“Adrien where are you?” I laughed carelessly at the hide and seek game we were playing when we were kids.

I knew this was a dream because I had not seen the one I call Adrien for a long time. We were best friends growing up; our families always joked about us getting together when we got older. He and his family just moved one day, without a goodbye, to anyone. The last time I saw Adrien he was 15 years old. I see him in my dreams constantly, however, he is not the same Adrien I knew and loved. I strained to see him through the darkness; he’s running from me, I felt the hot tears rolling down my cheeks. I chased after him; my legs ached, although I ran with all might I didn’t seem to be moving any faster. I gasped for air, my head started pounding, and I stumbled nearly falling but I caught myself on a near by branch

"Adrien don’t leave me!" I tried to cry out to him but not a word escaped my cold lips. I let go of the branch trying to balance myself. Why doesn’t he ever want to talk to me?

Then he disappeared into the night. I stood alone in the woods; my knees buckled beneath me as I felt myself fall to the mossy earth. I tried to reach for the branch again but it disappeared. I felt someone standing over me peering down at me coldly; I tried to stand up but I felt a sharp stab in my ribcage where my heart was located. I searched for my attacker but he or she was no where in my view. I couldn’t sit up, I didn’t have the energy. I lay in the silent darkness waiting for the attacker to return. I felt numb and I didn’t seem to have any control of my body, like I was paralyzed.

I tossed and turned restlessly in my bed getting tangled in my bright neon green sheets and comforter I had evocative dreams night after night, they were always about him. I couldn’t figure out why I am having nightmares about Adrien he was my best friend. The funny thing is, they started about 3 weeks ago almost a month from my birthday. So why after all these years of him leaving I am having nightmares about him?

I awoke with a gasp the tears ran down my hot cheeks I was sweating my hands were clammy and hot. My lungs ached and my heart raced. I unwounded myself from my blankets that were soaked with sweat. I moaned when the clock read 2:55a.m. It was only a couple days from my 18th birthday; I needed to catch up on my sleep. I got up and washed my face, the back of my neck and my hands thinking it would help me calm down.

When I was finished I stared at my ceiling wondering why I had such haunting dreams about him. I saw a shadow move slightly by my dresser; I glanced at it and saw someone who resembled Adrien; I figured I was asleep so I turned over stretched and listened to the crackles of my bones. I closed my eyes thinking the figure would disappear, just like he always did in my dreams.

“Hello Jayden.” The shadow sang. I looked at him trying desperately to figure out if I was dreaming or just going crazy. I sat up staring through the darkness I saw a beautiful pale face with soft green eyes. I sighed deciding it was a dream. I shouldn’t run after him he would just disappear again.

I flopped back down into my bed twining my self with the covers, ignoring the shadow in my room. I felt something cold being placed on my hot cheek I felt my overwrought body ease as I drifted gratefully into darkness forgetting all about the figure.

XxX

My tired eyes opened slightly, I yawned as I glanced at the clock I had an hour to get ready and get to school. I glanced at the corner where the shadow was but nothing but my black leather couch was there. I guess I was dreaming.

I was happy it was Friday; maybe I would be able to catch up on my sleep this weekend. I rummaged around my closet for something to wear I stood puzzled noticing several of my clothes were missing I looked around my room; so much stuff was omitted. Hadn’t my black jacket been hanging over my bed post? Hadn’t my duffle bag been in my corner with clothes piled on top from my trip to Mississippi last month?

I grew irritated as I searched through my dresser only to find all my clothes had gone missing also. Did I miss place everything or am I just overreacting?

"Mom, where the hell did all my clothes go?" I yelled downstairs at my mom who was cooking breakfast. She walked to the bottom of the stairs her strawberry blonde hair in tight curls. She smiled at me with one eye brow lifted.

"I don’t know dear if you learned to put your clothes in the right place we wouldn't have this problem!" she replied in a hinting voice.

