My Sweet Nightmares

Chapter 2: My Nightmares (2)

My heart beats fast and my hands started to sweat. I was wearing the most beautiful gown I have ever seen. The satin dress fits my body perfectly. The bouquet I was holding was a combination of red roses and white lilies, such beautiful flowers. 

A door opens and I hear the sweetest and most solemn melody I have ever heard. I started to walk down the aisle. Everyone looked at me with admiration and awe. I feel so light as if my feet were not touching the ground. 

I saw my parents in tears as I walked near them. They give me the sweetest smile. 

I felt so much love. 

A man holds my hand and kissed it as soon as I reached the altar. 

"My lovely bride", he said. Then he began to straighten up and

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!", I waked up screaming. My clothes are soaked in sweat and my heart was pounding fast. 

The nightmares came back. 

Since the day Hayden gave me a dream catcher, my nightmares were gone. It's as if, it has some kind of protection that filters my dreams. 

I  got out of bed and walked downstairs. I headed straight to the kitchen to prepare myself a warm glass of milk. As I headed back to my room I saw my father. 

He was busy typing on his computer. It was 2 o'clock in the morning and he is still awake. I felt sorry for him. These past months had been hard for him. He discovered my mom was having an affair with his best friend and the company he has been working for had started to fall too. 

I still remember that day when he drove mom out of the house. 

My brother just started college and my sister was still at school. I went home early as I feel exhausted and not well after our PE class. I saw mom kneeled in from of dad. Her face was filled with tears and she keeps saying sorry. My dad was crying too. 

"Get out of the house Ellise and never show your face to us again", he pushed my mom away. 

"Please, Morrise. Please forgive me. I'm really sorry. I felt so neglected these past years and John was the only one there for me.", she pleaded. 

Uncle John was my dad's childhood best friend. They were inseparable but things change when my dad started his business and met my mom. They still see each other but not as often as before. 

Uncle John became more irresponsible and live an active social life while my dad became a responsible family man. I once heard my dad scolding him before after hooking up with one of the young interns in his company.

"Dad?", I knock on his door. 

"Lara, why are you still awake?", he asked while his hand waved me to come in. 

"It came back", I sadly said while handed him the coffee I made. 

"I see", he said. He took the coffee and had a few sips while focusing again on his laptop.

I looked around his office. It was so messy. This was supposed to be very clean when mom was around.

I looked back at my dad. He was in his late 40s but he looked much older right now. I know he wanted to be stronger for us. I sighed. 

"Lara, I can make your appointment with Dr. Morgan to be earlier than usual", he said looking at me. 

I saw his eyes were red and kind of puffy. He just came back from a good cry. 

"I think that will help dad. Thank you.", I replied with a sweet smile. I stand up and give him a good night's kiss and was about to walk out of the room when he said, "Lara, your mom called, she wanted to know your plans for your birthday".

I looked back at him and I just gave him a smile for an answer. 

"She also said she was now pregnant and asking for a divorce", he continued.

Dr. MORGAN'S OFFICE

It was raining as I was looked outside of her window. 

"Lara, can you tell me how you feel right now?", Dr. Morgan asked. 

I don't know the answer to her question. I had mixed feelings right now. I feel sad for my family but excited about my upcoming birthday. I feel exhausted studying for our final exam but excited thinking that I passed and can go to one of my favorite colleges. And most importantly, I feel remorse about my dream last night. 

As I went back to bed after the talk I had with my dad, I feel very sad that I cried myself to sleep. Then another nightmare haunts my dream. 

I was dancing with someone in a ball full of elegant people. He guides me every step as we joined the crowd. 

"You looked very beautiful tonight, my love", he compliments me. 

"Thank you, my dear. I made sure to be the most beautiful woman in this ball just for you.", I replied. 

We continue to talk and laughed all night.

"I need to go now, my love",  he said while saying goodbye. 

I feel so sad that a lump in my throat started to form.

"Stay, please stay. You promise not to go", I pleaded. 

He just walked out of the hall and I fell down on the ground crying. 

That's when I waked up. 

"Lara, I know it's hard with all the things that are happening to your life right now. But you must know, you are not alone. These dreams are just manifestations of what you really feel.", Dr. Morgan continued. 

"I will be prescribing you new medicines. I also suggest you take some yoga classes. I'll ask your dad to make the arrangement for it.", she said as she finished our session. 

ST. JUDE ACADEMY

"You looked awful", Jenny said while looking at me from head to toe. 

Since the party she hosted a year ago at their house b by the lake, she blossomed to be a refined young woman. She was more beautiful and radiant, although some of her childish mannerism was still there. 

"Yeah, I know.", I replied. 

"I haven't had any good night's sleep since my nightmares had returned. Dr. Morgan says I've been stressed out lately because of what's happening with my family and with schools.", I continued. 

"Here, drink this. It might help.", she handed me a small bottle of milk secret she bought from abroad. She always says that this helps her glow and focus. 

I took the bottle and drank it right away. I felt a little tingling in my throat and a warm sensation in my chest. I felt a little better. 

"Thank you.", I say gratefully. "By the way, have you seen Hayden?", I asked. 

"No, I haven't seen him since this morning. He might skip school again today.", she answered. 

I looked at Hayden's locker room beside mine. It was the 3rd day he was absent. I know I am being paranoid but I had a feeling something is wrong. We tried contacting him but he missed our calls and did not reply to any of our messages. 

"Hey! Don't overthink about it. Why don't we just visit him after class, alright?", she patted my back and pulled me to our next class. 

As we sat down in the room, I remembered the day he gave the dream catcher. 

"Here, have this. Put it on top of your bed.",  said Hayden as he handed me a brown bag. 

I reached inside the bag and pulled out a dream catcher. 

"That was beautiful! Why are you only giving that to her and nothing to me?", Jenny frowned. 

"Thank you Hayden.", I sincerely said while I looked straight into his eyes. 

He took another brown bag in his backpack and handed it to Jenny. 

Jenny pulled out a pair of earrings and a bracelet made from wooden beats. 

"Cool! Kind of retro.", she smiled at Hayden after saying thank you. 

That night, I put it on top of my bed, and since then, my nightmares were gone. 

I lived a peaceful life until that night. The settings had changed from before. Instead of hiding from someone, it seems like I am afraid to lose him. And whenever I woke up, the remorse I felt inside my heart crushed me to the ground. 

I really need to talk to Hayden. I need to know wherever he bought that dream catcher. I think it loses its power and I need a new one fast. 

"Everyone, please pay attention!", our teacher said as I had been interrupted with my thoughts. 

"Hi, guys! Missed me?", Hayden showed up at the door with his biggest smile. 

I never felt so excited as I saw him. He was followed by someone and I was shocked!