The Dream Demon

Chapter 13 - Adam

We walked off together, leaving Melody screaming and cursing. I felt awkward being alongside Adam, knowing he'd seen everything that had just happened. I didn't know what to say. I didn't even really want to talk. All I wanted was to curl up in bed and disappear from the world.

"Abi wait a second" said Adam, reaching into his backpack and passing me his gym towel. "Don't worry it's clean" he smiled.

"Thank you Adam" I managed to say between sobs. "I'm sorry about you and Melody."

"You don't need to be sorry Abi. Mel has turned into somebody I don't even recognize anymore. She should never have laid her hands on you like that."

Nodding in agreement, I removed my sweater, as thankfully that was where most of the mess was. Shame burned my cheeks turning them red, when Adam helped me wipe my face and pick the excess egg shell from my hair. I'd definitely need a long, hot bath when I got home, not my usual shower. I felt disgusting.

"I think that's the best we're going to get it for now" sighed Adam. "Your hair is so long, It's difficult to get all of the shell out."

"At least I look much better now.. I feel a lot better anyway. Thank you again, for stepping in when no one else did" I said, turning to look at him.

"Please don't thank me Abi, it was the right thing to do" he smiled, blushing. "When your brother didn't step in, I knew I had to. What is going on with the two of you? Why is he such a jerk towards you all of the time? If one of my brothers were there and that happened to me, the person doing it wouldn't be left standing."

I shifted my eyes nervously to the floor. "Josh and I don't have the best relationship. He hates me just as much as Melody does, if not more."

"Well he's stupid. Both him and Melody. Come - lets go to the café on our way home. I'll even buy you one of those bubble tea things that you like" he grinned, cheering me up instantly.

We walked to the café chatting and laughing. I'd always thought Adam was the typical playboy jock, but id definitely misjudged him. He was smart, charming, and rather easy on the eye.

As we reached the café Adam opened the door for me, like a proper gentleman. "After you" he smiled, bowing, making me laugh.

"Thank you kind sir" I bowed back.

Adam noticed a few of his friends sat on one of the tables at the back. They beckoned us over, but Adam shook his head.

"One minute" he mouthed at them.

The smell inside the café made my stomach growl. I hadn't realized how hungry I was.

"Do you want something to eat too?" Adam asked after I'd ordered my Mango tea.

"Hmm" I hummed in thought. "I'll have a cheese and onion toastie too please, but I'm paying for everything as a thank you for today." I quickly pulled my card out, paying for our things before Adam could even protest.

Adam sighed in defeat. "Fine, but the next time is on me."

"Next time?" I asked, c*****g my brow.

"Yes Abi, next time" he winked. "Maybe you give me your number so that we can arrange something" he grinned, passing me his phone.

I could feel my cheeks blushing hard, knowing that I was most likely a bright shade of red right about now. "O.K, sure" I smiled, giving his phone back to him when I'd finished.

"I'll send you a quick text so that you have my number too."

My phone started vibrating as I pulled it out of my pocket. There was a text from Adam and also one from Jess. Jess! She'd finally texted me back!

Jess: Hey Abs! Sorry I haven't returned your messages. I felt so unwell this morning that I had to go home! Love you x

I wanted to go and see Jess, but felt bad for leaving Adam after the help he'd given me.

"Everything alright?" asked Adam, looking down at me.

"Oh, yes, sorry! I just got a text from Jess.. She left school this morning because she was feeling unwell. I was thinking I'd go to her house and see her quickly before I go home.. If that's ok with you?"

"Sure Abi! Do you want me to come with you? I wouldn't mind.."

"It's O.K, your friends have been calling you over since we got here. Jess' house isn't far.. I'll give you a text later tonight?" I said taking my tea and toastie from the waitress and thanking her.

"Alright Abi, I'll look forward to hearing from you" smiled Adam. "Bye."

"Bye" I waved, walking out.

By the time I got to Jess' house, I was already feeling much happier. I was trying not to focus on all of the craziness today, what with Moloch turning up at school, and the 'incident' with Melody. Before I'd even knocked on the door, Jess had opened up, pulling me inside in a hurry.

"My goodness Abi! I saw the videos all over social media. I'm going to kill that b***h!" ranted Jess, before I even got a chance to say hello. "How are you, anyway? Come, come inside" she continued, pulling me by the arm into her kitchen, where her mum was also sat waiting.

