Dream Catcher 

Dream Catcher

~~Chapter 1 Dream Girl~~

unlike most of my dreams, this one seemed real, like it was happening right before my eyes; I couldn't make myself believe I was dreaming.

A light breeze blew past my cheeks, rustling a few loose strands of hair from my face. I could feel the bitter cold air, biting at my skin with a harshness that made a blanket of goose-bumps rise across my arm. I swore that I could feel this coldness, this utter bitterness, but I couldn't be; this had to be a dream.

As I sat myself upright in my bed, leaning to the side to peer around my pitch dark room, not even the light of the moon was enough to bring a clear vision what was around me.

I could feel something, something deep in my bones, something that made my shivers increase.

I reached my arm out towards the old lamp beside my bed, jumping a bit at the thunderous click that it made under my finger as I pressed down on the switch.

Turning myself back to face the front I gasped, letting out a yelp in surprise as a figure stood at the foot of my bed.

Moving backwards on my bed until I was pressed tight against the headboard, I rubbed my eyes quickly, looking straight at the figure.

It was a girl.

She stood with a tall gracefulness, her body completely covered from head to toe in pure white. A hood of snow white covered the front of her, blocking her face from view.

I was sure she had to be a girl, judging by her thin feminine figure, and perfect curves, she had the kind of body everyone woman would kill for.

I gulped as the beautiful woman before me began to float over to me, as if she was flying in thin air. A scent of vanilla struck my senses, and my head began swimming.

Who was this girl?

My heart began to race as she hovered over me, her soft-looking hand reaching out towards me in a fluid motion.

I gulped, looking at her hand for a second.

Deep inside me I felt something click in place, and a feeling of tension hit me.

She was presenting a choice to me.

This was the only thing my mind kept repeating the longer I stared at her hand.

This one gesture was important, I could feel it, but what was there to choose from.

Slowly I let my hand wonder out towards hers and gently I took her hand, as smooth as silk in mine.

Her hand was firm as it locked into mine, and for a second the whole world just felt right.

My eyes Aleceled back up to her covered face, and before I could utter a word a shock ran down my arm, sending warmth through my body.

The beautiful woman now began to shine like a thousand of crystals, and I found myself launching myself up in bed, breathing heavily.

I looked around my room, no longer being lit by only my lamp, and the figure of the woman was no were in sight.

It had only been a dream.

Sighing, I rubbed my face, a bit surprised by the dampness on my forehead. I must have been sweating a bit from that dream.

"Alec, time for school," The voice of my mother trailed up from down stairs.

"I'm up," I called down, holding back a reluctant groan.

Yawning a bit I slide to the end of my bed, stretching my arms above my head before standing up, and making my way out of my room, heading towards the bathroom.

It was then that I realized that my head was pounding, and a rush of images from last nights dream popped up in my head.

The woman in the robes, how soft her hand had been as it rested in mine, it was all too real… I wanted it to be real.

What was I thinking, what a stupid wish. That my dream had been more then just my mind running wild, and making up things as I slept; although, that girl had been beautiful, at least her body had been, I didn't know what the rest of her looked like. Surely with a body like that, she had to be the most beautiful girl in the world.

As I walked into the bathroom, relieved that I had been the first one to make in, I yawned again, turning to start the water in the shower. At that moment I noticed a mark on back of my wrist.

I looked closer, holding my wrist right in front of my eyes to see a cursive letter "R" sketched over my skin.

I frowned at it curiously.

When did that get there?

I shrugged it off, and began to peel my clothes off, that seemed to cling to my skin from my sweating.

Surely I would have noticed that before I had gone to bed last night, but I couldn't recall seeing it there.

Sighing in relief at the warm water hitting my skin as I entered, I began to lather up, trying to wash away the beautifully written "R" from my wrist. But it didn't even smear, no matter how hard I tried it stayed.

Getting a bit annoyed I scrubbed harder over the "R" until my arm turned pink, but the letter stared back at me, still its dark, bold color on my pale skin, just mocking me as it seemed to look as though it was getting darker by the second.

I sighed, and gave up, finishing up with getting myself clean, and calming down a bit.

No one would notice it anyway I guess.

But I just wish I knew where it came from, it couldn't be a tattoo could it. Maybe I was asleep at one of Rad's parties, and one of his tattoo friends got a hold of me.

But I haven't been to one of Rad's parties since May, on his birthday, and I would have surely noticed it between the past seven months.

No it couldn't be a tattoo, so what could it be…?

I shook my head for a second, looking down at it as I stepped out of the shower.

I'd worry about it later; I had to get ready for school before I was late again.

Slinging the last towel in the closet around my waist I walked calmly back towards my room, combing through my wet hair, watching it pop back into it's usual loose curls, stopping just inches from my eyebrows.

I detested my hair, it was annoying to have this mess of curls on top of my head, I was probably the only guy at my school with curly hair, and I knew for sure I was the only one with this color hair as well.

My mother described it as Caramel colored, and in a way I guess that really was the closest way of telling someone what color it was. For it wasn't brown, and it wasn't blonde, it truly was the same shade as Caramel.

I hated it.

I don't know why I couldn't just be normal, be like everyone else, all my life I have been treated differently because of the way I look, apparently guys with strange colored hair was well admired. To any other guy this would be a god-sent gift, to be well liked by the females, but I found it annoying, and I wanted more then anything to be different.

Walking back into my room, I trudged into my closet to find a random thing to put on.

