I'm Not a Stalker: Secret Messages Sweet YA Romance Series, #1

By Crystal Crawford

The romantic-comedic mystery that readers are calling "clever," "mind-blowing," and "so freaking good!" 

 

When Anissa accidentally confesses a crush via group email, she finds herself in the middle of her hot-but-shy crush, a jealous ex-boyfriend, and an email chain full of nosy classmates.  

 

But when mysterious secret-admirer messages start arriving from a guy who seems too good to be true, and Anissa begins falling for him, there's a new problem: she has 31 days to figure out who he is or he'll vanish forever.

 

I'm Not a Stalker is a comedic love-story-mystery told entirely through emails and texts, and is Book 1 of The Stalker Mystery Set.  Book 2, The Five Suspects, provides an alternate perspective of the events of Book 1 in traditional narrative format, for those who love these characters and want to read more!

 

Praise for I'm Not a Stalker:

• "You're an absolutely amazing writer and didn't fail to keep me fangirling, laughing, squealing, and 'awww'ing." – elemelon31i2a
• "AMAZING. CLEVER. BRILLIANT. SMART. WOW!  … Incredible book!  I read all in one day (few hours), it's very… intriguing, mysterious, amazing… I don't have anymore words to describe it…" – SaraxinxWonderland
• "And the cutest story ever award goes to I AM NOT A STALKER" – Thedirectioner23
• "YES YES YES" – bekahnatalia
• "MINDBLOWING, WOW." – iammfactes
• "...I freaking LOVE THIS BOOK" – ChiaSeedPerson1

Experience this viral romantic-comedic mystery sensation for yourself now, and see what these readers are talking about!

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: C. Crawford Writing, LLC
• Release date: Nov 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9781393068808

Crystal Crawford

Crystal Crawford writes YA fantasy and clean romance (and a smattering of other genres) in Florida, where every natural body of water hides something that could eat you, and if they don't get you, the weather might. She lives with her husband, four kids, and her one-eyed cat, who have supported her dream of writing and drinking far too much coffee. Her imagination is her happy place! (But a deserted beach is nice, too.) When she isn’t writing, she enjoys napping, watching shows with her family, or recording secret singing videos in her closet. Though she'd love to spend all day reading, most days you'll find her doing laundry and homeschooling the kids.

Book preview

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Copyright © 2017 by Crystal Crawford.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact [e-mail].

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Contents

Dedication

Preface

1.The Email That Started It All

2.Hunter

3.Declan

4.The Secret Admirer

5.Week 1

6.Week 2

7.Week 3

8.Week 4

9.Week 5

10.Week 6

Epilogue

Bonus Chapter 1: The First Date

Bonus Chapter 2: The Source

Bonus Chapter 3: The Zoo Date

Bonus Chapter 4: Anissa Sees Hunter's Last Email

Bonus Chapter 5: A Message from the Future

Bonus Novella: The Choice (Brian and Becca's Love Story)

Acknowledgements

Read more Secret Messages Sweet YA Romance Series!

Come find me online!

Love reading clean YA?

Read The Five Suspects

About the Author

Also by Crystal Crawford

To my husband and children,

who are my real-life love story, comedy, and adventure

Preface

The original version of this book was my very first attempt at writing Teen Fiction. I expected it to be fun. I expected it to be a learning experience. What I did not expect was for it to go viral, get 1.5 Million reads in a matter of months, and rank as high as #2 in Teen Fiction on Wattpad.

The first, unedited version of this story was posted in serial form on Wattpad, and contained more than 100 chapters. This version has been completely revised, and is different in many ways from the original—true to its essence, but refined and improved. In addition to the story that so many of my online readers initially connected with (including the bonus chapters I wrote per readers’ requests), this book also contains new, never-before-seen content not found in the Wattpad version and several improvements on the original content.

To my Wattpad readers—if you are reading this, I just want to say Thank You. Your feedback, your comments, your votes, and your overwhelming support made writing this book an incredible experience for me, and I learned so much from all our interactions. The fact that you have purchased this version of the book means the world to me. Again, thank you.

If you’re new to this story, you should probably know up-front that the story is presented in sort of an unusual way. But if you give it a chance, I believe it will win you over. There is more to this story than it may at first seem.

I love to interact with my readers from all places, so I would be thrilled to get your feedback via reviews, Facebook, or direct email. (All this contact info will be at the end of the book.)

Alright, enough of my rambling. On to the story. Thank you so much for reading!

