Twenty-Six:
Junior and Senior High School
"Anne!" suddenly someone called out on me and grab my wrist that surprises me because the pain quickly absorbs me.
"Ouch!" I flinched as soon as I felt the hands of that person hold on to me.
"Hey! Are you hurt?" he worriedly asked me.
"Chadd!" It was anticipated seeing him first thing in the morning of Monday. I couldn't forget the memory when I met him into my dream.
"Jeanne, are you alright?"
I can see from his expression that he's genuinely concern though it was hard to forget his reaction through my dream. The reason I have to stay away from him for a while even if it will question my action towards him.
"I'm sorry but---" I step back when he was about to approach me and I saw from his reaction that he was surprise from what I did. "I'm sorry! I really am!" I quickly said before leaving him behind.
…
"Are you and Chadd had a fight?" Claire asked when she finally noticed that I'm avoiding Chadd this whole day.
"No."
"Then, why you deliberately avoiding him?" She curiously asked.
How can I explain myself without confusing her? 'Nah! I can't! Who will believe that I'm afraid of Chadd just because of that unexpected and unexplained dream? She'll only be confused anyway so, I rather let it keep to myself.'
"It's just." I answered and shrugged.
"It's something suspicious. I think something happened between you two that you can't talk about."
"Exactly. That is why you don't have to pry anymore okay?"
"Oh, come on! I get more curious about it. So, tell me! What is it?" she eagerly asked but still I'll stand to my decision.
"No. There's nothing to be curious so stop it or I'll also avoid you."
"Huh! I hate you!"
"Hate me all you want but I won't tell anything to you." 'Besides, you would not believe me if I tell you about it.' I silently added to myself.
…
Our classes finally over and as I planned earlier, I will avoid Chadd for this whole day and tomorrow I'll think of a way to talk to him without telling him about that dream. Right now, I just need some time away from him until this fear will finally vanish.
"Why you're so quiet?"
"Dione."
I was really surprised when I saw her because that's the only time that I finally realize I'm in my dream world. Ever since that darkness chases me, I couldn't even figure if I'm still awake or not, I already lost my senses towards my reality and to my dreams.
"What?! Did I really surprise you?"
"No! It just, I don't know. Well, I'm kind of baffle."
"Of what?"
"Everything! The things that are keep happening around me, it's hard to explain."
"Well, these past few weeks, you looks too bother as if something is going on with you."
"You don't know how it feels like. Yet, I don't have a choice but to face it."
Dione stares at me longer enough to make me feel awkward and she notice it. "Alright, whatever it is! If you're ready to tell me what it is, I'm always here to listen and give you some advice if you need it too."
"Thank you." I answered and smiled.
…
I walk around our school and for some reason I just go to this path, unknown and unexplored. I know although, I can't stop myself following this road and looking forward, darkness is only ahead of me. As if something or someone was trying to pull me, through the deepest darkness and I cannot fight it no matter what right mind I set into my brain. My body moves by its own and I getting colder and colder as I keep on going.
"Hey!"
Someone suddenly pull me out of that way and whoever this person is, I'm so thankful that I am save.
…
"Snap out of it will you?!" the person said afterwards and by the looks of it, he is frustrated that took my attention.
"Excu---" I was about to scold him but then when I saw his face I was so shocked. "Chadd?!"
He fiercely glares at me then, "I'm not Chadd!" he irritably answered and was about to go but I stop him by holding on to his shoulder.
"Wait!" I said. "Can you explain yourself if you're not really Chadd because you look like him, no! You are him!" I eagerly pointed.
"Huh! You're really a naïve one, Jeanne."
"You… you know my name!"
"Of course! But I'm so sorry I'm not the Chadd that you knew."
I look at him longer enough to figure out if he's telling the truth.
The shape of his face resembles Chadd's. His lips, which were just the right size to fit his face, were the same as Chadd's and the color of his cherry-like lips was also the same. He has also the same tip nose and his eyes have the same color as Chadd's. They are look so the same, is he… 'His twin?' I silently asked myself.
He smirks that caught me off guard and that is the only thing Chadd will never ever do. "Are you done now?" He boastfully asked me.
'He's so arrogant!'
He harshly hissed. "I'm done!" and he walks away that I immediately run to him and block his way. "What!" he shouted at me.
"What's your problem?! Eres tan grosero!"
He came closer and because I didn't expect it, I lost my balance yet he grabs me before I fall leaving our face an only inch distance. "No soy grosero, simplemente no estoy acostumbrado a tartar con personas, especialmente contigo, así que la próxima vez aprende a tener cuidado. Because I am not Almos that will sacrifice everything just to save some stupid person just like you!" he said before letting me that I almost lost a balance but I manage to stand still and he was gone.
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