My black basketball shorts and my basketball jersey were the first things my hands touched, so that's what I decided to go with. Shoving my feet into my sneakers, I glanced at myself in the mirror, not caring how I looked, just wanting to make sure I didn't have anything inside-out.

I slowly rubbed my face, sighing.

Already I didn't want to go, I wanted to stay home, and think about that dream some more, maybe figure out why I had dreamt it in the first place.

As I began to stomp my way out of my room, and down the wooden stairs; my book-bag slung carelessly over my shoulder, I peeked down at the "R" written into my wrist.

For some reason this letter reminded me of my dream… like maybe there were connected to each other in some way…

That didn't even make sense; I had to be over-thinking this all just a bit now.

I let my thoughts drop as I made it down the stairs; where the smell of pancakes hit me in a wave, making my stomach growl.

Quickly I made my way into the kitchen, knowing full well my mother was in there making up a delicious breakfast.

As soon as I made it to the entrance of the kitchen the smell of pancakes intensified, and I smiled in excitement of the warm sweet smell.

"Morning mom," I greeted her nicely, noticing her bent over, stirring a big bowl in front of the oven.

She turned; her short, curly, blonde hair bouncing slightly as she faced me. A warm motherly smile spread across her face.

"Hey dear, I hope you're hungry," She said retrieving a plate of pancakes, and sitting it on the table in front of me.

I hastily moved, and sat down, breathing in the smell before digging in.

"Always," I nodded with a chuckle, and groaning at the delicious taste. It was so perfect, fluffy, warm, and best of all made with the purest intent of making someone happy.

She laughed gently, and turned back to the oven to continue stirring her bowl.

I smiled to myself, trying to savor the taste with each bite.

Still to this day, I prayed that I somehow inherited my mother's skill for cooking; I already inherited her curly hair, and her fair skin.

"Does it taste alright Alec," She said watching me.

I looked up at her, quick to reassure her. "It's amazing, as usual,"

She smiled in relief, and was about to speak when her hazel eyes danced towards the entrance of the kitchen.

I turned as well I see little Maggie come stumbling in, still in her little pink pajamas.

"Good morning squirt," I chuckled as she climbed up in the chair beside me.

She narrowed her eyes at me, making a little fist, punching my shoulder.

It didn't hurt in the slightest, but I made a show of wincing in pain, making her giggle.

"Don't call me that Tavie," She said while yawning.

"My bad," I smiled, chewing up the last of my pancakes.

Her chocolate colored hair was in a crazy bush on the top of her head, and her eyes seemed to be tired and sleepy still.

"Maggie sweetie, did you sleep alright?" My mother asked, and slide a plate of pancakes over to her, and handing me a cup of black coffee.

I sipped at it, smiling at my mother in gratitude, before turning my attention back to Maggie.

Maggie shrugged, rubbing her eyes before nibbling at her pancakes.

"We kind of woke up in the middle of the night to see the big shooting star," A voice sounded from the doorway of the kitchen.

Allie stood there, batting her eyes in tiredness, yawning as she did so. Just like Maggie; her hair was in a complete mess.

Maggie gave a sheepish look up at mom, and then looked down at her plate.

I had been surprised from this news.

A shooting star, how could I have missed that, that dream really must have had me out.

"It was so cool," Allie smiled animated as she walked over, climbing up on the seat on the other side of me.

"It was all shinning gold, and it was glowing, and it was so big," Maggie grinned.

"Yes I know, I had seen it as well, but you know you two aren't supposed to be staying up late," My mother reminded, handing Maggie her sipping cup, probably full of orange juice, before handing Allie her breakfast.

I looked at them both, raising a brow.

Still, I couldn't get over how different these two were. Yes they were twins, but they were like complete opposite, both in looks, and in personalities.

Maggie was sweet, and mellow, she is almost never into trouble or making messes. She had dad's chocolate brown locks of bone straight hair, and mom's hazel eyes.

While Allie was a trouble-maker, who almost never sits still, and had one massive temper. She had mom's curly blonde hair, and shared the same eye color me, and dad, the emerald green color.

But they were the best of friends, they rarely fought over anything.

"I missed it, was dad excited about it, he always has been interested in these kinds of things isn't he," I said bringing my attention back to the conversation.

I watched as the cheery smile on my mother's face slowly slide off at my words, and she sat back in her seat, her eyes now on the table, not meeting my look.

"I'm sure if he saw it, he was ecstatic," She said quietly, keeping her eyes down.

"What do you mean if he saw it, you don't know?"

"Well, your father didn't come home until 2 a.m, and the star came across at about 12 a.m."

I clenched my hand into a fist at this, now understanding what was wrong.

I was getting tired of this.

My father used to be home at regular times, waking up at 8 a.m with all of us, and then leaving for work when I left for school, coming home a little after 5 p.m.

That was normal, that was what it was supposed to be like, and that's how it has been all my life, until just a few months ago.

My father had changed, I don't know what it is, but he has been acting different.

He used to be so easygoing, and mellow, maybe a bit sophistic at times, but now, he was nothing but cold, and unfeeling. He rarely speaks to any of us.

The last words he had said to me had been… "Where's the car keys," that was two months ago.

He began waking up at 4 a.m, then sneaking down in the basement, locking the door behind him, and then staying down there until 8 a.m, he would leave to go to work, and not get home until 2 a.m.

