The Power Of Choice

Chapt 10

~Jackson~

I opened my eyes to the oh too familiar sight of the white speckled ceiling, rolling over to turn off the alarm that had managed to drag me out of my slumber. I sat up in bed, stretching and looking around my room, unsure why I felt that something wasn't right. I wasn't sure what it was, but something about this morning felt...off. An inkling in the back of my mind that I just couldn't shake.

I brushed it off as nothing important and quickly threw my covers off unto the floor, before making my way into my bathroom. I followed my normal routine; cold shower, followed by quick dry, followed by a healthy amount of toothpaste and mouthwash. Yet no matter what I did I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.

I sat at the foot of my bed thinking about what it could possibly be that I was forgetting, straining my mind till I finally realized what it was.

I hadn't dreamed last night.

After weeks of the same recurring dream happening over and over again, every day without rest, It suddenly...stopped? I wasn't sure whether I should have been happy that the dreams had stopped pestering me, or sad at the fact that I wouldn't be seeing my dream companion, dream crush, anymore. Of course it just might have been a onetime thing. Missing one night didn't mean that it would stop completely. Yet, somehow, I could feel that I wouldn't be having those dreams anymore.

A little unsettled and confused, I quickly dressed and pulled my old backpack from the bottom of my closet. It was covered in dust and was a bit worn out, but it was all I had until I either got a new bag or got back my other one. After stuffing my books and papers into it as quickly as I could, I exited my room and softly made my way downstairs. I quickly took out a few lunch tins and took out three servings from the left over Alfredo from last night.

I really didn't want to have to go to the cafeteria for a few days, so it was best to pack my own lunch from home. Of course I also wanted to give some to Mitch so he could sample my home cooking, and if I made some for Mitch I needed to make sure Leo wasn't eft out. Hopefully none of them had packed lunch for today.

With lunch secured I made my way out of the house, this time making sure to head to the front of the house and next to the bus stop to wait on the bus. I wasn't planning on taking any chances with the woods for a little while, so the bus was going to be my mode of transportation for next few days. I put in my ear buds, losing myself to the melodies that flowed from them, hoping to simply settle myself for hopefully, an uneventful day.

As the bus wrapped around the corner and pulled up in front of me, I glanced through the windows only to notice several persons already standing on the inside. I was really hoping I'd manage to snag a seat since it was so early in the morning, but I guess today wasn't my lucky day.

I paid the fair and trudged on through to the back of the bus, only to notice a few seats filled with bags. I felt a pang of annoyance at how inconsiderate people seemed to be, but still decided not to push the issue. I wasn't going to be on the bus too long anyway so it didn't really matter.

I shook my head and turned up the volume on my phone, preparing to fully tune everything out, only for someone to start poking me in the side. I glanced behind me, the annoyance I was feeling most likely showing, only to be met with the smiling face of Mitch.

"Hey. Morning man, wasn't expecting to run into you here." He playfully punched me in the side of my arm.

"M-Morning Mitch, I could say the same to you." All the previous grievances I'd had earlier, seemed to melt away at the sight of his smiling face. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy to see him.