The Time of the Hidden

Unexpected Change

The bet was the only thing on my mind that night. I was both frightened and excited. What if we really did win. What if I actually had a chance with him. That thought dripped into my dreams, making it a wonderful night.

I woke up to the piercing sound of my alarm clock blaring in my ears. It was louder than usual, extremely, to the point it hurt. I instantly sprang to my knees, clutching my ears as tight as humanly possible. It felt as if a fire alarm was pressed against my ear. I dove across the bed for the night stand. Quickly pressing down on the off button. The painful ringing finally stopped. I fell down onto my bed in the relieving silence. A sweet smell suddenly came into my room. I sat up, sniffing the air, it smelt like...pancakes. I stood up following the sent. Was dad making them? No, he was gone. I followed the scent to the window. I cracked it open and the smell instantly increased. I looked through the open window, but no sign of pancakes. I ignored the delicious smell, and got on with my day.

I pulled on a shirt and some jeans, and put on some light makeup. Braiding my hair, I went down stairs to get some cereal. Finishing breakfast I went out of the front door, with my backpack draped over my shoulder. I walked past a couple of houses before stopping at Jennifer's. The pancake scent was strangely growing.

"Hey Sky." I heard Jennifer's voice. She ran to catch up with me. "What's up?" It sounded like she yelled.

"Why are you talking so loud?" I said quieter than normal.

"I'm not talking loud, well, not louder than usual." She looked at me questioningly. "What, you hung over, or something." She said jokingly, but her face quickly became serious. "Wait, are you?"

"Of course not!" I said quickly, cutting off any ideas she might have been having. "I've just been having a...weird day." The smell of pancakes was now really strong. I paused. "I have been smelling pancakes all morning. Can you smell anything?"

"No...." She gave me a puzzled look. "But, it is funny you mentioned pancakes, because we actually had pancakes for breakfast. I don't smell like pancakes...do I?" She smelled her shirt, searching for any trace of pancake. Was that really where I was smelling it? From three houses!? No, that's...crazy! Promptly I ignored the unrealistic thought, and focused on the day ahead.

The day was normal, like another, except for my new found super senses. My hearing and smell were going wild! I was suddenly jumping at the school bell, and be able to accurately guess exactly what we were having for lunch! Something was off, and as hard as I tried to hide it, it didn't work. Jennifer could tell something was up. She kept asking me if something was up, if I was alright, and giving curious looks when she thought I wasn't looking. I couldn't judge her, something was up, and I don't think I could have been more obvious. During the day, I began to get paranoid by everything I could smell and hear. I was jumping at the now alarming sound of lockers closing, and making faces of disgust at random moments. At the end of the day, I broke.

"Jennifer," I said while pulling her out of the crowd of teenagers. "Meet me at my my house tonight. It's urgent."

I got home as quick as I could trying think of logical explanation, but couldn't think of any. My head was spinning. Maybe I just need some sleep. I was going with that.

When I got home and flopped on my bed. I know had a massive headache. The week just not going very well for me. I laid in my bed and slowly dozed off.