Dream or Nightmare

Chapter X

Andover, New Jersey

At the Fair

Chapter V



           I could have sworn I was going to faint, but it was then that I saw Lydia out of the corner of my eye. Well, the fact that she was climbing this huge pine tree didn’t help either.

           So there she was staring right at me with such sad eyes, looking more depressed than I had ever seen her; her hair was billowing behind her like an untamed lion’s mane, and I knew then and there that she was a ghost. And Lydia knew I knew now too.

           The tree was maybe about 50 feet away so I could see the splatter of tears against her cheeks and the bright red nose from being so congested with snot. I sighed not knowing what to do.

           So there I was, just standing there right in between Abby’s little sister and Abby’s lustful gaze as I stared with deep concern at Lydia. I tried to telepathically convey my feelings toward Lydia, that it didn’t matter she was a ghost, it didn’t matter she was dead, and that it didn’t matter no one could see her but me.

           Then I guess that Lydia didn’t get my semi-telepathic message because she disappeared deeper into the forest with just the rustle of leaves in her wake.

           And I guess that Abby got the wrong message too because she started to tug on my arm, pulling me like a rag doll towards the center of the fest.

           It was still very bright, maybe not even noon yet.

           The rest of the day I was with a red-headed, but I wished it was a dark-haired one. A tan face full of freckles when I longed for a pale face without blemishes, dark forest green eyes, when I needed eyes that would change colors every now and again, and a girl with casual clothes, not one who dresses to impress.

           Not only was I comparing them to each other physically the whole day, but I was thinking about how different their personalities were. Abby was this grumpy person that could make you feel guilty if you didn’t do something for her. She gave me the strangest look and said that, “No one had ever won me a bear before.”

           The next thing I knew I had knocked down the 5 glass bottles and was handing her a gigantic panda bear.

           Not to be rude or anything, but I could have spent that 5 bucks on a hot dog.

           Lydia was different, a mystery, an enigma that I couldn’t figure out. I felt like I found out the biggest secret, but it was only a small part of the huge picture she was trying to cover up.

          For the best part of the day I was trapped in my own bubble, and before I knew it, it was already dark, about 7 or 8 I would say. I enclosed myself into my thoughts again as I mechanically ate my hot dog. I can’t really remember how it tasted.

           The next phase I remember is sitting in one of the carts on the Ferris Wheel and looking outside to see the refection of all the beautiful lights illuminated in the pond. Abby leaning against the whole right side of my body, and it was really irritating and aggravating, but I was raised better than to push and “gently” reject a lady. No matter how… obnoxious her actions were.

           What I didn’t expect though was for Abby to try and kiss me.

           I mean we had only just met 8 or 9 hours ago! Not even half a day had gone by, and here was this desperate girl squirming into my lap trying to steal my first kiss?! I didn’t think so. So as gentlemanly and chivalrously as I could, I placed my hands on her shoulders and plopped her a good foot away from me as I dashed to the other side of the cart well aware of Abby looking aggravated and annoyed at me.

          “What the fuck was that?!” she panted heavily looking at me with intense green eyes. 

           “What do you mean?” I asked my voice controlled and emotionless. Something this petty was not going to get the best of my anger.

           “What the fuck did you push me for?!” she shrieked, her arms flailing around like a wild goose. This girl was losing her mind.

           “Oh… that… right… Just that I’m not really comfortable kissing strangers I’ve only met like 5 hours ago,” I stated calmly. I knew I was exaggerating but still! Come on I didn’t even know this girl’s name! Alright I do… but I barely knew anything about her!

           She chuckled darkly, and it gave shivers up my spine. “Come on don’t tell me you didn’t even have you’re first kiss? You can’t be that much of a virgin with that hot package,” she winked with a hideous smirk on her face as she stood up to push me back against my seat.

           She was starting to really creep me out so I bluffed and smiled cockily, “Pshhh… of course not! I go through girls like tissues,” which was a big fat lie. I’ve never even had a girlfriend; I was the freak with no parents in my hometown.

           “That’s what I thought,” she sat back down with a twisted grin and patted the seat beside her as she crossed her legs, her black heels clicking and clacking against the cold metal.

           I looked outside my window and saw that we were almost ground level, so I played along and I stood up a second before we landed, making it look like I was heading over to her. But I dashed through the door before Abby had the chance to say anything.

           The last thing I saw was the look of surprise and shock on her ruby red lips.

           The last thing I heard was her heels clattering on the platform as she searched for me.

           I used all that track training to good use and sprinted to a huge crowd for cover, but I was totally lost. I had no idea where I was. I could see the Whack-A-Mole center where a bunch of drunken men were swinging aimlessly, and the funnel cake shop was still open with a couple people in line. By the time I was able to observe my surroundings, Abby was less than 30 feet away from me, she could see me. She was waving her arms rapidly at me and screaming my name, jeez this woman was clingy.

           Where was I to go?! There was nowhere for me to hide, and the lights were kind of blurring together making it hard to see. Plus I ate my hot dog like 4 hours ago so I was starving.

           So I ran far enough so she wouldn’t see me for a couple of seconds and I hid behind a garbage can. I was always bad at hide-and-seek.  

           I breathed deeply though my nose and exhaled out of my mouth trying to regulate my breathing and not give my hiding spot away. I could feel the silhouette of someone behind me and I hoped and prayed that it wasn’t Abby.

           But I heard a familiar voice.  

            “Need some help?”

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A/N Ahhhh! Who's the mystery person? I think most of you guys can guess ;) Well, comment, vote, fan, whatever.

Thanks for Reading!! Constructive Criticism is GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks people and fans for sticking through my eternal writer's block!! Well, that's all for now! Sorry for such a long wait!