let's rock n' roll

it's a dream

_your pov_

Pulling into the driveway of our temporary living space, my friends and I grab our bags and lug them inside. It's a nice place on the outside, but the inside really pulls it all together, with soft bubbly colors and the welcoming smell of the summer breeze. I got the room on the upper floor, peaking through the door to see a queen sized bed with already prepared sheets and pillows. Definitely gonna sleep like a rock tonight.

Placing my suitcase down on the floor, I begin to dig for my microphone as my friends rush to set up their instruments as well. I skip stairs as I make it down to the living room, my friends of course laughing and drinking already despite being here for a max of 10 minutes. Instead of practicing like I expect us to, Sally and Sheila grab me by both arms and give me sly smiles. Without a word, they start to drag me outside to the pool deck, giggling all the while.

"Come on, we can practice later, swim with us!"

TJ agrees with Sheila immediately, throwing me a few choices of bathing suits to try on with a dopey grin. Not being in the mood to argue— paired with the hot sun— I'm compelled to go along with their plan and backtrack inside to change. I enter the bathroom and survey my options; being unable to choose as usual. Picking up the top of a two piece, I hold it up to my body in front of the mirror, turning around to close the door before I get changed. Right as I begin to undress, I glance at the counter once more.

The rest of the bathing suits are gone.

The only other thing left on the counter is the bottoms of the swim suit I just picked up; everything else seemingly gone without a trace.

What the hell...

A voice in the back of my mind is screaming at me to get the fuck out of this room. I feel scared, unsure, and yet intrigued as well. Maybe this place is haunted or some shit? I've always loved a good ghost story.

What am I thinking? That's ridiculous...

As I continue to get undressed and change into my only bathing suit option, my eyes drift to the mirror, looking over my form in the reflection. I was always pretty confident in my looks and body, but being a senior has caused me to really grow into my features. I wouldn't consider myself flawless, but a girl's gotta try her best.

As I stare at my visage however, I feel someone else's eyes on me as well. I avert my gaze from the mirror in order to test my theory and, lo and behold, I still feel the piercing of pupils on my skin. I must be paranoid now...there's no one else in here. I peer around in search of some secret camera hidden in a cabinet or something, but to no avail.

Maybe I'm just crazy?

I take one last look in the mirror before exiting the room; ignoring the chills on the back of my neck. Moments later, I make it outside with the rest of my friends, not sparing them a glance before diving into the pool. I sink towards the bottom for a moment before feeling the water move; everyone else jumping in as well. Rising to the surface, I wipe the water from my eyes and pull myself up to sit on the rim of the in-ground pool.

When I open my eyes however, everything is...different. It's much darker, despite everything being splashed in red light, and a tinge of fog is covering the landscape. Everything is quiet, and I look around to realize that all of my friends are gone as well. Where am I? My surroundings are telling me I'm still at my vacation house, while the smoke and lights are telling me that I've been transported to someone's bumping party.

I stand up from my spot on the ground, ready to lash out if a threat presents itself and doing my best to keep my shit together. Instead of a menacing presence however, I hear what sounds like whistling coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once. A whistle that seems familiar for some reason...

I whip my head around as the voice changes direction; seemingly mocking me and my attempts to track it. It's sultry and seductive in its approach, and I can hear it getting closer as I begin to panic. My body is hot and cold at the same time as water drips from my hair; now all too aware how vulnerable I am in this bikini.

I back away from the pool edge slowly to give myself more room if I need to run, though even that seems to encourage the entity. I feel its presence approach from behind, but I refuse to look back in fear of what I'll see. My blood turns to ice as I feel something stop mere inches from me. My breath hitches.
I'm going to die.

"Guess I was right huh?"

A man. I can sense him fiddling with something as I stand unmoving, hearing the click of what I think is a lighter. He exhales —the smoke in his mouth forming a cloud that travels around the back of my head— proving my suspicions true. I'm not sure what to do. How do I react? Do I respond to him? So many thoughts are racing through my head that I fail to realize that the stranger has suddenly disappeared.

I hurriedly spin around, only to find that I'm alone once again. With bated breath, I manage to grab a towel in order to give myself some comfort against my basically nude skin. Then, it's there again. The whistling that I know so well and yet not at all; this time however, being accompanied by a body to match it. An intimidating yet unbothered looking man is now leaning on the table that I just grabbed my towel from.

How did he get there so fast?

As I lay my eyes on him, I can't help but jump back and gasp. If I wasn't fearing for my life right now, I may have considered how handsome he is. He doesn't really acknowledge me until after he's finished smoking; flicking his cigarette onto the ground and turning his head to look me in the eyes. I immediately tense up, and I'm sure he can tell judging by his carnal smile that sends chills down my spine.

He moves smoothly in order to stand back to his full height, frightening me even further. His eyes look dark and deceitful as he strides over to me with confidence, circling me like a hungry predator. I have nowhere to go, my only options being to hope that he won't kill me or to fight to the best of my ability.

"That one suits you. I knew you'd look good in red."

I understand right away that he's talking about my swim suit. His eyes dance over my body with practiced ease and absent shame, causing my cheeks to redden and my arms to pull the towel closer. He was in the room with me. As I stand there, petrified, he stops to stare into my eyes again, and almost looks...dissatisfied. Like maybe he found something unpleasant on my face, besides fear, I'd take it.

"You don't remember me do you?"

I figure that I should muster up an answer this time, and so —as best as I can— I clear my throat to speak.

"Am I supposed to?"

I try my best to make it sound like a legitimate question rather than a sassy statement, which I pray works for my sake. Considering the look that he gives me after I respond though, I'm not even totally sure if the right answer is the same thing as a good answer. He seems pleased, but I can't decide if that's beneficial to me or not. He takes a step closer and gains a sly look, reaching behind his back with one hand.

Rather than pulling out a weapon as I had expected, I realize that he is instead holding the most lovely rose I have ever seen. I'm taken aback, obviously, but he doesn't seem fazed by my surprised expression. He simply holds the flower up to me with a slight bow of his head, my uncertain eyes meeting his overly-confident ones. The flower, as suspicious as it is, looks familiar to me somehow. Distant, but familiar.

I reach out, suddenly entranced, and my fingers touch the soft surface of the ruby petals. The man flashes an even brighter smile, chuckling almost darkly before rising up to his full height. Eyes locked onto mine, he wets his lips subtly. A melody floats through the chilling air a moment later, filling me with both nostalgia and disbelief. I don't want to believe that I recognize that voice. I don't want to believe that the man in front of me is somehow that same one from all those years ago.

The rose in his hand dissipates into smoke, and I feel my heart skid to a stop.

"Didn't I tell you that I'd see you again, dolly?"