Chapter 1

Life

"I want a divorce, you never pay attention to me or the kids anymore!" hollered Chelsea's mom. "Chelsea works so hard taking care of Rosy and working hard in school for scholarship money while I work three jobs. I' m sick of this life, and I want out!"

I'm sick of it too, Chelsea thought. Why can't there be a night when they don't fight?

Chelsea laid her head on her pillow spreading her bouncy bronze curls across her bed carelessly. She was tired of this life, and she prayed for a new one. But, praying was no good because every night it was the same. First, her mom would get home at twelve a.m. after working three jobs trying to pay for Chelsea's college. Meanwhile Chelsea would take care of Rosy when she got home from softball practice, and she would try to keep up with her homework. Then, after doing homework till late at night Chelsea would slip into bed and hear her parents argue.

People at school think my life is glamorous, but I would trade popularity for a loving home any day. As usual Chelsea began to rock herself to sleep reassuring herself that when college came she would never come back to this house again.

Just as Chelsea's eyelids were getting heavy she saw a flicker across the sky. A shooting star was crossing the sky in front of her eyes.

"Oh shooting star," she murmured to herself "I wish my life could be more exciting, I wish something would happen to me that could make me leave my old life behind me."

Once those last words left her bright red, and delicately curved lips she was asleep. She could only dream of her wish coming true, but sometimes dreaming was better than her life, much better.

Everything was bright in Chelsea's dream that night, there was a bird's song in the trees and the sun was shining magnificently. When Chelsea opened her eyes she was in a meadow, the same meadow she dreamed of every night. Chelsea called it her dream meadow, but there was something nagging at her telling her there was something she needed to remember. She figured she'd think of it later, now was the time for her dream guy to show up like he always did.

Right when she thought of him there he was on the top of the hill. She could see all of his perfect features. The way his golden wheat-colored hair gleamed as the sun touched it. He was the most beautiful person she had ever seen, with his high perfect cheekbones, his perfect chiseled looking body, but the most beautiful thing hands down were his eyes. They looked down at her with open love, and Chelsea felt like she could recognize them anywhere. They were piercing green eyes with golden highlights mixing into them, and Chelsea felt so loved and secure for that moment in his arms.

"Hello my love we meet again. What is your name I never got to asking you?"

"Chelsea and I feel like I know you from somewhere, like maybe from some other life. What is your name?"

"My name is Angel, and I've been waiting for you for two hundred years.

That's when it hit Chelsea.

What could he mean two hundred years; this guy is clearly no older than eighteen?

I mean I'm a vampire, and yes I was turned into a vampire when I was eighteen but vampires are immortal. Technically I've been alive for two hundred years though.

Wait how are we talking when our lips aren't moving, it's like you're in my mind?

Of course love, it's because we're soulmates.

I don't know what you're talking about; I'm not your soulmate or whatever. This is just a dream; you're just my dream guy.

No I'm real. This whole place is real, and you are mine forever.

I've got to go; I have school in a little while I need to wakeup now!

"You know how to get out love, but we'll meet again. I'll wait for you and that you can count on."

"Yeah, okay I'll see you in my next dream then."

For some reason that made him chuckle.

Why is he laughing at me, did I say something funny? Whatever I need to get out of here! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!!

Right when she said the last word she was awake and panting heavily. Sweat was covering her whole body and for some reason her insides were shaking.

That was so real, it felt like I could actually feel his hands cupping around me protectively. Okay, listen to yourself Chelsea it... was... just… a… dream.

That was when she looked at her alarm clock; it said five in the morning.

Just get back to bed, and go back to sleep. It was nothing you'll be fine. But, maybe just in case don't go to sleep. On second thought go take a shower that'll help you to clear your mind.

Chelsea then slipped off her clothes, and looked at herself in the mirror. What she saw there was a sad girl with big topaz eyes, bronze bouncy ringlets going down her back, and skin that was creamy almost translucent looking. That's not really what she saw though; she saw a hidden sadness in those eyes that was blocked by walls that wouldn't let anyone in. She saw a longing to be loved by someone, but of course nobody else could see that. Other people saw a strong, independent, beautiful, and sporty girl, if only she could see what other people saw.

Snap out of it girl, you are strong and beautiful. Just get in the shower and clear your mind; or did you forget about that big A.P (advanced placement) Physics test today?

That's what she set her mind on. Just to forget about the dream, and focus on school. She really needed that scholarship money for college or she'd never get out of this place.

That's when Chelsea remembered the nagging feeling she felt in her dream. It was like an eerie feeling that made her bones chill. A feeling of someone watching her every move; just then a rush of alarm ran through Chelsea's spines that spread through her fingertips like a feeling of being shocked. That's when Chelsea jumped into the shower not thinking, just feeling like someone was watching her in the bathroom with all of her clothes off.

Okay you're fine just let the hot water run over you. Let it clear your mind don't think about the dream, she thought.

But Chelsea wouldn't let it go. It was as if she could still hear the sound of his voice and laughter in her mind. As if she could feel his arms around her waist, holding her gently but protectively at the same time. Angel was his name, Angel her, she couldn't think of the word but then it hit her with a bang.

Soulmate

The thought zipped throughout her whole body. She wouldn't let the dream freak her out and ruin her day. After she was done letting the steaming water relax her body she jumped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her shivering shoulders.

She still felt that feeling of being watched, but she decided to brush it off and get ready for school. By the time she got dressed, did her hair and makeup, and put on a fake smile it was seven thirty.

Seven thirty! I've got to run downstairs, eat breakfast, and feed Rosy! God for waking up so early I'm running so late.

She ran by Rosie's room and picked up her little sister.

"Hello little baby how are you today, a little hungry?"

Rosy just looked up at her with her big smile showing her small, little, white teeth.

"I'll take that as a yes."

Chelsea ran her baby sister downstairs to the kitchen, and got her canned baby food.

"Ew that looks disgusting, at least I'm not you kid sorry about that."

After she fed her baby sister and shoved her bowl of cereal in her mouth, she got her backpack, and went to put her shoes on.

"Bye mom have a good day, see you later!" she screamed on her way out the door.

Ahh why do I have to go to school? So booooooring, so much for my wish of having an exciting life!