Waiting for Regret

Chapter 2- Be cool

This can’t be happening.. It’s never happened before. There right in front of me, was the girl from my dream, the girl with golden hair and emerald green eyes. I studied her, hoping it was just a coincidence. I mean there are a lot of girls who have blonde hair and green eyes, right? I saw a bruise just below her ear, and then I knew it definitely wasn’t a coincidence. This was the girl from my dream.

I must have been staring because she shifted awkwardly as if she was uncomfortable. I quickly had to cover up for my rudeness so I offered my hand and said, “Oh.. Uh.. Sorry.. I just kinda zoned out there for a moment, and apparently just dropped a milk carton at your feet. Um.. I’m Landin Dolan.”

“Tess.”

  That’s it? I’m supposed to save this girls life and that’s all she gives me? I guess she finally realized my outstretched hand because she quickly grabbed it and gave it a quick shake. I took a sharp intake of breath, she shocked me! I looked at her hand and sure enough there was a shocker thing that people only use for jokes. Wow… the nerves of this girl. I mean who just goes up to total strangers and shocks them? Which is BRILLIANT! (if I don’t say so myself)

I’m really freaking out right now. This girl was only a dream person. She wasn’t ever supposed to be real. I wasn’t ever supposed to meet her in person. Usually the dreams are about something I'm supposed to change or something I could prevent. But I guess the reason I haven't figured this one out is because it wasn't meant for me. It was meant for me to prevent something from happening to somebody else. That somebody else just happened to be standing in a puddle of milk, grinning evilly at me.

Before I could make this possibly any weirder for her, I grabbed her by her elbow and pulled her towards the door. Stopping at the register I whispered, "Hey I dropped some milk back there. You might want to get somebody to clean that up. I would do it myself but I've made a complete ass out of myself already. By the way, I'll be back later. And don't ever let me get something myself. EVER AGAIN"  The cashier just nodded and smiled. Glad she knew I was kidding because right now I don't have time to sit there and explain.

I continued to drag Tess out of the store while she shot me evil glares. When we were outside I released her arm. She sighed in relief, "There was no need for you to drag me out of the store. I mean if you wanted to fight we could've just fought inside."

I chuckled to myself. This girl sure had a sense of humor. Might as well tell her why I dragged her out of the store like a psychopath. "Hey tess? would you punch me in the face if I say I wanna take you out for coffee?"

I watched as her face scrunched up in disgust. "You want to take me out for coffee? Of all things, coffee?! That is like the most cliche' thing ever. Plus, you could've just asked. No need to drag me out of Walgreens and bruise my arm in the process." I sat there like a dumbfounded idiot. This girl sure wasn't afraid to voice her opinion.

I thought for a couple moments trying to think of the best place to take Tess this early in the morning. Then it hit me. "C'mon." i said grabbing her hand and pulled her towards the park.

 "Jesus. Landin, please learn that if you are going to take me somewhere at least give me a 3 second warning before you cut of circulation in my arm."

I laughed silently to myself, loosening my grip on her hand. Secretly I stole glances of her from the corner of my eye. Her blonde hair glistened in the sun, her green eyes focused on the ground, her pink lips slightly pursed. She was wearing a blue and white striped t-shirt with a pair of khaki capris. Then, my eyes landed on the bruise just under her ear again. My teeth clenched, anger radiated off of me. I couldn't believe somebody could be so heartless.

Get over youself Landin. For all you know she could of just fallen. I kept telling myself this, but on the inside I knew it wasn't true. I knew something had happened to her. Something bad.

"Landin? Are you okay?" Tess' voice brought me back to reality. I looked at her and mumbled, "Yeah, everything's just dandy. Why wouldn't it be?"

But, in my head my response was a little like this: No. Everything is falling apart. I'm breaking at the seams. I can't sleep without the fear of seeing somebody die while I can't do anything about it. I want to help them but I just can't. it drives me crazy. People ask me if I'm okay and every freaking time I say I'm perfectly fine. But really I just think There's no such thing as perfect. There's no such thing as being fine. Everybody has their own story. Mine just happens to be watching people I've never met in my life die. But can I help it? no. It happens in my freaking sleep. What am i supposed to do? not sleep?! I hate my life.

 Tess gave me an unconviced look but dropped the subject. I steered her towards the lake at the park. "Are you going to drown me?!" Tess squealed.

"Yes. Because I drown everybody I just meet. Haven't you heard? They call me Voldemort."

She looked around before lowering her voice, "Be careful. Somebody might her you. You know what happens when you say hewhoshallnotbenamed's name. "

This girl seriously did not strike me as a harry potter geek. But I guess I was wrong. "Tess, Don't worry I'm not going to drown you. But I am going to put you in a boat and sink it. I mean... Enjoy your company."

 Tess gave me the 'Yeah Right" look. Not that I blamed her. I mean she just met me, she has only seen the awkward arrogant side of me. She probaly thinks I'm some kind of player or some kind of pyschopathic nerd. Not that there's anything wrong with that but, I want her to see me as me.

I pushed a boat into the water and held it close to shore. "tess, get in the boat."

"No"

I was shocked. I turned to look at her. She had her arms crossed her chest and her eyes narrowed. "And why not?"

"You didn't even ask me if I wanted to get in a boat with you. You just assumed I was gonna get down on all fours and follow your lead like a little puppy."

Wow, she was observant. I sighed in defeat. "Fine. Tess? Would you like to go on a little boat ride with me?"

"No."

"Seriously? I asked and you still reject? You are in for a rude awakening." With that I picked her up and threw her over my shoulder. "You're coming with me." I gently sat her down in the boat. And when she tried to get out I held up my hand and pushed her back.  I pushed us off the land with the paddle.

Once we were in the middle of the lake, I glanced at Tess. Shocked to find her curled up in a ball, her face pressed into her knees. Her breath was heavy and shaking. Was she crying? Oh. My. God. I am such a jerk. I didn't even think for a moment she was scared. I just thought she was being stubborn. I just forced her into the boat, against her will. I am an Idiot.

"Tess are you alright? We can go back if you want to." She fiercly shook her head. "No that's okay... it's just something personal."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"No. I barely even know you."

I fought back the urge to say, 'But I know you.' That would've been something stalkerish to say. Instead I let the subject drop. I began to tell her all about myself. My whole life story, well leaving out anything involving my dreams. Once I finished I waited for her to do the same. But she didn't say anything. "Tess?" I looked across from me, but she wasn't there. "Tess? Tess? Tess?! Tess Where are you?!?!" She wasn't anywhere in sight. I must of got to into talking about myself to notice she was MIA. I started calling for her again. Still no answer. I ran a hand through my dark hair. My thoughts turned to the worst. Like: What if she was abducted? What if she fell out of the boat and didn't know how to swim? What if--