13 Unfinished

Cassadrei's POV

The morning was gloomy and dark, a tuft of clouds obscured the sun. I quickly had my meagre breakfast of poach and oranges and left my house for the University. As usual, I had that terrible dream and couldn't sleep the whole night. 

In the dream, A dark looming figure followed me into a closed alley and pounced upon me. I retreated and tried to swerve but it was faster, it latched onto my forearm and tore my flesh. I lay there bleeding, calling for help. Then someone appeared, a dark figure who offered me his hand and helped me get up. I stood and I could see the blood trickling down my maimed hands, leaving drops of red beads on the ground. The stranger said in a husky voice, " Are you alright?"

I replied in affirmative.

We neared a well lit corner, I could figure out his dark ruffled hairs and wondered what Michael was doing at such a place. Then he turned and I could see his face in the lamplight. I screamed. It was Magnus sneering at me. 

I always woke up at this point, confused and disoriented. I wanted to see what was next, but the dream ended here leaving me with a lot of mixed feelings. I didn't want to dream about Magnus, I thought about him often but the sting in my heart felt less pronounced with each passing year. I figured that I would never be able to forget him completely, that his memory will be forever etched in my mind….but it would be immensely helpful if he didn't appear in my sleep every day. I felt afraid to fall asleep and therefore I don't think I had slept at all in the last couple of days. I look like a Zombie with huge dark circles. Even Sofosys, who rarely cares about appearances, glanced at me curiously today morning during breakfast.

"Sleepless nights?" He said. 

"Yes. Nightmares." I replied tiredly. 

"Maybe you should try to get some more friends to surround yourself with. A girl trapped with her dark thoughts the whole day isn't very wholesome to the mind or the body." Sofosys said sagely. I pointedly ignored his suggestion. 

Today, I had two classes and the rest of the day was free. The University is having a prom, and everyone else is busy with the preparations. As usual, Linda had volunteered for almost every event and I successfully avoided them by pretending to be sick and not attending college on the day of the volunteer selection. Linda was grumpy about this, but I really didn't want to spend my afternoons with a bunch of highly energetic college girls who only wanted to talk about guys and love. There used to be a time when I was exactly like these girls. That past me would have been more than happy to associate and converse with them, but the present me has experienced a lot of worse stuff to know better. Love hardly holds any meaning to me after all that I have been through. 

I was daydreaming in Professor Gillian's class when suddenly the bell rang and everyone broke out into a ruckus.

"Remember everyone, assignments tomorrow!" She shouted and everyone groaned. 

I stood up and as I turned, I suddenly came face to face with Linda.

"Hiiiiiii!" She exclaimed enthusiastically and I wondered how she could have so much energy all the time!

"Ooooooo! Cassy, you totally should know about Jaky and me. We are totally a couple now!" Linda blushed. 

She entwined her hands with mine, something that causes me great discomfort, and we started walking out the door. 

"So, Linda..you and Jake? How? I thought you were dating Shawn." I said confused. 

Linda frowned. Then after clearing her throat, she proclaimed, "I totally dumped Shawn. He was a filthy cheater. Can you believe this Cassy? He cheated on me...ME LINDA ROBERTS!!! He was with his ex girlfriend Nisha all along! So much for true love and forever afters huh?! I am telling you Cassy, he didn't even come to visit me while I was injured! Can you imagine that??" Linda rolled her eyes and shifted her weight on the other crutch that she is using to propel herself forward.

Then, she continued, "I was really heartbroken over Shawn you know! I couldn't even paint my nails for a month because Shawn always said that he loved my painted nails so much. Can you imagine how traumatized I was??"

I really couldn't. 

However, I patted her back emphatically and that seemed to reduce her trauma and sent her into a torrent of conversations about her abhorrent ex-boyfriend and his numerous other flaws that she had always, miraculously forgiven. 

"Oh yes, I secured you a date." Linda said suddenly. I was completely taken aback. A date! What is that supposed to mean. 

"With?" I asked meekly, already dreading the answer. 

"Ohh Cassy, you are so naive sometimes, you know. Obviously it's Michael! He's your crush, right? I know... I know what you will be saying now….Oh Lin, you didn't have to do this blah blah but I know I needed to do this! You are my best friend, Cassy and I have a duty!" Linda said with emphasis on the word best friend. It strangely made me feel good.

However, I was completely lost here. Linda had done something really unexpected, and now that I think of it...it isn't really very unexpected, is it? I mean, I did tell her that I liked Michael, so this is all on Sofosys! I mumbled a curse under my breath, hopelessly searching for a way to escape this situation.

I know people of my age are very much into dating and stuff and had I been normal, I would have loved to go out with Michael probably. I mean, he is handsome, goofy, really really smart and to some extent a caring guy. It's a wonder that he hasn't found someone yet, and why do I feel relieved that he didn't? I felt ashamed at my thoughts. Perhaps, it's better for me that he is single, else how would he help me gain my powers and at the same time explain to his girlfriend who ami I?

Sofosys had a deep conversation with Michael the other day, one that resulted in him getting thoroughly confounded. I couldn't blame that poor lad, obviously knowing someone is a Goblin out of nowhere might come as a real shock! Sofosys advised me to associate with Michael and his "friends", to incorporate myself into his peer group, which he clearly lacks. 

Now that Linda had invited him on a date with me, I couldn't help but wonder if it might actually be a good idea. I mean, what better way to associate than pretending to date each other? Obviously, we could be friends….but that would be far fetched for both of us probably. Michael probably couldn't care less. Or, I thought with a brilliant strike, we can always go on a friendly date! The idea cheered me up and I said yes to Linda. I mean, I had to start somewhere…. and now that Linda had actually made a move, it kinda got things easier for me too. 

"Yes." I said.

"Cool! I knew you would be excited. Meet me at 6:00 near the gas station. We will go to FryCourt." Saying so, we parted ways...Linda hopping towards her Salsa lessons and me trudging back towards the Canteen to grab a bite. 

As usual, Linda was late and I had to wait for a good forty minutes before I caught sight of her. She looked ravishing in a red velvety dress with diamond studs in her ears and a touch of lipstick to complete the look. I had chosen, after much deliberation, a white satin dress with a printed scarf. I felt so underdressed in comparison but I guess that is always the case. Linda, however, gawked at me and said, "Oh my God, Cassy you look totally gorgeous! This dress is soooo pretty...where did you get this huh?!"

She was being modest, for all I knew she had a dozen such dresses tucked away at the farthest corner of her closet. I liked her compliment though and it was always her habit to compliment everyone even in their simplest attires. I really liked her for this. 

"Let's go!" I said, offering my hand to her that she graciously took. We started walking precariously in our inch top heels. 

We came to the cab stand just round the corner, and luckily found a cab right away. Linda talked all the way to the Cafe jumping from one topic to the other, providing hilarious anecdotes to almost everything. I was really enjoying our conversation, and I suspected my good mood was owing to the expected date I had. This thought deeply distressed me. Just as we were passing through the deserted side of the street, realisation dawned on me in the form of a thunderbolt. This alley was strangely familiar and to my horror, I realised it was the same one that I had been visiting so often in my nightmares. 

A cold shiver ran down my spine. Linda, unaware of the situation, was busy with her torrential gossip. I broke into a cold sweat... I didn't want to think about it anymore. I mean, it can be a coincidence right? I didn't want to imagine what would happen if this wasn't a coincidence.