Dreams and Nightmares the story of Alexis

Chapter Two

Past, present, future

My name is Alexis Canton, it’s been 3 months since my dad died in a plane crash; I now live alone with my mom and I’ll be 14 in a few days. I must say, the house is not the same without Dad. I miss him

The news about Daddy’s death spread like wildfire. I mean who wouldn’t know about the plane crash of 3/06/20I2. In my neighborhood, everyone dropped by time after time to offer their condolences I grew tired of it all. Being treated with a pinch of salt and all that mushiness is all tiring. It is so weird. It is either a neighbor over sentimentally greeting us or at school students I neither talk to nor know trying to be overly friendly with me “sheesh”.

Its 7:05am and am running late for school, still trying to figure out what to wear. Finally I throw on my pink floral patterned mini gown and a navy blue blazer to match I put on matching pumps and strap my school bag.

“Morning mum”

“Morning Alex, come have your breakfast so I can drop you off”. She replies

“What?” “uhm, no thank you mum” I reply with a little sass but not disrespectfully. “I can make it on my own on taking the bus”.

“Excuse me?” “Where is all this coming from”. “You never like taking the bus” asks mum in surprise

“Don’t worry mom I’ll be fine; by the way am not 12 nor 13 anymore, am older” I reply finishing up my cereal

“But you’re not yet 14 either” “but i won’t argue with you”. “Have a nice day at school”

I hurry off from the dining table and bolt straight out the door.

“Bye mom” I call out and then make my way to the pavement before getting on the bus.

So typical of the school bus; chit- chattering everywhere, some students busy with their phones, others trying to finish up their homework, others bullying those that want to be bullied and others just sitting still till the bus stops at school and then alight. I fall into the last category; I mind my business all the way.

Today’s trip to school seems longer than usual. I am tired of sitting all by myself doing nothing so I take out my journal and begin writing. Dad gave me this journal, oh how I miss him. My eyes get teary so I plug in my earphones which seem to be my latest antidote

Mimi must be in school already I think to myself while scanning the bus for the last time before selecting a playlist from the iPod. The Music starts to play and I drift into the enveloping oblivion. Still engrossed in my music, I notice a hue up beside me. Probably one of these bullies trying to pick on me. I am so not in the mood, so I unplug one earpiece from my ear to confront him or her as the case may be. And right there and there time stops,

“Excuse me, may I share your seat”. He says to me… I know that voice. I’ve heard that voice. I turn around to the voice of the dude from 9th grade. The really cute one that caught my attention in Mr. Bassey’s literature class, the same day Dad passed away.

What! He is still in this school?

It seemed as though he disappeared the way dad did.

What do you think you’re doing, he spoke to you, say something

Words fail me as I am unable to make out any instead I smile awkwardly and finally move aside to make room for him to sit.

I go back to my journal and try as much as possible not to look towards his direction. I am however not ignorant of the fact that “He” is sitting right next to me

Should I say something? Or will it seem weird am talking to a 9th grader who is neither a brother, cousin or friend. By the way it does seem like people are staring and whispering.

Well, what do I care; I face my journal and begin writing my latest dreams.

“You’re that kid that lost her dad in the recent plane crash” it came almost like a whisper, I would’ve sworn he didn’t say anything but for his facial expression

“Am sorry for your loss” he says again “Hope it’s not late, since its coming several months after”

“No its okay” “thanks” I reply with a wry smile

Back to silence again until I manage to say

“I am Sorry for staring at you the other day in class that was totally inappropriate” I continue, trying not to maintain eye contact

“It’s just that you’re kind of cute”. “Couldn’t help but notice”

Oh my God! You didn’t just do that where is your dignity? Now you’ll make him feel awkward Too late now, the words are already out. No time for regrets, more like time for damage control

“Hello to you too”. “My name’s Jamal, am from turkey”. “Am here on an exchange program of some sort between my school and yours”. “Nice to meet you”

What? Ehm excuse me, didn’t you just hear what I said? Wasn’t I audible enough or was I dreaming what I just said…

Am so surprised at his response that I turn to face him directly. Still no words

“Jamal here”. “What’s your name?” still trying to figure out what just happened I reply him quickly

“Alexis, but you can call me Alex”

“Nice meeting you Alexis, I think I’ll stick to Alexis, Alexi’s sounds cool”

The journey of a thousand miles has come to an end finally; the bus pulls to a stop and we alight the bus together, I think it’s so magical and then again with the now almost familiar accent he says

“See you around Alexis” And disappears into the crowd. Just then Mimi spots me and hurries r to meet me.

