The Blink of an Eye

Chapter 36

I found myself in the office of Ms. Morse again. It’s was Friday, and ever since I told my mom about my dream Wednesday morning, she forced me to see her every day until I stop seeing such preposterous things. It was during fifth period, and again, I had to ignore everyone’s stare downs and awkward glances every time I showed up. Ms. Morse ordered for me to describe my dreams on a sheet of paper, and write down my fears of them, and what they could mean.

“You’ve been very patient with me, good work.” She suddenly said out of the blue. I glanced at my handwriting and cracked my knuckles, gazing back at her.

“It’s only been two sessions so far,” I stated, going back to writing.

“Well…yeah. But you’re doing pretty well for yourself, not letting these rumors get to you, even if they’re very…false.” She suddenly said.

That tone in her voice sounded a bit…hint-ish. I stared at her, is she dropping hints for me to confess about being pregnant? I sighed and dropped my pencil, “I’m not pregnant.”

And this was now true, a very true statement. I’m not pregnant…anymore. But hey, now that I’m not pregnant, there’s no point in coming clean about it, right? Just like how I won’t tell Brandon. I’m not even sure if I could talk to him ever again, just seeing him in my nightmare that other morning, responsible for my dad’s death. I shook my head noticeably; I have to stop thinking that. I could become crazy from this, that nightmare could hunt me, no matter how untrue it was. Brandon wasn’t even seventeen around the time my dad died, he was like…eleven. What would he be doing, by the highway, about ready to kill me?

“I know you’re not. But with everyone saying you are, it’s hard to have the opposite thought and opinion on that, you know that.” She started up, slumping into her chair and sipping her hot coffee.

“Well, you know what they say,” I said with a pleasant voice tone, but there wasn’t anything pleasant about me at this moment, “Rumors spread faster than the plague.”

She laughed at this, but I was serious. Did she see the glare in my eyes? She must have not. “Oh, come on, Heather, try and look at the glass half full instead of half empty. Be optimistic,” She advised, “At least you’re finally getting the help you deserve.”

I rolled my eyes at this. “I don’t…I don’t need help.” I muttered, and I didn’t. She gave me a look with soft eyes. “And even if I did need help, what good does writing down my dreams and fears on this sheet of notebook paper do?” I finally asked, finished with the assignment.

She finally leaned forward and scooted her chair to her desk, peering her head over it to observe my work. “Mm…I see.” She suddenly said, staring at it with curious eyes. I gave her a look, breathing out a sigh afterwards. “Interesting opinions and thoughts on here,” She finally pulled off and slumped back in her chair, staring at me. I darted my eyes off to the side, wondering why she wasn’t replying.

“So…what now?” I snapped, impatient and uncomfortable with the silence filling the office.

“I want you to make a fire tonight; I don’t care where…but make a fire. I want you to read your fears and nightmares out loud, and tell me what you think of it. Then, I want you to throw the sheet of paper in the fire.” She confirmed. I dragged my eyes down her face, glanced at my paper and back at her,

“That’s it?” She studied me for a little while and nodded. “What does it do?” I questioned, curious of this.

“Just do it, you’ll find out in the long run.” She answered, standing up to gather her things. She’d usually leave school on Fridays after fifth period was over, and class was about to end for everyone.