It was worrying my mother, and upsetting my sister, which put me in a very bad mood, I was half tempted to go and tell him a thing or two… if only I knew a thing or two…

"Are you alright," I said watching as my mom tried pulling herself together, putting on the happy act to not worry Maggie and Allie, but I saw through that.

She was hurting on the inside.

"I'll be just fine, now you get on and go to school, you'll be late," She said with a small smile.

I nodded with a sigh, and stood up, patting Maggie and Allie on the top of the head.

"I'll see you guys later,"

"Bye Alecie," Maggie smiled; while Allie swatted my hand with an embarrassed look to me.

I chuckled, and made my way out of the kitchen, walking out to my old truck.

As soon as I stepped out the door a cold gust of bitter cold December wind bite at my face.

I quickly walked around to the driver's seat of my truck, being cautious of the ice frozen under my feet, slipping only once, but I already had a hold on my truck.

With a strong yank I pulled the old truck door open with a creak, and I watched as rust sprinkled the ground.

Thanks for the truck dad, no really, I appreciate your efforts, you didn't get the cheapest truck in the junk yard I'm sure.

Shaking my head I climbed up into my truck, sliding my finger over the navy blue paint that seemed to be chipping away more and more.

As I started up the truck, I cranked the heat up to its limit quickly, shivering against the cold as it entered. Surely that was the only good thing about this hunk of junk. It got warm fairly fast.

Once I was toasty warm I began to back out of the driveway, taking my time over the frozen sheet of ice that covered the ground, until I was safely on the main road.

Today was going to be like any other Monday; I could just feel it now. At the moment, the last thing I wanted to do was go to school. The classes' I am taking is beyond easy, and my main complaint, was that now that I was on my way to school, I would be forced into attending basketball practice after school today.

I loved basketball yes, of course, and my team was amazing, a great bunch of guys, but our school hasn't won a basketball game in seven years. Although we where never frowned upon in our school, the basketball team was known as the school most popular group of guys.

I will never understand why, I suppose since we didn't have a football team they had to settle with the next best sport. Like all schools, basketball, and girl's tennis is the two most admired sports, in which have formed into groups, that people call, the "Prep" groups.

I didn't disagree with this term, most of them we're very snobbish, and stuck-up. I wish I wasn't included in it, but I was only there for my two best friends, Rad, and Max.

As I glanced around the small town of Haven I noticed there was a strange feeling deep inside me as I analyzed each building I went past.

Everything around me seemed… different, but not physically different, it all looked the same, all the tiny houses, and the old stores, the trees hovering over the town like tall, massive bodyguards. All the people walking around on the streets, wrapped up in their heavy winter clothes, each with friendly smiles on their faces.

Now that was something that was different. Usually the people around here were hatefully. They wouldn't give you the time of day; they always had a place to be. There weren't any killers, or thieves like a large city, but the people here weren't that nice either.

The only nice folks around here were the town's older members, the ones that had been around here longer then any other. And of course my own family was kind, and a couple other families, but not many.

But I could feel it, something else was off, something was going on under these friendly smiles, and I didn't like the weird feeling I kept receiving. It was like a mixture of anxiety, and that way you feel when you are right in the middle of a dream.

I pinched my arm, turning away from the windows to concentrate on the road.

Ouch.

Yeah, I wasn't dreaming, not this time, but I couldn't shake this feeling of unsettledness. Even as I pulled into my school parking lot, the sensitivity didn't let up, in fact, it intensified.

I clutched the wheel for a moment as I parked in my usual space right in front of the school. My stomach was tied up in knots, and my head was pounding like crazy.

I couldn't understand why I was reacting like this, it was the same way I felt before every basketball game, when I'm standing out there on the court, nervous of all the watching fans, expecting me to do something, to win, and I know, and they know full well I couldn't.

Sighing, I pushed my thoughts away, and yanked my truck door open, sliding out, and turning just in time to see my best friend Max jogging over to me with a bright smile.

"Hey Alec, nice to see the rust-bucket brought you to school on time for once," He teased with a grin.

I rolled my eyes, giving him a light shove.

"I told you, have some faith in old Betty here," I said patting the side of my truck to watch a few chips of paint come dancing down from it.

Max snickered watching this.

"She's a real piece of work isn't she," He rolled his eyes.

I ignored his comment, and hitched my book bag back over my shoulder.

"So are you going to practice after school," Max said his bright blue eyes gleaming in excitement.

I frowned slightly at the mention of practice, but gave my best half smile.

"Of course I am; why do you ask?"

"Just making sure, the tennis girls will be sharing the gym with us for the next couple weeks," He said wagging his brows at me.

I fought back the urge to roll my eyes again; and I huffed a bit, watching my loose curls blow around a bit from the slight breeze.

"Great," I muttered with fake interest.

Max gave me an elbow to the side, making me chuckle at his weak attempt. He laughed with me, and shook his head.

"I'll never understand you Alec, you could probably have any girl you wanted in this school, but you think all of them are a waste of space, I'd kill to have your luck,"

I raised a brow at him.

Well, I didn't find that woman in my dreams to be a waste of space; she was amazing, perfect; now that was the kind of girl I could be interested in. Not snobby, not rude, not cruel, just a nice, sweet girl.

But what was I saying, she was a dream, plus I don't truly know what her personality had been, all I knew was that she was beautiful, for all I know she could be a complete witch, but then again she is a dream, so she's whatever my mind had made her.

