A First Job That Turned into a Lesson I Never Expected
When I started my first job at a grocery store, I imagined it would be just like anyone else’s teenage experience—simple shifts, friendly coworkers, and the excitement of earning my own paycheck. I thought it would be a stepping stone toward adulthood, filled with learning experiences and funny stories to tell later.
What I didn’t expect was to become the target of an unwanted obsession that would shadow me long after I clocked out for the last time. My Almost Stalker is my true story: an honest, sometimes uncomfortable look at how a harmless workplace friendship can quietly spiral into something much darker.
The Slow Shift from Friendly to Unsettling
In the beginning, Will was just another face at Bach’s grocery store. He was helpful, friendly, and maybe a little awkward. But over time, those small interactions became a pattern—one I couldn’t ignore. What started as casual conversations and light banter turned into constant messages, invasive social media monitoring, and subtle guilt trips that made it impossible to maintain boundaries without feeling like the villain.
At first, I questioned myself constantly. Was I reading too much into it? Was I being mean for needing space? But deep down, I knew that something wasn’t right. His attention wasn’t about friendship—it was about control.
More Than Just a Stalker Story
My Almost Stalker isn’t a sensational tale of movie-style stalking. It’s about the quiet kind—the kind that sneaks up on you and makes you doubt your instincts. It’s about emotional manipulation, where someone uses kindness as a disguise for control, and guilt as a tool to keep you close.
But this story is not just about fear and discomfort. It’s about the internal battle that so many people face: learning to say no, setting firm boundaries, and releasing the guilt that often comes with protecting yourself.
Who This Book is For
I wrote this book for anyone who has ever felt trapped in a relationship they never agreed to, for anyone who has been made to feel guilty for asking for space, and for those who have wondered if they were overreacting—only to later realize that they should have trusted their gut all along.
Whether you’ve personally dealt with unwanted attention or simply want to understand better how quickly “friendly” interactions can become invasive, My Almost Stalker is here to shine a light on the complexities of these situations. It’s a reminder that manipulation doesn’t always come with clear warning signs and that your discomfort is valid, even if the world around you tells you to brush it off.
Why I Wrote This Story
Too often, stories like mine are dismissed. People chalk them up to harmless crushes, teenage drama, or “boys just being boys.” But the truth is, these situations can have lasting impacts on self-esteem, mental health, and safety.
I wrote My Almost Stalker because these stories matter. They need to be told so that others can recognize the signs sooner than I did, so people stop dismissing manipulative behavior as harmless, and, most importantly, so that they empower others to set boundaries without fear or guilt.
A Story of Strength and Self-Respect
This book is about reclaiming control. It’s about learning that you don’t owe anyone your time, attention, or emotional energy—especially not someone who refuses to respect your boundaries. It’s about listening to that quiet voice that says, “This isn’t right,” and trusting yourself enough to walk away.
My Hope for Readers
If you’ve ever been in a situation where someone’s attention made you feel trapped, I hope this book helps you feel seen and understood. If you’ve struggled to say no or felt pressured into friendships or relationships out of guilt, I hope this story gives you the courage to protect yourself without apology.
And if you’ve never faced this kind of situation, I hope My Almost Stalker opens your eyes to the emotional weight and confusion that come with unwanted attention. Because setting boundaries isn’t mean—it’s necessary. And trusting your instincts isn’t rude—it’s survival.
At its core, My Almost Stalker is about reclaiming your voice and space. And I hope it reminds every reader that you have the right to both.
