Chapter five

The thick heavy smoke clouded the dark room, making it even harder to see what was in front of me. I walked slowly, unsure of where I was going and held on to what felt like a sticky, rocky wall next to me for support. My head was spinning and I had no idea where I was. 

 

The smell of rotten flesh lingered in the air, making my stomach churn and gag for a second. Blindly walking ahead, the smell grew stronger and I fell to my knees, gagging. I tried keeping it in but I couldn't, it was impossible, I let go and I felt my stomach contracting as I emptied out its contents. My knees were weak but I forced myself to get up, to find safety, to go home.

 

Clinging to the wall for support, I finally saw a glimmer of light. I was delighted, finally. I was finally going to get out but of course, that's not how it was going to end. 

 

Just as I was getting closer and closer to the heavenly sweet light, it kept distancing itself away from me. "No!" I shouted, picking up my pace to a full on sprint all the while using the wall for support. My throat was hoarse from shouting at the light that seemed to fade off into the distance the more closer I got, it seemed like it never ended. 

 

Just when I thought my already weak and tired legs were going to give out, the light disappeared and what sounded like a door being slammed shut could be heard. No no no, I thought. Tears were streaming down my face, I can't escape. 

 

Footsteps. 

 

I could hear heavy footsteps coming my way and echoing throughout the place. With a racing heart, I looked around, desperately trying to see through the darkness for the owner of those footsteps. I tried to call out for help but my vocal chords had been strained by my screaming earlier so I settled for slamming my hand on the wall repeatedly until the footsteps could no longer be heard and instead I felt the presence of someone else. 

 

Clearing my throat, I tried to muster up a sound and soon I was able to pronounce one single sentence before my world turned upside down. "Please, help."

Instead of hearing the voice of my savior, the lights turned on and I was met with a cold, blank stare. 
I screamed at the sight in front of me.

 

 

"Aw! Look at them honey, aren't they the cutest couple ever?! Oh, think of the grandchildren!" 

 

"Shhhh! You're going to wake them woman!" 

 

"Oh right, sorry." I slightly opened my eyes, my heart on overdrive as I tried to settle my straggled breaths. It was just a dream. I felt someone stir underneath me and I allowed myself to fully open my eyes to get a look at the person who had me in chokehold. I looked up at Fisher which was hard to do seeing as the boy's arm had pulled my head firmly under his neck with my full chest on top of his sometime during the night. I could feel his steady breathing and light snore as I tried prying his arm off of my neck all the while cursing him under my breath. Stupid, stupid boy.

"Oh no honey don't move! Let me take a quick picture." I heard the click of the camera and nearly died of embarrassment as Fisher finally let go of me only to position his face on my chest, cuddling himself next to me. I managed to let out a squeak from the sudden movement and looked up at my two silently laughing parents who were standing at the foot of my bed.

What normal family would be okay with a boy sleeping, much less cuddling, with their sixteen, soon to be seventeen in a week, daughter? My family. Fish is the only teenage boy that my father allows into my room, not that I've brought any other teenage boy home, but dad has never had to worry about Fisher.

 

"Kass, breakfast is ready so wake Fish up and head downstairs." I nodded and watched my parents head out of my room, leaving me to my thoughts. The dream felt so surreal. I could still smell the rotting flesh and hear the heavy footsteps, but what I couldn't remember was what got me so frightened at the end of my dream. What could have possibly horrified me so much to the point where I was enveloped with fear, heightening my senses and draining the color of my skin?

I was quietly contemplating all the possible endings when I felt someone poke my cheek. "Stop thinking too hard hun, it's just a ceiling." 

 

I narrowed my eyes and looked down at the big black mop of mess that had once resembled my best friend's neat hair, "Put the shut to the up O'Malee." I flicked his forehead and snickered when I heard the loud ow coming from his mouth. 

 

"Oh little Kass thinks that's funny huh?" Uh oh. I gulped and widened my eyes as Fish positioned himself on top of me, with both hands on either side of me. Oh no, I knew what was coming and there was no way I was going to stay for this. I tried pushing him away but failed miserably seeing as he's 6 foot 1 and built as where I am merely 5 feet with zero experience in excercise, you think I'm kidding but I'm not.

 

"Oh no you don't." I shook my head wildly all the while trying to get out of his grasp. 

 

"Oh yes I do." He traced the sides of my ribcage, making me squirm. He knew exactly what he was doing, he's done this so many times before. "Now do you still think it was funny?" He looked at me with such determination, it was hard to meet his eyes. 

 

When I didn't respond he set into attack mode and dug his hands into my sides, mercilessly tickling me. I laughed until I cried and almost peed my pajama pants, "Okay...okay I take it back!" Tears were streaming down my face as I tried gasping for air.

 

"Hmm, I don't think you mean it. Do you mean it Kass? Do you mean it with your whole heart?" He stopped tickling me and looked down at me with an unknown look in his eyes. It was so intense, it made my heart skip a beat. He raised one eyebrow in question, right I need to answer. 

 

"Yes, of course." Smiling, he bent down and kissed my cheek, leaving me astounded. "Good, well now then that's settled, did I hear something about breakfast?" I gaped. That little...

 

He smirked and quickly jumped off my bed, exiting my room. He was awake the whole time! That little booger. I sat up and grabbed my laptop, putting on some Coldplay to relax me some. 

 

I didn't want to think about the dream much less about the look Fish got just before he kissed my cheek. Don't get me wrong, kissing each other on the cheek is nothing new. It's a friend kind of thing that we've got going on but to tell you the truth, there was nothing "friendly" about the way he looked at me.

 

Sighing, I opened up Instant Messenger to see if Steven was online and instantly smiled when I saw he was. Sure it was a little weird that he knew it was raining last night but I wasn't going to think much about it, it wasn't a big deal.

 

Red_Lipstick16: Steven? You there?

 

Baseball_player17 is typing...

 

I grinned, he's not mad at me! The little voice in my head though questioned as to why he would be mad at me. I did nothing wrong, I only questioned him. Oh. And then it hit me, I questioned him. I forgot how he didn't like to be questioned. 

 

Baseball_player17: What do you want? I don't have time for you. 

 

Ouch. I fought back tears as I slowly ran my fingers across the keyboard.

 

Red_Lipstick16: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you...

 

Baseball_player17 has now signed offline

I closed the laptop and furiously pushed it away from me, I should've known. I should've remembered not to question him like that, this is my fault. I'm so stupid, how could I have forgotten? "Stupid, stupid, stupid," I said, smacking my forehead a couple of times. 

 

"I know you are but what am I?" Dear Lord Jesus, not now.

 

"Wes, get your immature butt out of my room!" I threw one of my pillows at him only to have the annoying brute dodge it and stick his tongue out at me.

 

"Mom and dad are waiting for you downstairs, breakfast is ready loser."

 

"Well you can tell them that I'm not eating!" I yelled at his retreating figure that was making its way downstairs. I got up and slammed my door shut. I couldn't think straight, I was hurt. I was too upset and sad to stomach anything. I needed someone, I needed Steven. I needed him to forgive me, I needed him to understand just how sorry I was and that I didn't mean it.

 

But he could never understand, he didn't want to anymore.