1 First Contact

Cloaked by the velvety sheen of twilight, I, Max, a 15-year-old lad with locks as rich as chestnut and eyes reflecting the same hue, found refuge in the sanctuary of my room. The space was my intimate universe, an expanse adorned with a parade of comic and anime characters, each action figure poised in a silent tableau of animated glory.

A tableau in contrast to me, an awkward, insecure teenager who found solace not in the bustling camaraderie of school but in the realm of written words. Seated at my desk, I scribbled on a notepad with fervor, my thoughts flowing like an unbroken stream onto the paper.

As my hand fumbled blindly in the cavernous depths of my school bag for an eraser, it brushed against the rough texture of graded papers. I paused and then retrieved them, my heart fluttering like a bird trapped in a cage. My grades - a cacophony of Bs and Cs - glared back at me. Only two outliers could be seen, the glaring D in Math a thorn among roses and my English, blooming brightly with an A+.

"Ugh, Math," I grumbled aloud to my action figures. "Why can't you be more like English?"

The room remained silent, save for the rustling of papers as I roughly swept them aside, all except for that coveted English paper. Opening a drawer that held a cascade of similar A+ English exams, I felt a smile tug at my lips. It was my treasure trove, my glistening source of pride in a sea of insecurities.

"Nailed it again, didn't I?" I asked my reflection in the mirror as I placed the new paper among its brethren. I grinned sheepishly, my reflection mimicking my actions.

With a newfound energy coursing through my veins, I hunched over my notebook again. Ideas – old and new, stolen and original – swirled around in my mind, weaving an intricate tapestry of tales. They morphed and melded, clashed and coalesced, until they took the shape of a story that held my interest.

My pencil danced over the pages for an hour, creating, narrating, building, until I finally allowed it to rest. "And that, my friends," I declared to my silent audience of action figures, "is a wrap."

Satisfaction bloomed within me as I surveyed my handiwork. Then, realizing the chaos that my creative frenzy had left behind, I sighed. "Time for some cleaning, I suppose." One by one, I started to return the displaced items to their rightful places, my room slowly regaining its organized chaos.

Amidst the solitude, my heart found contentment, comforted by the knowing silence of my anime figures and the rhythm of my very own world.

A whimsical melody danced in the air, shattering the night's tranquility. My phone, the culprit of the disruption, flashed on my nightstand, displaying a handful of fresh messages. The familiar names at the top of each message made my heart lurch – my parents, away on their latest overseas venture.

Each line I read was like a punch. 'Have you done your homework?' 'What were your exam results?' 'Have you studied extra hard for Science and Math?' 'Did you remember our promise about working hard to join the family business?'

It was as if each question came armed with an invisible hand that squeezed my heart tighter. With every passing second, my heart felt heavier, the weight of my parents' expectations a constant reminder of the road they expected me to tread.

With trembling hands, I typed out a reply. "Exam results aren't out yet. Goodnight. I miss you." My fingers hovered over the send button before pressing down with more force than necessary. The light from the screen seemed harsher as their immediate response flashed up, 'We miss you too.'

I locked my phone, a hollow echo ringing in my chest. Guilt wormed its way into my consciousness, its presence as tangible as the moonlight filtering through the window.

With the day's remnants lying heavy on my soul, I welcomed the soft whisper of sleep, my eyelids dropping shut like a theater curtain at the end of a play. But unlike most nights, tonight had a different script.

As sleep began to weave its dreamy tendrils around me, I tried something I had never done before. My body was surrendering to sleep, yes, but my mind... my mind was on a journey of its own.

Despite the tempting call of the dream realm, I kept my consciousness tethered, focusing on a single thread of thought. Ideas swirled and danced, as vivid and tangible as the waking world. They painted a scene, the birth of a new story that felt alive within the depths of my thoughts.

An unknown exercise to anyone who'd look at me, but for me, it was an escape. A route to a world that danced to my whims, to the tales I crafted. I was not just a 15-year-old boy trying to sleep, I was a weaver of stories, lost in my own vibrant world.

Upon prying open my sleep-laden eyes, I was greeted by a scene from a dream—or perhaps, was it still a dream? A verdant carpet of grass stretched beneath me, the gentle sway of each blade in harmony with the soothing whispers of the wind. Above me, the sky flaunted an unfettered azure, clear as a flawless crystal.

