Hello, Nightmare...My Old Friend

Mommy used to tell me that Nightmare is an evil spirit formerly thought to oppress people while they were sleeping. It causes people to experience bad things in their dreams. Yuan used to get annoyed whenever I cry and wet the bed because I had a bad dream. Mom and Dad will come to me and let me sleep in their room. 

Yuan said that I should not be afraid of Nightmare because it visits the ones who are scared of it. He said that if I became brave to sleep alone, Nightmare won’t visit me. When I was eight, he gave me his favorite stuffed toy. He said it protects him from Nightmare and if I sleep with the teddy bear, Nightmare will not come to me. I don’t know what happened because his teddy bear suddenly lost its magic to protect me from Nightmare.

 It’s been years but Nightmare still visits me every night. It never missed an evening. It gets creepier every time. My whole body is trembling when I woke up. I’m drenching in sweat but I yank my comforter until it covers my whole body. I know I’m in my room but the dream I had felt too real. 

My dreams were usually blurry. Most of the time I already forgot them as soon as I open my eyes. These days, they became clearer. They felt real. 

I woke up with a stick poking my side. I curled up into a ball as I wince, pain shooting my whole body. I can’t see anything in the dark except for the dim light of the roof coming from the moon. I don’t know how many days I’ve been here. Two? Three? I lost track of time. My head is spinning. The cold hard floor of this abandoned building didn’t help—at least I think I’m in an old abandoned building than somewhere else scarier than this place. My lips are dry. 

My stomach is grumbling. If I know that I’ll end up in this place, I should have not resisted Mommy’s pancakes. 

I missed the pancakes she makes. 

I missed her. 

No matter how hard I try not to cry, I can’t help the tears welling my face. 

Mommy told me not to cry. I should not cry. Another poke on my side and I cried in pain. I can’t see the face of the man who’s keeping me here. I only see his silhouette and I swear, even his shadow is frightening.                                                             One I badly want water but even my voice left me already. If I didn’t leave the house alone, I should not be here. 

“Wake up, princess.” The voice of the man is even frightening. 

I bit my tongue so hard I tasted my own blood. 

I felt my bed shift, making me hold onto my blanket harder my knuckles turned white. Someone pulled my blanket and I almost shout. Yuan’s face comes into view, calming me down a little. 

He pulled me into a tight hug and brush my hair with his fingers. I don’t know how he entered the room unnoticed but I don’t give a shit right now. 

“It’s okay. You’re safe.” He whispered but still keep me against his chest. 

He smells antiseptic and fresh mint, overpowering the foul smell of the cold ground I used to lie back in that dream. 

When Nightmare didn’t stop visiting me every night, Yuan stopped complaining. Instead, he always makes sure that I’m alright and tells me I’m safe. 

When I’m sure that my heartbeat is finally steady, I pulled myself away from him. He stares at me like he’s afraid I might disappear any moment. Yuan reached for my face and forced me to look at him. 

“You want to skip class today? I’ll call the school so that we can go to the hospital.” His face shouts anxiety. 

“No.” I retorted, “I’m good. Just Nightmare, my best friend. It’s not as if I’m going to die in horror.”

            Yeah, sure things Roux. Pretend like you didn’t almost die back there. My eyes widened. I don’t even know why I thought about that. 

Yuan watch me like I’ve grown two heads. After a moment of silence, he decided to leave me alone. I glance at my alarm clock. 

How come didn’t I hear it? The blue digital alarm clock on my bedside table says it’s already ten past seven. 

I took a quick shower and put on my uniform, not missing my black stockings and hoody. Students should be wearing knee socks but I’m a rule breaker. I grabbed my bag and went downstairs. I grabbed a sandwich I found on the table and joined Yuan in his car. 

He’s working as the school doctor in the Southshire Academy where I was enrolled. I have been homeschooled my whole life and I’m not letting my stupid nightmares ruin my last year in Senior High.

            I lost count of how many times Yuan checked me in the rearview mirror while we were on the road. Not that I can blame him. I think he’s more conscious about this whole ‘school thing’ than me. 

“You know that I’m just a call away, right?” he reminded me when we’re both out of the car. 

Some juniors watch him like some creepy admirers but I tried to ignore them. The last thing I want is to be swarmed by his crazy fangirls. I nodded and gave him a reassuring smile. He smiled behind me and I reluctantly look over my shoulders. 

Luna is approaching us, wearing her cheerleader smile. Yuan waved at her and she returned the favor. I kept my blank face, though. 

“Morning, Yuan.” Luna beamed at him and smiled at me, “Morning, Roux. I was waiting for you. Let’s go to the class already?” 

Yuan kissed my forehead before walking his way to the clinic while Luna and I walk side by side—she, walking almost a meter away from me. Luna’s been my first friend in this school. She knows I hate physical contact and have been avoiding touching me since junior year. 

I guess Yuan and my parents discussed my stupid situation when they enrolled me in this school. Not that she can’t touch me. I’m good as long as I can see them and as long as they refrain from touching my skin. I kind of get a panic attack. 

