I awaken in the quiet sanctuary of my room, nestled comfortably in my bed. The shrill cry of my alarm clock slices through the peaceful morning, reminding me that it's 6:00, time to face the day's demands. With a reluctant groan, I stretch my limbs, wrestling with the remnants of sleep clinging to my mind. "Thank goodness it was merely a dream," I mutter to myself, only to feel a peculiar weight in my pocket. Fingers probing cautiously, I retrieve the object—a half-heart pendant, dark as midnight, crafted from an unfamiliar, shimmering metal.
The realization dawns on me like a bolt of lightning. "It wasn't a dream at all," I whisper in disbelief. "It was all real." But why, then, do I find myself back in my room, as though none of it transpired? The answer eludes me, slipping through my grasp like grains of sand. Before I can unravel the mystery, the door swings open, and my sister Sky barges in, oblivious to boundaries. "Time to rise and shine, Cole," she chirps, her tone devoid of any acknowledgement for privacy. "Sky, how many times must I remind you to knock?" I protest, though my words fall on deaf ears.
Undeterred, Sky's gaze fixates on the pendant clutched in my hand. "What's this?" she inquires, pointing an accusatory finger. Panic seizing my chest, I attempt to conceal the pendant, but it's too late—Sky's swift reflexes outpace my feeble efforts. In a blur of motion, she snatches it away, her movements so swift they defy comprehension. "Whoa," I gasp, stunned by her agility.
Unfazed, Sky inspects the pendant with feigned nonchalance. "Is this a gift from your sweetheart?" she teases, her grin mischievous. "Oh, please," I retort, exasperated. "You know I'm hopeless in that department. Give it back!" Surprisingly, she complies, tossing the pendant back to me before sauntering out, leaving me to ponder in solitude.
Descending to the kitchen, I find Sky engrossed in a hearty breakfast, while our mother sits serenely at the table. Ignoring the tension hanging in the air, I join them, my mind consumed by thoughts of the pendant's enigma. Beneath the table's veil, I scrutinize it once more, finding nothing remarkable. Frustration gnaws at me—I'm no closer to unraveling its secrets.
With school looming on the horizon, I hastily gather my belongings, intent on meeting my friend Shane. As I arrive, the faint light of dawn paints the sky, and there stands Shane, waiting patiently by the entrance. "Apologies for the delay," I offer, extending his overdue homework. His response is distant, preoccupied.
"Hey, Cole," Shane begins, his voice tinged with unease. "Ever feel like you're being watched?" My stomach lurches at his words, the memory of my unsettling dream resurfacing. But I dismiss it, unwilling to burden Shane with my troubles. "No, not really," I reply with forced casualness, hoping to allay his concerns. I was expecting him to elaborate further but he doesn't instead he proceeds toward the school, and I follow suit, suppressing my apprehension.
In the homeroom, I find myself adrift, my thoughts consumed by Shane's cryptic query. Oblivious to the teacher's announcements, my mind races, searching for answers. It's only when the familiar name "Angel" rings out that I snap to attention. There, at the front of the class, stands the girl from my dream.
Sensing my unease, Shane shoots me a quizzical glance. "I'll explain later," I mouth silently, feigning composure. As the bell releases us, I flee the classroom, intent on avoiding Angel. But fate has other plans, and I collide with her in the hallway, words failing me in her presence.
"Um, hi," I stammer, my pulse racing. Angel extends her hand in greeting, but I retreat hastily. "Sorry, I've, uh, got to run—to the bathroom," I blurt out, fleeing in the opposite direction. Reaching my locker, Shane awaits, his expression demanding answers.
And so, with a heavy sigh, I begin to recount the events of this bewildering morning.