“Mhh hmm,” I nodded putting the last piece of the cookie in my mouth.
It was hard to stay awake during all my morning classes. During lunch I updated Dr. Jameson on my condition. I told him I was way too sleepy and he said it might not cease until my body grew accustomed to the medication.
“Wait a minute, Dr. Jameson. Just how long am I going to be on this stuff?”
“We’ll try two more weeks and see if that’s enough for you to get your rhythm of sleep back in sync.”
“Two weeks? What if I can fall asleep without the pills?”
“Two weeks, Isis. No exceptions.”
During study hall, which is when I get almost all my work for the next day done, I could not hold my head up any longer. I was so sleepy that I rested my cheek on my arm and was consumed straight away into dreamland.
Quicker than usual, I found myself in my dream and in the meadow. I twisted my neck in the direction of the sunset to see if that snarling boy was there. No sign of him today.
“Ha!” I smiled to myself. I had indeed outdone my subconscious. No more annoyances from what’s his face. I was finally free!
I felt a hand touch my shoulder. I gasped and fell back. Golden boy scared the crap out of me.
“If you’re going to keep coming here we, might as well make a truce. Although, you are not supposed to be here, you know? You have no idea of the quandary that may beset the both of us if you are discovered here.”
“You’re not even real. Why bother?” I rolled my eyes.
“Don’t tempt fate, dear girl. You don’t know what I am capable of.” His frigid stare was fixed on me.
“You can’t intimidate me,” I said nonchalantly. “I know you’re not real.”
He took my hand and placed it on his chest. I could feel his heart beat and his hand was warm.
“Is that real enough for you?”
“It’s a vivid dream; anything is possible.”
“You’re stubborn.”
“I don’t take criticism from people that don’t exist.”
He firmly took my arm and looked my face over.
“I…” he started in a harsh tone then released my arm. “I’d like to know your name.”
“What?” I was incredulous. “You harassed me for three months and now you want to be my ‘
buddy
’? You’re out of your mind.”
“My sincere apologies and it wasn’t three months I watched you for, it’s been almost a year. I don’t understand why you keep coming back even after I tried to lure you away.
“Would you believe you’re the only human to ever enter Somnium? The gods would have your head and mine as well if they knew you were here.”
My face was void of emotion as I listened to him. I was seriously starting to doubt my sanity. Just last night this creature almost bit my head off and today he was trying to befriend me. I wondered if that was a side effect of the medication? I’d have to check into that as soon as I woke up.
“Stubborn girl?” He called for my attention.
“That’s not my name.”
“Tell me your name then.”
“Tell me yours first.”
“That’s childish of you.”
I hated being called immature.
“I’m not childish.”
“Then why not just tell me your name… Isis, is it not?”
I gasped. “How did you know that?”
“I know a multitude of things. Everything you dream is right here.” He tapped his temple with his index finger.
“Listen, dream boy, you’re part of my subconscious, and my subconscious knows everything about me. Of course you’re going to know my name. How gullible do you think I am?” I turned around and began to walk away.
“Wait.” He placed his hand on my shoulder and stopped me. “A proper introduction is in order.”
“An introduction? You growled at me and now you want to introduce yourself properly?!”
He smugly smiled, taking several steps toward me.
“My name is David.” He extended his hand and took mine then pressed his lips to it. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Isis.”
“Isis… Isis,” I heard Andy’s voice echoing as David shimmered himself into nothing.
“He’s not real,” I mumbled as I woke up.
“No, he isn’t. Now, let’s get to class before they count our tardy.” Andy pulled me out of the desk.
“Huh?” I was groggy.
“Get your butt out of that chair, Isis. We’re gonna be late!” Andy urged me.
In a dash I grabbed my books and stuffed them in my bag and we headed to the final class of the day.
As we took our tardy slips from the teacher, I noticed a glittery gold substance on the back of my right hand.
“Andy,” I whispered seated in the desk behind hers. “What is this?” I pointed to my hand.
“Looks like gold eye shadow.”
“In the shape of lips?” My voice was a note higher.
“It’s probably lip gloss from when you were asleep last period.”
“Andy, I’m not wearing lip gloss.” I spoke in my normal voice.
“Girls!” Mrs. Vincent interrupted our private chat. “Do you mind if I continue with the lecture?”
“Sorry!” Andy apologized to our teacher.
Was this his kiss? No, it couldn’t be. He wasn’t real. Maybe I did have lip-gloss on this afternoon and didn’t remember. I rubbed the gold smudge to feel the consistency. It definitely wasn’t lip-gloss. The substance was like loose silk powder.
I rummaged through my bag and pulled out my powder compact and looked in the mirror. I wasn’t wearing gold eye shadow. I rubbed the lip contour shape completely off my hand. The dust left gold sparkles all over my hands.
I didn’t tell Andy about the fact that I thought that gold dust could have somehow come from that last dream. I’d be crazy to tell her I was paranoid about golden boy’s existence. I’d be crazy to think he actually existed period. Pure coincidence is what I would write it off as.
When eight o’clock rolled around I told my mom I wanted to see if I could go to sleep without the aid of the pills. She didn’t go for it. I explained that I had dozed off at school, but she said I was due for a lot of sleep. I wasn’t upset. All of a sudden it didn’t matter. I needed to know if what was happening was paranoia. I
wanted
to go to sleep.
I closed my eyes and cleared my mind of everything. When I opened them I was sitting next to a stream in the land that David had called by name Somnium. I was sure I was asleep and very much in control of my dream.