Sincerely,

Crystal Crawford

(CCrawfordWriting)

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Chapter 1

The Email That Started It All

8/25/2016 4:21 PM

From: Meghan Varner

To: Anissa Marlin & 29 others

Subject: Study Group

Hey fellow Physics students! I might be a total nerd, but I’m kinda freaking out about this class. Can you believe we have an exam our first week? Anyway, I realized that the university email system lets me send an email to the entire class, so I thought I’d give this a try.

Hi, I’m Meghan, the girl with the long brown hair who sits in the front row. I promise I’m not a weirdo. I’d really like to get a study group together... anyone wanna join me?

I’ll be at the library at 2pm tomorrow!

Thanks,

Meghan

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8/25/2016 5:34 PM

From: Anissa Marlin

To: Megan Varner & 29 others

Re: Study Group

Hey, Megs! I totally should’ve known you’d do the mass email study group thing. I’d never have the guts to do that. You know me, I’m way too shy to email the whole class. I’m sure they know you’re not a weirdo, though.

.... *crickets*....

Just kidding. You know I love you, right?

So, anyway, seeing as we’ve known each other since kindergarten and all, do you think you could do me a favor and tell me if that hot guy in the front row has replied? You know the one, right? Piercing blue eyes, shaggy brown hair, abs you can see even through his shirt, asks questions in that smooth voice that just screams "I’m a genius and a poet"... *sigh*

Anyway… You know I’m not much of a studier, but if he’s coming, I’M IN. So, give me a heads up, if you can?

Email back, or use our old secret sign language or something. 1 for hottie’s-in or 2 for hottie’s-out.

I know we don’t hang out much anymore but... you owe me, right? ;) You know what for.

Hugs,

Nissa

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8/25/2016 5:36 PM

From: Anissa Marlin

To: Meghan Varner

Re: Study Group

Megs,

Okay; I am panicking here. Please please please tell me I didn’t hit REPLY ALL when I sent that last message.

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8/25/2016 5:38 PM

From: Meghan Varner

To: Anissa Marlin

Re: Study Group

Anissa,

Sorry to tell you, but, yeah... it seems you did. On the up side, at least you’ve broken the ice, right?

We were besties once, so it is in all honesty and concern for your future that I say this: you might want to consider changing classes. I’ve already been getting replies through the group email about your message. It will probably be a little hard to live this one down.

Hugs and kisses,

Megs

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8/25/2016 5:40 PM

From: Bridget Cawthon

To: Anissa Marlin & 29 others

Re: Study Group

Oh. My. Word.

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8/25/2016 5:44 PM

From: Matthew Davis

To: Anissa Marlin & 29 others

Re: Study Group

Okayyyy.... That was awkward. By the way, uh, Anissa, is it? I think the guy’s name is Hunter. He’s in one of my other classes. I’m rooting for you! LOL

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8/25/2016 5:46 PM

From: Leslie Brown

To: Anissa Marlin & 29 others

Re: Study Group

Hey, Anissa, you’re the short girl with glasses who sits in the back, right? Don’t worry; you’re not the only one who thinks he’s hot. Hey, Genius-Poet, if you’re reading this, CALL ME!!!!

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8/25/2016 5:50 PM

From: Stacy Watkins

To: Anissa Marlin & 29 others

Re: Study Group

Only the first day of classes and already I can see this is going to be a GREAT year. LOL

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8/25/2016 5:55 PM

From: Anissa Marlin

To: Meghan Varner & 29 others

Re: Study Group

Okay guys... haha, very funny.

Look, I’m really sorry. You have no idea how embarrassing this is for me. But, I mean... it was a joke, clearly!

Okay, fine, it wasn’t a joke and I know you all know it. But...

Ugh. I’m just gonna go hide in a cave now.

Seriously, I’m switching classes; please don’t email me anymore.

Thanks,

Anissa

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8/25/2016 6:05 PM

From: Hunter Dresson

To: Anissa Marlin & 29 others

Re: Study Group

Can we talk? Text me. 813-586-3109

—Hunter

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Chapter 2

Hunter

8/25/2016 6:15 PM

8/25/2016 6:15 PM

8/25/2016 6:15 PM

8/25/2016 6:15 PM

8/25/2016 6:17 PM

8/25/2016 6:17 PM

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8/25/2016 11:47 PM

From: Hunter Dresson

To: Anissa Marlin

Re: Study Group

I haven’t heard from you yet. Normally I wouldn’t keep after someone who clearly didn’t want to text me, but... I need to talk to you before next class. Would you like to meet in person instead? I’ll be in front of Cowley Hall at 11:30 tomorrow.

