Tyler, Josh, Jenna, and Debby sat outside with a couple of their friends. I walk over to them and take in the aroma of the sweet chocolate-marshmellow-y goodness in my presence.
I get closer to them to see the glow of a burning fire. I sit on a log and I'm offered a s'more. I gladly take it and enjoy every gooey bite. We all get to talking, but then something starts to feel...off.
The familiar odor of charcoal surrounds me. The sounds of a cracking fire no longer soothes me but puts me on edge. The heat is rising and the glowing flames are growing. I look up for an escape only to find everyone's face starting to melt. Their eyes drooped down to their mouths and their skin dropped to the ground like slime.

I got up to run, only to find myself stuck. My own feet had melted to the ground. Everyone now looked like a horrible monster and started reaching for me, then the fire started to engulf me. I scream at the agonizing bubbling and sizzling of my skin.

"MARS!!"
I open my eyes and saw Tyler looking down at me. My sweaty pajamas stuck to my skin and my throat and lungs felt like they were on fire.

"It was another nightmare, wasn't it?" I nod and tried to hold back my tears.

"I-I'll process with you o-once I take a shower and change. Being in these s-sticky pajamas makes me feel w-worse."

I run to the bathroom with clean clothes and surprisingly didn't puke this time. That's a first. I took off my gross PJ's and took a cold shower to get the feeling of sweat off of me. Now I smell like lavender and not gross teenage perspiration.

I crawled back into bed next to Tyler and we laid there.

"What do you think caused your nightmare? Hm?" Tyler asked, snuggling next to me.

"I dunno...but the anniversary of the event happening is this upcoming week which could be why." I sigh. I was tired but knew if I fell back asleep too fast I'd just have another nightmare.

"I-I'm sorry. I don't want to stress you out this week, so if you want to have me stay somewhere else for the week or sleep somewhere else I will. I don't wanna wake you up every night because I have a feeling it's gonna happen again."

Tyler leaned his back against the wall.

"Hm, well, I was thinking about something. Does anything help you with these nightmares? What comforts you, other than Jenna and I of course. I'm just worried since we won't always be there, ya know."

I start to quickly brainstorm. I usually need something physical to bring me back to the present moment and something that could help me emotionally.
Then I had a thought.

"Well, I find animals comforting..." I said, trailing off hoping Tyler would get the message.

"Hm, well, I don't know about you, but a big support dog might help. One you can cuddle and stuff. I'll try to convince Jenna and see how she feels about it, but otherwise don't get your hope's up too high. Now, do you want me to stay with you tonight?"

"...if you could that would help. I just don't want to fall asleep and have another nightmare."

"Okay kiddo, no problem. Ket me change out your sheets for you first. I love ya."

"I love you too."

He put on clean bedsheets and we laid together, drifting into the darkness once more.
I woke up to find him gone as expected and walked into the kitchen. I made myself a bowl of cereal and looked at the time.

1:04PM

Damn. I really slept in. Tyler must've let me.
Then I heard footsteps.

"MARS! You have 15 minutes to eat, then get dressed and ready. We're going out for a surprise!" Jenna yelled from the steps.

"OmKay!" I yelled back, mouth full of cinnamon toast crunch.

I quickly finished my breakfast and got dressed in grey sweatpants and a black and dark blue striped sweater. Today will be a lazy day, I'm so exhausted from last night.
Jenna, Tyler and I all got in the car after they blindfolded me.

"What on earth is going on?" I asked.

"It's a surprise, we're almost there." Tyler said. A few minutes later the car stopped and I was helped out. I listened closely.

There was a breeze, the rustling of trees, and the sound of children playing.
We were at a park.

Tyler and Jenna continued to lead me to god knows where when finally we stopped.

"Okay, on a count of 3, take off the blindfold." Jenna said.

Simotaniously, they started to count.

"1...

2...

3...

...surprise!"