I drank in the revitalizing aroma of the air, each breath filling me with a serenity I hadn't felt in eons. An expansive calmness unfurled within me, washing over my usual self-doubts like a gentle tide.

As my gaze drifted across the lush landscape, it snagged on an old mansion standing in the distance. It towered like an ageless giant against the horizon, pulling me towards it with an invisible string. An inexplicable sense of familiarity tickled my memory, the allure too strong to resist.

My legs sprang into action, propelling me towards the house. It was as though I was gliding over the grass, my body feather-light and pulsing with an unfamiliar vigor. No panting breaths, no heavy pounding in my chest; the physical shortcomings that usually haunted me in the real world seemed like distant memories.

Usually, I'd be the one huffing and puffing, left in the dust during gym class. But here, in this dreamlike world, I was as swift as the wind, racing towards the mansion with unflagging strength.

As I neared the grand old house, a tantalizing aroma wafted from within—fried chicken, my favorite. It danced into my nostrils, the mouth-watering scent adding a spring to my steps.

Upon reaching the mansion's door, I hesitated. My hand, poised to knock, trembled in mid-air. A flicker of uncertainty shot through me. Behind these doors could be anything—bliss or disappointment, welcome or rejection.

"Are you scared, Max?" I asked myself, voice barely a whisper in the serenity of the surrounding. The mansion towered ominously in response, silent, waiting.

With a final deep breath, I steeled myself, my fingers curling into a shaky fist, ready to invite the unknown.

Gulping down a wave of trepidation, I mustered the courage to rap my knuckles against the imposing door. My heart pounded in rhythm with the knocks, each beat filled with hopeful anticipation. Perhaps, the world I'd spun in my mind was on the brink of blossoming to life.

The door creaked open, revealing a tall young woman. She was an elegant figure, her long, jet-black hair cascading over the shoulders of her alluring maid uniform. Her violet eyes shimmered with warmth, and her voice, when she greeted me, was as soft as a summer breeze.

"Welcome back, Master Max," she said, a hint of playfulness in her tone.

"Matterinna?" I uttered, my voice barely above a whisper. A thrill ran down my spine as she confirmed my suspicions with a nod. My mind struggled to reconcile the fact that she was here, a figment of my imagination brought to life.

However, a flicker of worry clouded her usually radiant eyes. "Master Max, don't tell me you've forgotten me?" She reached up, her delicate fingers brushing over my hair and probing my scalp for any signs of injury. "Did you bump your head?"

My heart picked up its pace, throbbing against my chest as if trying to match the surrealism of the situation. The touch of her fingers, warm and gentle, was far too tangible for a mere dream.

"No, no, I'm fine," I reassured her, forcing a smile onto my face. "Just a little disoriented, is all. Had a lot on my mind recently."

Her eyebrows knitted together in concern. "Would you like to talk about it, Master Max? If you wish, I could lend an ear."

I shook my head, declining her offer with a soft smile. "Another time, Matterinna, thank you."

She returned my smile, her eyes sparkling with understanding. "Just remember, Master Max, it's better to let it out than let it fester inside you."

I nodded, comforted by her reassuring presence. But my curiosity got the better of me. "Where is everyone? Are they home?"

Her nod was eager and full of warmth. "They've been waiting for you."

"Why were you the one to answer the door?" I inquired, puzzled.

Her laughter tinkled through the air like wind chimes, "Because I'm the maid here, Master Max. Isn't it my job to cater to the family's needs?"

"I want to stay outside a bit longer," I told her, "The view here is too beautiful to leave just yet."

Her laughter rang out again. "Staring at a field of grass, Master Max? But you've always wanted to explore the world beyond our estate."

With a smile, I wrapped my arms around her, my heart throbbing with a newfound resolve. "I won't let go of my family again, Matterinna, that includes you."

Her arms encased me, returning my embrace. Yet confusion laced her voice. "A second time, Master Max? And why so sentimental today?"

"Just... go make me a hot chocolate, okay?" I murmured, pulling away. As she wiped away a stray tear that had managed to escape, I watched her retreat back into the mansion.

Standing alone outside, I couldn't help but marvel at the vivid reality of my lucid dream. Now, all I had to do was step inside, where a world I'd painted with my imagination awaited me.