"What are you two going on about?" A cynical voice spoke from behind us.

I turned already knowing who it was, and throwing him a slight smile.

"Rad, you're going to basketball practice right," Max grinned, waving at him.

Rad gave him a not so fascinated look, but nodded, smirking.

"I wouldn't dream of missing the tennis girls sharing the court," He said with a dark smile.

Max beamed, and gave him a hi-five.

"That's what I'm talking about," Max grinned in eagerness.

Rad ran a hand through his raven black hair for a moment, looking between Max and I. He usually stayed quiet, and just listened, he didn't like paying attention to anything for any long period of time.

"Well come on, let's get to class before Mrs. Peace gives us detention again," I said nodding to them.

Max nodded, but looked unconcerned as we all walked together to our class. This was the only class we all had together. Mrs. Peace was the strictest teacher in the school, her English classes were almost impossible to pass with anything higher then a C.

But Max, Rad, and I had been a team since I met them, all the way back in kindergarten. Max was the smooth talker; he could talk any teacher out of giving us detentions, and was never nervous to speak to anyone. Rad was the tough guy, even when he was only five he was the scariest kid on the playground, he is what kept bullies away from us in our grade school years, and also he was what got us on the basketball team. And then there was me, I had no skills in any of those departments, I couldn't talk my way out of a rough situation if my life depended on it, and I was to thin, and soft-looking to be tough, and scary. I was the brains behind our little team. I could always get them both to pass each of their classes, thanks to them copying off my homework. Of course they weren't stupid, but when it comes to things… that aren't basketball, they don't really excel in any way.

But that's just what makes us a good team.

As we made it to our class, I smiled nervously as Mrs. Peace gave us warning looks the second we walked through the door.

"You all were almost late, where were you?" She demanded, her dark; almost black eyes piercing at us.

"Where sorry Mrs. Peace, we had just stopped to help a little seventh grader, he was having trouble opening his locker, we just couldn't ignore that," Max said with a tender smile.

Rad and I glanced at each other in amusement.

Max always could come up with the best excuses, and they just seemed to come to him right on the spot no matter what.

I watched as again Max's power worked over our teacher. Her eyes went soft, and she gave us each a smile.

"Oh, well, it's wonderful our junior class has such kindness; please take your seats gentleman,"

"Thank you Mrs. Peace," Max said in politeness, and lead us to the back of the room, where all three of us sit.

As I took my seat, direction beside the window, I noticed that the feeling I had gotten earlier had returned. My stomach began to clench up in knots, and the feeling of being fast asleep over came me.

Glancing to the side, wondering if Max or Rad had felt this to, I jumped in fear.

Everyone around me was smiling, in that friendly way that the people in town were, and they all seemed to be completely frozen in their seats.

My heart began to face as I looked to face to face, seeing the same smile, even Mrs. Peace was frozen at her desk smiling.

No one talked, no one moved, the clock ticked on.

I quickly turned to the window in panic, letting out a yelp in surprise as I saw the woman in white standing right outside the window.

Just like in my dream, she stood there, completely covered in pure white robes, her hood covering her face, a glow seeming to hover around her.

My lips moved to speak, but I couldn't, my heart began to race so hard I could feel it pounding in my throat. My mind went completely blank as I watched the woman.

Slowly she raised her head just a fraction, and in that moment I watched as a wave of golden brown hair ran down past her shoulders. It was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen; it looked so pure, so perfect. The urge to go out there and just stroke her hair burned in me so greatly that I found my hand clutching my pencil tightly in an effort to keep my hands busy.

I gulped, my heart somehow increasing in speed just by this sight alone, so nothing could prepare me for what I saw next.

Now as she lifts her head up more, I jump in surprise seeing a bright; almost blinding pair of blue eyes staring back at me, causing me to jump up in fear in my seat.

As I did so I heard a snicker, and slowly, I looked up, noticing how my head was resting on the desk.

Looking around me I sighed in relief, everything was back to normal, everyone was looking bored and half asleep, the teacher was lecturing about "Romeo and Juliet", and as I turned back to the window, the woman was gone.

I must have fallen asleep, I was dreaming again. But I couldn't remember when I had fallen asleep, surely I would remember putting my head down, but I couldn't.

I must really be out of it today.

"Have a nice nap," Max whispered over to me with an amused look.

I wanted to groan at that.

I must really have been asleep, so that meant that girl truly was just a figure of my imagination. I never knew I had this much of a creative mind, to come up with such a perfect girl to dream about.

What was I saying; did I honestly want this dream girl to be real? I mean yes, she was beautiful, and perfect, but I wasn't looking to be involved with anything but my school work, and my basketball. Me, and girls… it just wasn't something I want. Girls are great yeah, and I want a girlfriend some day, but… no one here ever really interested me, they are all the same. And that wasn't something I found appealing. So did I want a girl… yes… from his school, or even more, from this town… not at all.

"When did I fall asleep," I muttered rubbing my eyes with a sigh.

"Like as soon as you sat down, not even I could get that bored, that fast," Rad snickered watching me, his head already laying on the desk as well.

I sat up, noticing a few girls were turned around, watching back at us, and I rolled my eyes, ignoring them, and their giggling.

I yawned, leaning back in my chair, noticing that my pencil was still clenched tightly in my hand.

My heart now began to race as I stared down at my pencil, fear crawling up my spine.

