The next morning
861 Words
Renee – POV
Birdsong fluttered in through my window, light and delicate, as if nature was trying to lull me back to sleep. Sunlight spilled across my face, warm and golden. For a second, I wondered if I was still dreaming.
I shot upright, breath catching. My hands—mine again. I wiggled my fingers, rotated my wrists. No pressure behind my eyes. No voices whispering in forgotten tongues. No golden mirrors glowing with secrets.
Just me.
Just breath and blankets and sunlight.
I scanned my room. Posters slightly askew. Photos taped to the wall with curling edges. My desk, a battlefield of books and highlighters. Home. Real.
I crossed to my vanity. My reflection stared back—purple satin pajamas, puffed cheeks, hair still wrapped in silk. No ancient spirit blinking through the glass. No glowing women calling my name.
Just Renee.
Normal.
For now.
My alarm buzzed like a banshee on caffeine. I groaned, slapped it silent, and grabbed my towel. As I darted out of my room, Elena flew from hers with the same idea. We locked eyes.
Race on.
I made it to the bathroom half a second sooner and slammed the door with a grin. “First come, first shower!”
“Not fair!” she whined from the hallway.
I grinned and called, “Better luck tomorrow!”
I tapped the EchoOrchid on the counter and asked it to play something upbeat. Music filled the steam-fogged air as I stepped under the water. I scrubbed hard—washing away the strange weight of the dream. Whatever it had been, it didn’t belong in this day. Not in this moment.
Today mattered.
Today, the new cheer captain would be announced.
I’d worked for this—sweated for it.
After rinsing off, I wrapped up, brushed my teeth, and opened the door to find Elena standing there like a drama queen.
“Finally. I’m gonna explode.”
“Have at it,” I teased, sweeping past her and back to my room.
The morning air had that soft September chill, so I chose something bright to fight it. A yellow maxi dress with little daisy appliqués, light sandals, and gold hoops. Simple. Happy. Me. I unwrapped my hair and let the waves fall before tying it into a sleek ponytail.
Backpack over one shoulder, I grabbed a starberry breakfast bar from the counter, kissed Mom on the cheek, and followed Elena out to the car.
And then I saw him.
Idris.
He was skating along the sidewalk, earbuds in, his shirt white as fresh linen, jeans dark and fitted, and his StormWalkers were painted with bursts of blue and red like falling stars. Sunlight caught on the edge of his jawline. My heart pounded hard enough I wondered if Elena could hear it from the passenger seat.
He didn’t glance our way.
But I couldn’t look away.
What was it about him?
I’d seen good-looking guys before. Plenty. But this wasn’t just attraction—it was gravitational.
Like something ancient inside me turned toward him and whispered, yes.
Idris – POV
No nightmares last night.
That alone made the morning feel different. Brighter. I kicked along the sidewalk with a little more rhythm, music pouring through my earbuds. But even with the dreamless sleep, my mind circled back to the memories.
Not just dreams. Not really. Memories that weren’t mine. A life I hadn’t lived—but somehow remembered.
The way I moved. The language I understood. The weight of betrayal. The aching loyalty to someone I barely knew, but already missed.
It was all still there. Just quieter now. Lingering at the edges.
At school, I dropped my board into my locker and made my way to the field for practice. Tyrese—the fast kid from tryouts—gave me a nod.
As we got closer to the track, I spotted her.
Renee.
She was wearing her cheer uniform now, yellow bow catching the light like spun gold. Her dress from earlier still echoed in my mind—soft fabric, sunshine-colored. Her ponytail whipped behind her as she jogged to warm-ups.
She looked like joy in motion.
Tyrese caught me staring.
“Great taste,” he muttered. “But you can keep dreaming.”
I raised an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He gave a crooked smirk. “You’re new, so I’ll help you out. Renee Garcia is untouchable.”
I didn’t respond right away.
He lowered his voice. “Senior guy. Two years ago. Played her like a harp. Said all the right things. Took what he wanted. Then ghosted right after graduation. Ever since? She’s kept every guy at arm’s length. Smart girl.”
I looked back toward the field. Renee was stretching, arms reaching toward the sky like she belonged up there.
No wonder she didn’t trust anyone.
But deep in my chest, something stirred. Not pity. Not even a crush.
It was something stronger. Something that recognized her.
“I’m just saying,” Tyrese added with a shrug, “don’t waste your time.”
But he didn’t understand.
For me…
It wouldn’t be a waste at all.
- Writer
