Only If I Knew

Chapter 1: The Beginning of My Dreams

Shimmering streaks of sunlight pierced through a golden canopy of trees, illuminating the foggy forest. The lush grass was invested with insects, creating an array of colours on the ground. Crickets made a harmonious song that echoed throughout the woods and the feeble breeze brushed leathery leaves against eachother. Peace slept upon the woodland. I layed down on the lawn, staring up at the blue sky. Clouds drifted close, covering the sun. Bugs hopped, crawled and flew away. The harmonic song of crickets faded. Growling and howling bellowed within the forest. The feeble breeze became a whirling wind. Dark grey swirled through the white clouds and invaded the heavens. Without warning, sharp rain splattered everywhere. Rattling and rumbling, lightning arrows shot down trees.

"Isabel," whispered a soft voice, "come to me." I headed in the direction of the call. The decaying air and stifling atmosphere provided the perfect home for those who worshipped the darkness rather than the light. The arms and fingernails of ancient oak trees clawed at my hair. A familiar silhouette came to view.

"I am here," I said. The shadow came closer, closer and closer. It's eyes were the deep brown of the autumn trees at twilight. I stared at the shadow that stared me. Falling leaves interrupted. Beautiful yet dead, they continued to circle me. They flooded. Thicker and thicker. I became the one falling. A pool of leaves drowned me..

My eyes opened wide. My cheeks were warm. My breathing was heavy. The palms of my hand were damp and sweat trickled down my forehead.

"Isabel!" a husk voice repeated several times, accompanied with a constant knocking, "you're going to be late for school."

"Yeah, I'm up!" I shouted, dragging myself out of bed and making my way to the shower. What was I dreaming about? What did my dream mean? Why does it feel so important? These thoughts continued to bite at my brain, until I was on the way to my new school.

"Do you have everything you need? Books? Pencils? Did you bring a coat?" my uncle questioned.

"Yes I'm ready," I replied, looking at the entrance of New Jersey High School. I sighed and got out of the car.

"Thanks for the lift," I said.

"Good luck," my uncle answered.

Not getting in people's way, I roamed around to find the office and collected my timetable. School is simply a place for learning. I never bothered with making friends, enemies or joining groups. Learning from the first few years of high school in my hometown, everyone will betray you. Since then, I never understood the point of having friendships. In my opinion, being alone in this huge world, is the key to living in peace. As usual, I introduced myself and took a place at the back of my first english literature lesson. Next was science and I was seated with a popular student, named Emma. All the girls in the class asked for a photo with her and the boys begged for her number. She had a golden cascade of fine hair flowing down to her hips. Her pearly blue-gray eyes had a soft but sharp look as she glanced at you. Her pastel pink lips had a natural curl that looked as if she was smiling all the time. She was beautiful, but it seemed like she already disliked me. Emma avoided conversation when we had to share answers, she wouldn't let me view the textbook and she refused to work with me on an experiment we were conducting. I know I was a stranger, but I wasn't going to attack her! A gust of wind blew into the class, sending shivers down my spine. Emma immediately put her fur jacket on and rubbed her hands to keep warm. A tall, lean and messy-haired boy suddenly slammed the window shut. What was that all about?

The bell rang for lunch and I sat on a single table in the cafeteria. Peacefully reading my book, I sipped my drink. Footsteps alerted me. The tall, lean and messy-haired boy from my science class joined me.

"Hey There!" he cheerfully greeted, taking a bite from his sandwiches, "whatcha doing?"

"If it wasn't obvious, I was reading a book," I replied.

"You don't sound too pleased with my company?" he asked. I paused, unsure of how to reply.

"Oh, nice to meet you, I'm Michael!" he reached out a hand and I shook it.

"Hi, Michael? I'm Isabel," I said.

"Sorry about Emma earlier, she's popular but not so friendly!"

"She was very welcoming," I said sarcastically "you know her?"

"Yeah, we've known eachother since we were kids," he spoke, through his mouthful, "just don't get on the bad side with her and you'll be fine!"

"Thanks for the advice," I sighed, putting my book down.

"So you're new here?"

"Yeah, my uncle and I moved here last weekend,"

"Well I am priveledged to be your new friend, Isabel!"

"Umm, thank you,"

We paused and noticed Emma getting into an arugment. He got up and waved.

"I'll see you around!"

I wasn't sure of what to make out of that conversation.

School ended and I made my way home. As I was leaving the gates, I noticed a forest on the right side of the building. A huge knot of curiousty twisted in my stomach. I walked to the pathway. Slowly wandering through the inviting archway of thin branches, the trees were getting bigger and bigger. "Perhaps I should go home," I thought to myself. But the silence reigning over the woods was so sincere. The dusty pathway faded. Turning back, the archway had disappeared but I wasn't bothered. Looking up at the towering trees overhead, I continued to walk. Everything was still. The silence was broken as I stumbled over a small dip and landed into a freshwater stream. Although the water was refreshing, it wasn't ideal for this october breeze. I heaved myself up and walked across the bridge. I leaned around, as the sound of crackling leaves broke. It sounded like something was behind me. There was nothing. Maybe it was just my imagination. I continued. A gnawing in the back of my head persisted that I was being watched.

"You should really put that coat on," said a boy. I turned. His eyes were dark and spellbinding; they bewitched all those who fell under his steady gaze. They were the deep brown of the autumn trees at twilight. The same eyes in my dream. The curve of his smile was charming. The winter coat he was wearing fitted his broad shoulders and lean posture, making him attractive. His short, dark hair was in a perfect mess.

"You'll get cold," he said, walking towards me.

"I- I'm fine," I stuttered, turning away and carrying on along the bridge.

"My name is Lukas," he introduced himself, following me.

"I'm Isabel," I said, peering around. The sun had already hidden behind the clouds and the canopy made things even more darker.

"You're not from around here, are you?" Lukas asked me.

"No," I said.

"Walk down that way and you'll get back to the main roads then turn right and the closest neighbourood is around the corner," he informed me.

"Thanks," I answered, looking up at his perfect face. He gave me a smile, as a snowflake fell between us. I took a deep breath and exhaled.

"Put your coat on," he told me, looking concerned. I put my coat on and watched as snow danced around us.

"I have to go," he said. He ran in the direction we walked across the bridge.