There Is No Never Ever [MAJOR EDITING]

Chapter 14: Deceived [EDITED]

It did not matter that I knew I was dreaming. Knowing did nothing to help pull me back into consciousness. It was frustrating. I sighed dejectedly after another failed attempt to wake myself. I don't know where the light in the boxed room came from-it seemed to come from everywhere-but it was giving me a throbbing headache. When I got out of here, I would never go near white walls again.

I massaged my temples. What was the point of this torment? I never wanted to dream again. I twiddled my thumbs as I waited for some sort of revelation to hit me. There was nothing else to do in this empty room. I laid down on my back and stared at the ceiling. After a moment, I had a thought. Maybe-just maybe-it would work. I closed my eyes and rolled sideways, expecting to hit the wall.

Instead, a sick feeling gripped my stomach as I fell downward. I huffed in pain as my face and the rest of my body met with solid ground. I opened my eyes and untangled myself from the blankets wrapping my legs and torso. Glancing around, I took in the room apprehensively as it was not at all how I remembered my bedroom. It was much smaller and the walls and floor were made of rustic wood like that of a cabin.

I frowned in confusion. I was still wearing the outfit Trayus and I picked out. Fractured memories from the party returned to me. Destin had found me after my nightmare. I shivered at the thought of that nightmare and the stranger who wanted something from me. I did not want to think about that now. I opened the door and, without watching where I was going, smashed into something warm, wet, and hard. I jumped back, startled. What kind of a combination is that?

I looked up, past rippling muscles, into Kenden's stunned face. He was sprinkled with water as if he had just come out of the shower. Quickly, I realized I was staring and averted my gaze. I sheepishly straightened my now damp outfit. Hopefully he was too distracted to notice.

"Sorry. I didn't see you." I grimaced.

Kenden smirked cheekily.

It was too much to hope he hadn't noticed.

"Don't worry about it." He continued down the hall before turning back to me and saying, "Oh, and you might want to wipe that drool off your face."

I absentmindedly touched the side of my mouth. "I'm not-"

Kenden slipped inside another room.

My cheeks burned hot at his comment and irritation flushed through me. I had a strong urge to slap that boy. He was lucky he had that door to protect him. I glanced in the room across from the one I exited. It was, of course, the bathroom.

I glared at Kenden's door and muttered, "Rude."

He could have covered up more or changed in the bathroom out of courtesy to me. I walked down the hallway until I reached an open area, which I assumed was the living room. It opened into a dining room and kitchen area. The house was quiet and still, so I jumped when the TV suddenly flashed on to a news story about the upcoming weather.

"It's supposed to rain today." Destin said.

I turned to greet him with a smile, but dropped it as soon as I saw his face. He expression was off.

"What's wrong?" I inquired.

"What's wrong is I'm upset." He muted the TV.

I twiddled my hands nervously. "Is this about the shower incident?"

"I heard—wait, what shower incident?" Destin said, instantly suspicious.

I brushed it off. "Oh, nothing. You were saying..."

Destin sighed. "We need to talk about your 'friends.'"

"Who?"

"I think you know."