Twenty-Five

I had a good night sleep, other than the cold weather, my dreams didn't mess up. I actually felt comfortable sleeping last night. I even woke up wearing a smile at my face, but that immediately wore off when I saw the time on my phone.

It is already 9:00 in the morning. I immediately pushed myself up because I was lying prone on the bed and saw the couch, where Archer sleeps, empty. So, I thought he already left and didn't even wake me up.

I rushed into the bathroom, took a shower, put on my clothes, and ran downstairs.

Rushing down, I was startled when I saw my brother in the living room, chilling. I squinted my eyes while my mouth parted open. I walked close to check on him.

"Alexis?" I called him. He paused the video on TV and turned his attention to me.

"What?" he asked.

"Why aren't you at school? It's already 9:15 a.m. and you're just sitting at the couch like you have no classes."

"Actually, we don't have any classes." Archer charged in. Dumbfounded, I looked at him who just entered the living room. "What?" I stuttered.

"Haven't you received any message?" my brother blurted.

"What message?" I asked again looking at both of them. Archer sighed and walked to the kitchen to get something to drink.

"The school emailed all of the students saying that classes are cancelled for today. They mentioned that the school needed renovations." he explained while pouring a glass of water.

Still not having any clue, I got speechless and just looked at them again. They also didn't speak or anything, but their looks are enough to tell me that they are suspicious about me.

"Asher." Archer called me. He motioned his head to indicate a signal to come and follow him. I walked to the kitchen and so does he.

He leaned his back and put both of his hands to the counter, he looked behind me and sighed. "Tell me the truth, Asher. You're not yourself since yesterday. From the walk on our way to the school until at the end of the day." he explained.

"What do you mean?" I curiously asked.

He stared at me before answering. "Have you been using drugs?" he asked.

My eyes widened and I looked at him with disbelief. "Are you fucking kidding me?" I raised my voice.

"I had my suspicion! I just thought you were using any of that because of your behavior!" he argued.

"By thinking that I use drugs?! Are you serious?"

"I just had my suspicion, okay?"

"Well, your freakin' suspicions are definitely wrong! I don't use drugs and I'm never gonna use drugs."

He sighed and pressed his lips. "Then what's happening to you?" he asked. I crossed my arms in front of my chest and stared at him. He was waiting for my answer, but I can't tell him about what's going on with me. I mean, I still haven't figured out him yet.

I don't even know if he really wants to change or he's just doing it for fun or just messing around.

"Asher." he called. "What is happening to you?" he repeated, still hoping for me to answer.

I shook my head, "It's none of your business." I blurted and tried to walk away. But, he called me again and insisted for me to answer.

"I'm not going to ask again." he warned me.

"I said it's nothing! Why do you keep asking?" I shouted again.

"Because I care about my friend!" he immediately shouted. "I reached out to you because I needed help and it's not fair that you're the only one who can give me that."

I didn't respond for the meantime and just stared at him, breathing fast. "If I-" I stuttered and gulped. "If I told you, will you even understand it?" I asked, tapping the table.

"I'll try." he nodded. I took a deep breath and glanced at the living room to see if my brother is listening. He is still watching and seems unbothered so I turned and faced Archer.

"It's just about dreams." I started. I thought he's gonna laugh or say anything, but he stayed on his position and just kept on listening. "It started with this little boy who follows me everywhere I go and keeps on talking about life. He even knows me. You know, every single detail about my life problems or even my life decisions, he knows it." I explained.

"Do you recognize him? The boy?" he asked.

I shook my head, "No. His face is blurry. The other night I dreamt about him again, but his face is still blurred." I stated.

A pause was performed then Archer responded. "That's you." he suddenly said. I looked at him with disbelief. "That boy is you, Asher."

"What? How?"

"You'll find out soon. And based on what you said, that the boy knows you, it indicates that he is guiding you. Your past self appeared to guide you because it knows that you are in trouble."

"Where did you get that kind of information?"

"We have Google for a reason."

I nodded at him as an agreement. I continued telling him the story, "And I had this another dream where I die." I added. His eyes widened.