“Her royal highness I see you made it to school”. “And by the way when did you start hanging out with Jamal”.

“You know Jamal?” “How?” I ask with a little bit of curiosity and jealousy hopefully she doesn’t like him like I do.

“Who doesn’t know Jamal” “He’s the exchange student all the girls be talking about” “they’re all crazy about him” she responds.

“Wait a minute, you didn’t know?” she asks “Seriously?”

“I did not, seriously” I reply her

Oh no now I realize why he said nothing when I said he was cute. He must think of me as one of those girls going crazy about him. Well not that we’re any different anyway, the same feelings but different approach. While others are crazy, am being civil.

“Ouch!” “Why did you pinch me Mimi?”

“What are you thinking about this time?” she asks “What did you do?”

“Nothing” I lie “let’s get to class”

At lunch, the cafeteria is packed up as usual. That doesn’t mean the food is excellent.

This is where we have our lunch, whether by the school or from home, anything eating is done in here. Mimi has gone to sit with the gossip girls; she says she needs to update her news stream as she puts it. I don’t mind being on my own, it just gets a little lonely a times and as far as I can remember I may have documented the details of yesterday’s dream in my journal.

I formed the habit of recording every single Nightmare or dream I have ever since Daddy’s passing, whether creepy or not but mostly creepy. I feel like my dreams prior to the incident have been trying to say something but I paid less attention to them, I won’t let that repeat itself. So Jamal is the much talked about exchange student, wow! What are the odds of that happening?

All this thinking is getting me hungry so I reach for my coupon in my pocket and head down to the food counter to place my order. Didn’t pack any lunch today, time wasn’t on my side this morning,

“One cheese burger and fries please”. “I’ll also have one milkshake thank you”

The elderly waitress seems to be in a good mood today, am surprised she’s not yelling.

The students are so use to her foul attitude that we are more surprised when she’s not yelling than when she is.

“Cash or Coupon?” she asks while placing my order on the counter

“Coupon” I reply hastily. While she’s still processing my payment I think of the incident on the Bus and come up with two theories ; It’s either Jamal didn’t hear what I said because I wasn’t audible enough; or he finds me intimidating and he cowardly couldn’t say anything; or he thinks am a crazy girl looking for cheap popularity. Okay that’s three theories. So which is it?

“Miss, you’re done with your order now can you please leave my counter thank you” says the waitress tapping the bell on the counter “Next!”

I carry my food tray back to my seat and I see Mimi isn’t done with the gossip girls so it looks like ill be eating alone again. Sometimes I wonder if Mimi is a friend or just an acquaintance.

“Alexis, Hi” says a familiar voice. I turn around and I see Jamal holding his food tray “Sitting alone as usual”. “You don’t mind if I join you, do you?”

“No I don’t, have a seat”. I reply coolly

“Oh okay then”

He takes the seat opposite me at the table and his leg brushes mine underneath the table and I readjust my position.

“Sorry” we both chorus. He goes back to eating his food and so do i

Now’s a good time to clarify your thoughts I think; ask him about the bus incident. I finish off the last piece of my cheese burger before asking him

“Jamal, why didn’t you say anything after what I told you on the bus?”

“Huh?” “Did you say something on the bus besides salutations and exchanging our names?” he asks me totally unaware “what was that?” “I don’t think I remember”

I stare at him in disbelief “Are you serious right now?” “You don’t remember?”

“No I don’t” he replies “refresh my memory it seems important with the way you’re staring at me”

“Well, okay,” “I said sorry for staring at you in Mr. Bassey’s literature class sometime back and…” he cuts me off

“Hold on a sec, you were staring?” “I didn’t even notice you were in the class until you were summoned by the principal. He laughs.

My face is so flushed now I feel it would explode; angrily I sip my vanilla milk shake feeling like a fool.

I shouldn’t have said anything. What was I thinking; now he’s mocking me with his gentle yet alluring laughter.

I stop talking and keep sipping the milkshake

“Am sorry, you were saying?” he says underneath the laughter

“I was saying nothing,” “Enjoy your meal” I reply him and angrily leave the cafeteria without looking back.

Jerk.