"Abigail! Hello darling" smiled Leah, standing up to give me a hug. "Do you have time to stay for a while?"

"Hi Leah! My bible study classes have been cancelled, so I could stay for maybe an hour or so? I'd like to get home as soon as possible though" I grimaced, pointing to my clothes. "I feel like a walking cake right now and want nothing more than a hot bath. I just wanted to pop by to check on Jess really."

"Ah yes. Why don't you two go upstairs, and I'll bring you up some hot chocolate and a slice of cake in a bit?"

"Sounds good!" both Jess and I answered, running up to Jess' bedroom.

"How are you Jess? I've been trying to contact you all day" I jibed, looking Jess over from head to toe.

"How am I? How are YOU?" she practically yelled.

"I'm O.K, just had a bit of a rough day. I should have known the videos would be all over by now."

"I'm really sorry I wasn't there today, Abi. This morning I started feeling so nauseous, with the biggest headache. I just had to get home to my bed. Don't worry, though. I'm feeling lots better now and will be back at school tomorrow. I will deal with that little b***h Melody then."

I fidgeted awkwardly on Jess' bed. Part of me had hoped that tomorrow would be a new day, and today would be forgotten about. Fat chance at that! Especially now that my anguish was all over the internet for everyone to see. They'd all be laughing at me.

"I was hoping that we could just move on from it Jess. Today has been mortifying enough for me. If it wasn't for Adam.."

"Oh my gosh!" Jess squealed, bouncing around. "I saw that he stepped in to help you! What happened after?"

"Well... He gave me his gym towel and helped me clear myself up. He spent ages helping me pick the egg from my hair, and then took me to the café after to 'cheer me up.' I paid for it though, as a thank you."

"And?? Go on!! Tell me more!"

"Well," I continued, "We swapped numbers as he said next time he would like to pay."

"Next time?? Next time? Oh my godddd Abi! I am so happy for you!" Jess beamed. "I always thought Adam was a bit of player, but the way he had your back today.. I was surprised! Totally changed my opinion of him. Then again, He's always looking at you and trying to get your attention. I know you've noticed it!"

"Yes, I've noticed, but at the same time he's always been with Melody. I think he only intervened today because Melody said that 'The new guy belonged to her.' Adam probably stepped in to save face."

"I don't think so Abigail. Adam has always given you those puppy-dog eyes. He's always had a thing for you. I mean, he could have stopped Melody and then stayed with her.. But he didn't. He chose to go with you and look after you. As for the new guy, I don't like him. He looks like trouble. Why did Melody tell you to stay away from him? Do you know him?"

I sighed deeply, not wanting to lie to Jess. A half-truth would have to do for now.

"I don't really 'know' him as such. We share a few classes together and have spoken quite a bit. He's actually quite fun to be around, when you get to know him."

A knock on the door interrupted us, when Leah entered the room with our mugs of steaming hot chocolate, and two slabs of chocolate cake.

"Here's hoping this will cheer the both of you up, hey girls?"

"Just what the doctor ordered! Thank you Leah."

"Before I leave you girls to it, I was wondering Abi, any more dreams since we last spoke?" Leah enquired.

"Dreams? Oh.. No, no dreams since." I responded. "I've made sure not to watch any more films that would play with my imagination."

"Glad to hear it. I know that you and Jess are best of friends, but I am always here if you need anything. Speaking of anything, Have you thought much about your party? Numbers.. Food.. Things like that?"

The party.. It'd completely slipped my mind. I'd only wanted to have one because Josh and Melody had pushed me into it. Now with what happened, I was beginning to wonder if there'd be any point to it all.

"No, I've not given it much thought. I don't think I want one at all after what happened today.." I trailed off, feeling sadness rise inside me once more.

"Nonsense Abi!" Jess interrupted. "You are having this party! You deserve this party. We just wont invite that witch Melody."

Jess, Leah and I spent the next hour arranging everything, from numbers to music, to food. Thankfully I managed to talk Jess down from a full on rave, to a 'small, but intimate' gathering. From the glint in her eye, I think we'll end up with something in-between. Being around the two of them was just what I needed.

I left feeling both happy and excited, I'd never had a birthday party before. I sure as hell was going to enjoy this one.