Dreams

3.

I can't seem to remember what happened next. I saw people at a park, and I was glued to a bench, taking everything in. But the next thing I knew, I was back in my bed, soaked in sweat. I looked around my room. There's nothing wrong, nothing out of place. Everything seems to be back to normal. I held my hands in front of my face, examining my palms and backs of them. Normal. I had a pounding headache, which should be fixed with a huge glass of cold water and ibuprofen. I laid there in my bed for a few minutes before getting up. I was trying to process everything I just experienced. The bottle of pills were still beside me on my nightstand. I debated whether or not I wanted to try them again. I mean, I've never been more terrified and exhilarated before. 

As I stood up, I felt light and airy. Almost like a floating cloud. I got in the shower and the water felt like it never felt before. I still felt like I was in a dream, and all of my senses were enhanced. The shampoo felt heavenly as I washed my hair, and I kept thinking of my dreams last night. It was a dream turned into a nightmare. I couldn't wait to tell Natalie, and especially write about it.

I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my body as I made my way to my bed. I grabbed my phone, searching for Natalie's name so I could text her. My phone was being really weird, and I worried it was broken somehow. What the hell? It was glitching out like it never has before, and I was frustrated. I tossed it back on my bed and continued to get ready. 

I was in my bathroom applying makeup when a weird sound was coming from my bedroom. It was a strange ringing noise that definitely wasn't my phone's ringtone. I selected the simple, non-annoying tone of the list but the ringing was bizarre. I entered my room and sure enough, my screen was lit up with an incoming call from Natalie. I picked up my phone and held it to my ear. "Hello?"

"Where are you? You are so late Megan." Natalie immediately spoke. My head was pounding and I was still out of it. Late for what? Did I make plans I was unaware of and then forgot about them ever since I had my dream last night?

"I'm sorry, what?" 

"Don't you remember? I invited you to that event on Facebook. The bookstore where all the publishers would be? It's today. Don't you wanna meet them and tell them about your books? This is so important for your career." Natalie was explaining and I was completely lost. I stared at myself in the mirror, a towel still wrapped around me and not ready at all.

"God, you're so out of the loop. All the time." Natalie was annoyed. "I'm texting you the address. Get here. Fast." She hung up.

Okay, well I assumed I had the day to myself to just relax and settle my mind from the insanity last night but I guess I had plans to meet publishers at an event I had no recollection of. My phone was being weird so I restarted it and found an outfit to wear. You can't go wrong with jeans and a sweater. I was casual and comfortable but presentable. Is this what a good writer wears? I don't know.

I got in my car and started making my way towards the popular book store. It wasn't too far and I wish I had a chance to stop and get coffee, but if I'm any later than I already am, Natalie will have a fit. I know she cares about me and just wants me to get myself out there, and not be so closed off and introverted but sometimes I feel like she's my manager and she drives me crazy.

Shit. I was planning on bringing a few of my notebooks with rough drafts to show the publishers, but I'm already pulling up to the book store and there's no time now. I looked at myself in the mirror. For some odd reason, I looked different. I didn't even resemble myself. I shut the car door and hurried to the front door. The snow had completely melted overnight (how?) but I wasn't going to complain about that. The snow can fuck off.

"Megan!" Natalie said the second I walked in the building. She had a drink in her hand and was talking to a tall guy with a suit and gray hair. He was very intimidating from the start.