I like Luna’s company. She’s cool. She’s not nosy. She’s trustworthy and assiduous. She’s the president of the student council and a leader of a pep squad. She also got the fifth rank in the ‘Elites’ (Top 10 students with the highest grades). 

How she managed that? Well, the girl’s gifted. 

We were walking into the hallway when Lucas called on us. She’s his girlfriend. He’s a nice guy but annoying sometimes. He’s towering over us. Luna barely reaches his collarbones when they’re standing side by side. 

But guess what? That six-footer of a boyfriend named Lucas Southshire is afraid of Luna Chase. One glare from her and he’s shaking in fear. I find it cute, though. They look perfect with each other. 

“Why were you late?” Luna asked him. Sometimes they forget about me when they talk. 

Not that I’m complaining. I’ve been around them for a year already and I’m trying my best not to get noticed. 

“Stupid Akira asked me to give him a ride and when I get into their manor, one of their butlers said that the fucker left already,” Lucas tells on his girlfriend like a kid who lost his lollipop with some bad kids. 

Luna halted immediately. I almost lose my balance and bump into their backs. The fuck?

I quickly back away until they’re not too close, but near enough to hear their conversation. 

“Since when did Akira came back?” Luna’s voice is full of surprise. 

I didn’t know who this Akira is. 

In fact, I don’t care. 

I’m not eavesdropping, they just love talking to each other like they want the whole world to know what they’re talking about. 

Luna and Lucas went to the classroom while I stopped in my locker. Since the lockers here are big enough to put books and other stuff, I used to leave the novels I’ve done reading. I tossed my bag inside. I’m late for my first subject anyway and I’m willing to skip it today. I don’t feel good. I may not admit it to Yuan but my nightmares are making me anxious.                              

It took me years to get used to dark places. Since that incident, my senses have been exceptionally sharper. I know when I’m being watched. I know when someone wants to make a move and before they can even get to me, I’m running away from them like a fool. I felt my phone vibrates in the pocket of my hoody but decided to ignore it.            

It’s Luna reminding me about our class. Instead of going straight to the classroom, I turned to the botanical garden—the only place in this school that I’m comfortable in.       

I let myself drown in the music that’s playing on my phone. I left my iPod at home. Yuan called a while ago asking where in hell I am and I assured him that I’m not speeding up to hell—at least not yet.

Luna covered my absence since she’s that great. When it was lunch break, I didn’t go to the cafeteria. Never did I step a foot in crowded places. This botanical garden is the only place in this school that no one goes to—making it perfect for haphephobic people like me.

My phone vibrated; a message popped out showing Luna’s text.

Luna Chase: I’m bringing you lunch.

I heave a sigh and quickly type a message.

Me: I’m good. Thanks.

Luna Chase: We’re coming.

I didn’t argue. Luna does whatever she wants. No one can stop her. Maybe because she’s an only child. She’s the daughter of the Dean and Lucas’s parents are the owner of this Academy.

My eyes are closed as I let my bag feel the hard trunk of the tree. I’m sitting cross-legged. I didn’t care whether my skirt is short since I’m wearing dark stockings. The hood of my jacket covers my eyes as I try to sleep.

Moments later, I felt eyes staring at me so I opened my eyes in alarm. A pair of green eyes stare at me like I’m a Martian; like he’s trying to read me. I’ve been schooling my emotions since I was brought back to life. I’m so great at it that even Yuan can’t read my expression.

I’m so good at hiding.

 He’s wearing the same uniform as Lucas, who’s standing beside him. He’s a bit taller than him—six-two or something—I’m not sure. His skin is as white as mine, probably a little darker but still like milk if Luna’s color is caramel.

“I was worried sick when you didn’t show up in the class. I thought you were abducted.” Luna interrupted.

Abducted, huh? I look away from the guy and focus on her who is casually placing a picnic blanket in front of me. Then I just realized that Lucas is hugging a paper bag while green eyes hold four cans of coke. The boys placed the food and drinks on the blanket.

Luna sat beside me, Lucas across her, while the new guy across me. I did my best to ignore him but I can feel his eyes never leaving me. Luna placed the tuna sandwich in front of me before they started pigging out with the pasta and chips.

 “Oh,” Luna cried, making us all look at her. “Roux, this is Akira. I know you don’t like people but Aki is part of our circle so we decided to bring him here. Aki, this is Roux.”

My gaze fell on Akira. I assumed that Akira is a girl. He’s still watching me with those pair of piercing eyes like he’s trying to decode me. He put down his coke and offer me his hand which I just stared at. Luna and Lucas exchanged awkward glances. Finally, Lucas shook his hand for me. Akira didn’t say anything.

“You see, our friend here is not into touching,” Lucas said. Akira shrugged and dug into the pasta as if nothing happened.

He didn’t say anything. End of conversation.

The hair at the back of my neck stands in attention while my heart’s trying to do a cartwheel inside my chest. I’ve seen those eyes before, I’m just not sure where.