Awake (Dream Come True Book 2)

Chapter 2- Familiar Faces

The next morning I somehow pulled myself out of bed to face an empty house. It was a Monday, so there was school. I'm sure it would be fine if I had stayed home, but I was done sitting alone with my thoughts.

I got dressed slowly, a hollow feeling settling in. I didn't mind it, it was better than the ugly gut feeling. I threw on some dark jeans. They were a little baggy on me, but a lot of people purposely wear them like that so it didn't bother me. On top of that a threw on a light blue sweatshirt, because hoods always bothered me, especially when they won't sit right, so they end up sticking out weird.

I kept the socks I slept in on, and slipped on my dirty converse. I pretty much only wore converse, since they go with pretty much anything.

I slung my too-light backpack off its hook and over my shoulders, wincing at the pain in my ribs, and double checked I had everything. My hair naturally fell pretty nice so I didn't feel the need to brush it or anything before I went on my way.

The door shut loudly behind me, making me jump like it always had. I walked quickly towards the sidewalk, a weird habit I always did, and slowed down as I made my way to school.

The walk was cold and boring, as it usually was, so I was able to zone out, and soon enough I found myself at the front of my school. It seemed eerily unfamiliar, as if it wasn't actually my school. I shrugged off that feeling and went in.

As every high school is I walked in, and all eyes turned to me, and a spotlight turned on, and Obama was there... Just kidding, no one gives a shit. I went in through the front and walked towards B lockers, finding mine in the middle row. I grabbed the books I needed, then walked to my first period: psych.

I walked into the room a little bit before the bell rang, taking my usual seat on the far right row, towards the middle. Normally I would've gone right back to sleep, but I couldn't take any more chances. I'd already collected a few detention at this school, and I couldn't afford to be expelled again. This was my last chance.

As the teacher began her lecture, the kid next to me tapped my desk to get my attention.

"Hey, where you been?" she asked.

"Just out," I shrugged. She nodded, accepting that answer and turned to look at the power point. I pretended to take notes and pay attention. I mean, I could've easily participated for real, but I didn't want teachers to start expecting shit from me. That'd get real bad, real fast.

At the end of her lecture, she projected these words onto the board: "Brain Development in Children Project- due end of the semester."

"As you can see, I'm assigning a project that's due next week. I think it'd be easiest to complete it in pairs, so I'll assign partners. If you have any problems with the partner I assign you, or you want to work alone, talk to me after class, please," the teacher (I forgot her name) said.

I enjoyed doing projects; they're much easier and more fun than homework. I listened carefully for mine and my partners name, and raised my hand when I was called. I scanned the room for another hand and found them towards the back. I stood up and went to grab the handout from the front before making my way over to my partner.

As I walked up, he smiled sweetly and waved. He looked strangely familiar. I almost waved back before another person walked in front of me, starting up a conversation with him. Oh my god, I almost embarrassed myself so badly.

"Hi, we're partners. I'm Jayden," I said, trying very hard to be friendly. He looked over, looked me up and down, then ignored me. I was taken aback for a moment. Maybe he didn't hear me. I sat down next to him, since he was at a lab table, and moved the paper in front of us.

"Wanna go over the instructions?" I smiled slightly. He looked over, clearly annoyed.

"Uh, no, not really," he said as if I'd asked him if he'd wanted to jump off a cliff for me.

"Fine, then do you want to split up the work now?" I asked. He huffed and turned around, his hazel

"Okay, clearly, you can not take a hint. Oh my god, leave me alone," he said incredulously. I stood up dramatically.

"Okay, I don't know what your problem is, but I'm not gonna fail this project because you're a pissy little asshole. Either do it all yourself, or talk to me for five goddamn minutes to figure out how we're gonna do this," I snapped.

"Alright, jeez," he rolled his hazel eyes and looked at the paper. I read over his shoulder, subconsciously moving closer to his familiar scent. Luckily, I noticed my closeness before he did and backed off. I refocused on the paper. Children... development....environment...parents...simulation.... What the fuck. Aren't these types of projects a home-ec thing?

"Oh so we're that baby thing they do in movies? Easy," he sighed. "You can come over to my house today at 4. Don't stay for dinner," he said, writing his address down on a sticky note. I silently grabbed the note and went up to the front to grab one of the toy babies. What a bitch.

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The rest of the day was uneventful. I had all 6 of my periods, so it passed pretty quick. By the time I was able to go home, I couldn't remember why I'd wanted to go to school in the first place. It was way too long and way too draining for something so boring. Truly, a waste of time.

I stopped at my locker and put back the books. No point in trying to look like I'm doing the homework. After my backpack was empty, besides the baby, I sling it over my shoulder, and started going home.