Last day: Lovetta's pov:

I wake up, gasping for air.

My heart is beating out of my chest and my bed is soaked with sweat.

My mouth is as dry as a desert.

I reach for my water on my bedside table only to realize that I'm not in my room. I look around, remembering where I am.

I'm at Hannah's house.

Thankfully, she was already awake because she wasn't in the room.

I hate this. It's the same dream every night since I turned 17. 

    I have never understood the meaning of it. I've never met those people. I've never even been in a fire. It doesn't have anything to do with me. How could I possibly have a dream so vivid about something I've never experienced?

    I lift the blanket, feeling the cold air hit my skin. I stand up, taking a moment to just breathe. I get dressed, brush my hair, and brush my teeth. I walk downstairs into the kitchen. 

    "Good morning sleepy head." Hannah said, drinking her coffee. 

    "Why didn't you wake me up?" I asked, examining an apple from the bowl in the middle of the table. 

    "I tried. Three times." She said, glaring at me.

    "Oh. Sorry" I said, not really having an explanation.

    "Was it that dream about those random people again? You know, it's rumored that if someone you don't know is in your dream, then either an angel or a demon was watching you sleep." She said with a creepy grin and an eyebrow raise. 

"Which one?" I asked

    "You can't know for sure." She explained

    "Oh wow. That's reassuring" I said sarcastically 

    "Hey, I don't make the rules." She said, with her hands up

    "Whatever. Don't you have to work today? In like, 10 minutes?" I asked

    "Oh shit! I gotta run, I'll see you later. Bye!" She yelled, rushing out the door.

    Hannah can't be on time for anything. I honestly wonder how she still has a job sometimes. She is always getting in arguments with the other workers and showing up late. But I love her anyway. 

    All the bad stuff about her, she makes up for with beauty. I have always admired how confident she is in her appearance. Although, she has every reason to be with her long, golden blonde hair that falls right in the middle of her back. Her big crystal blue eyes that she bashes to get her way. In fact, she is probably using that trick on Tony, her boss, right now for being late. 

    She has a perfect hourglass body that she struts everywhere she walks. She has big sharp lips, a defined heart shaped jaw line, and a perfect nose as a centerpiece. Her skin is smooth and clear; she has never had to worry about acne. She has a mystic tan, light but not too light. And finally, to bring it all together, her soft, confident smile that could brighten anyone's day. 

    It is what people call, natural beauty. I'm not as lucky. I got stuck with my medium dark brown hair just below my shoulders, yellow eyes, heart shaped lips, thin figure, almond, freckled face, and natural red complexion. 

I'm sure she has insecurities because it would be inconsiderate to think otherwise, but honestly. What does she have to be insecure about?

    I grab my bag and my keys and head out the door. I have been volunteering at Tips Vet. Clinic for a couple years. I have always felt a connection with animals, ever since my dad took me on my first trip to the zoo at nine years old. 

    Whatever I do in the future, I know I want to do something with animals. 

    I pull into the driveway, expecting to see the big black building with its old, beatdown sign saying "Welcome to Tips Vet. Clinic" In white letters with a turquoise background.  But instead, I see no sign.

    I find a spot, park my car, and walk into the clinic. When I walk in, I am relieved to see khloe, my mentor.

    "Hey Khloe, what's up with the sign outside?" I asked, pointing to the door.

    "Didn't you get the email?" She asked, "The clinic is shutting down. The owner passed away and he didn't leave it to anyone. Plus, no one is going to buy it, I mean, look at this place" 

    "What? That's terrible!" I shouted, resulting in a couple odd stares from across the room.

    "I know...but there isn't anything we can do. My advice for you is to find a different job. Maybe one that actually pays you" She said with a smirk. 

    "Oh gosh. I never cared about the money. I just wanted to help the animals, you know that." I explained, taking in the news. "What am I going to do now?" I complained

    "Oh, dear lord. God forbid you actually get to have fun on saturdays now. Whatever will you do with all the free time" She joked, ending with a laugh. "Come on Love, you will live. I promise. Listen, if it's so terrible, just find a real job. A job that pays you real money. Money that you can save for college or a new car." She comforted, as if this were a good thing. 