After today’s classes I think I should cool off so I go to the pool arena. Students hardly come here for two reasons; either they don’t know how to swim or they’re over skeptical about the pool’s cleanliness. Well too bad for them, am glad I can enjoy the pool all to myself at least whenever I come am always lucky to be the only one there.

Well at least I thought I was the only one here till I saw him again.

What, not again, this has to stop.

I ignore him and pretend I don’t see him

“Why do you keep following me everywhere”? He calls from the far end of the room

I still ignore him as though he is not talking to me and walk into the closet to change into my swimming gear. When I return he’s right there in front of me.

“I asked why you keep following me everywhere.” “It’s obvious you heard and yet chose to ignore me”

“So now you know how it feels to ignore someone” “Now if you would excuse me now I have got swimming to do” I push my way through and jump into the pool. The water is so cool and refreshing. Finally some place where I can think.

I swim to the bottom of the pool and stay there; I love the cool blue envelop it gives me. I think am in love with these crystal clear waters. I could stay here forever. I can finally think straight without anger or resentment, in about 3 minutes I begin my rounds. Coming back to the surface of the pool I see Jamal is gone. At least he got the message

I was actually beginning to enjoy his company a bit. I can’t get enough of his charisma and funny sarcasm. And then his looks; I won’t even begin to describe

“You’re a fantastic swimmer” “why don’t you compete”

“Oh s**t!” I exclaim in fear almost losing my balance

“What, what are you still doing here?” I stammer “you gave me a scare”

“Thought you had left.”

“Nope, been here all the while”. He answers back while handing me a towel “Did you want me to leave?”

“Yes of course”

“Don’t you have other things to do than watching me swim?” I ask.

“Hmmm, let’s see, now that you reminded me I have soccer practice, research, library work ,club registrations, club meetings, meeting with my academic advisers, finishing up a couple of assignments, updating my notes,…”

The list went on and on, and I need to change out of my swimming gear. He doesn’t seem like he is going to stop talking so I tie the towel on my waist and head to the front row and take a seat. He walks over and takes the one next to mine

“It seems like you are really packed up, so what are you doing here?”

For some reason I am not shy around Jamal anymore, probably because we’ve spoken to each other so I look at him eye to eye as though speaking with Mimi.

Oh that’s right Mimi. We were supposed to meet up. Well she’ll understand and might’ve found her way home already.

“Scale of preference”. He says in hilarity “look I just came to ask you something, considering you’re the only one that has actually really spoken to me in school”

“Do I really look so unapproachable?” he continues “I mean, I hear people whispering and all but no one has actually started a conversation with me”

Can he just get to the point already, I am freezing in these damp clothes, in no time I should start shivering and then the incessant sneezing follows

“Is that what you want to ask me?” I finally say trying to hide my already chattering teeth

“No,”

“That I don’t need an answer to”. “But I just wanted to know if you’ll be willing to help me out with a couple of assignments, school work?”

“Sure, when will you want me to?” I ask him “Today’s already late, school’s closed”

He gets up as if what I said triggered something in him, and then he begins to take off his outer jacket

What is he doing?

“Yeah, I noticed school’s over and it’s a weekend, so I was hoping you’ll come over at my house. We could have a general study session” he continues “hope it won’t be too tedious for you” “you can leave whenever you want”

He comes over and drapes the jacket over my shoulders.

“I see you’re catching a cold and it’s obvious you won’t change out of your swimming gear because I am still here, so I am leaving”. “If you’re still cool with the study idea give me a call”

He writes out his number on a sheet of paper and forwards it to me

With that he leaves me in the swimming arena without looking back with majestic strides I can’t seem to take my mind off. I have even forgotten that I am catching a cold. A sneeze reminds me so I rush into the locker room.

He’s such a gentleman, covering me up when I was cold with his Jacket

Oh s**t, he left his Jacket!

The next day I arrive at Jamal’s home; the estate is a beauty on its own but it doesn’t match the exquisite interior décor on the inside of Jamal’s house.

I have never seen Jamal dress so casual. He is just in combat shorts, a tee- shirt and flip flops

I feel like am over dressed in my turquoise and cobalt thigh length chiffon gown with blazers folded up to my elbows and my hair pulled up in a rich bun.

He looks different. It doesn’t look like the Jamal I know. Well the Jamal I think I know.

“Where are your parents?” I ask after sighting a family portrait

“They’re out to visit but they’ll be back in like 2 hours” he answers back “let’s go to my room”

He leads the way and I follow right behind him slowly until we finally stop in front of a door. He pushes it open and we go right in.

