Remembered

Chapter Two

Anthony (High School, 17 years old)

Pain exploded throughout my body. Why did he keep doing this to me? As I screamed out in agony, I saw her. Her chestnut brown hair cascaded down her back. Her lavender ball gown was torn and had specks of mud along the trim. I heard her breathing so heavily as she tried to escape the dark forest. I sighed in relief. He was so focused on hurting me to the point of breaking, he never noticed she was sprinting down the dirt path. Please make it out of here my love, I thought before everything became black once more.

I bolted up from a deep sleep. What had I dreamt of? The forest dream had returned. Last time I had it I was well not where I was today. Pounding echoed through my ears. Okay Keith I can hear you I thought as I went to open my bedroom door. As I did his fist met my face.

"Good morning to you too." I groaned.

"Tell a soul and I will show you what pain really looks like." He growled.

Huh? I was so confused. I had nothing to tell anyone. Did he forget I had one friend? His name was Colin Douglas. He was also my next door neighbor. We had been friends since we were babies from what I had been told. Perhaps Keith was confused and thought he told me something business related. I wasn't sure. I shifted my eyes to my alarm clock. I only had ten minutes to get ready for school! Keith needed go. He unfortunately remained in my room.

"Um Keith I kinda have to get ready for school." I told him opening my dresser to grab a pair of jeans.

"Yeah yeah whatever. Tell anyone I swear, death  will be the first thing you beg you for." He snarled and left.

I sighed. Today was strange. It would only get worse. I managed to get ready in a couple of minutes and fled down the stairs to meet Colin outside. He drove us since I dreaded taking the bus anymore. Last year an incident happened and I landed up in the hospital for a day or so. I barely remembered it but Colin didn't want a reoccurrence.

The drive to school was unusually silent. I noticed Colin's knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel. What was bothering him? I couldn't ask because society made men believe their emotions weren't important enough. I scrolled through my emails to pass the time. Soon we pulled into the school's parking lot. I got out and headed to my locker. I got my things. I rushed upstairs to make it on time for my science class when I collided into a girl. Her books scattered across the floor. I reached out my hand to help her up.

"I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" I asked her.

"Yeah. I can get my things myself." She mumbled. She seemed distracted.

She saw my hand and grabbed it. I pulled her up gently. She was a cheerleader! Oh no. My blue eyes met her beautiful hazel ones and I saw conflict and confusion in them. Our eyes were locked on each other for a couple of seconds before she looked away.

"Again I'm really sorry." I apologized.

"Whatever your name is, it's okay. Trust me. No broken bones." She let go of my hand. I sighed. Her touch was warm and comforting.

"The names Anthony." I smiled sadly.

"Don't care. I'm late for my chemistry class. Thanks for the help." She quickly got her things and ran down the hall.

My classes went by in a flurry. I wasn't able to pay attention. I couldn't get her eyes out of my mind. I knew her. I had no idea where or when but I had met her before. My heart quicken. She looked like the girl in the lavender gown from my nightmare! How was that possible?

Lunch came and I went to the cafeteria. Hopefully the football team would leave me alone today. I doubted that though. It was like a ritual for them to torment me every single day. I got into line to buy lunch and I was behind the girl from earlier.

"Are you always this rude to people?" I asked her moving forward.

"Yes." She snapped.

"Why? What has anyone done to you? You are popular. The only freshman to be on the varsity cheerleading squad." I told her bitterly.

"How do you know that?" She asked me.

"My best friend is on the football team" I sighed. Colin joined when we were younger and was my only line of defense against the rest of the team.

As we moved further to the cash registers, she seemed shocked. I laughed quietly.

"I'm not a mind reader but judging from your reaction, you are shocked I have any friends." I grinned. Anyone would be surprised to find out a few people in this hell hole liked me.

"A little. You don't seem like a friendly person." She replied digging in her purse for some money.

"Don't judge a book by it's cover Elaine. There's always more about a person than what meets the eye." I hissed.

"Whatever goth guy." She paid for her food and strutted off to her friends.

I went to an empty table, I picked at my food realizing I wasn't even hungry. My hair got into my eyes and brushed it away. My fingertips gently grazed the bruise under my eye. I winced. Keith just had to punch me last night. To him I probably was his personal punching bag.

The final bell rang and I headed back to my locker to grab my jacket and began walking home. One day life would be different I told myself. If only I had known just how different it was going to be.