THREE

I sit up in bed and turn on the lamp on my bedside. There's commotion downstairs. I glance at my alarm clock and it reads three thirty a.m. It's still too early. I contemplate going to bed or checking what the commotion is all about downstairs.

Deja vu.

It could be my dad making himself a snack. I try to close my eyes and go back to sleep,but I can't. There's something wrong and I can't quite place it. I switch the lamp back on and decide to go check what's going on. I hold the locket hanging very close to what I believe is my heart. In it is a picture of Sydney. I never take it off. It's what keeps our memories together alive and provides some sort of comfort. It's almost as if she's there with me. It's my most priced possession and I can't imagine what it would be like if I ever lost.

I get out from under the covers and walk to the door. I slowly turn the knob. I first peep out in the hall before getting out. My parents' room is shut. My dad always leaves it open when he goes to the kitchen for a snack. It is eerily quiet,I can hear my heartbeat. Talk about a typical horror movie scene.

I don't know why,but my conscience is compelling me to go down stairs. I am scared. But I have to see what's going on. I slowly walk down the steps, groping my way through the dark. I'm re-living the night of my sister's death, only this time I'm alone. Whatever lies about two minutes ahead of me,I have no idea. I just hope that if it's terror,I won't live to remember it.

I'm halfway down the stairs and I can already spot two figures. One of the people I believe are men, seems to be on the phone. It's dark,so I can't quite make out who they are. All this is so familiar,it hurts.

Whatever happens,let it happen. I flip the switch to light up the living room dining room and kitchen. The men look up, probably shocked. They look my way.

I'd recognize those faces with my eyes closed. They're the monsters who cold bloodedly murdered my sister and got away with it. And they're now right here. In front of me. The terrible memories come rushing into my mind. I fight hard to keep myself from crying,but there's a lump in my throat.

When reality sets back in, I turn around and start running back to my room. It happened just like this. I hear their footsteps behind me. I enter my room and try to shut the door,but one of the men's foot stops me from doing so. It's over for me. They murdered my sister and now they're here to finish me too.

The men are in the room with me. I try to call for help,but my voice is gone. I'm facing them. I'm ready. I don't know what it is,but I'm ready for it anyway.

Without a word,one of the men points a gun at me. He pulls the trigger.

Sydney,here I come. Hope you'll be happy to see me.

~~~~

I open my eyes. I look around. It's funny how the place I think is heaven looks exactly like my room. The walls,the posters,the curtains,the dresser,the- wait a minute...this is not heaven, it's actually my room. I'm not dead. It was just a dream. I sit up and start to examine myself to confirm that it was, in fact, a dream.

My alarm goes off and I jump in fright. I place a hand on my chest to make sure my heart is still in place. Good it is. I get out of bed and head to the bathroom. Thank God it's Friday.

After I'm done preparing myself,I head downstairs to prepare some breakfast. My parents already left for work. I sit alone at the dining table with my eggs and bacon.

My phone snaps me out of my thoughts. I got distracted, thinking of the dream I had. It's Melissa. We've gotten rather close. Sometimes we walk to school together and sometimes her other friend, Joey,drives us to school. My sister used to drive me to school when she got a license,but now she's no more. Her car now lives in the garage at our new home.

"Hi,are you ready?"

"Uh..." I look down at my untouched food, which I believe is cold by now. I don't think I wanna eat that anymore.

"Yeah. I'm ready."

"Joey and I will be there in about five minutes. He'll give us a ride to school."

"Okay."

I take my plate to the kitchen and make myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich,just in case I get hungry on the way. I get out of the house when I hear Joey's car pull up in the driveway. I lock the door and head to the car.

"Hi, Melissa." I greet as I get into the backseat with her. I start to buckle up.

"Hey!" She replies animatedly.

"Hello, Ally. I'm also fine, thank you." Joey says as he starts to pull out of the driveway. He's such a goof.

"I was getting to you, Joey."

"Yeah,it fun being the last choice."

I frown at his statement. "It's not like that."

"I'm just joking." He chuckles.

I pay my locker a visit before third period. I have Math. Oh gosh! I don't hate math, don't get me wrong. But I don't like it either. I close my locker and when I turn to leave, I spot a familiar face across the hall. The dangerously handsome guy I bumped into earlier this week. This is only the second time I'm seeing him. I wonder what he thinks of me after I walked out on him when he asked my name the other day. I blew up big time. I would kill to be friends with such a guy.

He looks my way and I look away before I make a fool out of myself again. I start my way to Math class.

It's barely halfway into the lesson and I'm already bored. All I want is for school to be over so I can go home and sleep in on Saturday.

My last class is Biology. I can't wait for this class to be over and done with. It's not as bad as Math though, because Melissa is also in my Biology class and she sits behind me,so I don't really get bored.

"Hey, wanna get some ice cream tomorrow? I can show you around town while we're at it." Melissa whispers from behind me. I turn in my seat to answer her.

"Sure thing. I love ice cream. Pistachio with chocolate chip cookies and rainbow sprinkles is my fav." I say dreamily. I can almost taste the ice cream. The bell rings and it's finally time to go home. Melissa and I pack our books.

"We better hurry before Mr. Cedric remembers he hasn't assigned us any homework."

"What is that,Miss George?"

Melissa looks up.

"Nothing,Sir, I was just telling Ally here,what an amazing teacher you are."

Liar.

"Well,in that case, have a nice day."

"You too,sir."

I can see the relief on her face.

"That was close." She whispers to me on our way out.

Our lockers aren't close,so we have to part ways once we get to the hallway.

"I'll meet you in the parking lot."

"Okay." Joey had study hall last period. He's probably already in his car.

I carefully arrange my books in my locker. I close it ready to leave,but my heart almost fails me when I turn to leave.

"Did I scare you?" He says with a smirk.

"Why did you do that!" I almost raise my voice at him.

"Hey,calm down. It's only the hottest guy in school."

"Yeah,I don't think so. Now,get out of my way. I have places to go." I try to push him out of my way,but he doesn't move an inch.

"You know,if you wanted to feel my abs,you could have just asked."

This guy. He's so full of himself. I mean,he has every reason in the world to be,but still. He's already starting to annoy me. I don't even know him.

"You wish. Get out of my way!" I try to push past him again, losing my patience.

"Chill out,okay? I'll get out of way as soon as I get to know your name. Now, what's your name?"

"My name's Ally Ashton. Happy? Now excuse me."

"Don't you want to know my name? I mean,I'm the most popular guy in school,but still."

"If you're nearly as popular as you suggest,why haven't I heard about you,yet?"

He wasn't particularly happy with what I said. Did I hurt his ego or something? Well, good for me.

I was in the middle of patting myself on the back mentally, when he said something I wasn't quite expecting.

"I'm Tyrell."

Hold up. What? Tyrell! Okay, maybe he's not the Tyrell I've been told to stay away from. Calm down, Ally.

"Tyrell Clay."

Thought too soon, Ally. Thought too soon. I kinda froze.

"What? Scared of me,now?" He said with a smirk dancing on his lips. I couldn't let him know I was scared. Kinda. I couldn't give him that satisfaction.

I shrugged.

"You're unbelievable. Now,if you'll excuse me,I need to go home."

He moved out of my way, raising his hands in surrender. I walked away, trying hard to conceal my astonishment with my fake don't care attitude.

As I walked away to the parking lot to meet Melissa and Joey, there was only one thing going through my mind.

Holy shit! I met Tyrell Clay.