DREAM

I WAS EXHAUSETED. I GOT IN THE SHOWER and let the hot water relax my muscles. I was tense, and I had been for some time now, but not for any logical reason –– at least not a reason I could come up with. Sure there was school, but school didn't really stress me out. It was my senior year, but the work wasn't challenging. I went through my normal shower routine very slowly. I didn't get out until the water got cold. I was expecting to get in trouble for it later when the water bill arrived.

I dried myself off and put on my pajama's –– an oversized Beatles t-shirt and a pair of gray sweats. I threw my towel in the hamper behind the door before exiting the bathroom. I was startled to see my mom standing there.

"Geeze, Mom!" I gasped, clutching my hand to my chest.

She frowned at my reaction. "Sorry, I just wanted to make sure you didn't drown or something."

"Very funny," I said dryly.

"You've been in there for awhile hon…"

"I know, sorry."

Claire placed a concerned hand on my shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." I lied, knowing that I didn't sound the least bit convincing.

My mom looked at me suspiciously for a minute –– she seemed to be aware that I was lying. "You sure?"

I nodded. "Really, Mom, I'm just tired."

"That's all?" she continued to pry.

I was extremely aggravated at this point. I shook her hand off my shoulder. "That's all!" I retorted shortly.

"Don't talk to me in that tone, Cassie! You've been acting strange for at least a week. What's going on?"

"PMS!" I lied defensively.

"You expect me to believe that?" she asked, glaring at me as she folded her arms in front of her chest.

My eyebrows pulled together. "Yes!"

The downside to being an only child and living alone with my mother was that she noticed everything and blew it all out of proportion.

"Is it a boy?" she wondered. "You're not…" she broke off suggestively.

I gawked at her accusation. "No, Mom!" I barked.

"You're awfully short tempered, Cassandra. Are you lying because you know I'll find out if you are." She warned

"I don't even have a boyfriend, Mom. You know that."

She shook her head slowly, "That doesn't mean anything."

Apparently neither did my word. "You're seriously considering this ––" I stopped myself short. I wasn't about to finish that sentence. It wasn't worth it. I still couldn't digest her accusation. It wasn't like her to point fingers at me. "Good night, Mother," I said curtly, turning my back on her and stalking off to my room.

As much as I wanted to sleep and forget that whole conversation had ever happened, I couldn't; I had a history test in the morning that I desperately needed to study for. I sat down at my desk and opened my history book to the chapter on the Civil War. I couldn't concentrate on any of it though, my head was still reflecting on the argument. I gave up around three in the morning and climbed into bed.

I dreamt I was in a forest, not somewhere I recognized. It was dark and cold. I was standing on a bridge that crossed over a small creek that ran through the forest. I was waiting for someone, staring into the trees. The strange part was I didn't know who I was meeting.

Occasionally I heard some noises –– branches breaking, leafs crunching on the forest floor. Every-which-way I turned no one was there. An eerie feeling washed over me as I heard someone walk about behind me. I tried desperately to turn on my heel to face whoever it was, but my feet would budge. I fixed to the spot.

When I stopped panicking, the eerie feeling went away. I couldn't see who was behind me, but it wasn't them I was afraid of. In fact, my feelings couldn't have been more opposite. I felt a strong connection to this person, an unbreakable bond. The mysterious person took my hand and I instantly felt safe. Worry and fear vanished. But still, something was very wrong. I turned to admire the face of my protector – but then I woke up.