“I love you so much, Megan. I will keep you safe,” he says.
When I open my eyes, I gasp at the moon. A shadow slowly passes over it.
An eclipse. Except, it’s not.
Casper and I untangle ourselves, holding each other tightly.
“Is that a…”
“Dragon.”
I hold Casper tight, refusing to let go. The Sprites have declared war and sent dragons. I want it to end. For them to stop chasing us, so we can be together. But I know it will never stop. Not unless I do something about it. I will do anything to be with Casper. He is my heart and my soul. He is what home feels like.
“We have to go,” he whispers and pulls me to my feet.
A screech echoes in the night causing us to cover our ears. Fire erupts from the mysterious flying beast above. We hear a loud explosion off in the distance and both turn our heads in the direction. The same direction as Casper’s home.
I gasp at the dragon above us with wisps of dark smoke. In the distance, I hear more cannons and guns and orange illuminates the sky. A war started by our love. And we’re running again.
I want to skip school today, but the way my parents are, I know better. Plus, it’s the first day back after Christmas break. It’s been two weeks, and I still haven’t heard from Vincent. It makes me sad.
Dragging myself out of bed, I reluctantly slip a maroon sweater over my head and slide on some jeans. I brush through the thick, long tangled mess that is my hair and put on makeup. My eyes are bloodshot like I have been awake all night or cried all night. Or like I spent the entirety of my dream running through a forest. Every time a cannon fired, I woke up. And when I fell back asleep, I returned to the dream like I never left. Needless to say, I’m exhausted.
When I meet Cherry at school, I put on a brave face, but every time someone slams a locker, I jump. I keep looking around thinking I’m going to see an orange sky in the distance or a dragon.
“Are you okay? Why are you so jumpy?”
“Dreams.”
“Ugh. You’re still having them? Have you written down the story at all?”
“Yes. I’ve written everything. Even Vincent and I came up with ideas and created this elaborate world, but I’m still having the dreams.”
“I take it Vincent doesn’t know you’re dreaming about Casper.”
I give her a pointed look.
She throws up her hands. “Hey, just asking.”
“It doesn’t matter. Still haven’t heard from Vincent.”
“Ugh. What is up with him?”
I shrug.
“Least you remembered to wear the necklace today. Maybe he’s just going through a lot and isn’t used to having anyone to talk to about it.”
“Maybe.” But a small part of me wonders if he’s using drugs again. Or is there someone else? My stomach twists at the thought. Did something happen to his mom? I have to trust him.
All day is a blur and I’m so sleepy, but I’m scared to pass out in class for fear I’ll dream again. And I don’t want to say something in the middle of class. Or scream if a cannon goes off in my dream world.
On my way to third period science, I feel someone tenderly take my hand and pull me off to the side. I jump and I’m ready to attack, but when I turn, I’m shocked to see Casper. He looks exhausted. My heart launches into rapid-fire mode, not because he scared the crap out of me. We haven’t spoken in weeks, and I thought for sure the dreams would have stopped by now, but they’ve only worsened.
“What?” I ask.
“Will you please talk to me?” Casper pleads. “This is driving me crazy.”
I sigh and try not to focus on all the people staring at us as they pass. Like they’re shocked that Casper’s speaking to someone like me. I meet his eyes. “Fine. I’ll call you tonight when I get off work, okay?”
“Can I have your number in case you decide to throw mine away?”
I stare at him and he raises his eyebrows. I reluctantly agree. If this is what it takes to get rid of him, fine. He can call all he wants, but I don’t have to answer. “Do you have a pen?”
He holds one out but the end of it looks as though a dog chewed on it. He clears his throat and reaches for another one. “Sorry,” he says. “Little on edge lately.”
I take the non-chewed pen and he holds out his hand. I disregard the tingling sensation I get when I touch his hand. I write my number, hand him back his pen, and walk away. I can’t believe I gave Casper Truitt my number. I am stupid. I totally set myself up for endless prank calls and who knows what. My number could be posted all over town if someone wanted to have a good time. I wouldn’t put it past him or his friends to do that. What have I done?
Chapter Thirteen
What on earth possessed me to give Casper my number? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Am I that lonely now that Vincent and I aren’t together or whatever we are? Casper just wants to talk. It isn’t like I’m actually going to fall in love with him. After class, I meander toward English, grateful that it’s the end of the day, but I dread having to work tonight. I can’t wait to get home to face plant into my pillow and stay that way until the morning.
“Why are you talking to Casper?” Amber McLachlan demands as she shuts