“Back again, eh?” A voice coming from behind me made my body jerk.
“I wish you would stop showing up like that.” My heart pounded heavily as I spoke to David.
“As I wish you would.” His left brow lifted.
I ignored his comment and swayed my hand through the cool stream water. After a moment of silence, David took a seat next to me.
“May I ask you a question?” Suddenly he was humble.
I shrugged my shoulders. “Whatever.”
“How is it that you come here every single time you sleep?”
“I don’t know. I just think about it when I’m dosing off and then I’m here or wherever I want to be.”
“I see.” He looked me over from head to toe.
“What?” I was annoyed by his stare.
“You’re petite. That’s lovely in a girl.”
A compliment? What was this guy up to now?
“Yes, I’m only five feet tall,” I said, not knowing what to answer.
“You have alluring eyes and lush eyelashes. Very exquisite.” He nodded.
“Are you… ,” I cleared my throat, “flirting with me?”
David chuckled. “I’m merely pointing out your good traits. You’re quite beautiful when you’re not being ill-mannered.”
“Oh.” I pressed my lips together. I did not take compliments very well. I felt awkward and never knew how to respond.
“So,” I decided to break the silence, “why is your skin gold?”
“I would rather not speak of that, as I am not allowed. You never know what may be listening.” He smiled.
“Well, that wasn’t a weird answer at all,” I said sarcastically. “I suppose I can’t ask you about that either?”
“No.” He shook his head.
I started growing nervous when he continued to gaze at me. I turned my head and tried to act normal. I stared into his sparkling eyes feeling a shiver of frightened anxiety. I could smell the magical perfume that arose from him. It was that scent of sandalwood. It had a mysterious soothing effect on me, and my anxiety immediately melted away.
“Your cologne smells nice,” I pointed out.
“Right,” he laughed, “It’s not cologne.”
“What is it then?” I said sniffing the air.
“Me,” he answered.
I laughed thinking he was teasing me, but he wasn’t.
“Why don’t you believe I’m real?” He asked, somewhat disturbed.
“Because you’re not.”
“I’ll prove it, my precious.” His lips curled.
“I dare you.” I challenged him.
“Do you, now?” He chuckled. “You’re sure?”
“Positive,” I said without hesitation.
“I warn you, I am quite the competitor.”
“We’ll see who wins…” I smirked.
With this contest my dreams would finally be free of him. I was absolutely certain that my subconscious was the one playing tricks on me.
“Then I bid you good morrow.” David tipped his head and disappeared into a glitter dust.
Morning came and I was off to school again. It was Friday, and today was the Spring Carnival pep-rally.
Spring Festival in Los Fresnos was a yearly event used as a fundraiser for the senior prom. I guess I should be excited since it was my prom also. Unfortunately, there were no Casanovas I knew of that were lined up to ask me and if there were, I wasn’t aware.
So, today I met Andy in the Gym. Bill was a football player, so he was off doing his football pep-rally thing getting the crowd motivated. I was there to cheer for my friend. I wasn’t exactly looking forward to the prom when I knew I might not even have a date and going solo was not in my plans. I had to leave the rally early to discuss universities with my guidance counselor, Ms. Albright. I picked up my book bag and headed off to the office. The sign in sheet at the front office had no other people on it, so I was happy I wouldn’t have to wait very long.
Another student walked into the office and started filling out forms. From the back, he had a better build than the football players.
“How do you pronounce your last name?” the clerk asked him.
“It’s like chaos but with a long ‘I’—Chios,” the boy replied.
“The counselor will see you in a few minutes. Take a seat, Mr. Chios.” The secretary pointed to the chairs where I was seated. I looked away so he wouldn’t know I had been listening in on his business. I quickly pulled out my cell phone and started fiddling with it.
I managed to catch a glimpse of the Chios boy through the corner of my right eye as he sat one chair away from me. He was definitely not from around here. He was impressively handsome: fair skinned, deep blue eyes and black hair. He looked like a model straight off the runway. He was obviously a new kid.
“Isis, Ms. Albright is ready to see you, dear. Go on in,” the clerk said scratching me off the list.
I bent over to pick my bag off the floor and turned my head a little to peer at the gorgeous boy. Embarrassed that he was too looking at me, I quickly turned away. I stood up and tripped over my own foot. I could feel his stare at the back of my neck. Could I be anymore pathetic?
“Are you okay?” He smiled.
“Fine,” I answered, red-faced.
I walked into the counselor’s office where I found Ms. Albright taking sips of her coffee and munching on a protein bar behind an altar of files. Her bright red curly hair sprung from her head without direction.
“Hi, Isis. What brings you by today?” she said, reaching for her desk phone and holding her index finger up to signal me to hold.
“Yes, I have his schedule right here. I’ll be a few minutes. Thank you, Gladys.” Ms. Albright turned her attention to me.
“You told me I should come by today to talk about my choices for universities,” I reminded her.
“Oh, yes,” she said, handing me a packet. “Here are some applications for different colleges you might want to consider. Fill them out and drop them off at the front office for me, and I’ll get back to you.”
She grabbed a mirror and red lipstick from her purse and began to apply it just as the first school bell rang.
“I have a meeting with some parents in five minutes, Isis. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to review the list of colleges with you.” She blotted her lips.
“That’s okay,” I said getting out of the chair.
“Wait, there’s something I need your help with.” She reached for her phone again. “Gladys, can you send in the new boy? Thanks.” She hung up the phone and veered to the door. She walked into the hallway and motioned me to follow.