This Summer

Chapter 6

I'm running around the house again. It's too cold to be a summer night but the strong wind only makes me run faster. I come to a hard stop when a strange large rugged tree blocks my path. I've never seen it here before and it's not like someone moved an entire tree and placed it here.

I roll my eyes and turn to run back the way I came. But before I can even start, the face of a giant hungry wolf stops me. Intimidating me with its white fur, beaming blue eyes, and hungry growl, it stands there with a toothy grin. My heart starts beating rapidly and I feel the sweat collect at the palms of my hands. I stop breathing. I begin to back away slowly, and whimper in fear when my back meets the tree. I shouldn't have left this late.

Before I can come up with another way to escape, the animal lunges itself towards me and I scream.

I shoot up from my bed gasping for air. My heart continues to pound as I hyperventilate. I stare back at myself through the mirror in front of my bed and see my bun deconstructed and loose ends of my hair stuck to my forehead. The clothes I'm wearing are now damp and I feel my body covered in sweat. My fast uneven breaths calm down as I realize that it was just a nightmare.

Grabbing my phone, I see it's just past two in the morning. "Shit." There's a pit in my stomach and a nauseating taste in my mouth. My throat aches and feels unpleasantly dry. I need water.

I find the energy to swing my legs over to the side. Getting up, I make my way to my closet to quickly change out of these ruined clothes. The pile of laundry and empty shelf of my usual T-shirts and shorts make me groan.

"Crap." Guess now I know what I'm doing later.

I end up changing into the only nightgown I have left hanging on the rack. It's a cute, pink, short one with spaghetti straps that Claire bought for me before I left. It's more her style than it is mine, but I'm left with no choice as I put it over my head and let the silky material hug my body.

I let my long hair loose from my bun as I exit my room and become aware that I'm walking around the house wearing close to nothing. At least it's in the middle of the night and everyone is sleeping anyway, and frankly I'm too dehydrated to care.

My feet pad into the kitchen quietly.

Grabbing the crystal cup from the cabinet, I pour myself a glass of water. While gulping the entire cup, I face the window admiring the view of the lights and pool outside. My face flushes as memories of yesterday come flooding back.

I almost let him kiss me. What's wrong with me?

I wish I wasn't afraid to swim. Maybe I wouldn't have acted like a crazy person when Matthew came out. But then again, it's because of him.

I still can't believe what happened.

Shaking my head, I pour myself another cup and set the pitcher down.

Just thinking about everything is exhausting. I need more sleep.

Preferably, uninterrupted sleep.

Bringing the cup to my lips I turn around to head towards the door and choke, nearly dropping the cup and spilling out all the water when I see Matthew standing by the doorway. He rushes to me as I practically cough out my lungs but I hold my hand up to stop him. "Are you okay?"

Placing the cup down I quickly compose myself, shrugging off yet another embarrassing moment, I tell him, "I'm okay... Wrong pipe." I'm thankful it's dark enough in the room that the redness that has crept it's way onto my face isn't visible.

He looks over at me confused, "you sure?"

"Yes." I lie between my teeth, nodding repeatedly. I should just accept that this entire summer will consist of me embarrassing myself in front of him.