Rules of a Rebel

Chapter 10: Don't Sweat

Rule #22: Don't Sweat

Rebels are supposed to be neat and scary, not gross and smelly.

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Water rushes over my face. I suppress a scream. Darkness begins to cloud my vision. My mind screams for air, but only cold, cold, water greets me eagerly. Bubbles stream out of my mouth no matter how tightly I press my lips together. A chill resonates through my body like stone, dragging me deeper and deeper...

"Peyton."

...no longer hear anything, but my heartbeat...starts to fade...

"Peyton."

...as I fall into the hidden depths...

"Peyton!" A hand shakes my shoulder, jerking me awake.

I take a shuddering breath. My eyes flutter open.

Then, I squeeze them shut until my heart realizes that I'm not suffocating anymore. My whole body is covered in a thin layer of sweat. This is the third time I've gotten the damn nightmare this week. Once my pulse falls back to normal, I open my eyes.

A pair of deep grey eyes stares down at me.

What?

I try to put my head up, but the pain in my skull barely lets me lift it two inches. I run my hands my silky bed sheets, trying to ease the ache forming in my head. Now that my heartbeat's nice and stable and the images of the cruel sea aren't hunting my dreams, I kind of want to go back to sleep again.

Then, I realize that Archer's in my bedroom, kneeling next to my bed and looking at me. For a second, I stare at him in confusion. Nobody's been in my room for ages.

"What are you doing here?" I croak, pulling my covers closer.

"To make sure you wouldn't ditch me like yesterday." His voice is just as quiet as mine. "You look different."

Well, I wasn't expecting anyone. Or was I? I don't remember. I just want to snuggle back in my blankets and fall asleep - preferably without the drowning this time.

"Can't you just call me?"

"I don't have your phone number." He whispers. "Get up quickly. We're late."

"Late?"

"Only five minutes left."

"Before what?"

"School." His eyes are glittering like dark diamonds hidden in shadows. They're very pretty.

"Oh." I yawn. "What day is it?"

"Friday."

"Really?" I say, pleased. "That's fine. I'm going back to sleep."

"Peyton-"

I ignore him and roll over on my side so that my back faces him. The warmth of my bed shifts with me. Then, I close my eyes and snuggle into my wonderful, soft pillow and let the soothing darkness claim me again.

Somebody yanks off my blankets.

I groan loudly and shove my pillow on my face.

"Peyton, come on. We're re getting late."

"Just go without me, you moronic jackass. Leave me alone."

"Peyton."

He's not going to leave me alone, is he? Damn it. I knew I shouldn't have become his friend. Look where that damn truce got me now.