1. Nightmares with faces

The air is electric with anticipation as Aaron stands facing me, our eyes locked in a passionate gaze. The atmosphere is warm and calm with the moonlight casting a peaceful glow on our faces.

We are alone in a quiet, secluded spot by the stream, and we surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature; gentle rustling of leaves, chirping of crickets, and the soft lapping of waves against the shore.

Time seems to stand still as he inches closer to me, our faces inches apart. The tension between us is palpable, and the air is thick with unspoken emotions. I can feel his warm breath on my skin and I cannot help but shudder as it sends shivers down my spine.

Our eyes never leave each other's. The gaze is intense, yet tender, filled with a deep longing and affection.

Our bodies lean in, drawn to each other like magnets. His hands reach out, fingers intertwining with mine as we pull each other closer. It's nothing but a gentle touch, still, it sends sparks flying, and we can feel our hearts pounding in unison as a result.

We both know what's coming, and the anticipation is almost too much to bear. The world around us fades away slowly as we count the moments until our lips will meet in a soft, romantic kiss that would leave us both breathless.

Finally...

The moment is finally here...

And then...

I wake up with a scream. 

It's an ear piercing scream that has my mother rushing up to my room with urgency.

"Baby are you okay?" She asks, rushing to sit beside me on the bed.

"Talk to me honey." She urges. ''What happened?" But I'm too stunned to speak. Too dazed to form words.

I'm covered in sweat and it's a literal struggle for me to catch my breath.

It takes a while but eventually I do start to calm down.

"Jasmine?" She presses and this time I turn to face her but when I see her worry stricken face it pierces my heart.

"Its nothing mum, just a nightmare." I said casually in a bid to ease her worries.

"Was it that bad?" She asked. "You sounded terrified."

I wanted to tell her that it was literally the worst most horrifying nightmare I had ever had in all my 24 years of existence but I refrained because then she'd ask me to talk about it and to be honest, that was even worse. 

"Not really. " I supplied instead. "I'm sorry I scared you."

"You sure? Because if there's anything,  you know I'm always here for you."

"I know." I replied, giving her a warm hug. My mum was my superhero and she knew it. She had taken care of me all this time but maybe it was time to start taking care of her and to do that, I needed to start giving her less reasons to worry about me.

"Alright then." She replied, standing up from the bed. "Breakfast is almost served."

"Okay. I'll be down soon. I need to head out anyway. "

"Where to?" My mum asked with a frown. "I told you, no work while you're home visiting. "

"I know, and it's not for work I promise. You remember my college friend Rosie? Well she's coming over to visit and I need to pick her up from the airport."

"Awwwn, Rosie, that sweet sweet girl. It'll be really nice to have her over."

"I know right?" I replied with a smile, especially since I knew that Rosie was anything but sweet. She was a wild card, a party animal and most of all my best friend. She and I hadn't seen each other in almost 6 years and my excitement about seeing her again couldn't be contained. 

"Alrighty then, let me let you get ready. Breakfast would be served in ten."

"Thanks mum." I called out as she walked out of the room and shut the door behind her.

As soon as she was gone, I stripped out of my night dress and fled into the bathroom. 

I turned on the shower and I breathed in a deep sigh as the water began running down my body in a soothing manner.

My mind was racing as I tried to make sense of that dream I just had, except it wasn't even a dream, it was a nightmare, a horrific one at that, because that is exactly what the real Aaron Hill had become in my life; my worst nightmare. 

Aaron's dad had married my mom when we were both seniors in high school. 

They had even started a company together; Well, Aaron's dad had started the company but at some point, he was faced with some grave financial troubles and my mum stepped in to help. So now, they basically co owned the company. 

In recent years, that same company had grown to become a worldwide sensation and was now yielding millions of dollars in profit.

Aaron and I had a good life as a result, but we simply couldn't see eye to eye over anything. 

It was quite easy to hate him considering the fact that I knew him long before we became trapped into being family.  He was the typical bad boy who threw the best parties and played with all the girls' hearts and felt like that made him cool. 

I was pretty lowkey myself so our paths never really crossed but he was still the definition of everything I hated. 

And then I found out our parents were getting married and I couldn't be more horrified. Going to the same school was one thing but living under the same roof was something else entirely. 

My mom and Aaron's dad had also decided to get a new house where we could live in as a family...fresh start and all that nonsense. 

Anyway, our first real argument was about who got what room in the new house. I wanted the room facing the garden so I called dibs on it first but Aaron being the asshole that he is went ahead and moved his things in there anyway for no other reason but to spite me and when I reported it to our parents,  they just told me to pick another room and that it wasn't a big deal. Like hell it wasn't.  

I mean it was obvious that none of us were particularly stoked about this union and it was obvious we didn't like each but at the end we all wanted our parents happiness so we knew we had to just accept it. That didn't mean we had to make each other's lives a living hell. In my opinion,  we could live cordially for one year until we had to go to college and then we'd never have to see each other unless it was really necessary. 

Unfortunately,  Aaron didn't get that last part of the memo and found every opportunity possible to act like a dick towards me.

I liked the anonymous, drama-free life I had in school before, but once news of my parents marriage became public, I started receiving more attention than I was comfortable with and yet again, I had Aaron Hill to thank for that.

What sucked the most was the fact that despite all his shenanigans,  he was still a pretty bright kid which meant he and I were in top run for best student.  Before, he didn't really care if he came in first or second but when he realized how much being top student meant to me, he put in every effort to make sure that he beat me in all subjects.  He ended up being valedictorian and that shattered me especially with that tacky ass speech he gave on graduation day.

As we got older, our rivalry only intensified. Some time away from each other might have helped but for some reason,  our parents insisted we both went to the same college. They thought it would help us bond better but if only they knew how wrong they were.

We argued about everything; parking space, project ideas and execution, and so many other stupid things I can't even remember. 

And when he thought it was okay to date my friends and mess with them, I couldn't help but hate him more.

In our final years of college, it became a competition as to who became valedictorian, and yet again,  he beat me to it. 

When it was time to start working at the company, it became about who got what office and about who served in what  position.

Did I mention that we both studied business? Well, it was torture having to sit in the same classes with him for four years straight. 

Years later, we were both managers at the company and it was now about who was able to land the biggest investors and bring more money to the firm.

Aaron was currently leading with a few millions, but I wasn't too worried because I knew it wouldn't take much for me to dethrone him and take back my position considering my charm and talent. Still, it wasn't going to be easy especially since Aaron was a dirty player and his methods weren't always justifiable.

Needless, to say, we were sworn enemies who had never once agreed on anything in this life, which was why that dream confused me. More so than anything,  it annoyed me that my mind would even have the ability to conjure such abomination. 

"Its the meds." I decided at last. "I mean It has to be otherwise,  what other explanation was there?" My doctor had just recently started me on some new medication so maybe that's what was fucking with my conciousness. 

With that comforting thought in mind, I grabbed the soap and took a quick shower after which I rinsed off and stepped out of the tub. 

I was clearly feeling much better now and feeling positive about what the day might bring, especially since I had decided to put down all thoughts of Aaron and that stupid dream aside. It was never going to happen anyway so why dwell on it?

I dressed up and went downstairs.