"And it happened twice. It happened twice, Archer." I continued while staring at him. He didn't have any of the urge to speak, he also just stared at me, he was speechless.

"Die? I mean it's common, right?" he chuckled nervously. "I also sometimes dream about that, like when I fall from a tall building or something-"

"It wasn't normal." I cut in. "Someone did it."

"Did it? Like, killed you? Someone fucking killed you?"

I nodded. "At first, I didn't catch his face. But, when he appeared again, I saw him, I saw his face clearly." I stated.

"Do you mind telling me who it is?" he curiously asked, his eyes looked like he's begging.

I looked away to think. Should I tell him? I mean it's not a big deal, right? It's just a dream. What could go wrong? My friends are also included and they're completely the opposite comparing to the one in my dream. I know they're not like that. They have good souls and kind heart. I know it and I mean it.

I shook my head. "It's just a stranger. A man in a hood."

He nodded repeatedly. He seems convinced. "And how did that man kill you?" he then asked.

"Pushed me off the roof. On my favorite spot, the roof. Do you remember? The roof where we both first encountered for a long time."

He nodded. I'm surprised he was able to last by this kind of conversation. He really is changing. And that is just good.

My brother suddenly entered the kitchen. "You two look so serious." he observed. We both looked at him and laughed. Archer stood up straight and walked towards me. He patted my shoulder, "You'll be okay someday." he whispered. "And I'm willing to help." he added.

I smiled and also tapped his shoulder. "Thanks, man." I also whispered. He smiled back and went to the living room. I took a deep breath and didn't realize that I was spacing out, my head was in the clouds.

I spent my time in my room. Lying down on my bed with my arms as my pillows and staring at the ceiling. Thinking about anything. Thinking about why do these dreams affect me. It's just a dream, but it puts weights on my back.

I heard the door suddenly creaked open. I glanced to it and saw Archer's head pop up.

"I called your friends to come over and watch movies." he blurted, still peeking and holding the doorknob. I smiled and went back to stare at the ceiling. "Alright." my short answer.

I heard him sighed. He fully opened the door and entered the room. He sat on my table chair and spun it until it faced my bed where I was lying.

"You're not gonna spend the whole day on this room, are you?" he asked while staring at me with his eyebrows rose.

"Maybe." I shrugged, still staring at the ceiling.

"Oh, come on, Asher." he exclaimed. "I called your friends so you can hang out with them."

I chuckled softly, "Don't be stupid. You know you can also hang out with them." I said and then looked at him. "How did you even get their number?"

"They gave it to me when you introduced me to them." he answered.

"Really?"

"Yeah, Agatha gave hers first."

I squinted my eyes and looked at the ceiling again. I don't quite remember that scene. Only pieces were given to me.

"You're too young to have amnesia." he teased.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Screw you." I blurted.

He laughed a bit, "No, seriously, Asher. How could you even forget that? It's like my first day at school, but with friends." he asked, laughing.

I shook my head, "I don't even know." I then answered. "These dreams really ruined most of my days." I added.

"About that," he started. "Is this your first time having that kind of...you know, dreams?" he curiously asked.

"No. This also happened a few years ago." I answered.

"Then how did you deal with it?"

I got up and sat properly, facing Archer. "The first time I had this, is back when I was a freshman." I started explaining. "I called Agatha and Justin to stay here overnight, it's like I need some company while experiencing that."

"How did it go?" he asked again.

"Not bad." I grimaced. "Someone watches me sleep and I had someone hold me in the hand while I sleep. It's like guarding me so that if I had the dream, I would feel the hand holding me and be reminded that I'm not alone."

I could see the pity in Archer's eyes. He did change well. And what's amazing about that is, it only took for a matter of time. He didn't take long to change his personality. Yes, he still curses, but his care for people is growing. He really is and changing.

After an hour, my friends arrived at the house. We did watch movies just like what Archer said. They brought snacks and drinks, as always.

My thoughts about my dreams have vanished for some time. My friends are really my source of happiness. I'm always comfortable when they are around.

They never fail to bring happiness to me.