The room is more than I expect it to be. I expect it to be typically baseball or football themed but instead it is a mature mixture of cocoa coffee and cream with the appropriate furniture in their appropriate places. On the table there is a tray of fresh fruits with a fruit knife neatly placed there.

Wow everything speaks class. I think. No wonder he acts pompous, well in an attractive way

“Welcome to my room” he says bringing me back from my thoughts.

“Thank you” I reply “I must say you have an exquisite home”. “It’s beautiful”. “Here’s your jacket, you left it with me the other day”

He takes the jacket from me and throws it on the bed

“Thanks please sit, feel at home”

He seems somewhat restless. I notice he has been pacing up and down the room.

I walk up to him “Jamal what’s the matter, is everything okay?” he turns to look at me; there is a something in his eyes I haven’t seen before. He finally speaks

“I can’t lie anymore” he says while taking my hand “I saw you at that literature class when you were of course staring” he chuckles “I heard you overtly on the bus when you said you think am cute”. “I followed you to the pool because I wanted to see you again”. “I left my Jacket with you because I knew you would return it, that way I get to see you again”

“The thing is, I think you’re quite brave for saying you think am cute”.

“I mean in a world of crushes and all”, he pauses “you deserve a medal”. “I admire your courage”

“And I actually think…

My heart is racing, Jamal is holding my hand and he’s actually saying all these things. It’s like a scene from a telenovela.

He continues “I think I have fallen for you”.

He comes so close to me I can hear him breathe hard. “I don’t think Alexis, I know I have fallen for you” He must feel my racing heart. I feel dizzy and think my legs are so wobbly I might fall. He places his hands in the curve on my lower back and draws me even closer. I can perceive his musk and his coffee breath; I feel everything skin beneath his clothes as we both stand in the close embrace synchronizinly breathing hard against each other and he manages to say something under his breath.

“Say something?”

I am shivering at this point and then I manage something under my breath.

“Jamal” I pause “I don’t think we should…” he’s closer than I expect and he whispers in my ear.

“Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you”.

My mouth is dry that I can’t make out any words. He must’ve read the body language because his lips rise close to my quivering lips but then he puts his lips on my neck, I am all hot inside right now and my legs virtually give way so I clutch his shirt. He lets out a wicked chuckle and continues kissing until he finds my throbbing throat and smooches even more. I am all jelly right now but he doesn’t stop. With his left arm on the small of my back, he takes the right and gradually goes up my gown. He traces all the way up my thigh and he doesn’t stop. He keeps working his way upward…I am on fire right now and I cry out, just in time he covers my lips with his with a little tongue action. He goes deeper and deeper until all my moans are now his. I totally melt into him as his wandering hand goes farther and farther up my thigh…

There is a knock at the door just in that moment that breaks us apart. We are both panting and as I refuse to meet his gaze, I manage to say.

“Thought you said your parents we’re out”. “Are you expecting anyone?”

“No am not”. He answers me checking his clock “they said they won’t be back in another 2 hours”. “I wonder who it might be”

Just then, the door is pushed open and Mimi?

“Mimi what are you doing here?” but Mimi doesn’t answer me instead she just stands there in the door frame staring at Jamal and I in bewilderment.

“Mimi, are you okay?” I ask “Why do you look that way?” “What are you doing here?”

“How could you Jamal,” “why would you choose her over me?”

I am speechless and confused as I try to understand what is going on

“Mimi?” “What are you talking about?” I turn to Jamal who is approaching Mimi now “Jamal? What is she saying?”

Jamal is neither saying nor doing anything and Mimi seems really mad. She’s turned red I think she might explode

“You’ll both pay for this” she yells “If I can’t have you Jamal, then no one can”

“What are you talking ab…?”

Mimi lunges towards the table, grabs the fruit knife from the tray and with it, she stabs Jamal in the gut.

I scream in terror and just then she launches her attack on me and we enter a frantic struggle with the knife.

Someone did actually win because at this point there is blood dripping on the once clean tiles…

She stands up above me and says “That’ll teach you not to mess with what’s mine”.

Considering the strength she used to stand up and yell those words at me I take it she won the struggle.

I am feeling totally weak numb as thick blood is flowing out of my gut and while I take one final look at the room where Jamal and I shared some intimacy a few minutes back and slowly my eyes close until all I feel is deep darkness