My best disorders

Dreamy

I stood in the large room. The school auditorium. I've seen it in newspapers. It was a historical build, separated from the school itself and used even by the members of the local town hall.

The principal was talking. I zoned out. 

What if Annabelle, from my dream, was going to meet with Liam when she flies to Canada, instead of the "forgotten childhood friends" trope? That would be much better, then Sia could...

But I got interrupted, by Annabelle herself. I rubbed my eyes. 

On the podium, next to the principal there was a young girl with short, white, wavy hair and white skin. Albino, as I imagined her. She had a lot of freckles and green, sparkling eyes. She was supposed to have insecurities, but her staying right next to the teachers, a wide smile on her face, waving at the crowd isn't something she would do.

What if it wasn't Annabelle? I probably saw the girl somewhere and created Annabelle after her. Yeah, that's what probably happened, right?! 

It was possible. Annabelle was supposed to have a light green streak of hair, and she didn't have one. 

My heart rate started returning to normal. It was all just a messy coincidence.

The principal was still talking, so I started listening.

- ...the student council will be elected next week, at the weekly school assembly. There are 20 spots in total, 10 taken by students with experience. And for the freshmen, if you have trouble finding your class or adapting to the routine, you can pay a visit to our guide, Annabelle Johnson.

Annabelle stepped forward, and I saw her streak of green hair, tucked behind her ear.

...this wasn't happening. Was it a dream? Of course it was, people from daydreams don't just spawn out of nowhere...

- Hello to everyone! Annabelle said. Her voice was exactly how I thought it should sound, enthusiastic and lively. As the principal just informed you all, I am Annabelle. I just started my junior year and I'm happy to assist you anytime! I have my program occupied for the first twenty minutes, but my friends, Sia, Nick and Liam are happy to help if you need anything!

A little group of people starting waving at the crowd. I recognized Sia, or Anastasia, 's long, wavy hair. 

This wasn't happening. It shouldn't be happening...

Annabelle went back to her place. For the rest of the speech, I couldn't hear a single thing. What in the world was happening...?

Annabelle has been one of the first characters I ever created. Well, at first, she was supposed to be an unproblematic side characters, the ones that get the spotlight once every two seasons, for two minutes.

But as time passed, I added so many details and changed her story so much, I gave her an entire new dream. She was the character I worked most on.

And as the principal stopped talking and the teens started heading to the club expositions, I sat there, still shocked.

And Annabelle was coming towards me.

 - Hi Signy! she waved to me and smiled, coming closer. 

She gave me a hug and sat on the chair next to mine.

- How have you been? I haven't seen you in a while!

...

- Signy? 

She laughed. What was so funny? And where did she know my name from?

- Oh yeah, I forgot you think I exist only in your mind. Whelp, I don't, as you can see.

how-

- Don't worry, I'm not a stalker or anything, but I've been informed a long time ago you started having daydreams of me!

I blushed. Where did she know all these things? No one, absolutely no one knew how much I actually daydream.

- Oh, you didn't know, did you? Eh, life. Lemme explain what happened. But first, let's get out of here.

She grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me along the hall of the auditorium. 

We got outside. She let me go. 

- We can go to the park to chat a bit.

- s-shouldn't you help others orientate...?

- Silly, why did you think I said I'm occupied for the first twenty minutes? I should've said more, there's so much to talk about! Follow me!

We went to the football field. Well, it wasn't really a football field. The school had a volley, basketball and tennis team, but stopped investing in football since 1962. Now, it was mostly used as a park, with trees planted in the middle of the field and benches at each two steps.

Annabelle chose a random one and we sat down. I felt a headache settle in.

- Y'know, when I entered high school, the first week was brutal. I had no friends, my sister didn't have any of the classes I did, I wasn't used to the food...

- I know... I whispered.

She looked at me for a second, before laughing.

- I forgot. Do you want to know how all this happened?

I nodded.

- Aight, here we go. One year ago, after I had just finished freshmen year, I was informed that my story "was so inspiring" that a child started daydreaming about it. I know, weird. And the person who told me was even weirder. I can't remember his face, but he was twice my height, had blue, curly hair and braces. And a puppy. I liked the puppy.

I stared at her in horror. Not because of what she just told me, but because I knew who the dude was. Blue. 

I laid back and covered my face.

- Hey, I know it's a lot to assimilate, but-

She got interrupted by some giggles we heard from behind the tree our bench was leaning against.

I knew that giggle.

It was Steffanie. And yes, that's how she wants her name to be spelled.

And July. I've been friends with July in elementary school, but again, I want to forget everything that happened then. Even July.

Steffanie leaned against the tree, next to Annabelle, and said, half laughing.

- Dearie me, she already needs help? What happened? Did she have a breakdown or did she get lost?

July scoffed. They had fun. But I wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of making me angry.

But I barely thought that, when Annabelle looked at her with cold eyes and said, in the most formal tone:

- For your knowledge, I was the one who asked her if we could have a chat. It's really none of your business. 

Steffanie stopped laughing. She looked offended. 

- Y'know, I am on my way to the student council, and I don't think you want to put with me. 

Anna raised an eyebrow.

- Really? Great for you, then. Could you leave us alone?

Steffanie got red in the face. She looks extremely funny when she's angry.

- You know who my dad is, you-

- Well, mine's the principal, and what's your point?

I stared at her in surprise. That was the Annabelle I knew.