Page 36 of Wicked Dreams

Suddenly, a loud whistle blew throughout the room, and everyone sat down and went silent.

“Break it up!” Mrs. Stevens yelled as she marched through the lunchroom and came to a stop next to our table. Her kind eyes met mine before she raked them up and down my body to see the mess I was. Then, she looked at the boys on the floor who’d stopped fighting but had yet to move.

“What’s going on here?”

Brent jumped at the chance to prove his innocence, getting up off the floor to stand in front of her. “I tripped. Then Wes started calling me names, picking a fight. I wasn’t doing anything but trying to put up my lunch tray.”

Wes stood and dusted off his ass. “That’snottrue. He purposely dumped his food all over Liv. He’s always had it out for her. I was just trying to stop his bullying.”

Finally, she looked at me —everyonelooked at me. “Olivia, please tell me what happened. The truth. One of these boys will be getting in trouble. It’s up to you which one.”

Fuck. I never wanted attention. I tried so hard to blend in. But it seemed like I always got the one thing I tried to avoid.

“Brent threw his food on me on purpose. Wes was just sticking up for me,” I mumbled. I knew ratting out Brent would only amp up his bullying, but Wes was my friend so I couldn’t lie and get him in trouble. He was sticking up for me.

“I figured as much,” Mrs. Stevens said, turning toward Brent. “My officenow.” She snapped her fingers before turning back to me. “You have an extra set of gym clothes to change into?”

I nodded. After the incident with my gym clothes, I made sure to bring extra. I had them stashed all over the school: my locker, Anita’s, the science lab, literallyeverywhere.

Mrs. Stevens grabbed ahold of Brent’s arm to lead him to the office, but he turned back, smiling widely. “See you at your party tomorrow, Liv.”

I let out a deep breath and rolled my eyes.Fuck my life. Why can’t I just sleep all the time and be with the man who loves me and wants to protect me. Oh, yeah…. he’s not a man. He’s my subconscious.

When school was over, I went directly home and crashed into my bed, hoping to sleep the rest of the day away and spend it with the only person who cared about me. Sleep came easily, but Donovan didn’t.

The morning of my party I woke up feeling let down. I needed him, and he didn’t show. I told myself he was busy, trying to get ready for my party, but evenIcouldn’t believe that.

The morning was spent going through my routine of showering and getting dressed before going downstairs for breakfast.

“Morning, Mom,” I mumbled, walking into the kitchen to find her speeding around like a mouse that ate a peanut-butter and crack sandwich, pulling things out of the cabinet.

“Oh, Liv! I was about to come wake you.” She bent down and grabbed something out of the oven, walking over to me with a plate in her hands.

I looked down to see a big stack of blueberry pancakes. She even drew an “18” on the top with whipped cream. “Happy eighteenth birthday, sweetheart.” She pressed a kiss to my forehead.

I couldn’t hold back my smile. “Thanks, Mom.” I took the plate and sat down at the table to enjoy my favorite birthday breakfast.

“You better get a move on. You’re going to be late,” she said, going back to rushing around the kitchen.

My face scrunched. “Late? The party isn’t until tonight. I think I have plenty of time, Mom.”

“No, silly girl — or should I say woman, now?” She paused, looking confused before shaking her head to clear her thoughts. “I made appointments for you to get your hair and makeup done. This is your big day. Oh.” She held up her finger before dashing from the room.

She was back within minutes holding a dress bag in her fingertips. Slowly, she lowered the zipper and removed the bag to reveal a beautiful, white dress. It was almost like the one I wore in my dreams. It was made of lace with a thin, white underlining. The dress had a wide neckline and short sleeves. The bodice was form fitting until it got to the hips where it flared out, flowing just below the knee.

I gasped as I stood and looked at the dress, lifting my hand to rub the lace between my fingers. “It’s beautiful, Mom. Where’d you find it?”

Her cheeks turned pink. “Well… I left the hospital early one morning after my shift. As I was walking to my car, I looked up, andthisdress was hanging in the window of a second-hand store. Something drew me to it. I don’t even remember walking across the street, but the next thing I knew, I was in front of the window, looking at it. The store owner must have seen me, and she opened the door early to let me in. I figured it was too good to be true. I mean, it was a second-hand store. What were the chances of it being your size? But, it was! And I bought it on the spot. Do you love it?”

Even though I felt like it was some weird twist of fate, I smiled widely and nodded my head with excitement.

“This is going to be the best birthday ever, Liv,” she gushed while tucking the dress back into the bag. “Now, finish up your breakfast. You have a big day ahead of you.”

* * *

I spentthe day being pampered and got home with only a couple hours to spare before the party. I really wanted to lie down and go to sleep, hoping to see Donovan, but I was too amped up to sleep. Excitement about the party and the possibility of seeing him made my heart race. But the prospect of Brent showing up and ruining everything had my nerves frazzled. And I was scared of both those things.

My mind was torn. IwantedDonovan to be real. And I wanted to see him.But what would happen if he actually showed up?I’d have to be checked into a mental facility. Either way, I was dying to see how it’d all play out.

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