Dark Depth

Chapter 12

Jesse ~

I slide through the door and close it behind me not locking it because Aleks doesn't carry his keys.

I toss his book onto his bed and grab my tattered copy of Pride and Prejudice.

Before she left, my mother gave it to me. She learnt that the reason I didn't read was not actually that I didn't like reading but that I didn't like the types of books sold. She converted me to classics and though there's a limited amount of them, I've only enjoyed them ever since. Aleks gets mad at me, saying things about how amazing all books are but judging by the way he cries near the end of every book I doubt that I would enjoy any of them.

I turn the book around in my hands and give it a gentle squeeze before resting it on my bedside table and turning to lay on my back.

My eyelids become heavy and I find myself drifting off to sleep.

I'm in a field. The sun is covered by clouds but there's a bright light coming from somewhere. I'm not alone. Fern stands next to me. Her red hair in a bun at the top of her head. Her hair spills out of it and flies around in the wind.

Our hands are intertwined but her eyes are set forward and are emotionless.

I open my mouth to say something but nothing comes out. I try to move but I can't.

She turns her head towards me and I feel myself move again as emotion fills into her face. Her lips press against mine. They're soft and warm. The feeling is gone as soon as it came. She turns to ice again and opens her mouth to say something.

"Jesse, I love yo-" Just as the words leave her mouth she falls to the ground.

She gasps for air. I try to move, to scream, to do something.

I stay motionless and mute as she struggles.Rocking back and forth. Gasping for breath. Calling my name.

"Jesse!"

"Jesse" Aleks emerges in front of me as I open my eyes.

"Are you ok?" His hands are holding down my arms and his knees are on either side of my thighs.

"Fern.." I whisper and let the tears fall.

He gets off me and sits on his bed.

"Jesse. I've been friends with you for ages and you have never had a nightmare this bad," He sighs taking his hair into his hands.

"It's fine. I'm fine. I just need some air. What time is it?" I ask sitting up.

"About 1..." He sighs and the smiles probably thinking about his walk back with Fallon last night.

"Tomorrow is a school day!" I yell throwing a pillow at him," Get to bed."

I switch off the light and turn onto my back.

"Hey you're the one who woke me up," Aleks mumbles under his breath and I chuckle.

_______________________________________

The day flies past and I find myself at my club once again.

Although we are encouraged to try out new clubs every term. I find myself always going back to photography.

"Jesse!" Gabe calls as I walk over.

"Hey guys," I yawn.

Hayley has her camera out and she fiddles with the strap before putting around her neck.

She waves and walks over.

"Do you happen to know a Fern?" Hayley asks and I feel my heart flutter.

I nod and act natural.

"Well, where is she?" she looks at her watch and paces up and down.

"Sorry I'm late," Fern says walking up to us.

She has a Canon 6D slung around her neck. She is wearing a floral sweater tucked into a back skirt with her signature boots and bun.

I smile at her and she smiles back.

"Hello," I say covering my face as she attempts to take my picture.

"Hi," she laughs.

"Do you seriously have the 6D?" I laugh and she frowns.

"I happen to really like it ok?" She crosses her arms across her chest.

"No I don't mean it that way. I mean not a lot of people that I know of choose Canon." I rub her arm and she gives me a weak smile.

"Well I prefer Canon," she states.

"Same," I smile.

I stare into her green eyes.

"Good," She laughs and snaps a picture of me.