1 Chapter 1: The Dreams

Celeste POV

"Miss Celeste!!!" I wake up, glance around, and see my professor staring at me with a death stare. I weakly smile, "I'm sorry, Professor Evans, I didn't mean to fall asleep."

He looks at me with impatience, "Miss Celeste I know college isn't easy. The college campus is a great place to hang out and make new friends, but keep in mind that college is supposed to be about learning and preparing for adulthood!” He exclaims and leans back on the whiteboard while looking at everyone else.

“This doesn’t apply to just Miss Celeste, but all of you as well, so please work hard on your studies. Miss Celeste, may I continue?” I nod my head, feeling my cheeks burn with embarrassment. As he continues his lecture, I was unsure how to explain to him that it has been impossible for me to sleep lately due to these bizarre dreams that keep occurring.

I groan silently, I had planned on meeting my best friend Oliver before classes started this morning, but I overslept.

I leave the lecture hall as soon as the professor finishes. I quickly go to the library; Oliver usually visits there in between classes. Sure enough, he was there. I plop down at his table, and he smiles at me.

"Hello Celeste, those bags under your eyes would make a great Halloween mask."

I roll my eyes at his remark, he chuckles. Oliver's family lives next door to my grandparents. When my parents passed away soon after I was born, my grandparents raised me, and Oliver's family helped them out. So, Oliver is more like an older brother than a best friend.

"Oliver, I can't sleep. I keep having these dreams about a huge black wolf; they are so vivid.” I leave out the part about the man that I also dream about. He was tall, tan, and all muscle. As I stare at him and sigh, hoping he would give me advice.

Oliver closes his book and puts it back in his bag, he gets up and looks in my eyes. "Why don't we take a walk? I need to stretch my legs."

"Sure..." I look up at him, his face was hard to read but I could feel his mood change. I get up and follow him out of the library.

I follow Oliver outside. "Let's walk to your next class and talk." Oliver looks at me and I sigh. I sped up to him and nudge his shoulder, “Why are you so serious all of a sudden?”

He stops and smiles at me, “Tomorrow is your 21st birthday, we are still planning on hanging out?”

I roll my eyes, “Well duh, why wouldn’t we?” He grins and pats my head while peering down at me. As far as I can remember, Oliver has towered over me at 6'0" with hazel eyes and dark brown hair. I swat at his hand and look up at him,

“Turning 21 is a huge deal, it means I am officially an adult!” I continue to walk and look back at Oliver.

“So, let’s have fun tomorrow.” He catches up to me and pulls my arm. I stop and gaze at him. He looks down at his feet. The day after I graduated from high school, Oliver confessed his feelings to me. While I knew that Oliver had feelings for me, I knew that I could never accept his feelings. I only see Oliver as a brother, and I do not doubt that he would treat me right. But a part of me knows I couldn't love him as much as he loves me. He went away for the summer and came back as if nothing had occurred. After I rejected him, I was relieved, because I was concerned he would change.

"I promise Oliver nothing will change after I turn 21" Oliver glances at me with a sad expression on his face, “I know Celeste. Please know that I care about you and am always there for you.”

I smile at him, “I remember Oliver.”

I pull him along with my arm as we approach my building. As we get closer, he lets go of my arm.

“I'll talk to you after classes Celeste, see you then.” I wave goodbye and head towards my next class. As I look up at the sky, I wonder what would have happened if I accepted Oliver's feelings back then. I shake my head and shake the thought away. It doesn't feel right.

I go to my room after class, put my book back on the desk, climb into bed, and close my eyes. It was impossible for me to concentrate in class today, my mind kept wandering to the man in my dreams. He was tall, maybe a couple of inches taller than Oliver. He has dark, almost black eyes, and his black hair was sometimes up in a ponytail, or other times tied up in a bun. There are many times when I see the black wolf, standing in the moonlight, his coat shining brilliantly. The wolf was big, if I had to guess, it would be at least as tall as me. In some instances, I see two wolves together, the black one and a white one with dazzling green eyes. As if in love, they circle each other and rub their heads together. I don't know why I keep having these dreams every night. It seems to have begun a few weeks ago. These days, I daydream about them during class. They will also keep me up at night, not because they scare me, but because they confuse me.

I am glad that my grandparents are away and returning in the morning, I can rest my mind without them wondering why I am so different from my usual self.

My head suddenly filled with a sudden thought. I leap out of bed and grab my gym clothes. My grandpa was worried I might get attacked by “bad guys” or muggers when I got to college a few years ago, so he built a gym in the basement. The gym contains punching bags, weights of all sizes, and other equipment. I was forced to train with a personal trainer and learn boxing and kickboxing. It came naturally to me. It also helps me clear my mind.

I go to the basement and put on my boxing gloves and some music. With each jab, uppercut, and straight punch, I let the music guide me. My face is dripping with sweat, and I take a deep breath. With the tension gone, it’s time to get ready for bed.

Stepping out of the shower, I let my long black hair flow down my back. I take out my blow dryer and I think about tomorrow.

Oliver and I will have fun together. This will be my 21st birthday! Yet, I feel uneasy about it. While I know that turning 21 is a big deal, I still feel scared. My thoughts are out of control. I flop onto my bed and close my eyes.

When I wake up, I glance at my alarm clock. It is 3:00 in the morning. I dreamed about him again. The dream was more detailed and real this time. It's almost like I'm watching a movie, and I'm not involved in the dream. But this time, I was an actress, and I was very much a part of it. I begin to remember what happened. While I was standing in front of him, he leaned down and ran a finger across my cheek. Although I know this isn't real, I felt a shiver when he touched me. He moved closer to me and kissed me. It was passionate, and it was amazing. My body was hot and sweaty when I awoke. As I touch my lips, I can feel a tingling sensation. I never wake up feeling scared, but rather safe and protected. This time I awoke with a desire and a longing for him. A feeling of loneliness sweeps over me. I wish these dreams would stop. Now what? I sit up and decide to get some water to quench my thirst.

As I get up and head downstairs, I grab a glass of water. My head starts throbbing as I hold the counter for support while I pour myself a glass. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Surely, I must be tired. Putting down the glass, I return upstairs to my room. The mirror in my room catches my attention. There is something different about my eyes. As I look at them, a green glow makes them look like emeralds in the sun. I lean in closer to get a closer look. How weird. They are never this dark and definitely do not glow. They are usually a pale green color, like jade. They remind me of the white wolf that I dream about with the black wolf. The white wolf had striking emerald eyes as well. I shake my head and walk back to my bed. Perhaps the headache is to blame. I lie down again and close my eyes, trying to ignore the pain I feel through my head.