Stranded

Chapter 36: Liz's Truth

Waking up just like this is normal for me now, especially that this situation has been happening to me repeatedly over the past few days. Everything was going on well inside my dreams. I just started to like what was going on in it and have become rather attached to it, but I also know that it will stay that way, a dream and nothing more, no matter how many times I dream of it.

Like, duh, it's One Direction we're talking about.

Plus, it is impossible that anyone would actually like me for anything.

And let's not forget the fact that I actually called them my "friends". By them, I meant the One Direction lads and the girls I haven't really met in real life.

No matter how hard my sisters try to dress me up and make me look like I'm really human, I always seem to look plain. My hair is so wild and always out of place. It is way too curly for my liking. The zits on my face seem to have sex every single day to reproduce, that's why there's so many of them. The annoying freckles on my face could perhaps lead you to Narnia.

My complexion is pasty, which is gross. If the other girls in my dream were real, I'd be ashamed to stand by them. Why can't I have Lea's perfect semi-sun kissed skin, or Erin's pale vampire-like skin?

Sigh. Let's just face it. No one appreciates me in real life because there is nothing special about me. I'm just another die-hard fan girl. And no, I don't expect them to notice me for no one outside my family even notices me.

My hands' shakiness went from intensity one to intensity nine when I saw Lea's messages on my computer's screen. I've been avoiding my Facebook account just to avoid the possibility of them being real, for goodness' sake, but I guess I just can't blind myself further. They are real people.

Lea Jensen: Hi?

Lea Jensen: Are you Elizabeth Simmons?

Lea Jensen: Oh, sorry. Of course you are.

Lea Jensen: Do you happen to

Do I happen to what? Be the girl in her dream?

Yes! I wanted to shout my lungs out but I couldn't. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not yet. Somehow, knowing that the girls might be real after all relieved me, yet it scared me as well. I stared at the chatbox, hoping that the continuation of what Lea said (or typed) would miraculously appear, but of course, it didn't.

Tania came out of the bathroom wearing a bathrobe, her natural bossy aura filling the room in an instant. She must have seen me staring intently at the screen for minutes that she rolled her eyes as soon as they met mine.

"My, my, Elizabeth Simmons! I thought making you a social media account would finally make you a social-type of person. I didn't realize that you'll just be spending your time eyeing at your timeline!"

She ranted on, not even bothering to listen to my explanation, as she picked up her outfit of the day from her side of the closet. Per usual, she came out as pretty as ever, making me feel like a loser more.

"Got anything to say?" Her perfectly arched eyebrows creased.

"This." I couldn't believe that it was the only word that came out of my mouth. I was supposed to say more, to open up to my sister the way I never did, but nada, my throat suddenly became dry as the Sahara.

I gave her more than enough space beside me so she could look at what I was staring at. She squeezed herself into the tiny space at a corner of the small room we share.

"So you're freaking out because... someone sent you messages?" Again, her brows were pulled to a frown as she looked at me confused.

Sigh. I really have to tell her about what has been happening to me these past few days. I'm gonna need to risk it. Maybe she'll laugh at me, or perhaps she'll sympathize, but I won't be getting any reaction unless I actually tell her about it. It's called reaction for a reason.

So I told her. I really had to gather all my courage and ask help from all the higher beings I know in order to do it without messing up. Thankfully, she listened, and much to my surprise, for the first time, the great Tanya Simmons zipped her mouth and just listened to me.

I looked at her and waited for her to fall into a laughing fit as soon as I finished narrating my story, but she didn't. Instead, she stated at me as if she was trying to understand what I just told her no matter how bizarre it sounded. Tania was never into fantasies, even when we were younger. I, on the other hand, was too into the fairytale world. And maybe I still am.

Without saying a word, she pulled me into a tight hug. It was so tight I almost thought she wouldn't let go, but eventually, she did. I saw tears running down her face, her mascara streaking down her cheeks.

I suddenly regretted telling her my story. I don't want to drag her into this, into my outlandish problems. Not burdening my family about them is the least I could do to help.

She checked on my arms looking for something I know she wouldn't find. I cut before, but it has been a long time since I last took hold of a blade. Before this event, or my sudden confession I should say, I was really considering about doing it again, but something in my sister's eyes changed my thoughts. Consolation. It made me feel enlightened of my problems.

She clicked Lea's photo and led us to her timeline. After quickly reading a few things about Lea, she turned to me with a genuine smile on her face.

"Let's go to Harlow, shall we?"

What she said guaranteed that something was really going to change my life completely.

---
So I managed to squeeze in writing to my very little spare time but I don't know if this chapter is worth the ninja tactics I pulled of.

Anyways, this is dedicated to Megan899 for commenting on the last chapter. I'll put the actual dedication when I get on someone's laptop (realnewerthmattana, hi sis).

You readers should really show thyself more so I would know who to dedicate stuff.

5K. Thanks!

-Shelly Styles