The stars scattered across the black sky, no clouds were around to hide them. I looked around, and was surrounded by trees dancing in the wind. I stood in a field shaped like a circle, surrounded by thick forest all around. It seemed like the center of the forest. I wondered how I got there and what I was doing there.
I looked around, trying to figure which way to go. Then I closed my eyes and as I opened them, I turned to my right. I had the surest feeling that was the path I was supposed to follow. I walked in that direction until I got to a point in the thick forest.
Stopping due to the rush of adrenaline, I felt great fear, and my heart racing. I didn't know what caused it, but I started to run as fast as I could without looking back. It felt like I was being hunted down. I ran until I saw light coming from between the trees ahead. I knew I was almost out of the forest. When i got through, all i'd felt was gone. I felt utter peace.
There was something else out there. It had blinding white fur, and stood majestically on a cliff. It howled into the night and turned to me, revealing beautiful pair of eyes that shone like a diamond in the sun. It was a beautiful beast, nothing like I'd ever seen. I should've been afraid, but I was drawn to it.
Staring into its eyes, I read something unnerving in them. I wasn't sure what. So I reached out to it.. But it moved backwards. Suddenly it jumped off the cliff. My heart skipped two beats and I ran to the cliff. But when I got there, it had turned to a river bank. The river was still, but there were ripples that formed from the flowers that landed on the surface. I looked into the water and I saw something that looked like my reflection, but it wasn't clear.
As the ripples settled, the image became clearer... It wasn't me. I looked even closer, and just before I saw the face, I jolted awake to the alarm ringing beside my bed.
After about 4 seconds, I hit the snooze button. I came to realize that it was a dream -THE dream actually. I had it every night since the bonfire party a week ago, then. And every time, just as the image was about to become clear, I'd wake up. It was frustrating, to say the least. But, it was okay, because I'd go to school, and I'd forget all about it by lunchtime.
I got off the bed and walked into the bathroom to get ready. It took about ten minutes, and I was done. I walked to my wardrobe and took out the outfit I had picked out a night before -because I'm that organized. Throwing it on, I took a quick look at myself in the mirror and walked downstairs.
The morning routine was to say hi to my mom and dad, who, by the way, would be talking into their phones, and probably wouldn't hear me, and they'd wave just before leaving for work. Sometimes, I didn't bother. It's not sad though, I had my nanny. You might be thinking, I'm too old for one. She was just the caretaker - my caretaker. She took really good care of me, and taught me to cook and clean and stuff like that.
I only saw my parents in the mornings, barely. I would be in bed before they got back from work; if they did. But it was okay, i had what I needed and more.
My nanny made pancakes, and packed some sandwiches and fruit for my lunch. She was the absolute best.
"Good morning Ateema", I greeted as I went to sit at the table. She was doing dishes.
" Good morning dear, how was your night?", she asked.
"Well, it was aiit", I shrugged, grabbing a fork and a glass to pour juice. She turned to me, with a confused expression. After about two seconds, " oh, I mean it was alright, Ateema", i chuckled.
She picked a ladle and pointed it at me, making me throw my hands up in the air. "Okay, I won't talk like that anymore Ateema", I said laughing.
Ateema smiled and put it back. I murmured a " even though that's how normal people talk these days", as I went back to sit, with a glass of juice in one hand and a fork in the other.
She waved her hand, throwing some soap water at me. "Okay okay, I'm sorry!", I squeaked.We both laughed. Taking a quick look at my watch , I started eating.
Ateema finished with the dishes and came to sit at the table with a glass of water. She took a sip and put it down. I was eating a bit hurriedly, and she held my chin and pulled my face up. I had stopped chewing, and my eyebrows were raised; I was confused, but I still had that smile. She wiped the side of my mouth with her thumb and smiled at me.
" Thank you Ateema", I said warmly. She looked away, back to her glass of water. It was weird. Usually, she'd say, "You're welcome dear".
I took another look at my wrist and my eyes widened. Drinking the juice hurriedly, I went to her; gave her a quick hug as she was still sitting and kissed her cheek.
" Thanks Ateema, I'm going to be late if I don't leave now", I went to pick my bag. "Thanks for the pancakes, they're really good. I'll finish them when I get back!", I shouted as I ran to the car.
My dad's driver was standing beside the car, holding the back door open. I walked to the passenger's seat, opened the door and got in, without saying a word to him. He sighed, and closed the door. He adjusted his tie, and nodded for Ateema, before coming into the car.
I waved to Ateema and pointed behind me to Vincent-the driver- rolling my eyes, and shaking my head in disapproval. She laughed and mouthed a, " he probably just wants pancakes". I laughed and mouthed a "definitely". The car took off and she waved at us.
On the road to school, Vincent and me, we didn't talk at all. We never did. He was always so serious and uptight. The only time he'd ever say anything to me was after he had dropped me off, and then he'd remind me to be ready by the time he came to take me because, and I quote," Your dad needs me to pick up a client after taking you home ", or, " Your dad needs me to pick him up today at..." , or something. I never really bothered to listen. All I had to do was be out in time. What he was saying didn't really concern me much.
He stopped in front of school, and I got out. I looked around and saw Shirley waving at me. I waved back with a smile. I turned back to Vincent, so he could give his brief lecture. After, I turned back around and walked to Shirley. We walked into school together, before Vincent drove off. My dad instructed that he stayed until I was inside school before he left.
As Shirley and I moved through the school hallway to our lockers, I heard someone ask his friend, "Hey, it's the 'Helper Bee', you need some help man?"
His friend replied with, "Oh I'm sure she's tired from HELPING Liam all.... night. Even bees need rest". And they both laughed, loudly.
I must've forgotten about my new title at school - HELPER BEE. It all came back to me and I clenched my fist and regretted why I didn't prepare for the series of teasing and taunts that were coming to me for the next two weeks, minimum.