Chapter 15

Weeks have passed since the this too futuristic dream of mine. I've been spending my time as a somewhat normal teen. I visit Claire here and there in the hospital. She's still recovering from her coma.

I still chat with some friends. I guess you can speak on me being more cautious about the steps I take in life. Throughout it all, I have yet to have a concern. My classmates treat me the same even with conversations about Claire's lie.

I choose not to allow this incident to disrupt my life. One has to move on towards a fruitful life. "Good morning." I say walking through the doors of the library.

"Good morning. You're in a happy mood." Cliff says pressing buttons on copy machine. "I'm in a happy mood. Life shifted. I'm feeling okay for the moment. No fainting spells."

I take a seat behind the desk. "Paul not here today? I didn't see his car." "He took today off." "You fired him?" "Nice try." I guess it was. "How about a date? A beach date. Not a date in general. Just hang out with me and friends. Bring a girl or two. Or a guy?" Would that work for him?

"Have to turn you down. Trish went missing." "Who is Trisha?" "She is Tonya's friend. She went missing three days ago." "Tonya never mentioned that. She hates me. Wait. Are you dating Tonya?" If he is, it is curving into what I have dreamed. I wait in his answer. "I am." I groan in disbelief.

"Very hard to believe, right? We been dating for the last two months." "Does she know you fired me?" "You quit." For certain reasons. "I should go." I get up from my seat and feel into my pants pocket. I take out a ten-dollar bill. I walk to Cliff, grab his hand, slam it on his palm. "Happy Birthday." "Thanks. This can be for gas."

The entrance door opens, and Paul walks in. "I can work." "Alright. Staff meeting is today." I speak to Paul, but he does not respond back. I guess that hate goes a distance. I make my way towards the entrance when my vision begins to shake. Oh, no. I'm having a panic attack. I quickly rush out of the library and head for my father's car. Soon as I reach near, I trip over my own two feet and hit my face on the left rear headlight. I fall on the gravel. I groan turning over onto my back as blood leaks from my nose.

"Oh my god. Are you okay?" A muscled bronzed skinned man asks kneeling next to me. "I am." Tears begin to fall down my eyes. "Mary-Ann, are you okay?" Cliff asks running up. "Panic attack." I say slowly sitting up. I use my shirt to wipe the blood. At least I can move my nostrils meaning my nose is not broken. The man helps me up. I thank him. "Mary-Ann, I think you need help."

"I'm good, Cliff. Just the body being traumatized. I better go." "You can't leave like that, Mar-" "I'm good." I hold my nose walking around the car. I just gotta get home.

VXVXVXVXVXVXVX

I'm lying on the living room couch, face still bruised. Since the car accident, I've developed panic attacks. The doctor tells me the body and brain has traumatic symptoms. Very expected for any one. I'm just mad I have to miss the bonfire.

I sit up hissing in pain. My nose vibrate horribly. The doctor told me that it's not broken. Knock! Knock! Knock! Someone knocks on the front door. I get up from the couch and walk the living room to the front door. I look through the front door to see that's it's Paul. I open the door. "Hi, Paul. Come in." I let him in. I close the door behind him. "Your nose?"

"Fine but it's hurt." He reaches for my face but I jerk back. "Sorry. I'm like super nervous." I wrap my arms around him. He leans down and sniff my neck. What was that? "Parents not home." I laugh.

"My face is busted and you want sex?" He doesn't answer the question. "I'm not having sex in my parents' house. How about we go for lunch?" Ring. Ring. My cellphone rings. I rush over to the couch and grab it. I answer it. "Hello." "Mar-" I hang up. I recognize that voice. It's that man.

I walk back over to Paul. "Who was that?" "No one." I answer as my hears begin to buzz. He knows. "You sure?" "Yes, Paul. Let us go get lunch."

I grab my sandals, keys, and jacket before heading outside. After making sure the house is locked, we leave in his car. The ride was in silence as he drove me to a diner on his tribe.

I recall the diner as one of the dates that he took me to in my dream. "Here you go." The waitress says handing both of us a menu. I thank her and open it. The menu is similar. I'm so amazed at the accuracy. Perhaps I can read the future. "Wanna talk about it?" He asks. "Talk about what?" "The accident." "Nothing to speak on, Paul. Just a bad moment in my life. I think I want the cheeseburger and strawberry milkshake." Have not had one in almost two years.

"Did you bring money?" "Yes. I keep a money card in my jacket. You never know of an emergency. We're good, Paul." I believe we will be.

XVXVXVXVXVXV

(Paul's House)

I heavily breathe out as his hot hands clutch my bare butt. Making out in his hallway was not expected. All of my clothes and his shirt is scattered on the wooden floor. "Condom, Paul." I say as he picks me up. He totes me into his room and throws me on the bed. When Paul unzips his jean shorts, a wolf howl erupts in the distance. That wolf sounds very close. He zips his shorts back up. "Wha-" "Gotta go." He says leaving out of his room. "Paul, the wolf will be okay!"