Author’s Note: For SheaRyhai. I've dedicated this to you because of the support you've given me and because you pointed out my mistakes where nobody else found them. Thank you for helping me out. :)
When I woke up in the morning, Charlie was gone. I was pleased that I’d slept after my nightmare, and that I hadn’t had another one, but it still worried me that my soul had almost been taken. That thought made my nervousness increase when we went to school. I didn’t exactly want to see Lewis, let alone talk to him. It might not be anything to do with him but still...when you see someone cut open your arm it’s not easy to look them in the eyes the next day.
Lewis came and sat next to me at break, seeing as I was on my own, I shouldn’t have minded. A few days ago, I wouldn’t have minded. But, right now, I did. “Hi,” said Lewis, smiling.
“Um, h-hello.” I said, a little stiffly.
Lewis frowned “what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just didn’t expect you to come and sit with me, that’s all.” I wish that was all, I thought.
“You sure?”
“Yes.” I said, not meeting his gaze. “Are you alright?”
“Sorry?”
“I mean, you’ve been looking a little glum lately. Is there anything wrong?” This wasn’t strictly true, in fact, the thing I didn’t like about Lewis was that, when he said something, he said it with this slight smile on his face, as if he had some private joke or something. I was just going by Charlie’s words, I was hoping that...what exactly was I hoping for? “Well, not much. You know, new school and all. It really takes it out of you.”
“I guess.” Then, I thought I’d risk it and I blurted out “how’s your arm?”
“Oh, it’s...ok.” Lewis hurriedly pulled down his sleeve but not before I caught a glimpse of his arm. There was no bandage. There was no cut. Just a faint scar like my arm. I frowned “how did you cut it again?”
“I scraped it.” Lewis looked away from me.
“Really? Because I could have sworn you fell over.”
“Y-yes. I did...that’s right. I fell and scraped my arm.” Liar, I thought, you don’t want to tell me what you did.
“If that’s how you want to be...” I said, making to get up.
“No, wait.” Said Lewis, grabbing my arm. I felt a strange sensation travel up my arm, it made me uneasy and the feeling to run away was even greater now. “Listen. There are some things...some things wrong with my life.” There was something there, in his eyes. Some great pain and hurt. “I can’t really talk about them but...” his voice caught in his throat “I don’t know what to do anymore. I can’t keep running forever.” He was scared. So scared. I could almost feel it.
“I-I can help.” I said, feeling sorry for him.
“You can?” Said Lewis, his face brightening, that almost pathetic hopefulness in his eyes. I remembered Charlie saying not to help. To keep my nose out. I trusted him but...he needed help. I’m sorry, Charlie. So sorry, I thought, but I have to do this. “Of course I’ll try. Just tell me what the problem is.”Lewis grinned, I didn’t like it when he looked like that. I almost regretted my decision when I remembered his hurt look moments before. No, I was going to help. “Go on,” I urged. His face changed again, looking afraid. “I can’t tell you here. Not now. Look, will you meet me somewhere?”
“It depends. I kind of need to get home after school.”
“Nobody has to know. How about tonight?”
“Tonight? What time?”
“Midnight. But come ten minutes early.”
“Midnight! I can’t come out at midnight.” Was he crazy?
Lewis’s face fell and he chewed his lip “I just...just don’t know how long I have left. I don’t know...” I thought he was going to burst out crying then and I didn’t know what to do. “Look, I’ll think about it. Ok? I’ll let you know-“
“No need. If you come, you come. If you don’t...” Lewis looked up as if keeping his tears at bay “then you don’t. It’s up to you.”
*****
Later, I was talking to Charlie, telling him about what Lewis said. “You didn’t agree to it, did you?” Said Charlie, frowning.
“No!” I said indignantly “but I...” I trailed off.
“You what?”
“I...I told him I’d think about it.”
“Please don’t tell me you’re actually thinking about it.”
“I won’t tell you.” I said, looking down and biting my lip.
“Lily-“
“You didn’t see him. He looked really upset, I have to help.”
“I guess your mind is already made up then.” Said Charlie grimly.
“No I...yes. But-“
“Please, don’t do this. Promise me you’re not going to go?”
“I...”
“I just want to know you’ll be alright.”
“I...I can’t promise you that Charlie.”
“If you go and do something stupid, it’s not my problem. But, you see, I actually care about what happens to you so before you go and jump in at the deep end, just think about that.”
I felt so bad. I didn’t want Charlie to worry about me, he shouldn’t need to. But, I wasn’t doing anything dangerous, was I? He shouldn’t be worried, should he?
Author’s Note: Sorry, quite a short chapter, but I needed to get the story moving to the next part. I hope you enjoyed it anyway :)
YOU ARE READING
My Nightmare Just Became Real
Fantezie15 year old Lily has a normal life, a best friend and doesn't do too badly at school. She's never had any trouble sleeping before until...the nightmare. A recurring nightmare that refuses to leave her alone and taints her sleep. She's not sure what...
