Spaces

Chapter 3

ELLIE HORAN

It is hot.
Too hot. I feel like I can't breathe. Like I'm suffocating. Like I am in a very small box, struggling to even get air in my lungs. My back hurts.
I hate this place. I don't want to be here. I just want to get out.
I try to scream but my throat is so dry .

I feel a soft hand on my arm. It's weird because even if I can feel someone's hand on my arm I can't see anyone. My eyes search anyone who could save me from this disastrous feeling.

"Ellie?"  It sounds like Niall. But I can't see him. I can't find him. I try to look around me but he's no where in sight. I am desperately trying to search him here. 

"Ellie, It's okay. It's me. You're safe." He says a little louder, gradually taking over all the other voices. I find a little comfort in that voice. But the fate waiting for me ahead has no mercy. 

Just when the worst is about to happen, someone jerks me up forcefully, my eyes snap open.
And just like that, everything disappears.

I wasn't going to lose a part of me. At least, not again...

The light is too bright for my eyes. So squeeze them shut but leave them open enough to see Niall siting beside me on the bed with a concerned look on his face.

"You alright, El?"

My nightmares were becoming stronger. More intense. I see the sheets are all wrinkled beside me because of how hard I was tugging on them, unconsciously. My shirt wet, by my sweat. 

"I- I'm fine" I say, not feeling quite it though. I remind myself that this was just another of those nights. It will subside. It had too. For the past eight months these nightmares have been following me like my shadow in the dark. It's always the same dream. The same nightmare. I try to stay awake all night just so I don't have to see it, but my body always has other plans for me. There are visuals no human would want to see. It feels so real. But I know it Isn't.
Niall got up to fetch me a glass of water from my nightstand. I accepted it from him and downed the entire thing. He was still looking at me with a concerned expression.

I finally get a hold of my breath. My breathing regulates to normal so I'm no more struggling to catch my breath.
He takes the empty glass from my hands and puts it back down on my nightstand.
My mind is a blur.  I try to identify the time by the clock on the wall opposite to me but the room is too dark for me to decipher.

"It's seven in the morning." He says like he read my mind. "We need to leave in two hours. That's why I came to wake you up."

I nod my head.
I lean over to switch on the lamp beside the bed. Finally I am able to comprehend things.

Packing. Blueberry cheesecake. The surprise party.
London.
Right...

Last night was a blast. It turned out Olivia had arranged a surprise party for me at her house. Inviting me over for her mom's cheesecake was just an excuse to get me there. It was amazing. She invited all our friends from school. There was music, dancing and a lot of food.

"Ma's made breakfast downstairs. Come down when you are ready." He says.
"Okay. I- uh. I'll be down in sometime. I need to shower first" I'm still a bit dizzy in my head.
"Yea, go shower, stinky." He says back, dramatically scrunching up his nose but kept a little smirk on his face, probably hoping to lighten the mood. It did work. I roll my eyes at him.
I have to get out of bed because I have a lot of work to do.

He get up to walk out while I got up to head to the bathroom. Just as he reaches the door he turns back to me.

"Hey listen. The itinerary is a bit hectic. After we land in London, We're gonna have lunch with the boys, so I'll introduce you to everyone. And I'll send the entire planner on your phone."