She was always getting on to me about something. Of course I loved her even though she irritated me a lot. I was adopted when I was 2 years old. My real mom just disappeared. I didn’t really remember her so it never bothered me to think about her.

“Thanks I’ll try to remember that.” I mumbled. I knew I couldn’t tell her my silly happenings she would probably think I’m going crazy too. Maybe I was going crazy.

Sighing I shut my bedroom door and proceeded to get dressed for the day. I found some light blue jeans and a black T-shirt with tiny bright neon green stars on them. I went to grab for my shoes, which I had 5 pairs of shoes; only one pair was in my closet. I felt my face growing redder as I slipped the white Etnies on my small feet. I forced my mind to believe that I missed placed everything, Ignoring the fact that I know I put them in the right place.

I studied my self in the large body mirror in my room. When saw my 5'3 slender pale body in the mirror I sighed. Everyone complimented me all the time but when I looked at my self I looked ordinary.
Resignedly I brushed my shoulder length straight purple burgundy hair; the bangs on the right side of my face covered my right eye and flushed cheek. I flew down stairs nearly tripping on my own feet.

Deciding to skip breakfast, I grabbed my keys to the car which was to a black Honda with neon green and blue stars along the side. I liked my car it was out of the ordinary which, I thought, was the opposite of me.

I drove to school listening to the radio it was portentous outside; as it sometimes was in the little town of Jacksonville Texas. In Jacksonville it was either too hot or too cold. It rained some, depending on the season. Not that I minded the rain. When saw something black out the corner of my eye, I flashed my eyes to the passenger seat beside me; I saw the boy, pale with black hair. I did a double take but the figure disappeared. Damn this lack of sleep. I drove to my school thinking about my dream I had last night. Was that really a dream? It had to be there was no way that was real.

When I got to school I rested my head on the steering wheel lethargically. I knew this had to stop some time soon I was so tired; I was bound and indomitable to make the nightmares stop lingering in my head. Adrien was always I my dreams. It would be normal to dream of other people for a change but no it was always about him.

I'm pretty sure I dozed off; I felt like I had been drifting on water then It seemed like I had been jolted off it when the bell rang to go to class. With my eyes heavy I grabbed my things locked my car and ran off balance to my first class. My equilibrium has never been right.

I sat in the back of the class because I knew I would end up dozing off sometime during this class. Physics was never very exciting to me. Sure enough I felt my self drift into what felt like water, I felt so light.

"Jayden run!" I heard an angelic voice call to me I looked up and I was in the only light that was surrounded by dark trees, the forest made no noise, all was silent. I squinted thinking it would have helped me see the angel better. It was fall, the only way I could tell was the bright red and orange leaves covered the forest floor. Why should I run?

"Jayden please go!" the voice was more urgent.

I tried to stand up but pain shot all the way through my body. My hand flew to the side of my burning neck to find it gushing blood. It burned so bad I wanted to scream; apparently I did because the teacher woke me up very infuriated with me I think this has been the fourth time I had done this in her class.

I sat in the class room forcing myself to stay awake. I kept my eyes glued on the teacher trying to ignore the people gawking at me from across the room. I know they must have thought I was crazy.
I tried my hardest to stay awake for the rest of my classes by lunch I had woken up some.



“Jayden, are you going to sit with me today?” Selena, one of my new friends, asked me. She tucked one of her black curly locks behind her ear; her dark blue eyes shined with excitement. I always wondered if blue was her natural eye color or if they were contacts though I never really cared enough to ask.

“Yea, I am not going to eat today.” I answered her wrinkling my nose. The cafeteria stunk of cooked fish today. She nodded and followed me to the lunch table with her tray heaped with food.

I sat at the table filled with the gossiping teenagers. I stifled a laugh, the stories teenagers come up with. I had to admit it was amusing listening to them, teenagers will believe anything. I tuned my ears to the noisy conversations going on around me. My eyes scanned the cafeteria not paying attention to the people at our table and their gossip.

