Amethyst Blood

Chapter 1:Triple Espresso Shot

My heart started pounding harder as I could feel myself running faster and faster. I'm not sure how I even got in this type of situation. What was I even running from? It was pitch black and foggy and I could barely make out what was in front of me. So of course it was no surprise when I bumped into something hard. It knocked me on the ground and I had to wait for my vision to come back fully before I could glance up to see what I had hit. I looked up to see a dark, shadowy figure looming over me. My eyes had adjusted more and some more of the fog had cleared and so I was now able to make out a tall, dark, handsome and very NAKED man appearing before me. He smoldered at me. I was now very turned on as well as extremely afraid. Who the hell was he?

"Amei," he said my name and reached out a hand to help me up. "Amei", he said again. "Amei..."

"AMEI, WAKE UP!", I jumped from my desk covered in drool when my mind snapped back to reality. I heard snickers and giggles all around me. Professor Alder stood there silently shaking his head at me.

"Sorry Professor. I didn't get much sleep last night."

"Save it for someone who cares, Amei. You are dismissed. Come back when you are better prepared."

"But Professor, I...", Professor Alder raised his hand to shush me and I know I was defeated. I picked up my Horticulture textbooks and decided to stop by my favorite coffee shop before heading back to my dorm. Thank goodness Botany 101 was my last class for the day.

I walked into Manhattan Mocha and I was instantly energized from the strong coffee aromas that entered my nose. I saw that Gabriel was working the counter today and I instantly knew what I wanted as soon as I approached him. He looked up at the register and smiled, "The usual?"

"You know it!", I replied. I had been coming to Manhattan Mocha since my first semester of Manhattan College.

"Coming right up! Can I help who's next?", he winked at me as I stepped aside as he went to get the man's order behind me. I chuckled as I went to find a seat while I waited. Gabriel Grunkel had the biggest crush on me. I'm pretty sure it instantly started three years ago when I first met him at this very table.

-I had entered having intentions to have coffee with my boyfriend after our very first day of classes. He was my high school sweetheart, and as cliche as it sounded, at one point I actually believed he was my soulmate. He hadn't shown up after half an hour so I went to text him, but before I could. He texted me first.

'Sorry, can't make it' was all the text had said. Thinking he was just held up in class I went to reply back but suddenly another text came through. 'Sorry, can't do this anymore.' my heart dropped. We hadn't been having any trouble in our relationship. We didn't even have arguments much at all. During our senior year we had discussed parting ways for college. After talking it through we both realized that we had a similar college on our wish list.

We decided to let fate decide and we both applied. If we both got accepted, we'd stay together. If one or both of us got denied, we'd split. Turns out, Manhattan wasn't his first choice and he decided our fate on his own.

I had replied back to his text. He never answered. I sat there. Tears rolling down my cheeks for a good five minutes before Gabriel came over to check on me. "A gorgeous girl like you should never have tears in her eyes."

I sniffled and huffed, "Oh yeah? Well, if I'm so gorgeous how come I just got dumped?"

"Well, he's obviously blind!", he exclaimed. I looked up at him with my eyebrow raised. "She?", he questioned since I didn't respond.

I chuckled, "Yeah right. I can't even keep gal pals!"

"At least I made you laugh. Can I get you anything? My shift just started so I'm not sure if you ordered." I glanced at my phone. "My treat.", he added.

"Well, if it's your treat, what do you recommend?", I asked.-

"Non caff, triple espresso shot mocha latte. Extra foam and extra cream." Gabriel brought me back from my flashback. I thanked him as he started to sit down across from me. He looked at his watch. "You're here earlier than usual." I smiled.

"I got kicked out of class.", I snickered.

"Yeah, right!"

" I seriously did so thanks for the triple! I couldn't help falling asleep in class! I'm having weird dreams again."

"Running in the creepy forest?"

"That's the one.", I confirmed. Gabriel and my roommate Alyssa were the only ones I told about my recurring erotic nightmares. To make things less awkward with Gabriel, I left out the erotic parts.

"Maybe you should see a therapist or look into getting a sleep study done."

""It's just a dream, Gabriel."

""A dream you've been having every week for the past month. You honestly don't believe your subconsciousness is trying to tell you something?"

"I don't know! I'm a Horticulturalist major, not a dream interpreter."

"I'm telling you it means something."

"Breaks up, Gabriel!", His boss, Sandra, called to him.

"I gotta get back to work, but let's meet at the library later? Last time I was there I saw an ABC Dream Dictionary spine while passing through."

I sighed. Knowing he wouldn't give in until we found some answers. I replied, "Fine. I've got some major catching up to do anyway and I could use the company."

"7 o' clock?", he asked starting back to the counter.

"I'll be there.", I said rolling my eyes. I finished my mocha then headed back to the dorms. I was hoping the triple shot would jolt me awake enough to power through some homework. However, as I was walking towards the direction of my dorm, the humid air kept stinging my eyes making it hard to keep open even to walk a few measly blocks. I grabbed the water bottle from the side pouch of my backpack and squirted some room temperature water on my face. By the time I walked into my dorm, I felt completely drained. I decided a nap would be the best idea right now. A relaxing nap, quick shower, then library with Gabriel to be productive. Yes, I should be well rested by then I thought as I glanced at the clock. I flopped on my comfy purple comforter and started drifting to sleep. Let's hope I don't bump into the mysterious sexy man again.