I Think I Love You

Chapter 6: Brayden

Chapter 6: Brayden

I crouch down getting ready to pounce, a book in one hand and my other hand balled into a fist.
 Then I hear it, the unmistakable steps of the killer and I lunge around the bookshelf corner. Except I am too late. I watch as he shoots a kid in red, who screams out my name.

"NOOOO!!!", I wake up gasping, my hands sweating. My bedsheets tangled around my legs. It was just a dream. Except it wasn't. It actually happened, it's my new reality. I collapse back into my bed, taking deep breaths to calm my pounding heart rate. It's been a few days since a deranged alumni decided to shoot up the school and no one has been there since. They had it closed down for further investigation, but today is the first day back. Police have confirmed that the shooter was Jason Smith a twenty-four year old alumni. His psychiatrist came forward on the news and stated that Jason had been battling schizophrenia for some time. He used to hear voices in his head telling him that everyone was out to get him. I guess that's why he snapped and couldn't take it anymore pushing him to buy a gun from the city. Even though he was an alumni, not many people remember him but the ones that do, remember him for his unusual perception of reality. Some teachers remember him having violent outbursts, but it was never to the degree of what he did a few days ago. I look at my phone and see it's only 6 am well I guess this is a good time as any for a run. It doesn't seem like I'm going to bed anytime soon, a part of me doesn't even want to sleep knowing the nightmares will be closely behind. I get up and change into my running gear and send a text to my mom, so she doesn't worry where I am. She's been checking up on me late at night, for her peace of mind. As I pass Callie's room I open the door to take a peak; her feet rest where her head is supposed to be, and her arms are splayed out like a starfish. Her curly brown hair is all over the place and she's probably dreaming about marrying Harry Styles. I slowly close her door and head down the stairs. I try to relax and let the unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach disappear, but it seems to always be there – waiting for something else to happen. I lace up my running shoes and head out, hearing the constant rhythm of my shoes hitting the pavement. It's nice outside, just me and the birds chirping. I breathe in and out and focus on beating my 5-mile time. Running helps me get rid of all my nervous energy, and it's nice to feel like I've accomplished something. My usual running route is through our neighbourhood and to the park, there are a bunch of trails in the forest that I like. It's really peaceful there, just me and the occasional dog owner. It's not to chilly outside and the sky is a hue of purple. Running is my only solace – it's the only time my mind isn't thinking and worrying. It's just focusing on one foot in front of the other. That's the way I like it. 


An hour later, after running over five miles, I reluctantly head back to my house to get ready for what feels like the first day of school. As I open the door I hear my sister complaining to my mom, "but North West has one mommmmm!"

I hear my mom reply in her calming patient voice, "not happening kiddo, you're not getting a phone." A laugh escapes me, Callie's relentless she's gonna eventually wear mom and dad out. I enter the kitchen where everyone is surrounding the table. My mom looks up smiling, her brown wavy hair flowing down, "how was your run sweetie?" I grab a water bottle and tell her practically out of breath that it was good. I can see the worry in her eyes though, she doesn't think I'm handling things well and wants me to stay home. But I'm fine it's not like I died or anything. I am one of the lucky ones. I'm alive. I watch as dad kisses mom in a way that's really embarrassing to watch as their kid. He smiles at her and says he can't wait for their date tonight. Mom blushes causing Callie and I to roll our eyes. Our parents are annoyingly in love; they're high school sweethearts and each other's soulmates, they've been together through the good and the bad. Dad whispers something in mom's ear and she giggles, you would think the way they act that their newlyweds, but they've been married for 20 years. Dad always says that no matter what life throws at him he's gonna be okay cause he has mom, she's his partner in crime. Mom kisses both our cheeks as she heads out. She teaches at the private middle school in town so she likes to go in early and get her classroom ready. She looks at me and tells me that if I need anything to just call. I sigh and nod, looking in her brown eyes that are mirrors of mine and tell her I'm going to be fine. I head upstairs to get ready for school. Here goes nothing.