False Reality | Book Three

Chapter III

A knock on my door brings me out of my little daydream. I had fallen back into a little sleep and was just about to drift off to my dreamland again but a knock and the doorbell on my front door go off. I sit up on my bed and groan before looking at the clock. I should have gotten up and gone to school, but sleeps pull on me was too strong and I ended up pressing snooze countless times. I wonder if whoever is here is just the postman. There's no one else. When Aunt Janice walked into my room, I acted sick--which in reality, I didn't have to act that much. Ravenna went off to school and Uncle Ricky and Aunt Janice went to work.

Another knock on my door. I sit up in my bed groaning, walking forward. I don't realize I was completely oblivious to the shadow falling over me until it's too late. I turn around to see the shadow gone. My skin prickles and I rush out of my room. In my haste to get down the stairs, I end up tripping on my own feet and end up spiraling down the stairs. I screech like a mad woman and start sliding down the stairs, accepting my fate. That is until something warm grabs my elbow.

I'm pulled upward and sat perfectly on the stairs. I'm still in a state of shock, so when I finally turn to see what caught me, it's gone. I just swallow the lump in my throat. Something is definitely here. Then I notice the railing, which holds a corner of my shirt. Maybe I imagined that someone. Just when I think that a shadow falls across me. Just kidding. 

Thinking that I bolt down to the door like a bullet, desperate for another humans presence. I whip the door open, and the surprise on my face matches his as he stands on the welcome mat.

"Hey, Cassie." He tilts his head. My lips fall open in a gasp.

"Turner?!" I shriek. "Oh my God!" I cry. Tanner Roark is my ex-boyfriend's best friend. I used to hate Turner until we made out during a party one night. Ever since then, my heart flutters whenever I see him. If it's a good or bad flutter I have no idea. "What are you doing here?"

"Uh, I came to drop off your homework. We got paired up for a project and your house was on my way home," he shrugs, pulling up a pile of paperwork. My eyes widen slightly and I quickly reach out to grab them from him.

"Thanks," I find myself smiling at him like an idiot. I quickly realize my odd behavior and grip his arm, tugging him into my house. I don't care if he didn't come here to actually hang out, something magical just saved me from falling down the stairs and I'm home alone. Two horrible conclusions. "Uh, sorry for dragging you in here, but..." I look down at the paperwork. "You need to tell me what this project is, right?" I look up at him with hopeful eyes. I don't really want to be alone.

Turner looks down at me with icy blue eyes and a small smile. "Sure," he shrugs. I grin and quickly lead him up to my room. I scramble to hide away all my panties, stuffing them in a giant ball and throwing them in the dirty clothes basket. I am busy picking up a pair of old jeans when Turner walks in my room. He looks around shortly before looking at me. "You're not sick, are you?"

I glance him before shaking my head, continuing to scurry around my room and cleaning up all my stuff. "No," I laugh awkwardly. "Just really tired."

"Oh, I'm sorry for waking you," he mumbles as he shuts the door. I shake my head quickly, kicking a dresser drawer closed.

"No, I was already awake," I lie. Turner sends me a relieved smile before plopping down on my bed. Seconds pass before he suddenly goes rigid. I set the stuff on my dresser before turning around with a smile, but when he is tense and staring straight out my window, my smile falls. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just..." he looks around shortly. "Your bed is really comfy."

"Oh," I smile slightly. "Thanks. I guess." He just looks up at me with a grin.