There's this retired lawyer who I've started to run into all the time.

I first saw him about two weeks ago. I was going for a walk, and he asked if I needed a ride. I politely turned him down. He kept insisting but eventually left.

Then he showed up outside of a liquor store near my house. He asked for my number, he wanted to know if I was a student at the university, and he wanted to know where I live. I said that I am a student, but that I wasn't willing to tell him more than that. He asked me to come to his house. I refused and left.

I was walking on the sidewalk one street away from my place, and he pulled his car over and started asking me if I have a boyfriend and offered to take me back to his house. I told him no, and he left.

It happened again, and I told him that I'm not attracted to men and not even remotely interested in having anything to do with him. He said that he can respect that but thinks I "should try being with a man" before I decide that I'm not interest in them.

Then he showed up outside of a pizza place I frequent, but he didn't acknowledge me until I turned around and saw him watching me.

I was outside of the pizza place today, and he walked up and pulled me into a hug. I was so shocked that I stood there for a second. Then I pushed him off and asked him why he was there. I asked if he works in the hardware store next to the restaurant or if he works in any of the other stores. He looked really shocked for a second. Then he said, "I, uh, I work around. I do stuff around here." I stared at him for a second before turning around and walking away. He asked me where I was going, and I ignored him. He called me 'sweetie' as I was walking away.

I've told a few people that I think this guy is starting to stalk me. My brother, mom, and a couple of friends are legitimately worried, but the others think I'm being paranoid. I've been delusional before, but this feels different. I'm starting to run into him every couple of days. I've even seen him driving down my street a few times.

He hasn't threatened me, so I can't prove anything to the police. But I'm almost entirely certain that I'm not just being paranoid. He's starting to really freak me out. I only go outside if I am on the phone with someone or if I'm pretending to be on the phone. I'm going to buy mace, and I was thinking about taking photos of his license plate and car so I can give them to the security. Am I being paranoid? What else do people normally do when they think they're being stalked?