I slid into the desk at the very back corner of the room. The chair was a bit old, but it kept me sitting comfortably at least. It was at least an hour until class actually started. I groaned. The computer lab was fairly quiet, and I savored the silence. I had gotten the worst possible sleep last night. That damn nightmare was on repeat in my head. Before I could relive it, I shook my head. Perhaps a quick power nap would be a good idea. I set the keyboard closer to the computer screen and placed my head over my arms on the table. As I closed my eyes, my thoughts were the lyrics for the song Allisha was singing. They allowed me to drift off..
It was as if I was alive one moment, and then the next I was engulfed in the flames. No longer was I back in the computer lab. To be honest, I wasn't entirely too sure of where I was now. A scorching pain is all I knew. It was searing me. I'm scared. Those flames seemed to burn me alive. However, it was more than a simple flesh burn. No, that would be too merciless. It was as if my entire being was being cooked in a deadly heat. I wanted to scream and cry. In the end, would that even matter?
I tried anyway. Big mistake that was. My throat felt like a dessert during mid-day. I felt that even if I screamed, nothing would escape my mouth. So, I just choked. I was choking on nothing, yet everything. My tears were gone before I could even blink them out of my own eyes. I was just staring, not blinking, and shaking in pure fear. Was this hell?
I looked down at the ground. More flames. The heat was now consuming me. My eyes traveled down to my hands as they reached up to my face. With trembling hands, I watched in horror as I saw my skin literally melted from my fingers. The sight of melting flesh is haunting. Looking down, I saw my feet sliding down to the ground in a puddle of flesh and blood. All that replaced them was the sickening sight of bone, and the air was filled with the stench of burning flesh.
My body shot upwards as I gasped loudly for air. My heart was racing at a rapid pace. I ended up throwing my hands in front of me. The poor keyboard in front of me was tossed aside. Even my own eyes could not seem to focus on one thing in my surroundings. Then it all seemed to click. I was back inside the classroom. It seemed class had already started, and people were turned and were all looking at me with wide eyes. Several faces stared back at me. Owen was looking at me like I was a freak. However, the only thing I saw was the one called Heath looking at me. It was as if he was studying me. I was not a freak, but just something he saw curious. I grabbed my bag and stood up. I heard the teacher say my name, but I did not care. Instead, I ran out of the classroom. I let the door slam behind me.
My body seemed to take me to the girl's bathroom. I shut the door behind me and threw my bag against the wall. I let it slump against the wall. What the hell was with that dream? Why is this happening to me? I walked over to the sink and turned on the cold water to full blast. My hands fell under the water and scooped up some of the icy liquid. I splashed it over my face and breathed in deeply. The water always calmed me. After a few more splashes I felt more of myself. I took a small paper towel and started to dab my face dry.
Two of the stalls opened up, and out walked Allisha and Kira. I watched them both in the mirror. Kira looked at me with her head tilted.
"Trouble sleeping?" She asked me.
I sighed and threw away the damp paper towel.
"More than you know. Nightmares are a bitch lately." I whispered.
"I see… I've been getting them too lately." Kira said.
I looked at the now, curiously. She stood closer to Allisha.
I watched as Kira tucked herself in the side of Allisha. I mentally made a comment about how cute of a lesbian couple they were. Power to them, you know?
"If you want, we can listen to what you had a nightmare about." Allisha said.
"We won't judge you. The world is indeed full of strange things." Kira whispered.
I nibbled on my bottom lip. I cannot seem to explain it, but I felt as if I could trust them. How odd? I never really spoke to them, but at this moment I felt as if we were bonded by some force. I hugged my arms to my side as I rubbed up and down my arms. My mind remembered the dream from last night. The most recent dream felt too raw.
"I… I dreamt someone was chasing me. I was by this orchard I used to visit when I was young. I was in a car. For some reason, I realized I could not let them catch me. I don't even know who they are– or were. So, I sped off the edge of the cliff. Someone who knew my name… said, "I love you, my brothers and sisters." I– I don't have any siblings. Only, when I died, there was no body. The scariest part was I felt as if it was not me in the dream." I said trailing off.
I rubbed my arms to stimulate some form of comfort. I slightly opened my mouth to tell them more, but then a loud bell rang in my ears. I looked up in surprise. Ah! That was the class bell. I had to get ready to go to my next classes. I looked over at Allisha and Kira, but they were gone. I never even got the chance to tell them thank you for listening. I'll have to return the favor somehow later. I shook my head and picked up my bag from across the room. Then I turned and left for my next class.
My next class was psychology. I sighed. This class should be easy. Every year I just sit by Trent and get an 'A' because I make sure he does not touch anything. I get a perfect grade, and he is silent for an hour or so. I loved the guy, but I love learning. It is hard at times to learn when he is there distracting me.
When I got into the classroom I sat in my usual seat in the far back right area. Trent is surprisingly already there. He looked up at me with concern. I set my bag to the side of the desk.
"You alright? Owen said you looked like you were on some shit when you ran out of the class." He spoke.
I rolled my eyes. Anger bit me by the ass.
"Of course he would! Tell Owen to mind his own damn business." I snapped.
I was so sick of them always reporting the things I do back to Trent. Yes, he is my boyfriend, but that does not mean he is my caregiver.
