Page 24 of Visions & Shadows

Does he hear all the whispering?

Shoot. Maybe it’s getting to him, and he’s rethinking being friends with me.

Ugh. I hope that isn’t the case. It would suck big, fat, hairy donkey balls.

I’m upset that I care. Worst of all, I actually like Ryan.

A lot.

Fine, I might be developing a slight crush on him, and I’d hate for the other students to turn him against me.

When we enter the class, it’s no surprise that everyone is sneaking glances in our direction.

I try to ignore all the attention, and after taking my seat, I pull out my sketchpad. Just as I flip to the page I’m working on, my vision blurs.

“Alchera, we need to talk. We’ve both said things better left unsaid, and you’ve had a very exhausting day.”

It’s the same voice from my dream. It sounds so familiar, almost like Ryan’s, but this voice sounds so far away and much deeper.

I glance around only to find myself lying on a bed, feeling like I’ve been hit by a freight train. Feelings swamp me –exhaustion, disappointment, but mostly anger.

“Raighne, just leave me alone,” I sigh. “I don’t have any strength left to hear more of your insults.”

“Alchera, please understand.”

I’m about to get up and glance back so I can see who’s talking when I feel a handtake hold of mine.

I crash back to reality with a jerk. The first thing I feel is the same warmth from when Ryan touched me yesterday, spreading up my arm and quickly through the rest of my body.

Some of the blurriness in my mind clears, and I blink as I try to make sense of what just happened.

“Jane?” Ryan whispers, his tone tense with worry as he squeezes my hand.

My heart starts beating faster and faster when I realize I just zoned out in class.

What the hell just happened?

Was that a dream or something else?

Alchera. The name feels familiar.

“Jane, are you okay?” Ryan asks as he reaches his other hand to my face, his fingers taking hold of my chin.

I quickly pull away, muttering, “I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine. What’s going on?” Ryan keeps his voice low so the other students won’t hear, which I really appreciate.

I shake my head, trying to rid myself of the groggy feeling left behind by the weird dream.

“I’m fine. Just daydreaming.” I try to add a smile, but it must look like some half-ass attempt.

I’m not sure what stuns me more, the dream thingy I just had or Ryan’s concern for me. Either way, embarrassment trickles into my chest.

My eyes land on where he’s holding my hand, and my eyebrows fly up.

“Jane. Ryan. Attention up front!” Mrs. Woods snaps, glaring at us from over her glasses.

My face goes up in flames from being called out in front of the entire class.

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