I continued down the corridor and turned at the last door. I walked into the large library and sighed, the sight of the vast book collection filling me with happiness. I walked past many aisles of shelves and stopped suddenly when I saw someone standing at the other end. I walked down the aisle and smiled, as he looked intently for a book, unaware of my presence.
“May I help,” I asked.
Aaron turned and smiled mischievously. His light brown hair was longer and almost obscured his eyes. His light clothing made him look extremely young.
“If you like,” he replied. “Although I have a feeling the book, I’m looking for is already in your possession and most likely hidden in the piles of books you like to keep lying around.”
He wrapped his arms around me and I relaxed into his embrace.
“What book?” I asked.
“It doesn’t matter. There are plenty of others to choose from. I’m certain I’ll be able to read it when you’re finished.” He reached up and gently brushed my hair away from my face.
“I won’t know which book to finish if you don’t tell me the name,” I pointed out.
“Don’t worry. There is plenty of time for me to read it when you’ve finished.”
Just as I was about to suggest a book, I heard a noise.
“Did you hear that?” I asked, pulling away from him.
Feeling a presence at the end of the aisle, I turned to look. Aaron pulled me behind him, protectively. Fear gripped me, not because of the intruder, but because of Aaron’s reaction. He was tensed for a fight. I leaned to the side so I could see around him, but I couldn’t make out who approached us.
I sat up and looked around my dark room. I immediately realized that I’d been having another dream. I was relieved that this dream hadn’t turned into a nightmare, but I was disturbed that it seemed like it had been very close to becoming one.
I got up and went to the bathroom. I turned on the light, aware that Jaden’s bed was empty. I turned on the faucet and got a glass of water. I turned off the light and walked back to bed.
Just as I was about to get back into bed, there was a loud knock on the door. I jumped at the unexpected sound, almost spilling the water in my glass. I placed the glass on my nightstand and went over to the door and unlocked it.
I opened the door, but no one was there. I looked out into the hallway and didn’t see anyone in either direction. I shut the door and went back to my bed. Just as I reached it, there was another knock, this time louder. I sighed and walked back over to the door and opened it. Again, there was no one. I glanced down the hallway and saw Katie Collins walking from the stairs to her room. I guessed that she was returning from her boyfriend’s room on the fifth floor.
“Did you see anyone just now?” I asked.
“No,” she answered, her annoyance obvious.
I closed the door and waited. After about a minute, nothing else happened. I shrugged and turned to go back to bed.
I froze, seeing his tall frame in the moonlight. I backed up against the door and fumbled around as I tried to find the doorknob.
“Were you looking for me?” he asked, reaching for me. “You should have run when you had the chance.”
Not knowing what else to do, I screamed.
I sat up in bed, covered in sweat and still screaming. Comforting arms held me and I broke down into tears, overwhelmed by my nightmare.
“Everything’s okay, Shay,” Jaden said as I cried on her shoulder. “Do you want to tell me about it?’”
I shook my head, gripping her tighter at the thought of having to talk about it. We sat together for a long time. Finally, after I’d cried myself out and my eyes had dried, I pulled away. Even in the dark, I could see the concern in her eyes.
“It wasn’t really that bad,” I said, trying to ease her concern, but faulty due to the rawness of my voice.
“Shaylee Neale,” she said, looking suspicious. “I’m here to make you feel better. Don’t you dare lie to me in an attempt to make me feel better.”
“Am I really that obvious?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
She didn’t reply. She just continued staring at me with suspicion.
“Alright,” I conceded. “It was a bad dream.”
“Will you tell me about it?” she asked.
I shrugged and looked away. I was embarrassed enough. I wasn’t sure I wanted to add to it.
“Please, Shay. Just tell me what happened.”
I sighed, knowing I was going to give in.
***
A few hours later, I opened my eyes and saw the bright red numbers of the alarm clock glaring back at me. I had less than fifteen minutes before it would go off. I looked over at Jaden and saw the she was still asleep. She had never changed her clothes and was still wearing her rather crumpled looking uniform.
Jaden had been obviously concerned by my dream, but she hadn’t made me feel worse about it. We’d stayed up talking until around three o’clock. I really didn’t understand what going on with my dreams, but at least Jaden didn’t make me feel crazy.
I stared at the ceiling, not wanting to get up, but knowing I didn’t have enough time to go back to sleep. Right before the alarm went off, I turned it off. I dreaded the thought of going to class, but as much as I disliked the idea of listening to my teachers all day, the idea of detention was worse. Plus, the only way I would see Aaron, was if I went
