Alone in French

Six- awful

"God you look awful."

Grant stands outside the gas station, doughnut in hand.  I tug pathetically on my college sweatshirt.  It was mom's.  I usually put it over top a collared shirt and jeans, like I did today.

"Bad dream." I say flatly.

Caelum tugs on my arm, "I want a doughnut!"

I'm about to shut him down when Grant pulls out another doughnut, "good thing I go you one," he turns to me, "I didn't get you one because you don't eat, weirdo."

"Good thought, I hate doughnuts." I reply.

Not a lie.  I do hate doughnuts.  They're sticky and the texture is gross.  Besides, I had a parfait on the way here.  Caelum had nothing.

"Shall we get going?" I ask.

Grant nods and begins to lead the way.  Caelum and I follow close behind, until he slows to walk me to me.

"Are you okay?" Grant asks quietly, "what happened in your dream?"

I can barely remember at this point.  I finally fell back asleep about an hour after I initially woke up, then when my alarm went off I couldn't remember what exactly happened.  I remember the car, and hitting something, but the other pieces are gone.  It bothers me.  I want to remember what happened, but I can't.

"I forgot most of it," I admit, "it woke me up so it must've been pretty bad."

Grant nods slowly, as if he were trying to remember the dream for me.  I cross my arms over my chest, despite it being September, it's still quite cold.  Grant seems unbothered.  Wearing a blue flannel over a grey shirt and jeans like he's night cold in the slightest.  He's probably not.

"Nevaeh, I think that dream was a sign." Grant says finally.

"Sign for what?" I ask, not scared.

He sighs and looks at Caelum, who is now skipping ahead, "Nat had nightmares too.  The spirits controlled them and showed her things.  They showed her things that would eventually happen, I think your dreams might be the same."

Now I really wish I could remember my dream.  What did the car hit?  Why can't I remember important parts?

I quiet ringing floods my ears as we walk near the forest. 

"Why do my ears do that?" I ask.

"It's the spirits.  They're trying to scare you out, but you're stubborn." Grant says simply.

He quickens his pace so we leave the forest faster, taking the ringing away.

"Bye Nev! Bye Nev's boyfriend!" Caelum yells as he runs to his school.

"He's not my boyfriend, dipstick!" I shout back.

He sticks his tongue out at me and continues running. My cheeks color painfully and I drop my head in my hands.

"You're brother is cool." Grant notes.

"Don't encourage him." I groan.

He laughs and we walk into school.