Curiosity

Dreams all turn to dust

I knead my toes into the soft, lush grass of the open field. In the moon light the endless fields of rippling grass turns silver, and the stars looked like pinholes in the rolling black sheet that is night.  The breeze is warm and ruffles my hair gently, like a soft caress of a parent.

Suddenly there is a warmth against my back and pressure around my body. It almost feels like.. a hug?

“Dallas?” I say aloud, turning quickly to try to catch a glimpse of my best friend.

Nothing. I try not to let the disappointment dampen my spirit. This place is really beautiful and I don't want to ruin the tranquillity of the environment.

Yes? 

I pause. I could of sworn.... no.

I continue walking through the field of silver. As I walk the landscape changes. The stars fall like leaves and the sky shatters into iridescent dust. The liquid silver pool I am now standing in sucks at my toes, as if trying to stop me from walking. The dust and stars get caught into a whirlwind and take shape of a person. The stardust humanoid walks over to me, taking my hand.

“Dallas.” I say, no longer a question. The sky-being nods their head slowly, confirming my hopes.

I hug him, gently, afraid that if I squeeze too hard he will shatter and blow away with the wind forever.

“I've missed you so much! I am so sorr-” He puts a sparkling finger up to my lips and shakes his head.

Don't be sorry. It wasn't your fault.

“Well, it feels like it's my fault..” I retort glumly. If he had a face I could of sworn he would of smiled just then. His smooth, featureless face remained so, but he stroked my back in a comforting way.

I miss you too. Don't be sad, it's very nice where I am right now. I know so much more then I used to, but I'm sure you will figure it all out on your own.

I don't answer him, I just hold him. At least he's happy where ever he is. After what only seems like minutes, but could have been hours, Dallas pulls away from me, still keeping a hand in mine.

I have to go. I don't know if I'll ever see you again, but in case I don't know that I love you. You don't have to love me, but just know that someone loves you. Good bye, Kat.” He releases my hand and starts to hover towards the empty sky, which was slowly starting to fill with clouds of gold-dust.

“Wait!” I grab for his hand, but it disintegrates and floats forever upwards towards the clouds.

Good bye.

I sob as his body slowly morphs, returning to its place in the pinhole sky. The clouds clear and all I'm left with is the full moon, glowing hauntingly in the darkness, once again bathing the grass in its silver light.

I awake with a start, clutching at my sheets and choking back tears. 

A thunderous knocking starts at my door, jolting me out of my bed. I struggle to keep my tears from falling and run to get the door. I open it in a rush, stumbling and having to hold onto the frame for support.

“Hel-lo?” I say, my voice cracking. Jullian stands before me, clearly unimpressed.

“The least you could have done was make yourself presentable. No matter, lets go.” He growls, stalking down the hallway with me in tow.

I tousle my hair as I follow Jullian through the halls, attempting to rearrange it in a less-messy way. I tried my best to force the dream to the back of my head, but thoughts of Dallas were like a ringing in my ear. Dazed, I failed to notice that Jullian had stopped in front of me. My thin frame slammed into his back, effectively knocking me towards the ground. Jullian whipped around and managed to catch my flailing arms. We stood there for a moment, me dangling there, half-fallen, and him gripping both my wrists with one of his massive hands.

“Watch where you're going.” He growled, before yanking me to my feet and releasing my hands. I put my head down and follow Jullian into the room he had just turned into.

It was the same room we had watched Sasha and Drake fight. The chairs were still set up, and some of them were already filled. That peculiar girl with the spider legs was already sitting in the front row, next to a dark haired girl with mocha coloured skin. I think I met her earlier, though I didn't really keep track of all the handshakes.

“Hi there!”

I spun on my heels to look behind me.

“Gah! Jesu- Uh, hi.” I catch myself. The peppy blonde in the pink jogging suit is in front of me, waving happily.

“Hey, it's me! Lisa! We met earlier?” She grins at me, and I can't help to smile back. This girl seems genuinely nice, and not some bitchy girl trying to trick me into a false friendship.

“Oh, yeah. I remember.” I awkwardly smile back at her.

“Hey, you should totally come sit with me! We can talk, and get to be great great friends!” Lisa beamed, bobbing her head from side to side while she talked.

“Um, I would but.. Maybe later? I'd rather stay here with Jullian..” I mumble, glancing towards Jullian, who had already taken his seat in the last row. Lisa shook her head quickly, still beaming.

“Oh, pooh! I'm sure that ol' grumpy guts will be fine by himself! Please, I insist! Come sit with-” Lisa began, but was cut of by a loud, whiney voice.

“Lisa! Where are you? Ugh!” Sasha then came stomping through the door, her heels clicking angrily against the tiled floor. She came to a sudden stop when she saw the two of us conversing.

“Oh, with the new girl. How predictable.” She sneered, then pulled her good girl act together.

“Hi there Katharine. Kat is short for Katharine, right?” She said to me, in a gooey voice, as if she were talking to a child.

“Yeah, it is. Though I prefer Kat-”

“Yes, yes how interesting. Now, Lisa. Come on, we need to go get a good seat.” Sasha interrupts, parading past me while swishing her hips. Lisa turned to give me an apologetic look before following in pursuit. I stand there for a minute before turning to Jullian. He was staring straight ahead, completely ignoring the situation. I let out an exasperated sigh before joining him.

 The room slowly fills up with more kids. Most looked to be about my age, perhaps a little older. Then again, I didn't exactly look my own age either.

The last to enter was Mr. Balgoff, escorted by two guards and what looked like a medic.

“Good to see every ones here! We will start shortly, but first we need to review the rules.” There was a class-wide groan.

“Now, now. Don't get whiny. Then we will be pulling names from the hat to see who goes first.” Excited chatter flickered through the room before the elderly Professor glared, hushing them. After he seemed satisfied with the volume of the room he continued.

“Rule number one: The safe word is 'STOP'. With someone says this, you must halt. Failure to do so will result in consequence.” Mr, Balgoff raked the students with his eyes, enforcing his warning.

“Second rule is have fun. This is a friendly competition, and I will not tolerate any sort of harassment or bullying.” It may have been my imagination, but it seemed like Mr. Balgoff's eyes lingered on Sasha as he spoke.

“And the third and final rule is no hits to the face, head, or unmentionables. Also, if your ability as been labelled unsafe for training, please; don't use it.” Mr. Balgoff finishes, shuffling off to the side of the room. He then flicks a switch and the shades go up, revealing the large window. I turn to Jullian with a puzzled expression.

“Abilities?” Jullian just hushes me and points back to the front of the room. Professor Balgoff had pulled out a large top hat, seemingly from no where, and had his hand digging around inside.