“Jayden that boy is staring at you, he’s hot!” Sabelle, one of Selena’s friends told me after a while, shaking my shoulder elatedly. She has been trying to hook me up with all her ex boyfriends; She is one of those girls who you never see with out a boyfriend. Her honey brown straight hair was put up in a ponytail and her bangs covered her chocolate colored eyes

Then, my eyes fell on the object where her freshly polished finger fell. My eyes widened as I stared at him. He was in one of my dreams, one of Adrien’s friends. He stared at me with his bright blue eyes; his beautiful pale face was twisted in determination. His bleach blond locks sat frizzled on his head. He was beautiful.

Why would he be here? What was his name? I closed my eyes tightly pondering on the episodes of my dreams in search of his name. My mind wondered to an episode I had about a month ago. He was carrying me in his arms as he jumped from the abandoned roof top; he was taking me to safety. Taking me to Adrien. He was running from something but who would he be running from?

“Jack.” I whispered opening my eyes to look at the beautiful creature that stared intensely back at me. His face fell into confusion; I stared at him wondering if he heard me say his name. I cocked my head at him trying to read his angelic face. We locked eyes for what seemed like forever then he looked away awkwardly. I glanced at Sabelle who glanced back at me; she had been staring at the boy the entire time batting her lashed flirtatiously. I highly doubt he say her. She grinned glancing at me and the people at our table as she fixed her ponytail.

Her current boyfriend stared in amazement at her, watching her flirt across the room. She glanced at him not caring that he was watching. I felt sorry for that boy he thought they were so perfect together. I snorted.

When my eyes flickered back to Jack he was no longer there.

“Where did he go?” Sabelle asked disappointed as she turned around searching the cafeteria for him. I sighed laying my head down glad that I was not the only one who saw him so I know I was not crazy.



When the bell rang to go to class I walked alone to class thinking about Adrien. He moved away almost five years ago why can’t I forget him? I stopped dead in my tracks when I felt the burning sensation of someone watching me. I turned around and saw Jack leaning against the wall. He looked away when I glanced at him.

“You know you have to be smoother than that I’m not stupid.” I told him laughing as I walked away to go to my class deciding I would talk to him about Adrien next time I saw him.

All my classes went by quickly and I didn’t see Jack since after lunch. Agitated I walked to my car determined to find out why he lingered around me.

Where was he? I wanted to know about Adrien.
When I got to my car I sighed when I saw Jack leaning impatiently against it.

“How do you know who I am?” He asked in a high musical voice that rang with skepticism. I opened up my car and put my things inside without answering him. He waited trying to remain patient. He fidgeted with his tan jacket and white collared shirt

“Where is Adrien?” I inquired turning to him. His angelic face fell into shock. He studied me for a minuet as if trying to figure out what to say

“How do you know I know Adrien?” He asked his jaw flex as he gritted his teeth together. I sighed tired of the question game we were playing. He glanced towards the school and grinned showing his prefect teeth.

“I have to go we’ll talk later.” He called out to me dashing away.

“Wait…” I tried to call after him but he had disappeared, blending in with the rushing students, eager to get home.

I huffed as I got into my car. Why do guys have to make everything so difficult?

When I got home I sat in my car wondering why Jack had come to see me. I glanced at my window and saw the familiar pale figure staring down at me through the glass.

His face was covered by his dark bangs; I could tell he resembled Adrien. I watched the figure stare at me and then walk away from the window.

My curiosity burned at me, I wanted to go to him. Who was he?

I walked slowly up the stairs to my room my parents had already gone for the weekend. I was alone; so I thought.

When I reached my room I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at myself and my curiosity. I held my breath as I threw my bedroom door open revealing the empty room behind it.
I sighed shaking my head in disbelieve. I walked over to my bed and laid down welcoming the feeling of floating on water.