—Hunter

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8/25/2016 11:54 PM

8/25/2016 11:59 PM

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8/26/2016 12:03 AM

8/26/2016 12:03 AM

8/26/2016 12:07 AM

8/26/2016 12:07 AM

8/26/2016 12:09AM

8/26/2016 12:09AM

8/26/2016 12:20 AM

8/26/2016 12:20 AM

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Six Days Later

9/1/2016 3:15 PM

From: Hunter Dresson

To: Anissa Marlin

Subject: Study Guide

Hey, Anissa. So... you were sitting behind me so you probably noticed, but I sort of fell asleep at the end of class. Did you write down what he put on the board for the Study Guide topics?

I know it might be awkward that I’m emailing you, but you’re actually the only person I’ve ever talked to from our class, and after all the chain emails before, the thought of emailing any of them just... bothered me. But you seem nice.

Can you send me the study guide? It would be a huge help, and I won’t bother you after this.

—Hunter

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9/1/2016 3:27 PM

From: Anissa Marlin

To: Hunter Dresson

Re: Study Guide

1 file attachment

I’ve attached my notes for the Study Guide. Actually, I’m glad you emailed me. You’re pretty much the only person in class not making fun of me, so... I’m glad to help.

Did you want to go over the notes on the phone or anything? I’d say we could arrange a study group but the test is tomorrow, so...

—Nissa

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9/1/2016 3:48 PM

From: Hunter Dresson

To: Anissa Marlin

Re: Study Guide

Thank you for the notes.

Please don’t be offended, but I don’t really like talking on the phone. Would you mind if I text you, though, if I have any questions about your notes? Having someone to go through them with would be helpful.

And is it okay if I call you just Nissa? You signed your name that way so I wasn’t sure.

—Hunter

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9/1/2016 3:54 PM

From: Anissa Marlin

To: Hunter Dresson

Re: Study Guide

Oh, ok. Yeah, sure, we can text. That works. And, yeah... all my friends call me Nissa. I guess I just typed it out of habit. But you can call me that.

—Nissa

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9/1/2016 7:58 PM

From: Anissa Marlin

To: Hunter Dresson

Subject: Study Session

So, thanks for texting with me. It actually helped a lot to have someone to go over the notes with, even though they were my notes. Maybe we could do it again sometime?

Thanks,

Nissa

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9/1/2016 8:12 PM

From: Hunter Dresson

To: Anissa Marlin

Re: Study Session

It was really helpful for me, too. I’m sorry I couldn’t text longer. I just have a lot of other homework to do.

See you in class tomorrow. Just don’t ruin the curve for me, okay? Get at least a few answers wrong.

—Hunter

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9/1/2016 8:15 PM

From: Anissa Marlin

To: Hunter Dresson

Re: Study Session

Ruin the curve? Me? You seem pretty smart, so I doubt that’s really a concern for you.

See you tomorrow!

—Nissa

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A Week Later

9/9/2016 6:27 PM

From: Anissa Marlin

To: Hunter Dresson

Subject: Study?

Hey Hunter! So... since we have a test coming up on Monday, do you want to do another text study session over the weekend? I know I could use the help!

—Nissa

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9/9/2016 9:18 PM

From: Hunter Dresson

To: Anissa Marlin

Re: Study?

You seem like a nice girl, so please don’t take this the wrong way, but... I’m more of a lone studier. That first time was helpful since I’d missed class, but... Study groups aren’t really my thing. Sorry.

—Hunter

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9/9/2016 9:25 PM

From: Anissa Marlin

To: Hunter Dresson

Re: Study?

Wow. Look, I’m sorry if you thought I was too pushy, but if you didn’t want to study with me, you didn’t have to. You could’ve just said no. Don’t worry; I won’t be bothering you again. Have a good semester.

—Anissa

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9/9/2016 9:43 PM

From: Hunter Dresson

To: Anissa Marlin

Re: Study?

I’m sorry. I probably should have said things differently. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just meant... it’s hard to explain. Look, I really appreciate the notes, and I enjoyed studying with you over text before. I just have a really busy week with overtime at work, and I thought it’d be easier just to cram in my studying wherever I could fit it on my own. I realize now that I sounded kind of like a jerk... I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to come out like it did. Maybe when this week is over, we can find a time to study together again?

