1 Chapter 1: Just a Dream

It was a dark cold night when I left my best friend, Sasha's, house party. Maybe I shouldn't have walked out on my own. Maybe I should've waited for an Uber or for someone to pick me up, but knowing me, I don't like waiting... As I walk further and further away from Sasha's house, I couldn't help but feel this presence of another person behind me. I continued on walking forward, holding my arms around myself trying to keep myself warm until I hear rustling noises coming from behind me. I jump and turn around but only find myself breathing heavily looking at nothing but leaves blowing on the ground. I let out a huge sigh of relief.

"You know, a young girl like you shouldn't be walking out here this late at night alone"

My heart sinks as I turn slowly to face the stranger speaking to me. It was an older man, in his mid 30s. He wore all black with his shirt wrinkled and untucked. His hair was dirty blonde, and his eyes were dark as night. I didn't recognize him at all, he was a complete stranger. Trying to refrain myself from showing him I was afraid I answered

"I don't live that far from here. Thank you for your concern though."

I started walking pass the stranger, but as I did, he started walking along with me.

"I should make sure you get home safe. Wouldn't want anything to happen to a pretty little thing like you."

My heart sank even more, I knew this guy wasn't up to any good. It was like I was stuck in a horror movie. I walk in front of him and turn to say,

"No, I'm perfectly capable of walking myself thank you."

I turn around slowly and start to walk faster, hoping he would take the hint and leave me alone. As I'm walking I suddenly feel a set of hands grab me from behind. I start screaming and grab my pepper spray and spray him in the eyes. I hear him scream in pain and take my chance to run as fast as I can.

"You better hope I don't find you little girl!'

I run until I find myself in a dead end. Fear starts to rise within me as I hear the stranger coming closer. I turn around backed up in a corner, having a horrifying idea of what is about to happen next.

"Well, hello again."

I grab my pepper spray and point it towards the strangers face.

"Come any closer, and I will pepper spray you again."

He starts to laugh.

"Darling, you're not even holding it the right way. I don't even think you'll be able to get a good shot this time"

He starts walking slowly towards me and I could feel the darkness fill around me. There was nothing left for me to do. That was, until I hear a deep familiar voice.

"Get the hell away from her!"

I was too afraid to look and was covering my eyes. I could hear the two of them fighting and soon I heard nothing at all. It was completely silent. I suddenly felt someone's hands on my arms and I flinched. I push them back and yelled

"Get away from me, don't touch me!"

"Hey, whoa its me. Calm down"

I finally look up to see It wasn't the 30 year old creepy man. No this guy was different. He had light brown wavy hair with deep blue ocean eyes. He was tall and muscular with the kind of smile that would make a girls whole body go weak. Looking at him, I felt safe and warm. I know him, I think. I let out a sigh and whisper

"Jay..."

"Aria! Wake up!!!"

My eyes go wide open and I spring out of bed.

"I'm up! I'm up! What happened?"

I look to see Sasha standing looking at me while laughing.

"Why would you do that Sasha?"

She continues to laugh. Annoyed by her laughing, I crawl back into my bed pulling the blankets over my head. Soon I feel Sasha's hands pull my blanket off of me...

"So, you're still having that weird ass Dream I'm guessing."

I pull back my blanket from her.

"What makes you think that?" I say tiredly.

"Because you kept whispering 'Jay'" I could feel my face turning red as she said his name. Ever since that car accident I got in a couple of months ago, I've been having a reoccurring dream about a guy who's name is Jay. The dream is different every time but it always has him in it. And normally that wouldn't be weird if I knew who this guy was but I don't know him at all. In reality, I don't know anybody named Jay nor have I ever seen this guy before...

I sit up and look at Sasha in a serious manner.

"I know this is hard to believe, but I feel like this guy could be a real person."

Sasha starts laughing again but then stops suddenly.

"Wait, you're serious?"

I don't say anything. I just look at her hoping she'd understand.

"Look Aria, Jay is a figment of your imagination. He doesn't exist."

"But why is it that I can have detailed dreams about this guy and know what his name is?"

Sasha sighs and touches my hand

"All dreams feel real. And if you look it up, dreams don't always have to be about people you know. They could be complete strangers that you just pass by in which your brain holds that image and portrays it in your dreams. And as for the name, that could've been a name you overheard." Everything Sasha was saying made sense but for some strange reason, I still didn't believe it. Something was off, but I decided to let it go.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. It was just a dream."

Sasha smiled and agreed

"Yes, just a dream"

...to be continued...