Your Tutor

Chapter Thirteen

—
Maylee Lych: Five Days Later
—

I crawl into bed next to Cameron, nuzzling myself under her arm and the blanket.

I'm getting sick of that nightmare. It's been six years, it shouldn't be this prominent. But, at this point, it's happening damn near every night. It sucks that I can't find the reason. There have been no significant changes in my life — minus Forest. He seems to make the dreams go away, though. So I'm at a loss.

Ja'lyn would probably help. I should call him. I miss my brother.

"Maylee," Cameron whispers, her voice soft and filled with drowsiness. "What's wrong, honey?" she asks, brushing her fingers through my curly hair.

I sniffle, pushing further into the fabric of her sweatshirt. "Nightmare," I mumble. "I'm okay."

She wraps both arms around me, completely forgetting about her loving boyfriend next to her. Sometimes I think about how he would feel being in a relationship with someone who has such a close bond with their best friend. I'll take Cameron away from him if I need something — not on purpose — and she'll always choose me over him. It's not healthy for them, I understand that. But he always denies it. He says he gets it. Mackai is so patient. So perfect.

I think it's weird that he doesn't mind. I mean, I have your girlfriend glued to my back at all times. But again, he'll just put up with it — further proving that he is the best thing that has ever happened to Cameron.

"Want to call Brooks?" she asks, holding me closer. "I don't know if he's awake, but we can try," she adds with a tiny chuckle.

I snicker, but ultimately shake my head. "No. I don't want him to think of me as 'the girl who has nightmares'. Not a good start to a relationship," I say. "It's not that serious. You know they come and go. He wouldn't care, either."

She sighs. "This is the fifth time this week. Hmm? It's serious. Something is setting you off."

"I know," I mumble quietly.

"Maurice's birthday is coming up. Is that it?"

I shake my head. "It doesn't affect me this severely. I just... I don't know."

My mother — Maurice — died December 19th, fourteen years ago. That's the source of my nightmares. Not her, but her traumatic death. And the dream becomes more frequent towards days I am prone to remembering her, such as Christmas, her birthday, and Thanksgiving. Though, not once throughout all these years, have they gotten this prominent. Maybe in the beginning, but that's more explanatory.

"Goodnight, Cameron," I mumble.

She kisses me on the head. "'Night."

—

"Did you sleep last night?" Forest asks by my ear.

I crack one eye open to peek at him. "Mm. Yeah," I mumble, tucking my face back between my arms.

A lie.

The girls, and a couple of their friends, guys and girls included, and a couple of their friends, decided to hang out in the Commons. I was invited, so was Cameron, but I didn't want to go. I did, though. I hate letting them down. But I'm regretting it the longer I stay here.

I'm laying across a black couch, flat on my stomach. Cameron was sitting by my feet, but she moved to sit with Mackai.

"Can I lay with you?" he asks, smoothing a hand up my back.

I'm not one for physical contact, but when I'm tired — or sick — I'll let it slide. I am like the cat I had in fifth grade. She despised being brushed or pet, but if she was sleeping or about to go to sleep, she would let you lay with her. Or if she was being fed, but I think she was just using her charm so I would hurry up and put her food down.