In my dreams I imagined father coming to claim me. His dark cloud wrapped lovingly around me, yet I could feel the anger growing deep inside. As he began carrying me closer to home I began struggling.
I didn't want to go home, I couldn't. As I began struggling more, the cloud wrapped tighter and tighter around me. Finally, I couldn't breathe…
I awoke with a start, my heart was racing wildly. Bright sunlight blinded me as I looked around. I was almost comforted that I would be able to see the sun again before I went back home.
As I sat up, I realized I was tangled in the sheets I was sleeping on. I guess that was my dream cloud strangling me.
The room I was in was cozy. It almost had this princess feel to it. I looked at the nightstand next to me and saw a clock. It wasn't digital so I quickly turned it the other way.
I began to wonder where I was, this most definitely wasn't a hotel room or my apartment I had been renting. I could hear quiet murmurings coming from the hallway.
I wished desperately I hadn't drained my powers last night so I could find out who was talking. I would also be able to escape, but right now I couldn't even shadow. I would be this helpless for a whole day.
Finally the voices quieted and the doorknob turned. I took a deep breath as the door opened. I expected Regulators, or members of the Cincti to walk through the door. I was completely, and utterly shocked to see Vanessa and Tianna instead. I was so relived I couldn't breathe.
"Hey, Melanie, it's nice to see you up," Tianna said when she looked at me.
"Yeah you gave us quiet a scare last night. You just passed out, thank goodness Stanton caught you. You could have had a concussion. Are you ok? You look like you've seen a ghost," Vanessa paused and came towards me.
"I-" I tried to say, but as soon as Vanessa came close enough I pulled her into a hug. I felt a tear run down my cheek. Maybe I had a chance after all!
Vanessa pulled away and I said quietly and hoarsely, "Thank you."
"It's no problem. I wanted to take you to a hospital but Stanton wouldn't let me. He said-" She paused and quickly looked towards Tianna who made a motion as if to tell Vanessa to stop talking.
"What did he say?" I asked still hoarse and talking in a whisper. My mouth was dry, and throat hurt badly. It felt like I had screamed all night long.
Vanessa looked panicked for a minute before Tianna cut in, "He said… you didn't need to go, that you would probably wake up soon. We all expected you to wake up sooner." They both sighed and Vanessa offered to go and get me some tea for my throat.
It drove me insane that I couldn't just look into their heads to see what Stanton had really said. It just then occurred to me that I would have no way of contacting Stanton. I had to ask him what really happened.
Tianna looked at me curiously for a minute before she said, "So what happened to you? Do you think some one drugged your drink?"
I managed to get out, "I don't know."
Vanessa quickly came back in with some tea. Behind her Catty, Serena, and Jimena came in. They all smiled at me warmly.
Once I had drank the tea, I was able to speak more clearly, "Where am I?"
Vanessa was the one to speak up, "You're at my house. It was the one closest to the club."
"Oh," I looked at them all. They came to the bed and I pulled my legs to my body so they could sit. It felt some what like a sleep-over. I wish I could have had one of those. They sounded like fun.
"Are you sure some vato didn't drug your drink?" Jimena asked me. You could tell she was worried about me. I wondered if I had said someone had drugged my drink, if she'd go and hunt him down and have a little talk with him.
I smiled at the thought. I wish I had friends who would do that for me.
"I didn't have a drink at the club," I said, "I hadn't even been there that long. I remember seeing you guys dance, and then I danced with this guy," I paused. Blake, I thought to myself dreamily. He was a good kisser.
"Ah, someone has a crush," Catty said teasingly. "Who is he?"
I looked at her surprised. "No I don't," I said defiantly.
"Yes you do. I could see it in your eyes. They got all dreamy-looking, like Vanessa's does when she thinks about Michael," Catty said playfully.
"I do not do that," Vanessa replied defensively and hit Catty with one of her pillows. She looked around at all the others, "Do I?"
They all said, "Yes," in unison. Vanessa turned a shade of red. We all laughed for a minute, until I heard a bell ring. It echoed quietly down through the house.
Vanessa looked up, "I wonder who that could be." She got up off of the bed and went out of her bedroom. I guess it was the doorbell.
"Well come on, Melanie, 'fess up. Who do you like?" Tianna asked lightheartedly.
Without warning, a voice whispered in my head, "Lucky girl." With my powers so low I wasn't able to detect who was in my head. I couldn't even say anything back.
Not meaning to, I suddenly said out-loud, "Stanton?" My heart beat excitedly and a goofy grin crossed my face. Finally I would be able to get some answers! The silence in the room after I said that was deathly. Serena glared at me suspiciously.
I looked at them all not realizing why they were all glaring at me and said, "I thought I heard his voice. Is he here? I want to thank him for catching me."
Serena said suddenly, "You have a crush on my boyfriend?"
It then occurred to me what I had said. It was perfect timing of course. That was just my luck. "No! I don't have a crush on your boyfriend! I just thought I heard his voice in the hallway, that's all."
Serena looked at me suspiciously, "If not Stanton, then who do you have a crush on?"
"I," great I was going to have to tell them who to save my ass. This was just perfect! "Blake," I said reluctantly. I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks. It was still quiet, even without my powers I could tell they were deciding whether or not to trust me.
Before anyone could say anything, Stanton and Vanessa walked through the door. "Hey, Sunshine." Stanton whispered across my mind. I desperately wanted to be able to communicate back.
Serena quickly went protectively to Stanton. Vanessa looked at everyone innocently, "What happened? The silence in here could kill."
"Nothing, Melanie told us who she's crushing on," Catty said quietly. I looked at Serena and Stanton. They seemed to be having a mental conversation. Oh, how I wished I could her.
Vanessa smiled and took her place on the bed again, "Oh really? Who?"
Stanton seemed to liven up suddenly, "Yes, Melanie, who do you have a crush on?"
"No one," I looked towards Catty desperately and she whispered who it was in Vanessa's ear.
"So, you have a crush on Blake? The mysterious dancer?" Stanton's eyes lit up with playfulness. He was getting a kick out of being able to tease me, and me not being able to do anything about it.
I didn't care if I'd be even more drained after I did this. I closed my eyes tight on concentrated. I could feel what little power I had build up. It tickled delightfully across my head. I truly missed the feeling.
"Don't hurt yourself," Stanton warned.
When I finally had enough power to send the thought out I smiled triumphantly. My message to Stanton was, "Screw you."
Stanton looked at me and smiled. I looked at everyone around me. It seemed to be a Kodak moment. I really wish I had a camera.
I sat up slowly, so I didn't get dizzy. "Thanks really, for the hospitality. I should get home though, so I can get cleaned up and everything. I also have a ton of homework to do, since I came late to school all my teachers wanted me to catch up."
Sure it was a lie. I wasn't going to do my homework for anything. I was just hoping that once I did get the chance to be alone Stanton would find me and we could have a little chat. I was still bewildered as to why I was in the hands of the Daughters and not my father.
"Do you think you're well enough?" Vanessa asked.
"Yeah, I feel fine, a little drained, but fine." Finally the first truth I've told them in a while. Well, besides the whole Blake thing.
"Ok…" Vanessa said quietly. Everyone was silent for a minute.
Serena seemed a little relieved that I was leaving. Jimena looked at Serena questioningly and jumped up, "Hey, come on chica I'll give you a ride."
I said goodbye to everyone. Before I left I looked at Stanton and discreetly tapped my head. He got the hint and smiled deviously.
I got into Jimena's car and we left, the music blaring loudly down the street.