Maybe

Chapter 4:Questioning

I picked up the note, and unfolded it.

It read:

Pierce.

Nothing else. Just my name. I already know my own name, dumbass. Tell me more, I cursed at the author of the note, pissed.

I analyzed the handwriting, scrutinizing every loop, every hook. It looked familiar, but I'd never seen it before.

The bell rang, and I stuffed the note into my pocket.

Damnit. I had to know who it was from. Maybe they could help me.

Just a dream, I tried to reassure myself. Just a dream.

Justin passed me, and I waved. His 6-foot-2 figure and dark hair is a trademark, remarkably similar to Nolan, but more exuberant. He's been my 'friend' for a while, and he's the one who I'm no longer sitting with at lunch.

I had science first, and nothing could have been more ordinary.

I thought to myself, sitting at a black science lab table, 'maybe I was just imagining it,' 'But it felt so, so real!'The other half of me urged, but I brushed it off. I needed to focus on class. I was getting an A- and that was not enough for my dad, so wasn't nearly enough for me.

I curled my fingers into my palms, and a searing pain redirected my attention to the board.

I walked out of class, and I don't think I could tell you anything the teacher was saying.

I ran down the hall, to the locker rooms. The twisting halls were no match for my feet- who had memorized my daily routine thoroughly. They lead me to Savannah and Julie, who were talking about their favorite bands- Panic!, Fall Out Boy, The Wonder Years, and Defy You Stars. Once they see me, they're sure to add Paramore to the mix- they know I love it.

"Hey," I gasp, throwing my books down onto the bench. Running was so not my forte. Although, I could probably kill someone with my bare hands, sheer strength was not appreciated in gym class. I quietly change into yoga pants, and then tried to find a spot in their conversation.

Julie and Savannah were the closest things I have to best friends. I don't listen to a ton of punk rock, but Savannah got me into Paramore, and Pierce the Veil, so I get that. They talk mostly about YouTubers Dan and Phil, who I was obsessed with, and anime that I never watched. I'd known Savannah since 1st grade, and she was my oldest friend at the school. Except for Katrina, who I'd known since kindergarten, but we hadn't talked since I found out she went to Waterside.

They do say things I can't hear anywhere else, though. I can't picture "life is fatal" on a billboard anywhere, but it really helps to get your dark shit out at school, so it doesn't haunt you.

We solved the world's problems beside the pool, and lost by the most points possible in volleyball while inventing the volleyball clap. (In which, whenever anyone missed, everyone else slow clapped enthusiastically, and it made for a damn good time, because you couldn't hate people for clapping while they lost).

Anyway, today Julie was raving about a concert she went to yesterday, on Monday. I toned her out so I could think. We were always the last ones out of the locker rooms, anyway.

Suddenly, my eyes went black, and all I could see was a bloody slash. It was a long, stylized line, with a two little lines midway, one that intersected with the line, and one that sat on top of it. I That was all I could pick out, before the red lockers of the room blossomed back into reality, and I saw Julie staring at me, her eyes wide.

"What was that?" She looked weirded out. The sound of her voice got Savannah's attention, and she turned around.

"Didn't sleep well last night?" I tried, but the blank, disbelieving stares I got told me I hadn't convinced them.

"Okay, fine, I've been having strange dreams. People.. Strange dreams. That's all. I'm fine."

"Pierce.."

"Really. I'm fine. Let's go before we're late," I said, hoping my longing to tell them hasn't seeped through my exterior.

If the dreams continued, I'd tell them more, but I didn't want anyone else to know, before I did, what they meant.

I forced a smile, and walked out with them.