For Eternity - Edited Version

Chapter Nine - A Dream

        Anna and Lauren woke up early the following evening, both dressing quickly in their uniforms before taking hurried steps in the direction of your residence. The ravenette knocked upon one of the doors. There was no answer, so she cracked it open just enough to poke her head in. Her eyes scanned the room, stopping on your still sleeping form. A smile crept on her face as she stepped into the room, Lauren following behind her.

        "My lady," Anna said softly, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "It's time to wake up. Lauren and I have much work to do before tonight's festivities."

        "Five more minutes... The sun isn't even awake yet..."

        "Well, yes, that's the point of night time. The sun isn't meant to be up."

        Lauren giggled behind her hand. "(Y/n) is hilarious when she's tired! Can't we try to wake her in a little bit? I want to hear her say more funny things!"

        "I'm afraid not. We have to prepare her for this evening, and if we ever want a chance at finishing on time, we must start now."

        "Aww... Come on! Let her sleep a little longer! A few more minutes isn't going to set us back too terribly."

        Anna sighed in defeat. "Fine. We can allow her five more minutes, just as she asked, but that is all I will allow."

        Lauren fist pumped the air silently in excitement, giving a little jump to accompany it. Anna sighed at her friend's childish antics and made her way into the bathroom to draw up a hot bath. Lauren remained in the main room to do a little tidying up. She hummed and swayed her hips to her own tune until the sounding of you shifting in bed caught her attention. Brown eyes scanned your sleeping form as small, harmless movements turned into near violent thrashing. The more sporadic your movements became, the greater her concern grew, causing her to dash into the bathroom to alert Anna.

        The young blonde had seen enough of your agony and took to your side upon re-entering the bedroom. A hand was placed upon your forehead as she closed her eyes, trying to make a mental connection with you but to no avail. The physical connection did manage to calm you enough to lessen your movements to twitches every so often, but the blonde didn't miss the change in state. She carefully moved your head into her lap and whispered kind words and affirmations, a hand stroking your messy bedhead in an attempt to smooth it out. Whimpers and quiet sounds of protest slipped past your lips before words, garbled by your sleeping state, followed suit. The more your rambled, the more you woke and the clearer the words became

        "No... D-Don't fight... Don't... leave... me... No... NO!"

        You woke with a jolt, clinging to the nearest object to your person, which happened to be Lauren. A cold sweat formed on your upper brow, breathing labored from the sudden onset of panic. Lauren sat with you, continuing to brush her slender fingers through your locks of (h/c) and holding you close to her chest. Your head rested just above her heart, hearing the faint beating of the muscle. Anna came into the room at the sound of the commotion and stood off to the side, impressed by how incredibly motherly Lauren was without having much experience dealing with children. It was as if someone had flipped a switch on her, taking her from whimsical thoughts and careless actions to a soothing, motherly figure one would trust with watching their newborn infant.

        As the minutes ticked by, your own heart returned to a normal rhythm. You detached yourself from Lauren's petite form and slid out of the bed, then walked to the bathroom without a word to splash cold water from the sink on to your face. A soft, freshly laundered (f/c) hand towel was handed to you by Anna to pat your face dry. Your attention turned to the steamed up mirror above the sink. Using the towel to wipe away some of the condensation, you gazed at your reflection, noting the slight puffiness under your eyes and the irritation and redness of your sclera.