Silver and Gold

3. Nightmares

Even as I lie on one of the most luxurious beds I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing, my eyes won't seem to shut just like every other night. My body's feeling terrified of what will come to haunt me in my frequent nightmares. Silly of me to think being here would make it any easier to sleep.

The pace of my breathing slows as I carefully inhale and exhale, in and out, setting a steady rhythm. My hands unconsciously weave the baby soft Egyptian cotton blankets through my fingers. 

Gosh, these people practically bathe and sleep in money.

I survey the room that is officially mine for the next 365 days. Ballet pink walls surround me. A flat screen tv sits directly in front of my breathtaking white king sized bed complete with golden blankets and fur pillows. An enormous walk in closet that's big enough to be a store lies to the right of the tv, not that I'll ever use it, considering I don't have or want fancy clothes. Just a couple t shirts and some jeans and I'm good to go. The en suite bathroom, which is probably my favorite feature connects to the closet.

A mahogany desk covered in school supplies is pushed into the corner towards the window with a view of the front yard.

Wonder how long they've had this room ready for me.

I stare at the ceiling into a crystal chandelier swaying ever so slightly, memorizing the layered glass shards that's varied in rows with dainty lights laced in between.

Reminiscing on old childhood fairytales, I realize that this is what I've always dreamed about, an enormous castle, marble and glass decking the halls, and a room made for a princess. But in reality I'm not a princess , and sometimes dreams aren't meant to come true.

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I toss and turn when that voice bombards me, "Hold still whore, don't you want me to love you?"

"Stop, please! You promised it was a one time thing!That you're better now!"

"Fake tears don't work on me!"

"I know what you're thinking Bells. You think you're better than me, get off your high horse bitch."

Opening my eyes, my entire body feels numb.  I feel the cold terror sweat dripping down my neck, dampening my hair, in turn making it sticky. The sheets are a crumpled mess, snaking between the pillows that somehow ended up below me. I'm draped halfway between the ground and the edge of the bed, with my head dangling which explains the fuzzy feeling where too much blood rushes to my head.

Setting both feet on the ground, I start to head to the bathroom in order to wet my face. The frozen cold tiles on my bare feet sends chills up my body. I silently wince as I edge forward. My sickly pale skin and dark under eye circles greet me in the mirror.

Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all? Definitely not Arabella Silverette.

It's funny really, because I hardly recognize the stranger starring back at me. I can't even recall the strong, brace girl I used to be, before I was forced to wear my mask of indifference.

Goosebumps start to form from the night breezes, pointing out my choice of wardrobe, a faded yellow kids tank top with a small rainbow embroidery and pale blue boy short parties. My hand reaches to the top of my head and tugs out the hair tie that's suspending the tendrils in a neat bun, allowing the waves to cascade down my shoulders, instantly bringing warmth to the back of my neck.

Tiptoeing to the kitchen, I make sure to be meticulously careful not to wake anyone since the clock reads 1 AM. My parched throat calls out to me to quench it with water, so water I shall find.

Instead of water, something entirely different awaits me. I find myself standing face to face with a breathtakingly hot specimen of the male species. Yes, I get it I'm a nerd, but I'd rather not say "this guy is hot as fuck" even though the crude statement would clearly be the truth.

Tilting my face upward, his piercing pale blue eyes the color of Hawaiian waters, are the first thing I notice. They almost beckon you to try and read them. His raven black hair is tussled giving it the "just had sex look." He stands a head and a half taller than me, so when I finally drop my head a get a direct view of his chiseled chest that was clearly exaggerated through his tight fitted black shirt. His face is adorned with a straight, roman nose and a sharp jawline to match. As I continue to evaluate him, his slightly thin colored lips rise giving him a devilish look.

"See something you like?" He assumes in his deep husky voice. I open my mouth to speak but instead am reminded that my throat is dryer than the Sahara Desert. So just like that, I freeze.

"I'm Jax, and you are? We haven't met but if you want, we could go upstairs and REALLY get to know each other." Making sure to say really a lot louder than the rest of his sentence.

The crude comment however, shines a light on the actuality of the situation, the world where he's clearly an arrogant douche, even though physically embodying a Greek God.

A high pitched voice sounds from the darkness of the halls, "Jax stop talking her she's a nobody golddigger. Let's go, Nik is waiting for us!"

For once I fire back, not being the shy girl everyone assumes I am, "Katey, correct if I'm wrong, but didn't Mark say you couldn't have anyone over tonight, specifically Jax and whoever this Nik guy is?"

"I swear new girl, one word out of your mouth and I'll personally see to it you'll be blacklisted at Goldstein and I promise you, you won't want that."

Jax decides to join the conversation, "Aw Katey no need for the claws. She's no where near as hot as you, maybe a strong 6 and a half. But leave her alone, she's a feisty one and we don't need you breaking anymore spirits. Remember what happened last time."

I mentally flinch knowing I'm not the prettiest, but he clearly didn't need to point that out. My blood starts to boil over.

"You spoiled rich kids clearly have no manners. It's sad that money can't buy you good personalities."

"Whatever, I'm not gonna waste my time on you loser. Come on Jax, Natalie's party is calling our names and I heard a ton of girls from Weston High are gonna be there."

This immediately brings a smile to Jax's face which makes him 10x more dangerous. He leans down close enough that his lips graze my ear and whispers, "Nik's gonna have fun with you babe." He pauses for a second but his hot breath comes again, "For the record, I think you're hotter than Katey, but can't have her knowing that can we?"

Before I can catch my breath and analyze his words Katey who I've now noticed is wearing a tight sequined little black dress and sky high five inch heels complete with red soles, and Jax are out the door, ready to wreak havoc on the world.

I lock the door knowing I've gotten the last laugh, and by the time I get back to my bedroom, the need for a glass of water has completely subsided.
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Hey readers! Anyone wondering about why Arabella has nightmares or who this Nik guy is🤔? Hope you're all enjoying the story so far cause thins are about to get a whole lot more interesting! Xoxo