"Do we really have to go?" Ruth whines, following Jade who was running around the house preparing for school. "We can just skip-"
"We can't do that, R. You've missed enough lessons already and I don't think professor David will let you submit the assignment if you miss one more." Jade tries to reason with her.
"But I...I don't want to see Owen."
"Why? You didn't do anything wrong. He's the one who was acting strange and left you like that without an explanation--which was extremely weird by the way," Jade murmurs putting on her leather jacket in a hurry.
"I don't know...he just, changed into a different person in a matter of seconds and I can't even explain what happened..." Ruth frowns, recalling the memory confusing her even more.
"Okay, look. I'll come straight to you after the period ends and if he tries to question you about what happened, we'll tell him together." Jade shrugs grabbing her bag and throwing her books inside.
"Tell him what?" Ruth widens her eyes.
"That he's a jerk for scaring you like that."
Ruth shakes her head in disbelief. "Now is not the time for jokes, Jade! But fine, let me grab my books and we'll go."
___________________________________
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Where is that girl? Why isn't she here like she promised?! Ruth wonders as she taps her foot impatiently, still standing in front of the classroom.
It's been a while since the class ended but Jade is nowhere to be found. She dials her number and sighs in disappointment when Jade still doesn't pick up. She turns around and starts walking towards the main campus, deciding to look for Jade herself but comes face to face with the one person she was trying to avoid. Before she can even think about running away, Owen walks straight to her direction.
She freezes in her spot, and he glances at her for a moment before walking past her like he didn't notice her standing there like a statue.
She slowly looks back in disbelief. Why is he ignoring me?! she asks her self while staring at his retreating figure. She didn't do anything wrong. He was the one who needed to explain what happened that night.
"Hey." Jade taps her on the shoulder and Ruth turns back with a scowl.
"Where were you? I was waiting here for hours."
"It hasn't been that long." Jade gives her a knowing look.
"Okay it's been ten minutes but still, why didn't you come right away?"
"I'll explain later, let's get out of here before we run into him."
"There's no need for that." Ruth sighs in disappointment. "We already saw each other."
"And?" Jade raises a brow.
"He's pretending I don't exist."
"Well...I'm sure he's embarrassed by that stunt he pulled at your house, so him avoiding you is understandable." Jade shrugs and Ruth narrows her eyes at her.
"You're making it sound like it's a simple problem. You know how I feel about him. You know everything and how much this whole thing is affecting me and-"
"I get it, but I think you're overreacting, R. Forget about him and Just focus on your health now."
"Would you listen to yourself? You're making it sound so simple. Unbelievable!" Ruth accuses, pushing past her.
Jade sighs as she catches up to her, and they reach the main door in silence.
"Mom called," Jade started hesitantly. "She wants me to spend the night there. I know I promised to stay with you 'till everything's over, but I can't spend two nights away from home. Mom's already suspicious."
Ruth stops walking and glances at her blankly. "Okay whatever, you can go."
"You do understand my situation though, right?" Jade asks with a pleading look. "Right?"
"I said you can go!" she yells at her and a beat of silence passes between them.
"Fine, I'm going. Call me if something happens," Jade mutters getting annoyed, and Ruth glares at her before walking away.
The minute she gets home, that feeling of dread washes over her once again. She slips into comfortable night clothes before lying down on the couch, but she doesn't turn the TV on like she usually does. She's in need of a distraction but too paranoid to think that the sound would drown out another sound inside the house.
And she can't afford to be distracted. In case that thing...comes again.
It's so lonely. She misses Ori more than she could've ever imagined. She misses watching him chase a ball around the house, and the warmth she feels when he eats from her hand or snuggles on her lap to sleep. Her eyes water and she chocks back sobs. Why is this happening to her? Who's doing this to her? What is doing this to her? Will The sleep Paralysis thing happen again? How can she be able to go to sleep knowing that thing will come for her when she wakes up, and she wouldn't be able to move a muscle.
But nothing happened last night. The only sight that greeted her in the morning was her best friend sleeping peacefully beside her. A pang of guilt hit her chest as she thought about Jade and their conversation at the college. That was so selfish of me, she thought, slapping her forehead in regret. She already spent the night with me, and I should've understood knowing what her parents are like.
She finally decides to apologize to her through text.
Jade, don't worry everything's fine. I just wanted to say sorry for lashing out at you earlier. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that:(
Sending..............
Message failed to send⚠
She frowns in confusion and glances at the network at the top of the screen. Out of service.
"Ugh, such great timing," she complains to her self, before resting her head on the edge of the couch once again.
Feeling her eyelids getting heavier because of her sleep-deprived state, she closes them hoping to get a few hours nap.
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She opens her eyes to find the room completely dark.
It's already night time?! She sits up, cursing her self for not switching the lights on before falling asleep.
Leaning on the couch to lead her the way, she walks towards the switch and it turns on revealing her messy living room.
She checks her phone one more time before heading to the bathroom for a quick shower. "What's up with the network today? The one time I need it the most, it disappears for hours," she mumbles to herself while tying her hair up.
After showering, she steps in front of the mirror while wrapping her body with a towel. She drops her toothbrush the moment she looks up at the mirror. Right in front of her, is her own reflection. But something is wrong.
The same face that stares back at her, is smiling.
YOU ARE READING
Secrets
Paranormal[Completed] "It doesn't matter if you don't believe in them or not. If they're there, they're there." Ruth isn't one to believe in the paranormal. She's a genuinely happy person, enjoying her college life with her loving friends. Until it all crumbl...
