I settled into bed, fully aware that the same haunting nightmare awaited me in the depths of sleep, yet I decided to push it aside and not dwell on it. I found myself in my dream house, yet the innocence of childhood had slipped away. I have blossomed into the person I am at 18 years old. The fire rapidly engulfed the structure, with flames consuming the entire house in a fierce blaze. I tried to change my position, but there was no reaction. This moment was unlike any other; I felt completely frozen, as though I had transformed into a statue, stiff and resolute like the Statue of Liberty. As I attempted to pivot and flee, a tingling sensation coursed through my arms and legs, yet I found myself frozen, unable to budge a single muscle. The flames advanced steadily, their heat intensifying, yet I remained frozen in place. My heart was pounding in my chest. I tried to let out a scream, yet my voice vanished into silence. The same child, their face obscured, emerged once more, beckoning me with my name and urging me to awaken. The child's voice escalated in volume, piercing the stillness and jolting me awake with a scream, my heart racing in a flurry of anxiety. "Marie, Marie, it is time to wake up!" "Are you feeling alright?" He asked. "I found myself completely immobilized," was all I could express. "Hold on, I will fetch you a refreshing glass of water." He departed, and after a span exceeding 30 minutes, he returned. I continuously sip the water. "Thank you very much." He gives a slight nod of his head.
"Are you okay?"
"I believe so," I plead. "Please do not leave; I can't sleep,"
He lets out a deep, weary sigh.
"Alright," he responds.
"I appreciate it,"
He offers a subtle inclination of his head, and carefully he positions his pillow in the space. He settles into his seat, tucking his legs beneath the warm covers. He slides down, rests his head gently on the pillow, and reclines on his back. He gazes intently at the ceiling above. "Jason," he utters. "I am Jason Mendes," he declares with a serene confidence. I turn my head and look at him intently. "You may address me by my name now," he said with a sly grin. The glow of the streetlights filters through my windows, casting a soft illumination on his face.
"Thank you!" I whisper.
As I contemplated my dream, a shiver coursed through me. Jason approaches me with purposeful strides. He seizes the moment and draws me nearer to him. He then coils his arm around my waist, securing me in place. My head gently settles on his shoulder. I become motionless as his calloused hand glides to my stomach. "Are you feeling at ease?" he inquires. I turn sharply to face him. "Not really," I reply, my voice steady and clear. He causes me to tumble from his chest. I shift my gaze to the soft, inviting surface of my pillow. I sense his warmth pressing against my backside as he gently nestles into my back. His breath brushes softly against my neck. "Wishing you a peaceful night, Marie!" His voice drifts softly from the rear. "Goodnight, Jason!" A gentle smile graces my lips as I find a moment of quiet joy within myself. I was taken aback by the speed at which I felt at ease with him resting his arm across my stomach. In the past, I would rise from these haunting nightmares, my heart racing and sleep eluding me; yet now, I find solace in the ability to drift back into slumber, untroubled by the fear of revisiting the same unsettling dream. As soon as I close my eyes, I am enveloped in a gentle embrace of slumber.
The loud, piercing soundtrack from the hallway startles me from my slumber. "I would love to know how he succeeded in being so irritating!" In a swift motion, I shed my cozy pajamas and slipped into my clothes. I burst out of the room, clad in a casual t-shirt and shorts. As I step into the living room, the atmosphere envelops me. I direct my gaze toward two disheveled figures, glistening with perspiration, sprawled on the couch. "What in the name of all that is holy to you are you doing?" I shout, recoiling at their sharp intakes of breath as they hurriedly try to shield themselves. "Who is she, Jason?" the brunette inquires, her finger jabbing in my direction. "That's Marie, my roommate," he states, adjusting his stance. "Oh, I see." "Could you please grant us some privacy?" she inquires. A soft laugh escapes me "Are you referring to yourself or to me?" I asked, my arms tightly crossed over my chest. "I mean you," she states.
"In my opinion, I believe you are the one destined to exit this room," I declare, a wicked smirk playing on my lips. Jason lets out a soft, amused laugh. "And what are you laughing at?" casting a piercing glare at Jason"
"Leave immediately," he shouts. "Who?" the brunette and I exclaim in unison.
"I mean you, Clover," he declares, his voice sharp and deliberate. "Are you serious?" she exclaims, her hands flung dramatically into the air. I pivoted, allowing her the space she needed as she slipped into her clothes. "Alright, step out, Clover," he commands, his voice resonating with a deep authority. What a display of arrogance it is for him to believe he can engage intimately with someone and then treat them in such a dismissive manner. I have a sense of sympathy for this brunette, known as Clover. "It is Claire." The sound of the door closing echoed in the silence.
"You are so disgusting, pig," I say.
"So full of attitude," he remarks with a playful grin. I tilt my head back slightly, my eyes narrowing in disbelief as he approaches me. He gently cradles my chin, raising my face to meet his gaze. A fluttering sensation swirled in my stomach, but the recollection of him moaning that brunette's name surged back to me—and it was not even the right one. This boy is truly repulsive! His gaze drifts from my lips to my eyes, a fleeting moment of connection. He leans in, and a burst of laughter spills forth from his lips. "Did you really believe I would lean in and kiss you?" He expresses it with a light-hearted chuckle. "You are so pathetic," I say.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On his way to the grocery store, Jason got into his car and drove off. I am fairly certain he did not venture there; boys of his kind typically just frequent the grocery store. In an unexpected moment, the door swings open, revealing Jason, his arms laden with an assortment of bags. I continued to gaze at his muscular physique. "Rather than envisioning the unpleasant things I might inflict upon you, could you kindly assist me?" He wears a sly grin. "Lower your self-esteem," I mumble. His smirk lingers on his face. "Oh, Marie," he utters, his voice rich and resonant, filled with a captivating intensity. His voice possesses an extraordinary quality, my goodness! "Hey!" he interrupts my reverie. "Yes," I respond, pivoting to meet his gaze. "Would you like to discuss what happened last night?" he inquires. "Not really," I respond, my voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "Yeah, sure," he replies, his hands busy with the task of unpacking the groceries. "I will take charge of the cooking," he declares. I let out a soft laugh; he casts me a bewildered glance, and I merely shrug in reply.