"Hey, don't get an attitude with- "He was cut off.
Thankfully, the teacher walked into the classroom and I did not have to listen to Trent speak. The teacher sat behind his desk and looked at all of the students.
"Alright, today we are doing work with a partner. Seeing as how you all chose your own seats; I will not be pairing you with that person. This will tell me who exactly was doing all the work this entire semester." He spoke.
My eyes went wide. Oh shit. Trent would not be happy about that. He hasn't been doing the work. He probably hasn't even read the title of the textbook.
"Now, Melissa will be with John. Iris will be with Alexander. Trent will be with Bess. Sybil will be with Heath. Kira will be with Allisha. And finally, Oliver will be with Lucy. I do not want you to ask for a new partner, or I will give zeros to both parties. Am I clear?" He asked.
We all nodded in response.
"Now! This assignment will be about the different key points of observation. No talking will be occurring in this assignment. Instead, you will have to look at what you can see of your partner and come up with facts in regard to them. They in return will say if you are correct or not. If you are correct you will pass. If not, you get a zero on the assignment. Good luck. The assignment will be graded in a bit." He spoke.
I looked over at Heath. He was already looking at me with this intense and observing gaze. I know we were supposed to be doing this assignment, but this was some serious dedication. I felt myself blush a bit and focused on looking at his clothing and materials for class. Even though he brought nothing with him to class. Interesting. He seemed to be smirking at me. I stuck my tongue out at him. He then chuckled in response.
My back went rigid as I heard an annoyed scoff behind me. I bit my bottom lip and looked at the floor. It was Trent, and I knew he was pissed I was around Heath. Trent did not hate Heath on a personal level, it was simply because Heath had a penis. I sighed and turned to face the desk directly.
"I have enough for the assignment. Thank you." I whispered.
Heath seemed to glare at Trent, which surprised me. Then Heath turned back towards the desk as well. I internally sighed with relief. It would be a huge problem if the two of them got into an argument or worse.
"Oh really?" He asked.
I rolled my eyes and decided to elaborate.
"Obviously your name is Heath. Simple knowledge. Something deeper would be you lack emotional connection based off your minimum social skills. You stick with the same crowd which tells me you are also afraid to get close to others. You further prove my point by your choice of attire. The constant leather? Tough material often says you have trouble bonding or connecting emotionally. Need I go on?" I said.
He smirked at me, but denied nothing.
"Have you ever heard of the poem, 'The Caged Bird Sings?'" Heath asked.
My eyes went a bit wider as he asked me that question. Out of all the things he could have said to me, or of all the questions he could have asked me. I found myself smiling softly.
"Yes. Who hasn't?" I whispered back.
"You are the bird. He is the cage. Leave him before he consumes you. Do not let him drag your heart of light into a world of darkness." He whispered.
My heart skipped a beat. Could a heart flutter? It was his words that stirred something in me. Something primal, and I found his words to seem true. How is this possible? What does he even know about what is good for me?
"Like you are so much better." I snapped.
"Oh no sweetheart, I am the Devil himself." He spoke.
That comment made me smirk. Then, it was Heath who surprised me the most. He turned towards me and leaned over to me. My eyes were huge as he put his lips millimeters away from my own. The smell of a summer campfire engulfed my personal space. The seductive aroma of cloves and nutmeg surrounded me. I was struck with awe. Yet, he seemed to remind me of the rough waters of the sea itself. Unpredictable, yet alluring.
"Allow me to give you a taste of Hell." He whispered.
Then I felt his lips on my own. Fire. Heat. Desire. It all erupted all at once. Then his lips brushed away from mine as soon as they had come. To most, they would assume we did nothing, but I knew. Part of me wanted more. Then he stood up and walked out of the classroom. All I could do was watch that damn door.
"Heath! Damnit! You get back in this class at once! Ah! Darn that kid…" The teacher grumbled.
My face was crimson. I could only blink. It was only the smallest of smiles that remained on my face. My heart should belong to Trent, but why is it that this delectable taste on my lips is what is playing over and over in my mind. Life truly is remarkable, yet strange and alluring.
I shook my head and tried to focus on something else. Anything else would be great to think about at this moment. Then it was as if my answer was solved. Trent was sitting in the seat where Heath was. This was not the answer I had hoped for. I sighed softly, but not enough for Trent to notice.
"Damn Freak. He was moving in on my territory." Trent spoke.
I scoffed loudly. Was he serious? I raised my eyebrow and snapped my head to the side, glaring at Trent. For a split moment it was as if darkness came out of him. This shadow of an aura. I ignored it.
"I am not your territory. Call me that again and you will regret it." I snapped.
This whole day was a giant shit-show. Nothing was being normal, and I felt like great changes were about to occur. I felt as if Heath's words truly spoke to me. I bit my bottom lip thinking about it. Don't hesitate, Sybil. Then, I acted.
"You know what, we are over Trent. I am done with you. Goodbye." I snapped.
Then before I even knew what my body was doing, I stood up smiling for once lately, and I walked out of the classroom. For once I felt like I was on top of the world. No longer was I this fragile girl. Yes, I had just made myself single, but I didn't care. I thought back to what Heath said, no longer was I this bird in a cage. Instead, I was a ruler.