The Knight of my Dreams

The Knight where everything changed

"No no NO GET AWAY FROM ME!!" I screamed only to be yanked out of my nightmare by my alarm blaring. I sat up covered in sweat and panting, clutching my shirt trying to call down. I could feel my knuckles twitch from how hard I was latched on. I couldn't think straight, it always seemed so real. I should be use to it, but I couldn't stop shaking. I've need suffering from realistic nightmares for 6 years now. It just started happening and nothing has been able to stop them. I wake up with aches in my vocal cords and my throat sore from screaming. Bruises from twitching and thrashing around through the night.

I've been to doctor after doctor, physiologist after physiologist. Nothing ever helped and my parents; thou loving, ended up buying noise canceling headphones to sleep. I don't blame them, I'd get sick of the screams too. I remember staying awake for a couple days at a time. I'd pass out at bus stops, on swings, and walking home. I was assigned a walking buddy by the school about the third time I passed out at the bus stop. Sure my classmates thought I was faking. Even some of my teachers were skeptical. Having one student with a rare condition was hard. I was usually sat in back and I often heard people talking about me while drifting to sleep. It never bothered me. I obviously had bigger concerns than making friends.

My parents worked out a deal with my school. I'd get homework packets everyday, including lectures and I'd due them every night before school. If my grades remained high, then there wasn't a problem. They weren't easy by any means and sometimes harder than other students homework. Though I kept it up, it's not like I had a choice.

I slowly got ready and tried not to fall down the stairs again. My lunch on the corner table next to the front door, along with my book bag and my umbrella. Looks like mom thinks it will rain today. Both my parents worked. My dad in a publishing firm, and my mother worked from home in the back office. I got my shoes slipped on and when I opened the door I saw (f/n)'s bright smile.

"You're up faster than normal," They smiled. "I didn't notice," I tried to say with at least a little energy. "Well come on. Did you need to hold my hand or can you manage today," they asked supportively. "I mean it wouldn't hurt," I smiled as they took my hand and we walked to school. "So how were the nightmares today. Do you need to talk about it?" They asked softly. "They weren't as bad today. The same nightmare I had yesterday. I still kept waking myself up and I'm still tired. I wish I didn't have to sleep," I mumbled before yawning. "Yeah yeah I know, but on the bright side we have a study hall for 3 classes now because of our midterms yesterday so you won't have so many homework packets," They said cheerfully and I nodded.

The rest of the walk was calm and quiet. I tried to relax as much as I could with out falling asleep while walking again. We walked into the school and (F/n) helped put my umbrella and other things into my locker. Then to our first classroom where I immediately fell asleep as soon as I sat down. I woke up to a packet being placed on my desk and people chatting between classes. (F/n), who was sitting in front of me turned to face me. "You fell asleep faster than normal. Didn't even make it through attendance," they joked. "Yeah I thought today would be better, I guess not," I yawned. "Well next is study hall so if you want I can help you with your packet," they offered. "No it's ok. I'll do it tonight. I need something else to keep me awake anyway," I signed and they looked concerned. "Ok. Well if that's the case how about some coffee? I brought some in my thermos today since I woke up a little early. Want a cup," They smiled. "If you wouldn't mind," I smiled back. They nodded and reached over to their book bag and pulled out a small thermos. Enough for 2-3 cups of liquid. They unscrewed the cap and poured me a drink. I took in a slowly sipped.

I'm not even a big fan of coffee. It's always a little too bitter, and leaves a strong aftertaste in my mouth. Though it did make me all warm inside. It did help me stay a little more alert. Managing to be awake for half of study hall thanks to (F/n) talking to me; before dropping in and out of consciousness before completely passing out. The rest of the day was a blur and I managed to make it through the day a little more awake than normal.