Chapter 15
Hale's POV
"Hey, what's your name-"
Before I could ask, I woke up, again. It's been awhile since I started dreaming about this woman. It's always her, in different places-always beautiful, always ethereal. Sometimes we are inside a house, and sometimes on a lake. Something about her presence seemed familiar, kind, and her smile, damn...it was warm, but I can't quite picture it. Her beauty is a blur, especially the way her laughter seemed to light everything and anything that surrounds her. Her features slips away the second I try to hold on to them. It's frustrating, really. I know her, but the details? Gone.
In my dream, we were in a field, surrounded by flowers—white, I think? Maybe? I don't know. It's hard to focus on them, like the world around her is fading in and out. But she's wearing a white dress, the kind that moves like it's part of the air. I was chasing her. Playing tag, like we were kids again. But it wasn't fast; everything was in slow motion, her dress swirling with every step. I wanted to catch up, to reach her, but the more I tried to focus, the more everything blurred.
Then, somehow, I caught her. My hands around her waist, laughter echoing between us. Hers, soft like a distant song I can't fully hear. And mine... I think I laughed too, though it feels so far away now. Almost like it wasn't me. We collapsed into the flowers, and I remember thinking how peaceful it all felt. Butterflies—or something like them—floated above us, the sky was impossibly blue. We were just... there. Together.
I think I touched her hand. We reached for the sky. Maybe we were talking? I don't remember about what, though. The clouds? The air? It's all slipping away, like sand through my fingers. I want to hold onto that peace, that moment, but it's gone.
And now I'm left here, wide awake, with the memory of a place I'll never fully remember, a girl I can't ever seem to hold onto.
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I stared at the ceiling for way too long this morning. The second semester was supposed to be my chance to start fresh, but all I could think about was her. By the time I finally got up, Dad had already left for work. He's been busy lately, something's up in the company. Still, he made breakfast before he left—scrambled eggs, toast, and some fruit, all laid out on the counter like always. I felt a twinge of guilt looking at it, knowing he's worried about me. Ever since… well, ever since everything happened, he's been doing more of this kind of thing. It's his way of checking in without actually saying anything.
But I wasn't hungry. I'd spent so much time in bed, replaying the dream over and over, that I barely had time to eat, anyway. I can't go to the coffee shop because I'm running late. That's why I grabbed a cup from the cupboard and made myself some coffee instead. The kind that's strong enough to make me feel like I can actually get through the day. I sighed, taking a sip of my coffee, the bitterness snapping me back to reality. I needed to stop doing this—getting lost in dreams that I could barely remember. I stared down at the mug in my hands, trying to shake off the lingering feeling of her laughter. But it clung to me, just like it always did.
I forced myself to put the cup down, grab my bag, and head out the door. I feel bad because I didn't finish the breakfast that my dad made. Maybe I'd eat something later, after I survived the first day back.
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The hallways of the school buzzed with the usual morning energy, but today, it felt different. Maybe it was because it was the first day back, or maybe it was just me, trying to shake off the lingering memories of last night's dream. The moment I stepped through the school doors, I felt that familiar mix of tension and routine wash over me.
I spotted Noah leaning against the lockers, his usual calm, laid-back smile making everything feel a little less overwhelming. He waved when he saw me, and I quickly made my way over, weaving through the crowd.
"Hey," I said, nudging him slightly. "You ready for this?"
Noah chuckled, shaking his head. "Not at all, but let's survive it together, yeah?"
I grinned, feeling a bit more at ease with him by my side. We made our way into the classroom and found our seats near the back, where we could lay low but still see everything that was going on.
The familiar hum of conversations filled the room as everyone caught up after the break. I glanced around, taking it all in, but my mind kept drifting back to that weird dream. Shaking my head, I pulled out my notebook and tried to focus on the day ahead.
Just as Noah and I settled into our seats, the door creaked open, and the chatter in the room quieted a bit. Professor Xander strolled in, as he always did, with his usual air of authority but an easygoing demeanor that made him popular with most students. But today, there was something else—a sense of anticipation in the air.
Behind him were two girls. I recognized them instantly.
Chiara and Lauren.
The room buzzed to life, especially the guys. I heard the whispers start, spreading quickly through the rows of desks.
"Who are they?"
"They're new, right?"
"They're hot."
I exchanged a quick glance with Noah. He raised his eyebrows in surprise, probably just as caught off guard as I was. Chiara and Lauren were standing next to Professor Xander at the front of the class, both looking confident, but with that hint of nervousness you get when you're the new face in a room full of strangers.
"These are our new students," Professor Xander announced, waving toward them. "Chiara Imber and Lauren Brown. They'll be joining us from today onward."
Chiara stepped forward first, her confidence shining through despite the nerves that danced in her eyes. "Hi, everyone! I'm Chiara Imber. I just moved here and I'm happy to be part of this class."
Next to her, Lauren bounced slightly on her feet, her energy contagious. "And I'm Lauren Brown!" she chimed in, her bright smile lighting up the room. "Chiara and I are best friends, and we're ready for some fun this semester!"
As if on cue, the boys in the class leaned forward, clearly interested. Chiara and Lauren gave polite smiles, but I could tell they were already picking up on the attention. Chiara scanned the room casually, her eyes slightly widened when she met mine. For a second, everything slowed. Our eye contact felt like a thread connecting us back to that night, to the ice cream and laughter. Her expression softened just slightly, she recognized me too.
Lauren's gaze followed Chiara's, and she locked eyes with Noah. His usual relaxed face flickered with something like surprise, and maybe a bit of amusement. They didn't say anything, but the connection was clear. I didn't know what this meant or how it would change things, but I had a feeling that today was about to get a lot more interesting.
As the excitement in the room settled down, Professor Xander smiled at Chiara and Lauren. "Feel free to pick any seats you'd like," he said, his tone encouraging.
Chiara and Lauren exchanged a quick glance, and I could see the spark of mischief in their eyes. As they began to walk down the aisle, the chatter in the classroom resumed, but the buzz was different this time—charged with curiosity.
Students instinctively scooted over to make space for them, some leaning back in their chairs, others trying to catch a glimpse of the new girls as they passed. It was like they were celebrities making their way through a crowd. I watched as Chiara and Lauren walked with an air of confidence, their giggle is infectious.
Every time they approached a group of desks, students eagerly shifted to give them room, their eyes following the girls as they continued down the aisle. It felt like they were on a parade, and I couldn't help but smile at the enthusiasm.
When they finally reached our row, I held my breath. Would they choose to sit near us? I exchanged a glance with Noah, who looked equally intrigued. Chiara paused, her gaze meeting mine once more.
"Mind if we join you?" Chiara asked, her smile wide as she glanced at our desks.
"Not at all," I replied, feeling a surge of excitement.
Chiara settled into the seat beside me. It felt oddly natural, like she was always meant to be there. Noah grinned and gestured for Lauren to take the seat next to him. "Welcome to our little corner," he said, giving her a playful wink.
Lauren laughed and plopped down, her vibrant energy immediately filling the space. "Thanks! I have a feeling this is going to be a fun semester!" With Chiara on my right and Noah next to Lauren, the seating felt right.
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A/N
The dream was actually my dreammmm. I can't remember her face and anything related to her, but I just know that she is an extremely beautiful woman. Like her beauty can destroy cities if she wanted to.