It was raining.
Why is it raining? I hate the rain.
Everything hurts. My body feels heavy, like I’ve been carrying a weight for years. Someone is calling my name. A voice that stirs something deep inside me, but it’s distant. Blurry. I should know her… shouldn’t I?
She’s crying—her sobs cut through the sound of the rain, and without thinking, I reach out. My hand brushes her face, wiping away her tears, but it doesn’t stop her. It only makes her cry harder. I don’t know why but seeing her like this rips something inside me. Why is she crying? Who is she?
Before I can stop myself, I hear the words leave my lips:
"Run. I need you to run."
She shakes her head, tears pouring down her face. She’s trying to speak, but I say it again, this time more desperate, as if I know she’s in danger.
"Please, run."
She opens her mouth to say something—something important—but everything goes dark.
I wake up in a cold sweat, my chest heaving, my heart racing. A tear slips down my cheek, and I swipe it away in frustration. Why am I crying? I can’t even remember the dream anymore, but the feeling… It’s still there. It’s like my heart is splitting in two, like I’ve lost something—someone—important.
I glance at the clock: 5:00 a.m.
Shoot, I’m late!
I throw off the covers and rush to get dressed for school, my mind still half-lost in the fading remnants of the dream. As I’m pulling on my shirt, my phone buzzes—a notification. I glance at it quickly. An email. From… no one? The sender’s name is blank. Weird.
I’ll check it later.
I look at the time again—6:45. Crap! I grab my bag and run out the door, ignoring the sound of my mom calling me from the kitchen.
“Angelo!”
I know I’ll regret it later, but I can’t deal with her right now. Not after everything that happened yesterday. I made a mental note to talk to her after school.
I jump in my car, slamming the door shut, and peel out of the driveway. College waits, and I’m already late. Halfway there, I’m tempted to stop for coffee. I know I shouldn’t, but at this point, what’s another ten minutes? I pull into the drive thru.
7:30. Class started five minutes ago. I grab my coffee, cursing under my breath, and rush into the classroom, pulling out my laptop and notebook. As I settle into my seat, I hear a familiar voice.
"Angelo!"
I snap out of my thoughts. It’s my girlfriend, Celeste. She’s sitting next to me, her short black hair slicked back like always. Her skin is pale, almost milky, but sometimes, when I look at her… I feel guilty. Like I’m cheating on someone. But who? I can never remember. I shove the thought away.
"Yeah, what is it?" I ask.
Celeste rolls her eyes, a small smirk playing on her lips. “I was just telling you—I think we have a new student in our class today. Thought you might know since, you know, your mom’s the dean.”
Angelo shakes my head. “No idea. I haven’t heard anything.”
Before she can respond, the teacher starts talking. Then, the door opens, and she walks in.
She’s drop-dead gorgeous. Caramel skin, light brown eyes that seem to hold a storm, and long, curly black hair that spills down her back. She’s wearing a red sweater that hugs her curves and a leather skirt with tall boots. For a second, I forget Celeste is even sitting next to me.
My heart skips a beat. I don’t know why, but something about this girl…
I know her.
Celeste’s voice snaps me back to reality. “Angelo! You, okay?”
I nod, but my eyes don’t leave the new girl as she walks past. For just a moment, our eyes meet, and everything else fades away.