Don't tell me all that really happened… No it couldn't have, it was a dream; I felt myself wake up. I probably just fell asleep with my pencil in my hand.

Slowly I let the pencil drop from my hand, feeling the stiffness of my fingers in doing so.

That's when I noticed my wrist.

Right beside the "R" that had been neatly written on my skin, was a cursive "U".

My eyes widened, and I lightly ran my finger over the letters, feeling my whole arm warming when I made contact.

What was going on, now I know something has to be up, there has to be a connection between my dream, and these letters on my wrist?

But then again, it could have been Max, or Rad, deciding to add on to their art work from before.

"Did one of you write this on me?" I asked, and held up my wrist to show the big bold letters across my wrist.

Max and Rad looked at my wrist, then looked at each other with frowns, and confused looks.

"There's nothing there Alec…" Max said now looking at me with slight concern.

Now I frowned.

"What do you mean there is nothing there, there is a "RU", right here," I said, and ran my hand over the letters.

Rad rolled his eyes, laying his head back down on the table.

"What have you been smoking, there ain't anything there Alec," He muttered, and closed his eyes, probably getting ready to fall asleep.

My eyes widened, and I slowly laid my arm back down.

"You really couldn't see anything here?"

Max shook his head, giving me a worried look.

"Are you sure you're ok Alec,"

I sighed, and nodded; rubbing my face in stress, and annoyance.

What was going on, now the letters can't be seen at all by anyone… except me? Maybe I'm just imagining it's there…

I closed my eyes for a second, clearing my head a bit, before looking back down at my wrist. But it didn't matter, the two letters just sat there, as plain as day on my pale skin.

Surely someone would easily be able to see it, the letters were a normal size, and the darkness of the ink couldn't be ignored.

Something was going on, there had to be something happening, and it had to do with that girl in my dreams.

For the rest of the class period I tried; and failed, to pay attention and take notes, but I just ended up thinking about that dream girl, and sketching her perfect figure in my note book.

It wasn't going to be easy, figuring out something like this, was there even anything to figure out? I mean, it runs in my family to be about paranoid, and to blow things out of proportion, but this seemed to be much more.

When the bell rung, announcing class was over, I shifted myself up to my feet, and waited beside Rad's desk, as Max tried to wake Rad up. After the third or fourth shove Rad woke up, swearing at us with a grumble before shuffling to his feet, and stomping out of the room with a dark look.

We quickly followed behind him, watching as he pushed a few freshmen out of his way, heading right for his gym class.

"See you at lunch," Max called out to Rad as he continued on without us.

Without turning around Rad waved his hand, and continued walking, until he was completely out of sight.

I paused watching Max for a second, leaning on the door of my next class.

"You know how Rad is after getting woke up," I shrugged.

Max rolled his eyes.

"He's worse then Tommy, well, I catch up with you before lunch, try keeping awake would ya," Max laughed, and gave my shoulder a smack before walking in the direction of his next class.

Max's ten year old brother Tommy was a bit of trouble-maker; that was for sure. He was always trying to pick on Maggie; every time he came over for a "play-date". And he seemed to have a fast temper when he doesn't get what he wants. So I could only image what that kid is like trying to wake up.

I sighed, watching Max go, shaking my head, before pushing open the door, and walking into my class.

At the moment the only thing that was keeping me from fleeing from the school, and running home to get some sleep, was the fact that I was afraid of falling back asleep. What would the girl do next? I didn't like feeling like I was going crazy, and most importantly, I didn't like feeling confused. I was used to having all the answers, but I knew nothing about anything.

As I sat down in my seat, I glanced up at the clock, ticking slowly in front of me, and quietly I groaned in annoyance.

I hate having study halls, there was never anything to do, and now I was trapped there with a million questions, and no answers.

Pulling out my note book, I continued to draw my sketch of the beautiful girl, adding the new detail of her that I had learned her golden brown hair. It was so fair, and perfect, like it was made from an angel.

"What are you drawing?" A voice sounded from behind me, and I jumped, my heart racing.

I glared as I turned around, glaring up at a familiar boy in front of me.

He was one of the guys on my basketball team, Zane Clydes was his name. I didn't know him that well, he usually played around the 3rd, or 4th quarter, while I'm more acquainted with the first two quarter team players.

"It's nothing," I muttered, quickly closing my note book, and sighing, running my hand through my curls. "You scared the crap out of me, you know that?"

Zane gave me a sheepish look, sitting down next to me.

"Sorry about that Alec, I just saw you in here, and wanted to say hi as all,"

My eyes softened a bit at that, and I reluctantly turned to look at him, taking in his light red hair, and muddy brown eyes. Just by the look of his un-muscular, he was one of the weaker basketball players.

"It's fine, what are you doing in here, you haven't been in my study hall all year have you?"

He laughed, and shook his head, leaning back in his seat to put his legs up on the table, moving his arms behind his back.

"Nope, I ditched my class, and I wanted to go find some buddies to talk with, and lucky you, you're the first one I found,"

Yeah. Lucky me.

"Luke, is actually in the class right across the hall if you someone more interesting to talk with," I hinted.

Luke was the caption of the basketball team, and well liked with most of the guys, and also… well feared by all.

Zane wrinkled his nose at my words, shifting a bit, probably to make himself more comfortable.

"Luke, no offence, but I can't stand that guy, he walks around, acting like some big hot shot, while his team is out there, getting are butts handed to us," He shrugged.

