CHAPTER FOUR
1974 Words
Lately I cant seem to understand what's up with me,I seem to be taking things too lightly, Joanna and Katelyn helped me distribute my birthday invites and we had an agreement that it would be a Carter-Paige free party but they got carried away and invited them to my party,the fact that Paige was gonna be there didn't seem to bother me at all and it was kinda surprising, I mean Paige is my mortal enemy,surprisingly what seemed to bother me was that Zain Carter would be there,as much as I hate to accept it he made me nervous and somehow managed to awaken my inferiors.
What's with me and the guy anyways? .I asked myself over and over again.
My birthday party would take place tomorrow and almost the whole school was gonna be there,I wouldn't even notice his presence,plus I'd be with Tyler ,I've waited for this party for a year and like hell would I let Paige or Zain Carter ruin it for me, I'd enjoy my party and simply ignore them both.
~~
A feeling of unease seemed to have settled in my nerves since I woke up this morning,I woke up in a sort of panic ,my heart was racing,I had dreamt of something,it was so clear,It felt so real,almost like I was actually living the dream,but then suddenly it was all gone.
I couldn't remember, every detail of it seemed to have faded as the rays of sunlight streamed into my room.
I sat up slowly and pushed the covers off me before I put my legs down and slid my feet into a pair of flip flops,I walked to the bathroom hoping that a refreshing shower would cool my nerves.
Thirty minutes later I sat on my bed after taking a hot shower, i had to leave the bathroom 'cause it was all steamed up and my skin was starting to get wrinkly, i dressed myself in a casual outfit of sweatpants and a hoodie, I sat with my face buried in my palms,I still couldn't think straight, nothing of the dream was left,it felt like a thousand pieces puzzle in my mind,it came with an unsettling feeling of unease,I couldn't piece anything up.
The sudden vibration of my phone on the bedside table startled the heck outta me,I grabbed it and answered the incoming call from my dad.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!!!". I heard my mum and dad cheer immediately I answered.
I had almost forgotten, no kidding, I can't believe I forgot all about my big day.
"Mum!,dad!". I said happily, the bothersome feeling almost forgotten.
I heard them laugh and whisper something to each other before they began singing the birthday song enthusiastically, I couldn't help but smile widely.
"Our baby's finally sixteen huh??". My mum said,her voice sounded delightful, as always.
"Thanks mum,thanks dad! ,I actually forgot all about it,I had the weirdest dream ever",I said.
There was silence from the other side.
"Mum?,dad you there?",I said.
"Yes darling,I can't believe you forgot your birthday because of a silly dream. Tell me dear,what was the dream about?". My mum said.
"That's what's weired,I can't remember,I was so occupied trying to piece it together that I forgot aabout everything". I said.
I heard my dad laugh.
"You're just too excited, I'll tell you what,why don't you forget about it and have breakfast,invite your friends over and have fun before its time for the party". He said.
I nodded,it sounded great.
"Alright. Hey dad watcha get me?". I said. I couldn't wait to know what he got me.
He laughed.
"You'll just have to wait and see darling". He said.
"Try not to bring the house down to its foundation honey". Mum said.
"Alright mum, you have absolutely nothing to worry about, your house is in good hands". I said assuringly.
"Well honey,take care okay?,and don't forget to have fun". Dad said.
"Sure Dad ,love you!",I said.
"Love too honey!,bye!!". My mum said.
When they ended the call I felt an emptiness settle over me,I missed them, dragged in a deep breath and heaved a sigh resignedly.
Oh well,let's do as dad says.
I called Katelyn and Joanna before I went downstairs to get some breakfast.
******************
I was more than relived when Joanna and Katelyn arrived,I was at the brink of going insane,pieces of the stupid dream were trying to come back but I still couldn't make sense out of it,I tried to forget but it remained like a bothersome tooth that needed attention, I was losing my mind slowly, Katelyn brought the avengers endgame movie with her,it helped in diverting my thoughts for some sometime.
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Time seemed to have quickened it's pace 'cause the sun had set all to quickly and it was time for the party ,everything was set,the hall downstairs had been decorated beautifully with little light bulbs that made it appear like a it had rained pixie dust and shimmers,I couldn't help but feel a little pride knowing that it was all for my birthday.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror after Katelyn and Joanna had helped me get dress,Joanna did my make up and Katelyn made my hair,it was held up in a loose bun atop my head with tendrils tangling down to my shoulders after she added a few pins,it was beautiful,they left me to join the others downstairs after commenting on how beautiful I looked over and over again.
Armani.
I could have sworn I heard something,I looked around the room quickly.
Armani!
