Nikki opens her eyes, only to realize that she is standing in the middle of a narrow hallway covered in thick fog. Confused, she decides to proceed forward.

After a few minutes of aimless wandering, she hears a voice say, "Do you seek the truth? If it's the truth you desire, come and find me."

What in the world is going on? Nikki thought. She keeps walking until she reaches a door and opens it. As she does, she sees a figure standing there, but because of the thick fog, she cannot tell who it is.

"So you're the one that's pursuing me, but you will not catch me so easily," the figure says. "If what you seek is the 'truth,' then your search will be even harder."

Suddenly, the fog starts to thicken, and Nikki is unable to see the figure. "Where in the world am I, and who are you?" Nikki asks.

The figure ignores her question and responds, "I hope we meet again in a place other than here."

"Hold on a sec, what are you going on about?" Nikki replies, but the fog only thickens, and she can no longer hear the voice. To top it off, she's starting to lose consciousness.

--

2/4/2009

Beep Beep*

Nikki slowly opens her eyes and turns off the alarm clock.

What was that dream supposed to mean? Nikki thought as she sat up. She instinctively puts her hand on the spot where she was hit with the dodgeball. Well, it seems like that raging headache and sick feeling are finally gone. Wow, was Mackenzie really trying to kill me out there? That throw really packed a punch.

She looks at her closed diary. Wow, I was so out of it that I forgot to write in my diary. I'll write in it on my way to school, she decides.

She removes the covers and makes her way to the bathroom to take a shower. After she's done, she runs into her mother.

"Oh, morning, Nikki. Are you feeling alright? I heard about what happened to you. It must have been awful," Nikki's mother says.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Looks like that sleep helped a lot," Nikki replies.

"Oh, and Brianna wants to talk to you about something. It sounds like she wants to apologize for what happened."

"Brianna apologizing? Well, that's new. Normally, she just blames everything on her imaginary friend."

"Anyway, hurry up and get changed; otherwise, you'll be late for school."

"Yeah, alright then."

Nikki heads to her room to change into her clothes, and once she's done, she goes to the kitchen. There, she sees a letter with messy handwriting and a sandwich topped with peanut butter, jelly, and pickles.

Nikki reads the letter and sees that Brianna is apologizing for what happened yesterday morning. To make up for it, she made Nikki the sandwich. After bracing herself, Nikki decides to try it just once, and it turns out to be great.

Nikki then notices Brianna peeking through the door. "Brianna! Come here!" Nikki shouts.

Brianna enters the kitchen looking nervous. "Nikki, I'm very sorry for—"

Nikki gives her a big hug and says, "Apology accepted, and that was one great sandwich too!"

"Told you so," Brianna grins.

Nikki looks at the time. "Well, I have to head out to school now. Be good, okay?"

"I will," Brianna replies.

Nikki opens the door and heads out for a new day of school, wondering what could await her.