Disclaimer: I do not own Ib.


Chapter 8

As the bell rang Ib stayed still, a stark contrast from the students around her who jumped up excitedly and ran off to recess. She waited patiently for the others to clear out before standing. One by one, she went to each desk, gently pushing them and their corresponding chairs into their proper position. The others always shoved them out of place in their rush to get outside. She sat on the ledge of the window, watching her peers play through the glass. The sun filtered through the window, the warmth making her drowsy, She didn't realize she was falling asleep until she slipped from the ledge. The sensation of falling jerked her awake and she barely caught herself quickly enough to land on her feet. She rubbed her eyes and glanced at the clock. Recess had barely started. She debated whether resting her eyes would be worth it. She looked back at the window ledge, so warm and inviting. Finally, decision made, she slipped off her shoes―she didn't want to get dirt on the ledge―hopped back up. She curled up and closed her eyes, allowing the sun to warm her. She didn't intend to fall asleep. But the warmth coupled with the white noise of the students playing outside was calming and she drifted off.

She was shaken awake by her teacher. She kindly informed her that recess was almost over. Ib thanked her quietly and returned to her desk. She shook her head, attempting to clear the daze that came with sleep. She rubbed at her eyes, tiredly. The nap had helped, but with the amount of sleep she'd gotten last night it wasn't enough. Gradually, all the other children filtered in and resumed their seats. The teacher called the class to order. Ib roughly shook her head once more then lightly patted her cheeks to wake herself up. A flush dusted over her cheeks as she noticed those around her staring and whispering about her odd behavior. She squared her shoulders, lifted her chin up, ignored her peers that were now snickering derisively, and gave all her attention to her teacher. As she listened earnestly to the older woman drone on, she told herself that she only had a few more hours left.


She pitied the teacher as the clock ticked closer to lunch time. The other students were already restless, eager to eat and play. And Ib felt guilty. She always did her best to pay attention, but she too was anxious for a break. The clock's hand shifted again and the class grew rowdier. Ib began tapping her foot impatiently. She was trying to listen to what the teacher was saying but everything seemed to go in one ear and out the other. She'd felt distracted for most of the lesson. As it commenced, she had paid adequate attention but as it had gone on her attention had been captured by the conversation the students beside her were having. She'd tried her best to ignore them. Eavesdropping was a terrible habit. But then one of them revealed a pretty, long black feather. If that was all that had happened, she was sure she could have gone back to listening properly. But as it was, it had led to another conversation that became relevant to her.

The little boy continued talking excitedly to his friend. He planned to use it on their next arts and crafts project. They bounced ideas off each other. The boy contemplated whether he should use it on another macaroni picture frame, a birthday card for his older sister, or a pirate hat to use next time they played Neverland. The girl encouraged him to use it for a pirate hat, reasoning that if the captain was easily noticable then friends could join the game without explaining who had which part. He agreed. She'd then wondered what she should do for the next project. She'd never liked macaroni picture frames, there were no ocassions she needed a card for in the near future, and there was no point in making a pirate hat if he was because they could just switch off and share it. Another friend joined in, suggesting she make a dreamcatcher. She brushed her off, stating a dreamcatcher was too difficult. They eventually decided that the boy would make a pirate hat for Captain Hook, the girl he'd originally been having a conversation with would make a Peter Pan hat to match, and the friend who'd joined in would make a headband to be Tiger Lily. They started talking about other things they could make so they could properly play the other roles, but by now Ib had tuned out.

A dreamcatcher. She'd seen them before and their purpose was definitely appealing. They were pretty, but the girl had been right when she'd said they were difficult. To get the patterns to be so perfectly accurate... She'd wondered if she could do it. She had listened half-heartedly to the lesson after the idea entered her head. And now, so close to lunch, it had solidified. It would take a bit of time, but she was sure if she was careful she could make one well. As the bell rang, liberating the children, she had finally decided on which colors to make it. She hopped up, as excited as the others. She opened her backpack, taking out her lunch. She went straight to the arts and crafts table. They had an hour for arts and crafts after lunch but she was sure her project would take a good deal of time. She took a seat, munching on her sandwich as she read through the directions. They were simple and easy to follow, yet she knew actually making it would be difficult, much like the time her mother tried to teach her origami. She cringed as she remembered how her crane had turned out. She shook off the doubt. She needed it finished today, so she needed to get started now.

She'd managed to create wrap the hoop and create the loop for hanging it by the time lunch ended. The other students clamoured in, eager to get started on their projects. She didn't notice, trying for the fifteenth time to wrap the string around the hoop properly. It was frustrating. She'd finally get the first rotation of string to be perfect, then the second would be completely off. As she tried to correct it, the first would somehow find a way to get undone. When she'd finally gotten through the second rotation successfully, she realized she'd forgotten to add beads to it. She had debated whether she should just continue and put beads on the next time around. She'd huffed in frustration, undoing her hard work as she rationalized that if she did that it would not look like her vision. She'd just finished tying the last knot to keep the beads―which she'd substituted for the normal dangling feather―on when the teacher called the end of the their time for arts and crafts. She smiled victoriously at the completed dreamcatcher in her hands. She hurriedly cleaned her area and took her seat for the next lesson to begin. She put it up to her lips and whispered a wish into the net. Carefully, she placed it into her backpack and gave her attention to their teacher.

Sitting through the lesson, her wish still remained strong in her mind. She could almost feel the tingling of power radiating from her bag. For the first time that day, she smiled hopefully.

No more bad dreams.


A/N: I know this is a bit short. But as mentioned in before, this was supposed to be part of the last chapter. They are happening at roughly the same time. No dialogue this time either. But I figure, Ib is a quiet kid for the most part. I feel like it works. I'm excited to work on the next chapter as I already have what will happen planned. Please look forward to it! I'm working on it now, but I can't promise it will come out tonight.

On to the next!

Until next time friendlies,

Dfsemina