Chapter 11

The doorbell rings. I open my eyes and look around hastily. I am in the middle swaying alone to the music. No Ashton? I swear he was right here. What just happened? Was I dreaming or just imagining him?

Man! I think I'm going crazy. The doorbell rings again. I look through the watch hole and see my mom and dad waiting outside.

I quickly open the door, "Hey dad hi mom" "Hi dear, took you long enough to open the door" "Sorry mom, just woke up from the nap" I lie to them with a yawn. "It's alright, and Aira" "yea mom?" She fidgets, "I am sorry sweetheart...I overreacted the other day." She says with a sad smile.

I go over to her and hug her. "I am sorry too mom. I shouldn't have come home late." "This calls for an apology celebration." Dad pipes in.

Me and mom look at each other and at dad and burst out laughing. Dad looks puzzled but he too joins in to the fits of laughter. We enjoyed our apology feast with laughter and fun. It's almost bedtime but I always make a time to write my journal.

I wrote all that happened today about Karen's incident, the lonely time at the bridge, about meeting Ash, about Darren's challenge, my illusion and lastly about our apology feast. Today was the longest day for me.

"Please I beg you, don't go in there. You won't come alive from there." Someone is telling me but I can't see who that person is. I search everywhere but I can't see the person. "Who are you?" I shout to no one in particular. I walk towards the cave.

I feel drowsiness taking over me but I still try to walk towards that cave. It's as if the cave is inviting me. I try to look at my surrounding; all I can see is blur and dark. I take closer steps but my legs are giving out. I am so tired. I fall on my knees. Somebody please help. Anybody, please. I hear footsteps. It's somewhere close. "HELP" I shout again with all the energy I had. "This is your end." someone says. Oh no. I hear a sharp movement of a sword coming closer towards me.

I open my eyes and "Help", I shout. What? I look at my surrounding. I am on my bed sweating profoundly. I rub the sweat of my forehead. It's just a nightmare, just a nightmare. I assure myself.

Dad and mom switch on the lights and come to me on my bed, "Are you ok dear?"

"Yea, I just had a bad dream" I tell them but I am shivering, don't know whether it's from cold or from the nightmare I just had. I fake a smile to them. "Don't worry, I am fine. Really!" I assure them. "Ok, sleep well."

Mom gives me a worried glance and goes back to her room with dad. I try to sleep again but I can't. I keep on seeing those images again and again. I divert my thoughts to Ash.

He was different from other guys. Sweet and Caring even to strangers. I wonder. I find myself smiling again. His eyes, the way he smiles and grins at his silly comments. I blush at my thoughts. Strange, I just met this guy and he in no time became my friend. Thinking all about him, I drift off to sleep.