I raised a brow at him, not saying anything. Not only was he very wrong, but he obviously doesn't know what happens to people that talk bad on Luke.

"If I had to vote for a team caption, I'd pick you, you or Max, you two the ones who really help this team, and believe me, I'm not the only one that thinks so,"

I struggled to stop myself from rolling my eyes.

I knew exactly what he was doing, I was very used to people acting this way with me, and I had to admit, it got more and more pathetic each time I hear it.

It was becoming increasing obvious that Zane was a "bow-down", a follower, a "Kiss-up", what ever you wanted to call it. And it wasn't going to work on me.

"I wouldn't want to be caption, never," Was all I said, and went back to my note book, being careful to go to a new page, before beginning to doodle aimlessly.

I could feel Zane's eyes on me as I did so, and made sure to keep myself calm, I'm sure he'll buzz off eventually.

"You know what I heard…?" He said after a few minutes of silence.

I sighed, turning to look up in his face, rubbing my forehead.

"What did you hear?" I said as nicely as possible, letting my pencil drop to my desk.

He now leaned forward with an animated smile, holding his hands up in a sign of excitement.

"We are getting a new girl tomorrow," He said each words slowly, as if he thought I needed time to process what I was being told.

I couldn't help it now, I rolled my eyes, and picked my pencil back up, clenching it tightly as I stared down at my paper.

"So,"

Zane nudged me, with shock.

"Do you remember the last time we have had a new girl to this school?"

Now that I thought of it, he was right, we haven't had a new student for a few years now. Probably because of the school's amazing losing record with sports, and the fact that the school was sitting right beside the town jail.

Plus our rival school, "Black Berry High School", was a much better choice, they beat us at every sport, and every academic challenge. If I had the choice I would have picked "Black Berry" to.

"Oh, well who even she is I feel bad for her," I shrugged, watching up at the teacher, who had fallen asleep, right in the middle of reading his book. "You better get back to your actual class, before the teacher wakes up,"

Zane now looked to the teacher, and slowly stood up nodding.

"Alright, I'll see you at lunch then Alec," He said waving as he silently exited the room.

I sighed in relief, leaning back in my chair, glad to finally be left alone.

I had enough of people in this school. It's all about being well liked, about being a "Someone" in this place, and people would do just about anything to get that. Even kiss up to someone, when they know they don't want friendship.

Pathetic.

But I had more pressing matters to think about… that girl from my dreams, the letters "RU" on my wrist, and now this mysterious new girl that would be showing up tomorrow .

Something in me clicked, and my stomach was again tying up in knots. My head ached now as I stared up at the clock.

I was tired of getting these feelings, it was beginning to put me in a bad mood, already my patience was running thin.

But to my luck for the rest of the day, things seemed to be normal, I didn't get any more weird feelings, and the girl didn't pop into view anywhere, even though she was the only thing that haunted my thoughts.

So by the time lunch came around, I had almost every page of my note book full of tiny sketching of the dream girl. I couldn't help myself, it was the only way my mind wouldn't over flow with her image.

I tossed my note book in my locker after getting released from my last class. I was glad it was lunch, maybe Max and Rad could get that dream girl off my thoughts.

Like usual I jogged over to Max's locker, seeing him bent down, rearranging his books, and Rad, leaned up against the locker beside him, glaring at the ceiling.

"Hey Alec," Max smiled as he straightened up, and slammed his locker shut.

I nodded to them both.

"Hey," I said stretching a bit before leading the way to the lunch room.

Max kept up with me, walking beside me, glancing around the hall way, while Rad lingered behind us, giving death glares to all the kids that passed us.

We almost made it to the door to the lunch room when someone quickly blocked the way, standing in front of the door.

"Maxie!"

Max, groaned in horror, stepping back as we took in Becky, standing in the way.

Rad and I snickered watching them, but other then that we stayed out of it. Max had to deal with his little admirer himself.

"Um.. Ahh.. Hi Becky.. I don't have time to talk…" Max said stepping back again as she began inching towards him.

"Nonsense, I got you something!" She beamed, her blonde hair, mixed with light brown tints bouncing as she moved up into Max's arms.

Rad snickered, and nudged me to go around them.

I nodded, and snickered, mockingly blowing kisses at Max before walking with Rad past them, and into the lunch room.

"You guys!" I heard Max yell after us, making us both laugh a bit as we continued in through the lunch room.

"I'm sure he'll be fine," Rad said with a smirk as we got into line.

I grinned in amusement, shaking my head.

"I feel pretty bad for him,"

And that was the honest truth. If it wasn't Becky, Max would be able to reject her so easily, but Becky is Greg's little sister. Greg is one of our main basketball players, and more importantly Greg is Luke's best friend. Luke was the captain…

If you got Luke mad… or even a little upset… and you're on the basketball team, you're getting kicked off the team, and probably beat to a pulp. If you aren't on the basketball I can almost guarantee that you will be in the hospital. Not only is Luke the biggest, and most tempered guy in school, that looks like he could pick up a car, but he has power. He could get anyone on the team to hurt someone, if he wanted them to… it's just what kind of guy Luke was. And for that reason, I learned to respect him, and everything he does.

So if Max was to tell Becky to get lost, that would make Greg mad, which in turn would annoy Luke… and that's something that is dangerous… no joke.

"I'm sure he can handle a 16 year old," Rad shrugged, and grabbed water, before walking towards the basketball table.

