Spellbound

Chapter Four

"No, no!" I shrieked, while trying not to laugh at how ridiculous Alice looked in a shocking pink mini-dress, six-inch heels and a fluffy scarf.

"Your dad will have a hissy-fit if he sees you in that."

A creepy smile crept on her face and I quickly interrupted before she said anything. " You will not wear this tonight, okay. Besides, pink is so not your color." Alice gave a big sigh and started to unzip her dress

"You sound like my mother."

The nearest weapon was a pillow, which I flung straight in her face. "Hey! At least moms give great advice," I laughed. I went to her walk-in closet and started searching for something appropriate for tonight, while Alice just went to flop on her bed. I find it actually really fun to dress her for any occasion and she has a lot to choose from. Mrs Wilder never hesitates when it comes to giving out only the best for her daughter. Thank God Alice hates fame and fortune as much as I hate peanut butter. It makes our friendship sooo much better.

My eyes fell on a soft red, knee-high Brora dress. I took it off the railing and held it out for her to see.

" This one."

She smiled wildly and jumped off the bed,took the dress and gave me a bear hug," I'm so grateful for you. I don't know what I'd do without you!"

"I can't...breath.." I said, trying to gasp for air. Alice released me and I can finally catch my breath.

" Sorry," she said, smiling apologetically.

" Hey, I should go. My mom is probably at home already and you," I said, pointing at her," have to get ready."

" Thanks again so much, Leah," Alice said and we walked out of her room and went to the front door.

" By the way tell your mom I said bye and please update me about how it goes tonight, okay." I yelled over my shoulder before opening the driver's door.

" Will do!" She yelled back. I got inside my car and put on the heater and soon I was taking the road back to my house.

When I got home I was surprised to hear a loud noise coming from the kitchen.

" Mom?"

Her voice came from down the hall, " In here, sweety." I walked to the kitchen and came to a halt. It looked like a hurricane had a fight with a tornado.

"Mom, what are you doing?"

" Oh sweety, I'm making dinner, can't you see?"

" Yeah I can, I just never seen you cook like...this. " My mom gave a small laugh and continued stirring something in a pot.

" Well, I wanted to cook something nice tonight. How was your day at school?" she asked. My mom is a very concern mother. She likes to know if I'm doing alright, if I'm fed and if I'm coping with life. Some might find that annoying, but I love it. She just radiates motherly love and that makes it hard to be annoyed with her. And the fact that she's five foot three counts in her favour. She and I look total opposites. While I have black hair, she is a blondie. My dad, however, has brown hair. So I still question if they are my biological parents. They always joke and say I was left on their porch on a dark, winter night.

"School was school. Absolutely unnecessary." My mother gave me a small smile.

"Oh, I'm sure it was all right." She said. I just gave a sigh and went to the fridge to get a bottle of water.

"It's odd weather, hey. Spring just started and there's a storm coming soon,"

"Are you sure?" I asked. My mother nodded her head and replied," Yeah, and that's why I want you to be extra careful out there, okay. The weather man said when it hits, it's gonna be quite big."

" I'll be careful don't worry mom," I said, kissing her on the forehead," I'm gonna go up to my room to finish some homework. Call me when dinner's ready."

" Okay sweetie." With that I stalked up the stairs and went to my bedroom.

It took me a while to actually do my homework. I figured procrastination is acceptable for teenagers, but unfortnunately the teachers don't agree. With dread I went to my desk and collected my math and music theory book. Soon, I lost myself in transcribing and translating notes.

An hour and a half later my eyes start to burn and I closed my math book, my brain spent on a math problem that I just can't figure out. Thinking music will help me relax a little, I grabbed the earphones that are puking out my jacket and my Iphone that was tucked under the pillow as a way of restraint against scrolling through Instagram instead of doing homework. I clicked on the music icon and scrolled trough all my music. And I have a lot.

My eyes found the song I need now.

I've been playing this particular song obsessively these past few days after discovery and I can't stop, knowing that by next week I would tire from it and just move on to a next one.

A knock came on my door a few minutes later.

"Leah?" the door opened slowly and my mother's face popped up, "Dinner's ready," she said and I untangled myself from my fleecy blanket and followed her downstairs. As soon as I'm down, I heard my father come in. He's early today.

" Hey dad, you're early today?" My dad planted a kiss on my forehead and said, " Hey sweetie, yeah I'm home a little earlier tonight. I wanted to spend some time with you guys."

"Aww, that's sweet of you, dad. Hey mom, dad's here." My mother's voice came from the kitchen, "Hi honey, I've cooked."

"It smells great," my dad said. We went to the kitchen and joined my mom. I laid the plates out and the cutlery. After ten minutes dinner was served.

We sat down, said grace and started eating. The air was filled with a uncomfortable silence. I suddenly got the feeling something was wrong. My parents keep looking over at me while we're eating.

"Okay, guys what is going on?"

They shared a look.

"I'm not stupid. Out with it."

My parents share a glance. Dad was the first one to say anything, "Well, your mom and I talked a little, you know, about you having these nightmares, and we decided it would be best if you talked to someone professionally about it."

I almost choked on my own spit. I couldn't believe my ears. At first I thought they were joking,but the look on their faces suggested something else.

" W-what ?" I uttered, my eyes popping out of my sockets. " Why would I need to see a shrink?"

"Honey, it's long overdue. We should've taken you when they star-" my dad started, but I stopped him mid-sentence," No! I am not crazy. You only see one if you're crazy. And I'm not!"Dad threw his hands up in the air.

" Leah, these...nightmares you keep having..honey, is not normal. You think we don't hear you at night screaming, but we do. " His tone soften and he sigh. " We just want to help you. "

They know.

"I am not crazy." I repeated.

"Sweetie, we don't think you're crazy-"

"No, that is exactly what you're saying!" I started getting annoyed.

"How often do you get these dreams?"

Silence filled the air.

" Leah! Talk to us please?"

" That is not important." I told them, lowering my head a little. They shared another glance with each other.

"It is to us. We are taking you to see somebody. No further discussion about this." My dad said with a firm tone, suggesting I better shut up.

Suddenly the food tasted like cardboard. I forced everything down as quickly as possible and escaped their scrutinizing looks by quietly excusing myself and hurrying off to my room and pray that I don't dream at all.