Chapter One:

Too Real to Shake

The sound of the crowd was deafening, yet just as exhilarating.

The loud cheers and curses clashed in the air like thunder as the spectators shouted from their seats in the packed stadium, the energy electric.

It was anyone's victory tonight, the score tied neck and neck.

Not if I could help it.

"And it's Lakewood's ball now, forward player, number 17, taking the ball from Wakefield's, number 5. And she's headed down to the goal!"

Quick feet.

I was quick on my feet, eyes narrowed in on the white net goal on the south end of the field.

Running, running, running.

The others were hot on my heels, closer and closer.

I dodged, weaved away, my focus never wavering.

It was only me, the ball, and that net.

"Oh, I think she's done it now folks! Dodging past Wakefield's defense she's halfway! I can't believe it! I think it just might be another victorious night for the Falcons!"

Cheers were louder now, the distant rhythm of the band's drumline in tune with the beat of my heart. Pounding heavy in my chest.

So close now- the goal only yards ahead.

Suddenly- in a blur- I faulted, my legs giving out under me.

Falling to the ground in a limp pile of limbs, my weight crashing under me.

Pools of blood surrounded my falling form, yet no one seemed to notice. I was invisible.

I screamed for help, no matter how loud my sobs were, none came to my aid.

The cheers of the opposing team louder now as they stole back the ball, not a single one batting an eye at my fallen state.

Help!

No one came.

A buzzer sounded, the clock striking zero, ominous and loud. It rang in my ears, like it was screaming my name.

Your time is up, it seemed to taunt me.

Your time is up...

I sat up, bolt right in my bed. Blinking hard, and blinking again to free my eyes from the horrendous scene burned into my mind.

Heavy sweat beaded at my brow as I threw back the heavy comforter of my bed hurriedly.

I doubled over, forcing deep and steady breaths out of my lungs. Trying to calm my racing heart.

It was just a dream.

"Just a dream..." I mumbled to myself, repeating the words like a mantra over and over again until I could think clearly. Trying to breathe smoothly without a sob racking through my chest.

I sat there for a moment, curled into myself, my nose pressed into the soft silk of the bedsheets.

I opened one eye slightly, peaking over at the alarm clock.

3 a.m.

There was no way I was going back to bed again, sleep wouldn't find me, not with the nightmare so fresh on my mind.

I hauled myself out of bed, softly padding over to the adjoining bathroom.

Running a bath of steaming hot water, pouring in a generous amount of lavender bath salts and milk powder.

I needed all the calming aromas and feelings I could get.

I sat on the covered toilet ungracefully, legs tucked under as I waited for the tub to fill to my liking.

I all but jumped into the waiting water when it did, quickly finding peace in the velvety, milky water. I didn't pay any mind to the burn of the too hot water.

The image of my body, mangled in a pool of my own blood in the middle of the field, burned in my mind. I couldn't shake it, no matter how much I tried to distract myself.

It was just a dream.

But it had felt so real. Too real.

I quickly went about trying to busy my mind with other things, taking my time shaving every angle and inch of my legs, washing with soap and a body scrub, taking the time to deep condition my hair.

After sitting in the water, even after it had long gone cold, my fingers and toes turning to prunes, I finally talked myself into getting out.

Ready to face the world and day ahead of me.

Throwing on a long housecoat and glasses I continued my busy storm through the house, finding minuscule tasks to distract me. An hour later I finally sat down at my desk, a mug of hot tea and a biscuit nicked from the pantry in hand.

Trying to distract myself with any calming agent I could find.

Excessive amounts of sugar usually helped.

I let my hair air dry, the nearly dried waves tucked behind my ears as I mulled over my planner. I pulled out the accompanying papers that went with my schedule for that day. I was a meticulous planner, every exam and note from school catalogued.

A big red star marked the date on the calendar, signaling I had a job for student council that day.

Another group tour of the school.

I took my time going through the new students names, noting the classes I did or didn't have in common with them. Finally, I was able to distract my worried mind with something much more fascinating.

It would be the largest group of kids I had ever been assigned, and I was excited to meet my new peers. I repeated their names in my mind over and over, trying to commit them and their schedules to memory.

The Cullens.

I only hoped they would like it here in Lakewood.

And that maybe, I'd find a close friendship in one of them.