I followed after him with the same thing, nodding slightly.

And just like every day for the past seven years, Luke reserved seats for us at the head of the table opposite from the side he sat on.

Only the team captain could sit at the head of the table, while the vice captain sat on the other side. So it was like we both were sitting in the head of the table.

It was just one of the perks of being the vice captain.

As soon as I sat down, Rad, sitting down in his place Max came over with a horrified expression, sitting to the right of me, right between Rad and I.

"Becky get down chewing on you," Rad smirked sipping his water.

Max cringed, and narrowed his eyes at Rad, elbowing him in the side with a grumble.

"Shut it, you two just ditched me back there," Max said taking a bite out of the apple he had brought over.

"Sorry about that, we thought you would be able to handle her," I smiled in amusement, opening up my water.

Max shook his head rolling his eyes at us both.

"Yeah, I'm sure,"

Rad shrugged smirking, and chugged the rest of his water.

"Evans, I hope you will be getting your butt to practice today, you haven't been coming regularly like you used to," Luke said, locking his bright green eyes on me.

Quickly I answered, "I'll be there,"

Luke often only refers the team to their last names, I wasn't sure why, but I never really was brave enough to ask.

"Good, wouldn't want you getting rusty, we are going to need you for our next game coming up this Thursday," He nodded, and began to drink his third bottle of water.

Luke truly was a sight sometimes, he had to be around seven foot, and he was nothing but solid muscle, he would put the "incredible Halk" to shame. It wasn't often that I saw him furious though, he was getting better at keeping his temper in check, now that he and Candy got together; he really did soften up.

Candy… queen of the tennis player snobs.

I glanced around the table, listening to some of the guy's calm conversations, and amusing stories, but I couldn't truly get into any of them. Nothing at the moment could interest me.

There was 14 guys sitting here today, that was all of the main players, while the back-up players sat at a smaller table next to ours, and on the other side of us was the large table of tennis players.

No one came around our tables that weren't from either basketball or tennis, and I didn't blame them. If so much as one person stepped in the direction of all of them, they would glare, and growl.

"So I'm sure you heard about the new girl coming some time this week huh," Shiloh, the team's main jumper spoke, popping a grape into his mouth as he looked around at us.

Shiloh was Luke's biggest follower, and even sits right next to him at the table some how. Shiloh, I didn't trust, it was in those dark brown eyes, that sneakiness that I just couldn't trust.

"Oh yeah, I hope she's hot," Max said grinning, making some of the guys laugh, hi-fiving him.

Shiloh gave Max a dirty look, before turning to look at Luke, directing the next thing he said for him only.

"Do you think she'll be a new hottie?" He smirked.

Luke shared the look, and leaned forward, looking around at each of us.

"According to some of the teacher's reactions, she's the hottest girl yet," He said slowly syllable by syllable.

"You better be talking about me," A snobby female voice slipped in.

I looked up to the voice, holding back a look of annoyance as Candy Nesher pranced over, her horrid bleach blonde hair swaying as she put more emphasis in how her body moved as she walked.

Right behind her, skipping like the ditzy girl she is, was her little follower, and her best friend Marlene Rae. With her badly dyed blonde hair thrown up in a messy bon; that fell in little pieces around her face, I almost mistook her for a pile of blonde weeds.

Just the sight of them was enough to make my stomach sick, but of course, most guys here thought of them as the schools goddesses.

"Of course babe," Luke said, and with his beefy arm; pulled Candy into his lap.

Candy's high pitched giggle sounded, it was like a teacher running their nails down a chalk board.

"Nah, I heard them, they were talking about the new girl coming tomorrow ," Marlene said in her fake bubbly tone, walking over to sit down in Greg's lap.

How Greg could stand dating such a… uneducated girl, was beyond on, I wouldn't be able to stand it. I still wondered to this day who she got to write her name on her homework papers, because there was no way she could do that on her own, she didn't have the brains to achieve such a high level of thought.

Candy's pale blue, cat-like eyes locked on Luke, a dark smirk planted on her face.

"Oh you were now?" She said, her tone seeming innocent, but even from my place on the other side of the table, I could see the threat in them.

Luke gave her a sheepish smile, leaning forward to peck her lips.

"Aw, calm down babe, I was only playing,"

Candy raised a brow, and slowly I watched her eyes soften, and she nodded, kissing him back wildly.

I quickly turned my gaze away from them. This was nothing new, these to were always sucking face. It made most of us uncomfortable, but at least they ended it fast this time around.

"But, any way…" Shiloh said clearing his throat as Luke and Candy pulled apart.

"We were talking about this new girl coming…" Jay, one of our front line players said looking at himself in the spoon he held in his hand.

"You think she might make the tennis team or something," Max wondered, playing with his empty water bottle.

Shiloh narrowed his eyes, watching Max coldly, but staying quiet.

Everyone knew that Max hadn't done a thing to him, it of course was all thanks to Greg's little Sister Becky. Shiloh had a huge crush on Becky, and Becky has a huge crush on Max, so now Max has to deal with Shiloh constant bad mood towards him.

"I don't know, she's welcome to try out… if she's pretty," Candy smirked, shrugging her shoulders.

Marlene giggled at that, hi-fiving Candy with a smug look.

Rad turned to face me, rolling his eyes quickly before looking back to them with disinterest.

For once I agreed with Rad's view on this matter.

Surely my dream girl would put these obnoxious girls to shame, she was the true beauty, even though she was just a dream.