When I awoke a ray of dim sunlight warmed my face, it was morning. I had slept the entire evening and night with out any nightmares. I rolled over to my right side stretching and gasped in dismay nearly falling out my bed. That side of my bed was ice cold; it was an unnatural cold.A bright red color caught my eye, An envelope with my name on it sat on top of a vase of blood red roses on top of my dresser. I opened the envelope where a note was sitting. written in neat small hand writing said:

Jayden,
I hope this doesn’t frighten you; I wanted to let you know that I am okay. I also wanted to warn you that some strange things will be happening soon; you may not understand it but I will help you and we’ll get through it my dear. Don’t worry we will see each other very soon. Until then my love, I’ll keep you in my heart.
Love,
Adrien

My heart jumped, a gasp caught in my throat.
I shook my head as if trying to wake up but I decided to ask Jack about it later.


I did my chores through out the house trying to occupy my mind. I only had two days until my birthday party my parents said that it would seal my character and I'll be fully matured. They had confused me when they said this; if you think about it no one is fully matured

While I was in the middle of cleaning the kitchen an urgent knock sounded at my front door. When I opened the door Sabelle was bouncing up and down excitedly.

“Guess what?” She asked me and before I could have the time to answer Jack showed up behind her his blonde hair still sat in the same frizzled way on top of his head. His bright eyes were filled with annoyance. I sighed remembering Sabelle’s old boyfriend. She must have broken his heart.

“Honey, will you run to your house and grab my jacket real quick, I left it on accident.” Jack asked clenching his teeth, trying to hide his annoyance. She glanced up at him not noticing and giggled

“Of course baby!” She replied nearly breathless. She glanced at me and smiled the hugest smile I have ever seen her give anyone. When she drove away Jack brushed past me his skin was a little warmer than the usual human temperature. Why does he need his jacket when it was 87º outside?

“So why are you here?” I asked him my head cocked to the side studying his blank expression. He looked at me his chest was missing the breathing movements. Was he holding his breath?

“I am here to keep you safe.” He told me warily as if trying not to tell me too much.

“Keep me safe from what? I am perfectly fine nothing is going to hurt me.” I snapped at him. My eyes dropped quickly embarrassed. Why I was being so rude?

“Why are you with her when you seemed so annoyed with the very sight of her?” I asked him baffled; I had completely changed the subject unknowingly trying to get all the answers at once.

“She pretty much stalked me until I asked her out. I decided I would have a new experience, you know; give the whole dating a human thing a try…” His voice trailed off his blue eyes now full of worry.

“Dating a human?” I asked confused. He sighed looking out the window. What was he talking about?

“I have said too much if you would like to know the whole story you will have to wait for Adrien to get here.” He finished looking intently at me.

“Adrien is coming?” I asked my voice overpowered with emotion.

“He told me I should be careful when I speak to you because of your vigilant personality.” He told me not answering my question.

“’I see some one who looks just like him all the time. Is that him or am I just going crazy? What about the note?” I asked him glancing up at my room. Will he think I’m crazy?

He smiled and laughed under his breath. “No, it’s him though he doesn’t have enough time to stay with you know like I can. He is trying to make plans and insure your safety; I told him not to worry I would watch over you but he wants to see for him self every now and again.

“The letter is from him, he thought it would make you feel better knowing he was okay. He worries about you, you know…” He trailed off glancing at me to soak up my expression.

I involuntarily nodded, my head was full of questions, and however, I couldn’t find my self to ask them. Sabelle pulled into the drive way. She came bouncing in the room excitedly, not noticing the intense atmosphere

“We have to go.” Jack told her glancing at me he nodded his head. She went with him with out saying a word.

I stared out the window watching them drive away. So I wasn’t crazy after all. Boy that was a relief. Although it bothered me that I couldn’t put the pieces of the puzzle together, I was still grateful that Jack had told me about Adrien. Why would he decide to come now?
He is 19 now which mean he is considered an adult but was he waiting for my birthday or is it just irrelevant? Maybe when he got here I could ask him. Until then I would wait and as he said I will be in his heart. If he had gave me the note then that means maybe all those times I saw him, it was real. Adrien will come get me soon.