Phobia

Neither Of Us Are Going To School Tomorrow.

I woke up and rubbed my eyes, stretching. My hand hit something soft beside me and I jumped. Freaked out and suddenly awake, I stood up. I looked around the room confused, then looking back down at the couch I had just been laying on.

"Dad?" I yelled, hoping to get a response. It was light outside so clearly it was as early as five or six, so he had to be awake. I was panicking and extremely confused. I heard something crash and hurrying footsteps up above. Next thing I knew, my dad was standing in front of me, covered in paint. I looked at him questioningly. He looked terrified, or at least panicky himself.

"Renee, oh my God, you're ok! Where were you?!" He asked, grabbing my shoulders and bringing me into a hug. I looked at him, confused.

"What do you mean where was I?"

"You weren't anywhere in the house. I decided to go check on you and Chris last night since there was a bit of ruffling and you weren't there. I searched the entire house and even woke up your brother to go search for you."

"What are you talking about? How did I end up on the couch?" I started freaking out, breathing heavily. I was confused. When had I left my bed? When had I fallen asleep? Why had I disappeared? Why was I wet?

"That's what I want to know. You're also soaking wet. Where on heavenly Earth were you?"

"I don't know, I really, seriously, do not know."

"Please, I won't get mad at you if you just tell me."

"No, Dad, you don't understand. I seriously do not know. Last thing I remember was lying in bed, closing my eyes. I don't even remember when my thoughts stopped and turned into dreams."

"I couldn't find her, and no one has- Renee?" Christopher stopped dead in his tracks, staring at me, phone in hand. It was dialing a number, and soon my phone rang. I looked at it, and his named popped up. He quickly hung up, looking directly at me. He walked towards me, eyes wide. I nodded, looking at him. He looked as if he's seen a ghost. He grabbed me and pulled me into a long hug. "Where the hell were you, Renee? Everyone is keeping an eye out for you, looking for you. You scared us all half to death."

I looked at him and then my Dad, taking a long, staggering breath. I fell down onto the couch and put my face in my hands. I started bawling, I wasn't sure why. I just knew I couldn't stop, and they just kept coming and coming. My brother and Dad sat beside me. My Dad pulled me into him and let me cry into him, mumbling something to my brother. My brother seemed to agree since he got off the couch and walk away. I heard him mumbling things into his phone.

"Yeah... She's safe... No... No... Yeah... Come over... Help her... Needs you..." I could only pick up bits and pieces of the conversation over my sobs and his whispering. Though, after about five minutes of me whimpering into my Dad's chest, I heard the front door slam open. The person sat on the couch and quickly taking me in their arms. I didn't need to look up to know who it was, I just knew. There was no doubt that it was Tiarna. She didn't let go, she just held me, rocking me slightly as a mother would do to her crying child. I hung onto her for dear life, as if I was about to lose her. I felt the couch lift up and footsteps walking away and up the stairs. I looked up at Tiarna, wiping my eyes when I knew my brother and Dad had left. She smiled at me, holding me up so I don't tumble over since I was feeling a bit light headed after crying so much.

"Hun, tell me, what happened?" She asked, giving me a concerning smile. I shook my head, looking everywhere but her face.

"I... I really don't remember." I shook my head, my tears slowing down.

"Well, what do you remember?"

"You left, I uhm... I messaged Maylan, then I went to sleep. Next thing I knew, I woke up, wet, on the couch."

"You really don't remember anything..."

"I don't. I'm scared, Tiarna."

"I knew I shouldn't have left you last night."

"It's not your fault, Tiarna, I insisted."

"I shouldn't have, I'm so sorry."

"Don't be."

"I'm staying tonight."

"But there's school tomorrow."

"Neither of us are going to school tomorrow."

"But-"

"No, now let's go upstairs and get you changed, alright?" I nodded, looking at her.

~

I heard a knock on my door and I looked at Tiarna questioningly. I was wearing grey sweats and a white tank top. I went to stand up and Tiarna shook her head and made me sit back down. I sat down, trying to look at the door. Next thing I knew, three others walked into the kitchen and hugged me all in a blur.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." I said, hugging their arms. They all started saying things about being worried and how thankful they were. "Guys, guys, I'm ok." I said, smiling. The three sat on stools around the island and I finally could see who they all were. First there was Julian; he wore a red sweater, kind of faded and jeans. Then there was Dakota who wore a purple shirt and jeans as well. Finally, there was Zama who wore a white long sleeve and black tights. They all looked at me, smiling. It really weirded me out. No one was talking, even when Tiarna sat down beside me.

"So Tiarna told us you don't remember anything?" Zama asked; I nodded.

"Shouldn't you go to the hospital for that?" Dakota asked after.

"Maybe you're going insane." Julian said. I laughed, shaking my head.

"When I was younger, you might remember Julian, I used to sleep walk. I thought I outgrew it but maybe not completely."

"But you haven't for years." Julian said, looking at me.

"But how do we know? Maybe I have, maybe it's just never been this extreme."

"But we also don't know that."

"Well it's no paranormal shit so that's seriously the only explanation."

"You may be right, but I still think there's something off about this."

"All I know is I really don't want to go to sleep tonight."

"Don't worry, I'll be here." Tiarna said, holding onto my arm.

"Are you scared to, Renee?" Zama asked, skeptical. I shrugged. I wasn't sure if I was scared, or if I just needed time. "Because if you are, you might have a new phobia."

"She has been talking a lot about how she's getting over her fear of clowns. She's not as scared of them anymore than the typical person is." Tiarna said, piping up. I hated them talking about me as if I wasn't there, but I knew they were just concerned.

"I don't think I'm afraid of sleeping. I just have a bit of ansomnia, nothing more." I said, smiling tightly.

"If you're so sure. So, to take our minds off things, who wants to go to the park nearby and fuck around?" Dakota asked, getting up. She has a hard time not moving sometimes, since she always loves being active (though she has her lazy side). I nodded though, since I really wanted to get out. Tomorrow they're bringing me to my psychiatrist to see what the hell is wrong with me.

Oh what a lovely year so far.

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Word count: 1284
Sorry its a bit shorter.
Also a major thanks to such an amazing friend, Tiarna; for helping me and continuing to help me write this book. Many future ideas, and some passed ones (including other books I've written and one shots). So a major thanks to her. I probably wouldn't be able to do much without her.
Also I don't know when the next update will be, but the story is really picking up and I'm excited. So with that, I leave this chapter.
~ (J/P)