I was completely lost in my own thoughts. Who was that? How did he know my name? Did he know me? Do I know him? I never even met the guy. Why am I going crazy over this?
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I glance over to my window to see where that noise was coming from. I got up from my bed, opened my window and saw nothing, but the never ending trees in the dark. My house is really close to the woods so sometimes, we get critters crawling inside the house. I scanned the area again to see nothing or no one. The cool wind passed by making me shiver.
I sigh and closed my window. I went to sleep just to get the thoughts out of my head.
There were rocks coming out from the ground. Waves were coming from every corner. The wind circled all around making a destructive tornado. Flames were spread out across the field. Screams and cries were becoming louder by the second.
"Joy!!!!.....Joy!!!!!" A voice echoed in and out my ears.
"Mom..?" I looked over to a woman who's struggling to stand. She's crying.
"Please..Joy...please stop this. This isn't you. You have to stop this."
"Y-You can't tell me what to do. I-I'm capable of taking care of my self, mother." I spat. "You have no right to tell me what to do. You left me!" I could feel my self becoming more angry and the rage boiling within my veins. Mostly at my mother. As much as I wanted to see her, I want her to be far away from here, from me.
"Joy...you don't have to do this, please. Joy...." The last words were a whisper and drowned in tears.
"B-But what if this is where I belong?"
I woke up with someone shaking me to get up.
"Joy!!!!!! .....Wake up!!!! ......JOY!!!!"
I started to moan as my eyes slowly open. It was Mary-Ann waking me up.
"Joy...oh god." She covered her face in her hands, "I thought you dead. I heard your alarm going off so I came in and saw you were still sleeping. I kept shaking you over and over, but you weren't even budging and you were so still and lifeless an-" She rambled.
"Wait what? What happened?" I interrupted her.
"Y-You weren't breathing Joy."
Her words brought my eyes to meet her frightened ones and I forgot to breathe for a second.
"S-So you're telling me, t-that I was...dead?"
"Well I wouldn't say that...but I didn't know what to do... I got so scared."
"I mean...I feel fine now."
"Good." She lets out a long breath while running her hand through her hair. Stress was written all over her face and that same guilt continued to gnaw at my chest. She checks the time on her watch. "It's 8:02 and you need to get ready for school." She said. " Oh! I almost forgot. I know there's a dance happening at your school and ALL students are required to attend."
"But you know I never go to school dances...." I whined.
"Sorry but you have no choice and it's really important for you to go." She said not looking sorry at all.
"I'm not going." I said getting up and crossing my arms.
"Yes you are."
"No I'm not."
"Yes you are and that's it. End of discussion." She said straightening out her skirt.
"B-But I don't even have a dress to wear and you know it."
"Well that won't be a problem. I'll give you one of mine. Don't worry, I'll pick out the most beautiful dress you can think of." She said raising an eyebrow. "Hurry along....don't want to be late."
I just shook head and got dressed, hoping this day would go by fast.
.
.
.
"Alright class, settle down." Ms. Martin, my English teacher, said. "So today is the due date for your 5 page argumentative essay. Please pass your papers up."
Oh shit.
"Joy? Where is your paper? You had enough time to do this." My English teacher voice shrieks.
God her voice is annoying.
"Well...y-you see....umm...I f-forgot to do it..."
"You forgot? You seriously need to get back on track Joy. Have you forgotten that you are failing my class." She emphasized the word failing at bit louder.
The class chuckled which made me sink into my seat trying to hide myself from everyone's existence. I don't even know what's her deal. Everybody here seems to hate me. Not that I can disagree with any of them. I'm a walking disaster basically.
"So, as everyone knows, there is a dance tomorrow night at 7pm. Everyone is to attend and if you don't show up, there will be consequences." Ms. Martin stated as she eyed the classroom skeptically. "So you can take this period to chat with your friends. You better enjoy this because it's going to be your first and last free period."
The whole class started chattering away while I put in my earphones and listen to music. I started to sketch whatever what my mind traveled to. About half way through class, I was finished and I was shocked at what I drew. My mother. I sighed looking at what I drew. Wow. Looking at this reminds me of the dream I had. I couldn't believe I said that to my own mother. Was I that hurt by her appearance? Or the fact that I was entirely shocked to even picture her like that?
The bell rang shortly after and I was so quick to leave. Just wanted to get this day over with.
I made it outside and patiently waited for my stepmother.
Joy......
I jumped at little when I heard my name. I looked around me to see anyone who was calling me.
Joy.....
There it is again. I kept looking around but found no one. For a minute or two, there was complete silence. The only thing that was heard was my breathing. Then the bushes started to shake a little and I knew something or someone was there. I walked over there and peeked inside and was relieved that it was just a squirrel.
Phew. Got me a little scared for a moment.
I turned back around and was about to scream to make sure half of this freakin planet heard me. "HOLY FUDGE STICKS!" I put my hand over my heart to make sure it's still beating.
"Alright, look stranger, I don't know who the hell you are so if you could just stop popping up in my face like some... some...ghost or something, that would be nice." I said crossing my arms. It was the weird guy again who apparently knows my name. He just stood there, looking at me with amusement and confusion swirling in his eyes. It creeped me out a little. "Hey...Earth to stranger...anyone there..?" I was waving my hand in his face. It looked liked he just snapped out of some hypnotic gaze.
He cleared his throat and started, "I'm sorry. I didn't realize I just zoned out. But that's not why I'm here."
"Wait, before you say anything...who are you?"
"Henry."
"Henry...?" Henry.
"Yes...but I need to make sure you are alright Joy. I know who you are, your parents, your powers."
My eyes widen when he was saying this,"Y-You don't know nothing about me."
"That's where you're wrong Joy. I am well familiar with you. The King would be very happy to see you."
"Wait what? How do-"
"Well shall meet again Joy Wright." He nodded and quickly walked off into the woods.
"you know...me." I mumbled out the rest.