Every year 7.5 million people are stalked in the United States. I was one of those people when I was 14 and I will never forget this experience or you.

I was a freshman in high school and was in my first real relationship. You were known for being creepy and making most girls in the school uncomfortable. I knew who you were but never really talked to you; whenever I saw you, you had the hood of your jacket covering the upper half of your face.

Around February, I noticed that you were waiting around the classes that I was exiting and then following me to the next class. Something that-- as far as I know-- you have ever done before. For whatever reason, I did not think much of this. But I noticed that you were doing this more often and pretty soon you followed me to my classes every day. One morning, my boyfriend at the time missed his bus and was late to school. While I was walking to my first class of the day, you came up to me and asked me out. I calmly responded, “No, thank you. I have a boyfriend”. You looked me dead in the eye and asked, “Can I replace him?”.

Confused and creeped out, I said no and walked away. I did not see you for the rest of the day.

The next morning, I was on my way to hang out with some friends before class when ,just before I reached my destination, I felt your arm wrap around my neck. You had caught me completely off guard and I had lost my balance, I was completely at your mercy. Not being able to breathe, I flail my arms about to try to get you to let me go. It did not seem to be working but for some reason you let me go and ran away. Somehow no one seemed to witness this and I have never felt more helpless in my life. I tried to report it to the administration of my school but, since no one witnessed it, nothing was done. I felt helpless, crazy and alone even though my friends believed me and were willing to help me try to feel safe.

It’s been four years since this incident and I still feel like I need to look over my shoulder half the time. I will never forget this or you. But, I will also not let this control my life. I do not know where you are but I won’t let you scare me anymore. I’m okay and will always be okay. You did not win in trying to scare me.

Let’s never meet again.