I gasped and turned to look at the open window, the breeze blew smoothly outside making whooshing noises as it blew the trees,my heart beats quickened, I could hear my heart pounding against my chest,I couldn't seem to get my mind straight,I heard a voice again.
Its time.
It was so clear,it was like the words had been whispered in my ears.
"Who's there?".I said trying to keep my voice steady, of course if someone was trying to scare I couldn't give them the satisfaction of knowing that it was working.
I waited to hear something.
There was silence except for the whooshing sounds of the wind outside,the cheers and music downstairs seemed to have faded away.
I listened.........
Silence.
There was no reply,I heard nothing.
Had I imagined it?
I tried to convince myself that it was indeed all my imaginations,I took a deep breath and glanced at the mirror one more time before I walked out of the room quickly.
There are indeed voices in the wind,soft whispers that could be heard only if you listen,there is music in the drops of rain,soft rhythms that echoes with the voices of the wind,all you have to do is listen.
~~~
I rushed out of my room ,my heart racing,my head pounding,I hurried downstairs to the hall.
"There she is!!". Someone called out.
I tried to smile and appear natural as everyone's attention immediately turned towards me.
"Happy birthday!!!" . They shouted at once .
For a moment I didn't know what to do,I just stood there on the middle of the staircase till Tyler walked to me and held my hand.
"Hey". He said.
I blinked and smiled.
"Hey,sup?". I said.
He smiled.
"You look breathtakingly beautiful". He said.
His eyes seemed to melt in mine,last year I couldn't help but drool over those eyes but right now I felt nothing, just the strong urge to turn around and run, to be anywhere away from here.
"By the way, I got you something". He said as he reached into his jacket and retrieved a small velvet box from his pocket.
I smiled and collected it.
"Awwn,you didn't have to".I said as I opened it and revealed a pair of beautiful sapphire earrings.
"Don't be silly,its your birthday,like not just any birthday but the one we've planned for a year". He said. "Convinced my mom to help me get you something real nice".
I smiled as he hugged me,I hadn't realized that everyone had been watching till they began clapping.
Armani.
I heard the hushed whisper as it glided through the soft breeze,I pulled away from Tyler quickly,maybe a little too quickly.
He noticed of course and slight concern edged his face.
"What's wrong". He said seeing the worried expression on my face.
Was I really going crazy?
Tyler stood staring at me, watching me closely, observing the way my eyes flickered around quickly in search of the source of the voice.
I shook my head quickly and said:
"It's nothing,I......uh I'm just thirsty".
He smiled.
"Alright,let's go get a drink". He said.
I shook my head again.
"I'll get it,don't worry",I said and began descending the remaining few steps.
It's time.
I heard it again. This time I knew l hadn't imagined it.
As I got downstairs I received some hugs and exchanged quick pleasantries before I headed to get a drink,I was so occupied I hadn't seen Paige coming,she bumped into me,her heel digging into my foot,I almost yelped but managed to control myself, she smiled.
"Happy barf-day crystie",she said with her usual smirk."you look messed up",she said and walked away.
Had I been a day younger I would have told her off but now I simply didn't care,I had better things to worry about than inconsequential Paige,I walked to the drinks stand quickly and grabbed a bottle of soda,I opened it quickly and took a long sip,I almost choked when I heard someone saying:
"Happy birthday".
I was startled, I don't know why I was this startled but my heart carried on with its rampant beating,I turned around quickly to see Zain Carter dressed in all blacks,his eyes seemed to glisten with mischief.
"Why do you look so startled?, you look like you've seen a ghost". He said,a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
I took a deep breath to calm myself, I wasn't in the mood to have a showdown with him.
"You startled me".I said with all the calmness I could muster.
"Sorry about that". He said with not the slightest hint of remorse. "Nice party by the way".
"Thanks". I said curtly as I turned to walk away.
A sudden flash of a blinding light flashed for just a second forcing my eyes to shut themselves and I stepped back quickly almost bumping into the drinks stand but he held my hand and dragged me back to stability.
I opened my eyes quickly and as I did I couldn't decipher whether or not the flash had been from a camera or in my head.
"Are you drunk?". Zain said with evident irritation in his voice. "Watch it".
I felt a sudden burst of irritation, I pulled my hand free from his and turned to leave again but stopped when the voices in my head became louder.
Its time.
Its time to go!
Armani!
Its time!!.
The soda fell from my hand and I clutched my head tightly.
"Just stop". I groaned. "Please".
The voices became louder and demanding,everything seemed to revolve around me,my body began trembling and my vision became a blurry mess ,an invincible force dragged me to my knees roughly.
Its time!
The time is now!!
NOW!!
I screamed as an explosion of blinding lights blasted in my face.
- Writer
