Chapter 2: A dream

AN: No one saw it coming.

I woke up in a cold sweat. I saw my room, back on Earth, or actually did I ever leave? It felt real. Everything… was a dream? I walk into my bathroom. Sure enough plain old average me.

“Bailey! You are going to be late for school!” My mom called up the stairs.

“One second. Almost ready.”

Shit I must have forgotten to set my alarm. I wonder if it was the spinach casserole we had for dinner last night, that might have been the cause. I still can’t believe that was a dream, I’m probably getting to hung up on this.

I quickly find my IPod and sprint down stairs.

“Sorry about this, must have forgotten to set my alarm before going to sleep.” I apologize.

“Hurry up idiot.”

The dream is still vividly in my mind. I have absolutely no idea how I created my sister’s naked body. Actually, now that I think about it that’s creepy.

“What are you waiting for!” Brianna stamps her foot on the ground. “I don’t have all day. Drive me to school already.”

“Yeah whatever.” I mumble.

“Don’t talk back to your sister young man!”

“Sorry mom, it won’t happen again.” I holler.

“Have a great day!”

“Whatever mom. C’mon Bailey hurry it up.”

I finish tying my shoes, and walk out to my car, if it can be called a car. It’s a vomit green Toyota Camry from the 1980’s and it’s falling apart. I christened it Oscar the Rolling Trashcan, my trusty steed. Unlike it’s outwards appearance it runs like a top.

I check the time, 7:45. 15 minutes to get to school. It’s doable.

Brianna is sitting next to me in the passenger seat studying furiously for some test. Hmm… Didn’t something strange happen this morning? It’s that feeling you get when you forget something important. It happens to me on a regular basis.

The next 12 minutes are spent driving in silence to school.

School. There are worse things out there. For example, taxes. With my average academic skills I manage to maintain a solid B- average. The learning can be difficult but that’s not what makes school so bad. I don’t get bullied, instead I don’t get noticed. People talk to me for three reasons, to ask where Brianna is, to tell me to get out of  their way, or to ask me a question in class. (The teacher is the one asking the question.

Sometimes, I wish things went back to how they were in elementary school. Back then Brianna and I were inseparable. I wonder what happened. Probably hormones or some shit like that, who knows?

The bell rings and I head to my first class.

#############################################################

“Finally lunchtime.”

I found a quiet room in the school that no one visits freshman year. There were about 4 inches of dust but I didn’t mind. Now it is practically my private room. I don’t know how no one else has found it, it’s right next to a bathroom near the science wing.

There are some strange symbols on the door, but other than that it’s like any other typical classroom.

#################################################################

After School ends, I drive Brianna home. It was another silent ride.

When we walked into the house, it was silent.

I felt empty.

It was so mindless.

It was so bland.

Just yesterday I had hope of beating my sister in something. That is what drives me in life. Many people seek validation from comments or reviews, likes or retweets, I seek validation from my sister and parents. All I want them to do is acknowledge that I have something I am talented in.

Ever since middle school, when Brianna’s brilliance became apparent, I have spent hours every day, looking for that one thing I have talent in. Learning languages, sports, puzzles, video games, countless fruitless endeavors, countless wasted hours. A futile attempt to raise my self-worth.

That evening I wrap myself in a sleeping bag burrito and wallow in self pity. I highly recommend you try it. The sleeping bag burrito, not the self pity.

I slowly drift off to sleep, with beads of water twinkling on my cheeks.

############################################################

Months passed. I found myself in a position where I didn’t know where I was going. Senior year was almost half done, and I had no plans for the future. I could go to college, but with no interests or skills to speak of what career would I go into?

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

Now I was balancing my continued search as well as college. It stressed me out and I took it out on my family. They avoid me even more than they used to.

In December, before winter break Brianna was accepted into Harvard. My family held a party to celebrate, and neglected to tell me about it.

################################################################

The day before winter break started. I had just finished the semester final for physics and I found myself in my fortress of solitude. (the odd classroom).

“Why is life so unfair?” I sobbed. “All these years I never gave up, I never stopped trying…”

My speech became incoherent at this point. I no longer knew what I was even trying to say between sobs. Tears rolled off my face onto the floor.

I probably cried for over an hour. Eventually I ran out of tears and just lay on the floor whimpering. I haven’t cried this long since my pet goldfish, Robby, died when I was in the first grade. I must admit, sometimes you just need to let all the tears out.

I don’t know why it happens, but it does. No matter what, whenever I cry I always end up apologizing to everyone I can think of, for being such a bad person. With tears streaming out of my eyes, I go through people I know and thank them for understanding me and apologizing for not being able to live up to their standards.

It’s sad really. I hold all these people highly in my mind, and treat them as role models. I seek acknowledgement from them, which will never happen seeing as no one notices me. I don’t know why I wish for something that will never happen.

It must have something to do with human nature. I don’t really know anything about this subject, but all humans must seek some form of companionship.

I’ll try apologizing to my parents for my bratty behavior and ask if I could get a pet cat.

Maybe a pet will help. Hopefully it won’t be drawn to Brianna.

Wiping the tears and snot from my face, I stand up.

“I should probably wash my face before heading home.” I remark to myself.

The bathroom adjacent to my room is empty. I look in the mirror and see a face red enough from pimples as is, even more red than normal. Not like anyone would notice the difference, but it’s a matter of keeping my self-esteem above zero.

I head home, slightly more accepting of my reality than before.

#########################################################

This year I asked for a kitten for Christmas. Mom and dad actually said ok, which surprised me. I was really into the holiday spirit this year, I actually decided to hand-make ornaments for each of my family members.

I spent 11 days failing before finally making adequate ornaments. I made one for my parents, their two figures hugging each other tightly, smiles on their faces. For Brianna I decided to make her figure holding the stick of knowledge. A memory from our childhood.

My only wish was for my family to enjoy my gift.

Christmas morning was one of the best days of my life. I got the cat I asked for, it was an adorable black kitten whom I named Spruance. (U.S. Admiral from WW II). The best was yet to come. When my presents were opened, upon seeing their reactions, I cried of happiness.

Sometimes, family is the best present out there. Even if they didn’t show it, to me just seeing them open my present and their delight, proved to me my place in their heart. I was happy for the rest of the day. I even sung at one point. (I’m tone deaf).

###################################################

Winter break was over. At school everything remained the same, but at home I spent more time with Spruance. Cats are awesome.

A month passed by. I was eating lunch like I usually do, alone, when I recall the crazy dream I had back in the fall. I almost choked on the sandwich I was eating. Upon recalling the dream my first thought was concerning the activities of my unconscious mind. However it made me think.

“What if I was a mage?”

Then the room started shaking and I found myself surrounded by darkness.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Explanation: Sorry for the misleading buildup but I didn’t want to ruin the surprise. However don’t think the first four chapters were completely pointless. Small spoiler they are foreshadowing possibilities in the future. Mainly it was to show Bailey’s messed up head, and his struggle with lack of talent and his tendency to go with the flow and not follow his own path.

Anyways I may or may not have cried while writing this. I hope it speaks emotionally to you.