For the rest of the lunch I allowed myself to get lost in the image of the dream girl, and made sure to tune out everyone as they gushed about the excitement of the new girl coming tomorrow. And soon the bell ending lunch rang, making everyone slowly get up.

Rad was already gone by the time I was up to my feet, but Max stayed, watching me with a grin, and together we walked out of the lunchroom, heading down the hallways.

"So I'll meet up with you in the gym for practice, right…" Max said pausing at my locker.

I paused, thinking a bit. I didn't really want to go, and I knew that Luke would be pretty ticked that I ditched practice again, but on the other hand that dream girl was really getting to me. I knew I needed to figure out what was going on, cause this isn't normal.

"Do me a favor and cover for me, I'm not feeling so good," I muttered rubbing my face in reluctance.

Max gave my shoulder a smack, looking at me in slight concern.

"You know Luke isn't going to be happy about this, he'll probably make you run a few extra laps around the gym," Max warned, but other then that he seemed to understand.

I nodded, not really caring in the slightest, I wouldn't even care if Luke kicked me off the team at the moment, I just wanted to get home, and clear my head of all of these thoughts.

"It's alright, I'll see you later alright," I muttered, looking down to the ground.

A little annoyed at myself for ditching practice again, but it was something I just couldn't handle right now.

"Alright, get well soon Al…" Max said, and with that he went on in the direction of his next classes.

I sighed, nodding, and walked into my class room. It was the last class of the day, and my least favorite, biology II, with Mr. Mertz. It wasn't that it was hard, or that I didn't like the teacher, it's just that it was the only class I had to pay attention in. The other teachers in my classes would let you sleep, or just doodle all over your papers, but Mr. Mertz made you work, from the beginning to the end… it was horrible. It's hard to imagine having a teacher like this for every class of the day. I'd feel bad for anyone with that kind of luck.

But at least this day was almost over, and Mr. Mertz was just going over notes, nothing to big or hard to do. And it took the whole class time, so when the final bell rung, for the end of school, I released a heavy sigh or relief.

Freedom.

Not even hesitating I got up, and flew out the door, making my way out towards the parking lot. I pushed past groups of underclassmen, racing out of the exit to almost cheer at the sight of my old, rusted-down truck.

I knew some of the basketball guys were watching me now as I made it out towards my truck, I felt their eyes locking on me as I passed them.

I could pick out Lenny, Shiloh, and Jay standing close by, watching me with sneaky smiles. I already knew there would be a race to Luke, telling him that I would be skipping practice again, and just as I had thought as soon as my hand touched the door of my truck all three of them went jogging back into the school.

I let out an annoyed sigh, opening up my truck door to climb inside, slamming it shut behind me.

God I couldn't stand the guys sometimes, I was lucky that Max and Rad were such close friends or I wouldn't have one friend at all in this entire school. It wasn't because I couldn't make friends, it was because I didn't want to, not with those kinds of people. They just stab you in the back any chance they get.

As soon as I could get my truck running, I turned up the heat, then peeled out of the parking lot, ignoring the squeal of the tires against the road as I did so. The last thing I wanted was to attract more attention to myself, but even more so, I wanted to get as far away from school as possible.

The more I thought about my annoyance towards my team mates, the more that annoyance turned to anger, and from there, it grew into a full out fury.

I stomped my foot down harder, pushing the petal down to the floor, my hands clenching around the wheel. I felt my teeth grinding together, as I glared at the road.

Then all of a sudden I saw a flash before my eyes, and my heart painfully began to pound fast as I quickly slammed my foot down on the breaks, my arms going weak as I thrust the wheel into another direction to miss what ever had flashed into my vision, but before I could do anything I heard a deafening crash of metal breaking, and glass exploding around me.

I didn't even have time to scream as I felt the truck moving around me, smashing, and crumbling, I couldn't even keep my eyes open to see what all happened.

I held tightly onto the wheel, until I felt that rip from my grip, once the wheel was gone I felt my body begin to move along with the car, but I was suddenly stopped.

It almost felt as though there were a pair of strong arms around me, the feeling just stayed there around me, holding me in place until everything was still.

When I had the courage I opened my eyes to gasp, but not because of the truck being completely intertwined with a tree, but because right in my lap was the beautiful woman in robes.

And I could feel her, her gentle fragile body pressed to mine, holding me in my seat, and in simpler words, saving my life.

I was frozen in my place, either from fear, or the anxiousness that the girl had gotten hurt trying to save me.

But as a pair of bright blue eyes looked into mine, I found myself launching upright.

Looking around in disbelief, somehow sitting on the ground, a few feet from my now burning truck.

How had I gotten out? There could have been no way I could have gotten out of that.

The truck didn't even look like a truck anymore, it looked like a huge metal pretzel. I would have been completely trapped, not to mention crushed to pieces.

Rubbing my head, I felt a warm trickle of blood were I touched, and I winced at the sharp pain this caused.

I had to find her, that dream girl, there was no way should could be ok after saving my life like that… was she even there at all… or was that a dream I had while I was passed out?

But if it was a dream, then how did I survive that wreck? What was keeping me from moving with the car, and getting crushed into a pretzel? Could it have been just pure luck?

I didn't have any time to keep wondering, I could already hear the ambulance sirens in the distance, so I decided to lay back, holding my head as it began to pound.

Bump?

 

Wow you read all that  that was a lot. Thank you