I don’t know what and I don’t know how but here I am, standing in the middle of a meadow, gazing at the little flowers waving as the wind blew them lightly. Where the heck am I?

Suddenly it all changed, the meadow was burnt, the fire was still there and it’s spreading fast. I screamed for help but no one came. Then it all came to an end, the heat ceased to exist and the whole scenery changed once more. A laugh erupted from beside me and I snapped my gaze towards it to see the familiar style of hair and the brown mischievous eyes.

“Don’t look so tense, Casey. Relax will ya?” He chuckled lightly.

I looked around and saw that we were in his car. I remember this, it’s right before the crash. “Bry, you gotta listen to me. You have to slow down, we’re gonna crash and you won’t survive.” I told him slowly, trying to not freak him out even if I am inside.

He chuckled, “Nice try, Case, but I’m afraid I’m immune to your little scandalous tricks.”

I hit my head on the dashboard in frustration. I have no plans in watching him die again. So I counted the seconds in my head, my shoulders was tense and my legs were ready to move, my hand was on my seatbelt buckle and I’m ready to push the button.

The headlights came into view and the familiar shout of my brother came but the difference is, this time I’m ready. I pushed the button with my thumb and tugged on the seat belt to let go but when I realized it was stuck, my heart thudded painfully in my chest as it won’t let loose. I frantically pushed the button as honks filled my ear and the familiar pull of the car being swerved came.

“Bryant!” I yelled.

“Casey!”

I woke up, sweat covering my entire being and my chest rose and sank in a quick pace.

It’s just a dream. It’s not real.

I picked my phone up from the bedside table and winced as the harsh light was illuminated. It was only 5. I picked myself up from my bed and walked the distance between my bed and my brother’s before plopping down on it. Sighing deeply, I kept my eyes trained to the ceiling as my fingers rubbed the worn out cloth.

I can’t sleep again, it’s always been like that. I rose from the bed and pulled the door open gently, stepping out of the room and making my way to the gym. Won’t hurt to train my kicks and punches.

After an hour, I decided to end my training and hit the showers.

The warm water hit my back but it has never had that ‘relaxing muscle’ effect on me so I don’t really get why they bother to say that in stories.

Reaching for the towel, I wrapped it around my body before stepping out and putting on the baggy clothes. My hair was still wet so I didn’t bother in pulling it into a ponytail.

I left the house after grabbing the grilled cheese french toast I made earlier. I walked while munching on the toast and observed the road as cars sped by. Probably the other students.

The school towered over me after a few minutes of walking and I could feel the dread of meeting that new kid. I swear I will butcher him alive if he starts to pester me again.

“Hey nerd!”

I sped up my steps and didn’t even try to see who was calling. “C’mon Casey, don’t be like that!”

I froze when I heard that nickname. With a dangerous expression, I turned around slowly to meet face to face with none other than Adam. “What did you call me?” I asked, eerily soft.

He looked like he was facing a reaper and was ready to bolt out of there. With a loud gulp, he backed away a few steps. “Look, Casey- Cassandra-

Nerd, whatever you’re called, I didn’t mean to offend you, I just- you wouldn’t acknowledge me.”

I scoffed at him and stalked towards him. He wants me to acknowledge him? Well, fine then. Grabbing the front of his shirt, I muttered quietly so only he can hear me. “Listen good and listen well, no one and I mean NO ONE calls me that. You are no exception. So don’t go around calling me Casey like you’re him.”

I realized my slip up too late and before I can dwell on it, I spun on my heels and stalked to the school entrance. I do not need anymore shit to deal with.

The day passed by quickly and I didn’t have anymore problems. Adam tried to catch up with me and from the looks he gave me when he thought I wasn’t looking, it looked like he was a bit hesitant to talk to me but that didn’t stop me from rushing out of there like my ass was on fire.

Finally, the day ended and I sighed a relieved breath and walked out of Physics with a hand on the strap of my bag. I glanced behind me when I heard a commotion. I usually don’t go around snooping on people’s business but there’s just something off about the crowd. They seemed to be extremely focused by what’s going on and some were even cheering when usually, they would stand there and watch in silent fascination which made me sick and having seeing them cheer like that is just repulsing and I could actually feel bile rising.

I rushed to the crowd and elbowed through the teenagers who were standing on their tiptoes, trying to see what’s going on. I ducked when a hand swung past me in the midst of the excitement.

That was too close.

I continued to push past them and finally took a huge breath of air when I survived my battle through the sweaty bodies. I swear, one day, I’m going to introduce and give off body deodorants to these teens.

All thoughts flew out the window when I saw what was happening though.

A kid was pushed up the lockers and it was none other than Maddison who cornered her up. She was wearing thick rimmed glasses and she was quivering in fear, her hands won’t stop trembling as she held them close to her chest and her eyes were as wide as saucers behind her glasses. Fear was written all over her face and she pressed herself up so hard against the lockers that it looked like she was trying to shrink into one of them and hide there forever.

Maddison was wearing one of her infamous glares as she sized the girl up. “Where is my bracelet, you bitch!”

My eyes widened at her question as the pieces clicked into place. Bryant gave Maddison a bracelet when they were still together and she loves that bracelet so much, she never took it off.

I would’ve remembered, I helped Bryant picked it off the jewelry shop the day before he gave it to her. If this kid really did take that bracelet, she’s really asking for an early funeral. Everyone knows not to acknowledge, moreover, touch it.

I heard a snicker behind me and whipped my gaze to the source and saw a couple of goofballs trying to hold in a laugh while watching it all happen. That’s when I saw something glint under the sunlight.

My eyes narrowed on the object and I saw one of the familiar charms Bryant chose that day. My eyes snapped to the boy who pocketed the missing jewelry and I gave him an accusing glare as my eyes turned into slits.

These guys thought it’d be funny to mess with something my brother left for someone he loved and to place the blame on a poor girl who doesn’t know anything about it.

I knew I should’ve kept up my image as the weak nerd but something in those two things snapped something in me and caused me to stalk up to the guy and grabbed him by his collar behind his neck and dragged him up forcefully out of the crowd and shoved him in front of Maddison.

“Leave the girl alone, Maddison.” Though I didn’t scream or yell at her, my tone was stern enough to catch her attention.

“Check his pockets, you’ll find your bracelet,” I ordered before turning my gaze towards the girl and looked at her blankly. It didn’t take long for her to dash out of there and running for the school’s exit.

When I looked back at Maddison, her whole face was beet red and her eyes were masked with complete and utter fury. She grabbed the guy by his collar and forced him to stand up right. “How dare you,” She didn’t need to raise her voice to let the guy know she was beyond pissed. He started stammering but the only thing that could be heard was the echo of Maddison’s famous bitch slap.

I looked away and turned to leave but a hand caught my wrist. My reflexes kicked in and before I knew it I twisted around and got his hold off my wrist, gripping his instead.

When I realized what I did, I dropped the hand like it burnt me and faced the guy. Shit, he’s gonna suspect something.

And of course the fates hate me so dang much that they decided to let the guy be none other than someone who I was trying to avoid.

Adam.