Really sorry.

—Hunter

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Another Week Later

9/16/2016 5:17 PM

From: Leslie Brown

To: Anissa Marlin & 29 others

Re: Study Group

So, is it just me, or has anyone noticed the serious melodrama happening between Hunter and Anissa?

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9/16/2016 5:23 PM

From: Bridget Cawthon

To: Anissa Marlin & 29 others

Re: Study Group

Ummm... YES! One minute they’re gazing at each other across the room when the other isn’t looking, like a couple of shy kindergartners having their first romance, and the next, they’re refusing to even look at each other! Anyone know what happened? I’m finding this whole thing REALLY entertaining.

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9/16/2016 5:46 PM

From: Matthew Davis

To: Anissa Marlin & 29 others

Re: Study Group

Girls are so mean to each other! Seriously, you two... can’t you just leave the poor kids alone?

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9/16/2016 5:50 PM

From: Meghan Varner

To: Anissa Marlin & 29 others

Re: Study Group

I lost the inside connection to Nissa long ago, but knowing her, it probably involves quite a bit of drama and betrayal. That seems to be her thing.

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9/16/2016 5:58 PM

From: Stacy Watkins

To: Anissa Marlin & 29 others

Re: Study Group

Ouch. Do you think they hooked up and then like... he never called her back or something? This is better than a soap opera!

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9/16/2016 6:05 PM

From: Anissa Marlin

To: Meghan Varner & 29 others

Re: Study Group

You guys do realize I’m still on this email chain, right? All of you, please just shut up. None of this is any of your business.

I really should have just dropped this class but I guess it’s too late for that. Please just leave me alone.

—Nissa

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9/16/2016 9:30 PM

From: Hunter Dresson

To: Anissa Marlin

Subject: I’m a jerk.

Anissa,

I saw the chain email, and I just…

Look, I’m really sorry. I’m sorry for how horrible this semester has been for you so far, and I’m sorry for making it worse by being a jerk when you were just looking for someone to study with. I know this probably just sounds like an excuse, but I had a really serious relationship last year and when it ended, it totally wrecked me. It was a really ugly breakup, and I found out she’d been hooking up with my best friend behind my back for months, and everyone but me knew it. They’d all been making fun of me the whole time, and when I learned that, I felt like the biggest idiot in the world, and I just shut down. I failed all my classes and basically spent the semester in bed until my parents got so worried they forced me to completely withdraw and take the rest of the year off. It took a while, but I eventually got over it, stopped moping around, and I even got a job… but still every time I thought of going back to campus and maybe running into her, I felt sick. The worst part was, I couldn’t even be mad at her. I was furious at my friend, but when I thought of Brooke, I couldn’t be mad, I just felt completely worthless. So, I transferred. I started here, and I’m retaking all my first-year classes, and here no one knows me and it’s almost like I can pretend that whole year never happened and I’m just starting out as a freshman at a new place. And then there was your email, and I knew how awful you must feel and I just wanted to let you know it was okay, that you didn’t have to feel embarrassed, especially not because of me. I’m no one special. But then you started wanting to hang out, and I panicked.

After what happened last year, I learned to just keep to myself. It’s how I survived. I don’t really have any of my friends anymore, and it feels safer that way. I just don’t feel like I can trust anyone… even if they seem nice.

I know this is totally my issue, and I’m sorry for taking it out on you, I’m sorry for being the cause of a terrible semester for you, and most of all, I’m sorry for being a jerk. You said before that I was the only person in class who hadn’t made fun of you, and I know it might not seem this way, but… if you need a friend this semester, you have one right here.

—Hunter

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9/17/2016 9:25 AM

From: Anissa Marlin

To: Hunter Dresson

Re: I’m a jerk.

Hunter,

I got your email last night, but I didn’t reply right away because, to be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what to say.

Here’s the thing; I probably overreacted in my email, too. Sure, you were standoffish, but you just wanted your space and I took it personally. I have some baggage about being dumped with no explanation and then called clingy, and your email just felt all too similar to me. That’s my bad, and now because of me being pissed at you, the whole class is watching us like we’re an episode of some teen drama show.

You aren’t a jerk. If anything, you might be the only nice person in the class. The problem is, you’ve only ever seen me as that girl who embarrassed herself because she liked you. You never really showed any interest in getting to know me, and I should have noticed that sooner. You know I think you’re attractive and so I