Still

Chapter 1

*NOTE: Most of the things in this book are fiction. However, this is actually based on a true story. For that reason, PLEASE do NOT try to control your dreams in any way, as Charlie does. It will actually cause sleep paralysis, as it is described here. I have taken out the description of the Youtube video so you can't try it. Thanks, I hope you enjoy the story.*

"This is the most effective way to control your dreams, but it's also the most likely to go wrong. I don't think you should try it, use one of my other theories if you want to successfully control your dream." The Youtube video ended and Charlie looked up from her computer screen on her desk. She had recently Googled "Lucid Dreaming," or being able to control your dream. Maybe I could try that last one tonight. The possibility of something going wrong can't be that high-

"Charlotte! I am giving you twenty seconds before I let Gemma leave without you!" Her mother screamed up the stairs.

"I'm coming! Freak." She said softly.

"I heard that! Now you have ten seconds!"

"I'm on my way!" She stayed sitting at the desk.

"9,8-"

"I'm coming!" She stood and stretched a little.

"7,6,5-"

"Stop counting!" She casually strolled around her room, picking up her things.

"4,3-"

"Mom!" She groaned.

"2,1! I'm coming up!"

Charlie heard her mom pounding up the stairs. She quickly walked over to her door and opened it at the exact same time her mom burst through.

"Hi mom! Gotta go!" She gave her mother a quick kiss on the cheek before sprinting out the door.

"Charlie!" screamed Charlie's best friend, Gemma. Aw, thought Charlie. Gemma was super nice, loving, sweet, and just about everything else you could imagine. But, she was pretty stupid. Not stupid, oblivious. Oblivious to basically everything around her. Oblivious to her perfect hair, face, and makeup. Oblivious to the way everyone stares at her beauty when she walked by. Oblivious to the amount of guy attention she has. Oblivious to the size of her boobs. Oblivious to the fact that she was super, super popular.

"Hi babe!" Gemma hugged her best friend of 12 years, since her family moved into the house two streets across from each other.

"Heyz." Charlie responded, as per their usual greeting. They hopped into Gemma's car and rode the 20 minutes it took to get to their high school.

"So I was texting Aaron, who talked to Brit, and she said that Kara told her that Matt likes you." Gemma fixed her perfect beachy waves in the rear view mirror of her car while driving.

"Cool," Charlie said as she snapped her fingers in front of Gemma's face and put the mirror back. "You shouldn't be doing that while your driving, your hair is fine."

Gemma opened her mouth in protest.

"And there's no lipstick in your teeth."

"But-"

"You're eyeshadow has not smudged in the last couple seconds since you looked at a mirror." Charlie refuted Gemma's protests before they left her mouth.

Before long the girls pulled up at their high school. It was so big it actually needed two campuses, East and West. Charlie's first class was in West, while Gemma took off for East before their 7:20 classes started.

"Well, well, well, Miss Charlotte, care to tell me why you're so rushed to get to class this morning?"

"Not at all, Mrs. Simmons." Charlie addressed her old English teacher, whom had never really liked her, regardless of her straight A's all semester and the cookies she baked for her on her birthday.

"I do hope you have a good reason." Mrs. Simmons stared her down while speaking with a squeaky, slightly British accent.

"Well, my friend Gemma and I were a little late to get out this morning, for you see i was doing a little research on-"

"Research! Charlotte, I have never known you to be one to leave school work to the morning it's due!"

"Of course I wouldn't do that, the very thought makes me sick! I was simply researching the depth and intriguing complications between Catherine Linton and Heathcliff. I already finished A Tale of Two Cities."

That was Simmons' seemingly only weakness: a student with as much of a love for classic literature as big as hers.

"Well, get to class." She caved and Charlie sprinted to her class as the door was being shut.

"Oops! Good morning, Miss Birkbeck. I love that blouse." She said to her homeroom teacher.

She smiled. "Take your seat."

"Hey," Brittany whisper-greeted her as Charlie dropped her bookbag in the seat next to her friend.

"Dan Carter?"

"Here."

"Serena Catz?"

"Present."

"Nicholas Colby?"

"Over here."

Miss Birkbeck paused.

"Charlotte Connor?"

Charlie smiled.

"Here."