Who Am I? (Book 1)

Chapter 27

"Good morning, students!" I was sitting in a classroom while everyone else stood up saying: "Good morning, professor Laver!" I scrambled to my feet and pretended I greeted the teacher good morning. Then we all sat down and the class started. I was confused and disoriented, but this man ... no, this teacher ... I had a vague memory of him, maybe he was my teacher at junior high? I looked around me cautiously, looking for someone or just something familiar. My eyes locked onto someone, a boy sitting in the back. He looked like a younger version of Nick. I wondered how he was doing ... I didn't know what happened to him after we jumped. Was he looking for me or just worrying? Did he even survive the fall? A sting of guilt welled up inside me. I know a lot of people say logic doesn't apply to dreams, but this couldn't be just a dream because I was aware to a certain degree. I had thoughts and vague memories ... but they were mixed up with familiar and unfamiliar environments. My thoughts were cut short when the bells rang, which confused me because the class had just started ... right?

As I walked out of the door I felt even more confused. Tash was there, in my school, leaning on a locker while reading a book. "Natasha?" I was so confused that I decided to use her full name, just in case I was hallucinating. She looked up and gave me that familiar dazzling smile of hers. "You stayed behind for quite a while, is math that fun?" I felt even more confused, and I absolutely despised math. "Uhhh ... what? No! I hate math ... and what are you doing here?" Tash seemed to get confused by my response ... so I was obviously doing a fantastic job at being smooth ... "You always stay behind after math classes, so why wouldn't you like them? And well, I'm here cause I breath, exists and studies, like you". She gave me a playful smile, and I sighed in defeat. We both knew who was most silver tongued after all, and sometimes it was really unfair. Becuase she always knew how to make me embarrassed, but I could never embarrass her back. "So, should we go or ...?" I cocked my head to the side, giving her a confused expression. "We were supposed to stay at your place ... Are you feeling ill today?" She seemed a little worried now, and I felt guilt well up inside. I didn't like to worry my loved ones. "I'm feeling fine, let's just go. Tonight's gonna be fun!" I looked forward to spending extra time with Tash, and I would like to do so everyday. 

My house  was built in an old fashioned way and the furniture matched the style. When I arrived at the door it was already open, I felt slightly unsure because ... I lived alone, rigth? "I'm home, and I brought Tash with me!" I said it loudly, but a little careful. There couldn't be anyone there, right? Then I heard sounds coming from the kitchen. It sounded like someone was walking around in there, I snuck in and felt quite the shock. My mother stood there, smiling at us. "It is good seeing you, Natasha". Her voice was gentle and motherly, and I felt a pang of ... longingess. Was I ... yearning for a mother's love? Then my mom began to blab away about embarrassing things. "Julie talks about you all the time, it is very sweet and I think you're a wonderful influence in my daughter's life". My inner alarms went off, this was not going great! If I let her continue I would never leave with my dignity intact. "Oh, that is wonderful to hear. What did she say about me?" Tash, of course, did not help. She continued to banter and ask questions, all while dazzling me with her smile. "Uh, mom, we already have plans ... so ... uh, bye!" I tried to cut this conversation short, my cheeks were burning. "Of course you have dear, but it is long until the day is over and ...", I cut her off before Tash got the chance to back her up. My poor heart couldn't handle it anymore. "Yeah! But we have plans! Tash, come here!" I grabbed her hand and pulled her with me, when we were out of sight she burst out laughing. 

Later that evening we lay in my bed, watching horror movies while eating very late dinner (it was probably more like a night snack or something). At the goriest part, Tash refrained from eating and seemed a little impressed that I just calmly ate my sandwitch. "So, what's your secret? How do you eat while people are getting flayed alive?" She said it teasingly and I smiled smugly. "Simply, it's just a movie". She rolled her eyes subtly, but at the same time she smiled. "Right, you're different from the other's I've met, and that's what I like". She gave me a quick kiss before focusing on the movie again. "So, how can you kiss someone while people are getting flayed alive?" I smiled teasingly back, and for once she didn't have anything to tease me back with. 

When the movie had ended we laid in bed, relaxing together. Tash lay close to me, and I wrapped my arms around her. "You know, Julie ... I wish we could just lay here for all eternity". I closed my eyes and smiled to myself. "Yeah, I wish so too".