Fighting Fate

Fighting Fate

Chapter Four- Déjà vu

I FELT SICK AND MY PALMS were sweating. I was sure I was going to throw up, but that didn’t bother me. I was freaking out. I had no idea what was going on and no one around to help me. I felt like a mess and I wanted nothing more than to go home.

Home. Yes, that was it. I’d go home. But I couldn’t bring myself move. How could I get home if I couldn’t move? I had to calm down. I had to slow my heart, my breathing and my mind. Steady breaths, deep breaths, soothing breaths. I felt my body relax and slowly, very, very slowly, I sunk even further towards the ground.

“Alright, Ingrid,” I told myself, “Just stand up. It’s not that hard.” Only it was that hard. I felt exhausted and sleep seemed like such a good idea. “Don’t be a drama queen,” I chastised. “You can get up. Just do it already.”

Deciding that it was my best option, I slowly climbed to my feet, using the sink for support. My legs felt unsteady and almost ready to give way, but I forced myself to shuffle over to the door. I felt like I was being over dramatic. After all, I hadn’t actually done anything. I was losing my mind, yes, but that didn’t entail physical tiredness, did it? No, I didn’t think so.

Ordering my muscles to stop their bitching, I slipped outside and began making my way across the school and towards the front gates. Somewhere in the back of my mind I noted that I had at least a half hour walk ahead of me, and that was if I was moving at normal pace, but I didn’t care. It felt good to be moving, like it was somehow an achievement, which I guess in a way, it was.

My mind wandered to the- what was it? Vision? Episode? Fit?- that I’d just had and I tried to piece it all together. Those two men had seemed so familiar. I remembered the first one. He’d sold us the tickets to get in to Scare Fest, but what about the second one? Why did I have the feeling I knew who he was? And what were they talking about? Something about a camp, but what camp? I must have been going insane.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to think about that later. After all, there’d been far more realistic things in that- whatever it was, like what happened Jai’s house. Jai’s house… Suddenly, for reasons that were beyond me, I stopped and stared at the street sign only a few houses away. Melrose Drive, Jai’s street.

Frowning, I took out my phone and sent him a text.

Where are you?

I knew that he’d reply, even if he was in class, so I waited. Sure enough, less than thirty seconds later I got a message.

Home, sick. You miss me? :)

I rolled my eyes and smiled.

Psht, you wish. We need to talk, though. I’m coming over.

There was another short wait and then:

D: Are you breaking up with me? :)

I started making my way down the street, all tiredness forgotten.

I think that requires us to actually be seeing each other first.

Turning the corner, I almost bumped in to a little old lady with a pink umbrella, which she carried despite the nice weather, because I was watching the screen of my phone. She shot me a disapproving look and grumbled something about courtesy under her breath, but I paid her no mind and hurried on.

What are you talking about? We see each other all the time. I bet you even dream about me ;)

Again, I rolled my eyes.

Whatever. See you soon.

Not expecting a reply, I slid my phone shut and slipped it into my pocket, but a second later it buzzed again.

Actually now isn’t a good time.

Surprised, I slowed my pace a little.

What’s up?

This wasn’t normal.

Daddy issues. Talk later, K?

I stopped and stared at that last message, unsure if he was being serious or not. I didn’t think Jai had ever told me not to come over in my life, let alone because of his dad. Nathaniel loved me, everyone knew that. No, he had to be kidding. He probably just didn’t want me to get sick, if that really was the problem. If there was one thing that vision me had right, it was that Jai never got sick.

So ignoring Jai’s message, I headed for his house anyway. After all, even if there really was something wrong, Nate wouldn’t do anything in front of me. He liked me too much.