Page 22 of Visions & Shadows

He sounds familiar, and I want to turn around to see who he is, but I can’t break out of the fear and panic that holds me in its grasp.

Dreadful chaos surrounds me. Trees are being uprooted, and one whips past my head, a branch missing my face by mere inches.

“Alchera, we have to move. Dammit!” Strong hands grab hold of me, yanking me tightly to a firm chest. I feel a comforting warmth flow through me.

Before I can turn to see who it is, everything mercifully darkens.

“Jane, wake up!”

Hearing Molly snap while shaking the living hell out of me has my eyes popping open.

“What?” I gasp as I shoot into a sitting position.

“Wake up so we can talk.”

When my eyes focus on her smiling face, I have to suppress the urge to slap her. “Geez, woman. You could at least make me coffee if you’re going to wake me up so early.”

Ignoring my comment, she asks, “What time did you get home?”

I slump back on the bed and let out a groan as I snuggle into my pillow while mumbling, “Just after ten.”

“So late? Were you with Ryan?”

“Yes,” I mutter around a yawn.

I’m in no mood to be interrogated.

“This hot guy is into you, and I want to know why.”

“We’re just friends.”

When I remember the nightmare I had, the sleepy feeling vanishes.

I climb out of bed and say, “I’ll walk to school. You can go.”

As always, I’m ignored.

“After what I saw yesterday, you expect me to believe there’s nothing but a friendship going on between the two of you? What did you do after school?”

She’s really starting to annoy me. From being alone most of the time to having someone buzzing around me every damn morning is one hell of an adjustment.

“We hung out and grabbed something to eat at the diner. He just wants to be friends, so drop it now. The way you’re going on, you’d swear I’m sleeping with the damn guy!”

I bite my lip when I see her smile grow bigger.

“He’s only been here three days. There’s no way we’re having sex!” I exclaim while shaking my head hard. ‘Get your mind out of the gutter.”

“Fine. Don’t tell me everything,” Molly says as she walks to the door.

The smile on her face as she walks out of my bedroom tells me the whole school is going to think I’m having sex with Ryan before classes even start.

Shit. I screwed up.

Not wanting Ryan’s reputation destroyed, I hurry out of the room and catch up to Molly at the top of the stairs.

“Please don’t spread any rumors,” I beg. “Ryan’s a nice guy, and we’re really just friends. I promise.”

She lets out a heavy sigh as she heads down the stairs. “Fine, but I’ll only keep quiet if you make sure Ryan’s at the party I’m throwing.”

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