get away.