She didn't know how long that ray of sunlight had been peeking through the gap in the curtains before it found its way to her face; nor did she know how long it took her to become aware of it. Her mind was fuzzy, the last remnants of a dream being chased away by the realization of her being awake. A small smile graced her lips as she thought back on it. It was a nice dream, something about sitting in a big oak tree in meadow full of flowers but the details are fading fast and the colour starts the drain, melting the scenic picture into nothing. She sighed, allowing her brain to focus and cautiously open one eye quickly feeling the burning on her retinas . The bright spring sunlight cuts the room in half and she saw dust-motes dancing in the wall of light. Pulling the duvet up over her head to keep it out. Although it does not work, her brain was awake and there was nothing to do.

"Hilary?" she heard a voice call from the other side of the door. Letting a groan escape her mouth she brought her hand sleepily over her face. From the sound of the voice it sounded refreshed and alert showing the person was awake for awhile. What time was it? Turning her head to look at the clock showing the digits in luminous red she sighed.

Two in the afternoon

There was no use in panicking, she was already four hours late for class. Making a mental note to herself to ring later explaining terminal illness. Footsteps outside her door drew nearer and nearer until they stopped and were replaced with a gentle knocking on the door.

"Come in" Hilary called kicking her feet out of the blankets and resting the on the floor. Her toes curled around the soft fabric which tickled her. The door creaked open and a hand entered first, searching the wall for a light switch. The light above flickered slightly and blasted the room with it's brightness.

"Whoa!" she groaned covering her eyes with her hand. A blonde head moved around the door smiling at Hilary rubbing her eyes.

"Good afternoon to you too" said the blonde walking across the room and opening the heavy curtains allowing natural light in "You slept in again"

Hilary moved her hand through her tangled brown hair and sighed "I know"

"This is the fourth time this week"

"I know"

The blonde tutted "You are missing a lot of classes, Mr Fitzgerald is quite worried about you"

"I know" Hilary snapped, standing up and moving towards the mirror. The blonde watched her movements "I haven't been sleeping well" she said looking at her reflection. Her brown hair was tangled together making her look wild. The blue in her eyes was hard to see with the red veins flowing across them and her skin was faded almost like sand

As Hilary began to brush her hair the blonde spoke, picking up the discarded books tossed about the room carelessly "We better get you to a doctor. You look ill"

"I don't need a doctor Claudia, I need rest but that seems to be impossible with all this noise" she said pointing out the window where car horns could be heard and the daily traffic argument was boiling up "Twenty four seven"

"You can tell you're from the country" Claudia snorted and went over to her friend and took the brush from her hand taking over the job "Well, how about you stay home for the rest of the week and I'll handle shopping and all of the things you do so you can try and get back into a healthy rhythm?"

"Thanks" whispered Hilary "I appreciate it"

"Oh before I forget!" Claudia jumped putting the brush down and moving over the the book shelf and picked up a brown packet "This came for you in the mail along with some postcards from John in Italy" she said handing the packet and cards down the Hilary. Flickering through the cards she read the messages from her friend. She placed them on the table when she finished and started to rip open the tightly concealed package with her hands. Once she got through all of the outer layer she saw a small glass box with small gems placed along the side.

"John must have sent it over from Italy" Claudia guessed, her voice glum on not receiving a gift from her friend. Hilary clicked open the sides and the top pulled itself upwards revealing the contents. She gasped at what she saw. She reached her hand in and pulled out a necklace. The stones shone multicolored light and twinkled as she moved her hand into the light.

"This is too expensive for John to buy" Hilary said as she looked deeper into the gem "Are you sure no other letter came with this?" she asked Claudia who was looking at the gem longingly but snapped out of her trance once Hilary spoke. Shaking her head "No, but I only picked up what was in front of me, I'll go look now" and with that she left the room. The pitter patter of her feet sounded down the hall.

While she was away Hilary unclipped the back of the chain and brought it around her neck. Once it was fully clasped at the back she moved to look at the rock in the reflection and smiled. Beautiful, just beautiful was all she could think of how to describe it. Although that thought did not last long.

Instead it was replaced by a burning sensation on her skin under the gem. She thought on removing it but as she tugged and tugged the necklace wouldn't budge and the heat only rose quicker. She backed up, tripping over the stool and fell to the carpet, clutching at her neck leaving obvious nail marks. She tried to raise her voice but she found she could not speak, nor scream. Inside she called out to Claudia who was still searching for a letter outside not aware of the scene that was happening the in room which she just left. Soon all faded. No pain, no Claudia, no nothing.

She was falling

A/N- Very important! I have decided to re-write this whole story. I was reading back on it a few days ago and cringed at the writing style so now I am re-writing everything. It will still be the same story only different and the writing will be up to standard :)