    "Maybe. But I loved working here, even though I didn't get payed." I said, my voice growing more upset with each passing second. 

    "Well, today is the last day. So, make it a good one" She said with a wink before she disappeared into the back with the other nurses. 

    I really do love Khloe, but sometimes she doesn't understand me. I don't have the same interests as a lot of people my age. I don't party, I don't drink. I'm the complete opposite of a typical teenager; I'm lame. Hannah is the fun one. The normal one. The one who tries to drag me to parties insisting that it will be fun when in reality, I sit in the corner drinking juice from a solo cup.

Honestly, I don't even know how I ended up being friends with Hannah in the first place. We're so different from eachother, but I guess opposites attract.

I sit down at the front desk, organizing some papers for khloe in the mean time. I can't believe the shop is closing. Where will the poor animals go?

My thoughts are interrupted when the bell rings, signaling someone had just walked in. I look up to see a boy my age, maybe a bit older. He was tall with dark brown hair, yellow-brown eyes, and- hey! He has yellow-brown eyes! I'm the only person I've ever known with that eye color. I've never met someone else with it. He wears a navy blue t-shirt with a leather jacket, his dark black jeans hugging his legs.

He approaches the desk with a blank face.

"I'm here to see Khloe Andrews" he says, not even facing me and staring off into the direction of the back door.

"oh yeah, um, she should be back in a second. She jus-"

"Yeah I know sweetheart, she's in the back. I'll wait." He interrupts with a wink. He looks back at the door and then at me.

His eyes widen, and his eyebrows turn down in a questioning expression.

"Um...is something wrong sir?" I question

He shakes his head slowly.

"It can't be" he whispers under his breath

"I'm sorry?" I say confused

He shakes his head, easing his face to how it was before.

"Nothing ma'am. You just have," he pauses "exquisite eyes." he compliments.

"Oh, you do too sir." I laugh

He stares into my eyes, refusing to break contact. I look away shyly, but I can still see him staring from my peripheral. What is his deal?

"Connor! It's been a while!" Khloe greets, entering the room and approaching the boy.

"Hey Khloe, I just wanted to check up and see how things are doing. Who's this?" He asks, motioning towards me.

"Oh this is Lovetta! She's my little helper" She says with a laugh.

"Lovetta, this is Connor. He used to volunteer here too, but now he's in college so he's too busy to care anymore." She jokes

"Oh thats not true, I do too care. Why do you think I stopped by" He said in his defense

"Well I assumed because you wanted to say one last goodbye. Didn't you hear?" She asked

"Hear what?" He said nervously

"Oh dear....this place is closing down in a week" She said, her face softening

"What? Why?" He demanded

"I'm sorry Connor, Mr. Louis passed away. There was no one he could leave this place to. And come on now, we both know that no one is going to buy it." She said sadly

"Well it can't just close down! what about the animals? what about the people? what about you?! you're all going to lose your jobs!" He shouts angrily

"Connor calm down. I know you're upset, but there's really nothing we can do. Listen, it was nice to see you kid. Thanks for stopping by."

"But, Khloe-"

"I appreciate your concern, but as I said, there's nothing we can do. Just drop it" She interrupts in a serious tone.

I watch as Khloe picks up her papers and dissappears into the back again.

"Fuck. What's your name again?" He asks me

"Um, Lovetta" I answer quietly

"Do you like working here?" He asks

"Yes of course" I respond

"Give me your phone" He demands

"M-my phone?" I question. His hand Is already out though, so I reach into my back pocket to get it and set it in his hand.

He clicks some buttons and sets it back on the desk.

"Call me. My name is under 'cute boy from the clinic'" He smiles

"W-what?" I nervously say

"I'm kidding sweetheart. It's under Connor. Just give me a call" He then dissappears out the front door.

What the hell just happened?