My throat was burning. Sweat beads raced down my face and neck, lining all the way down my back. I felt my arms tremble, still frightened from my dream…well, nightmare.

I looked around; my hospital room was dark, but the TV was still on, showing reruns of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I looked over next to me to find Jackson's head on my bed, his hand on my leg.

I slumped back. "Thank God," I said, glad that I had waken up. Jackson's hand moved, and I figured I had wakened him, too.

He lifted his head, smiled and sat up. "Well, it's 1:30 in the morning. What are you doing up?" A crooked smile pulling over his face.

I wish I didn't have to pull that smile away.

"I-I had a nightmare…" I trailed off, hoping he would just let it be.

He didn't.

That gorgeous smile of his faded in the nick of time. "Are you OK?" He asked, his hand caressing my cheek. He held my face in his hand.

I sighed, "No, not really. It was horrible. I was in a sunflower field, and I heard a cry. I started to run, faster than I have ever run before. I stopped when I saw a dead girl, small, but about our age. Then a voice started to call me, and I tried to run, but I just couldn't! It was so real! The pain, the screams, everything!"

I found myself sobbing helplessly. Tears streamed down my face, dripping on my white blanket.

I felt warm, safe arms curl around my torso, securing me, never letting me go. I rested my head on Jackson's shoulder, gripping his shirt tightly.

"Shhh, it's OK. It's never going to happen. I would never ever let anything bad happen to you. Ever." His voice went from worry-free to comforting and concerned.

Once I wasn't crying hysterically anymore, he let go. But before he could completely detach himself, he looked into my watery eyes.

Silence blanketed over us, and soon I forgot about the rest of the world. I could only see Jackson's face, feel his warmth.

I found my face closer to his. Was I moving? It didn't feel like it. But we became so close that I was able to kiss him.

I wondered if he ever knew…

Ever since we first met, we knew from the start that we had to be best friends. But I always felt like there was more. I didn't just want to be friends.

He placed his hand on my cheek, pulling me forward. My heart was pounding fiercely, so much that I thought that I wouldn't handle it.

I felt the warmth of his lips on mine, and I soon realized that we were kissing. I had never been kissed, but now I know what it feels like.

My arms automatically wrapped around his neck, trying to avoid the IV being ripped out of my arm.

His hair brushed my face, tickling me. I separated my lips and looked into his eyes. I noticed that his cheeks were turning pink.

I smiled at him, but he backed away. My smile vanished.

"Not now. Not here. Later, once you're out of the hospital." He said.

I nodded. He had a point. You don't usually see a couple kissing in a hospital…unless it's a soap opera.

XxXxXxxxXxxxxXxxXxXXXxxxxXxXXXxxXXxxxxxxxXxXXXXXXXxxxXxXxXXx

Two days later, I was home. Jackson drove me, since my car was in the shop.

His engine stopped in the driveway. "Well, we're here." He smiled.

I nodded, "Come inside. Stay a bit." I suggested.

He shook his head, "I can't. I have to go film Robert's party. He's paying me, so when money calls…" He teased. But I knew that he had to film this party.

Robert was his brother. He's going to China for a while, something about a job.

"OK." I unbuckled myself, but Jackson pulled me back. He pressed his lips against mine. We sat there for what seemed like forever, but I knew I had to let him go.

As if he read my thoughts, he let go. "See ya later, Cass." He said.

I watched him drive away, his car disappearing. I sighed, walking to the front door.

"Grams?" I called. I waited 2 seconds before I heard footsteps. My little grandmother walked over to give me a hug. "Oh, Cassie. I am so glad that you are alright. Come, go to your bedroom and rest. You need it."

I couldn't fight her. I was pretty tired.

I walked up the stairs and barged into my room. It was the same, but a bit cleaner thanks to Grams's doing.

I collapsed onto my bed. My eye lids felt heavy and droopy, and soon enough, I was fast asleep.

In my dream, it was bright. I was in a completely white room. I had on a white gown, making me look like amazingly stunning. It wrapped around my chest, flowing to the floor.

I couldn't tell where the walls where, and where the room ended.

Then it came again…

"CCCCCAAAASSSSIIIIEEE…!"

At this point, I attempted to run, but found myself running into someone.

"Jackson!" I said, hugging him tightly.

He pushed me behind him. He was wearing nothing but ripped jeans, his muscled body crouching.

He was bent down as if he were going to pounce. I just stood lifeless, unable to calculate the trouble around us.

"I will protect you. You will never be harmed." He said to me.

I heard huge steps near us. I looked up to see what looked like an overgrown dog, growling and baring its teeth.

Jackson's lips pulled over his teeth, and I wished my dream stopped there. He suddenly let out a yell. His skin grew darker, and harrier. His yell turned into a mad growl. He was no longer human- he was a monster.

His eyes were still the perfect cinnamon, and his fur was his natural hair color, too.

But that didn't stop me from screaming.

Once I released my terrified yell, the darker huge dog lunged at me.

I fell to the ground, my head hurting from the fall. I shielded my face with my arm, but that didn't do any good.

Its massive claws tore my arm, blood splattering on my gown, my face, and my torso.

"Gah! Jackson!" I yelped. As soon as I yelled, Jackson tackled the enemy. I watched in horror as Jackson terminated it. I heard a disturbing snap of the neck, and the enemy lay dead.

Jackson walked back to me, slowly becoming human again. I was breathing heavily, my body aching.

He bent down to pick me up. His eyes were full of sadness and, yet, beauty. I couldn't help but still think that he was gorgeous. No matter what he is.

"I'm so sorry." He said. "I failed."

Failed? At what?

I realized that he meant at protecting me. I wrapped my good arm around his neck. "I still love you."

My dream had come to a halt. A permanent stop.

I found myself sitting up right, tears and sweat soaking me…

Hey! I hope you liked this chapter! I SO enjoyed writing it, giving it new twists. I bet you know what Jackson is! And no, I do not think that my wolves are better than Stephenie Meyers, hers are WAY better. There are no vampires in this story, FYI.

But I hope you like it! Please review, no flames accepted.

Kurishii Holic