Dream

Chapter 5

" ACHOO"

I heard an explosive cough, following with several snickers. The sound came from behind. Instinctively, I turned around seeing a familiar face. She went up for air, sneezing again with returning another explosive sound. Her eyes swelled up, eyes squinted tight.

Click.

Flash.

The camera captured her midway sneezing. Her mother looked horrified at the picture taken.

"I demand another picture to be taken" she forcefully whispered to the photographer.

The volume of the crowd increased, whispering about the incident. Some were worried, while some mocked her.

"Don't take another photo, she has no chance. With that sneeze, she would get herself eliminated." a girl behind me declared. Laughter followed her statement, the crowd erupted.

I turned towards the girl, squinting at her. The sunlight was blocking my clear vision.

She looked embarrassed to have such a manly sneeze. Anger flushed me, she couldn't control her sneeze, it is allergy season. I wanted to say something nice to her, but there was a barrier. She looked like my stepsister.

"I'm sorry. I have no time to do retakes, or else the wait would last forever." the photographer replied sympathetically.

The mother looked at the crowd for support, in return, she got mockery and laughter. I could see the anger and hopelessness in her eyes, pleading for help.

I stood silent.

It is mother pleading for help. Gabriella is the daughter being ridiculed.

I backed up swallowed by the crowd. Nervousness causing me to shake, everyone's words were muffled. I fought for breath, closing my eyes. The only thing I could do is to run home. I darted towards my house, running passed Joe's bakery. My breaths slowed as I came to the front steps. I stopped, hands on my knees, bent over, panting. My diaphragm aggressively moved up and down. Heart beating fast, blood pumping.

I walked to the front door, turned the doorknob. Shut the door. I fell onto the wooden floor from exhaustion. My eyes went up, stared at the ceiling as my chest rose and fell. I tucked a strand of hair behind my eyes, for it was out of place. I sensed for my pearl earrings, assuring everything was real. However, they weren't there.

I sat up, looking down. My dress was gone, replaced with my day clothes.

Everything was gone.