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~ Day Dreams ~
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~ Chapter Twenty Two ~
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~ Shadows ~
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~ Eighteen-Years-Old ~
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~ Hazel's POV ~
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Heavy eyelids peel gaping as I gasp for air, staring at the ceiling of the dorm room. My body cannot move an inch because I am pinned to the daybed underneath the bay window. The windows to my eyes are the only part of my body that can manage to blink at this given moment.

The door creaks with a bang, but I cannot see who or what creeps through. My breathing hitches in my throat as I swallow a lump that is stuck within my windpipe. My heart rate quickens as blood rushes to my skull causing an extensive amount of dizziness.

What is happening? Is this another nightmare? Am I still dreaming? Why does the room appear dark and gloomy all of a sudden?

Slow, heavy footsteps lead their way towards the daybed as I twitch in order to break free from the stiffness. But to my disappointment, I am with no luck. Then I see her... Fiona!

I scramble, but my body stays intact as my eyes agape at the sight of Fiona. Screaming every ounce I have left in me but my screams muffle due to the pressure as my body would not allow it. A silent tear falls down my porcelain cheek as I sob to myself.

Is Fiona here to kill me? I deserve it. I deserve to be punished. I am a liar and I deserve the pain.

"Hazel," Fiona's voice growls staring me down, causing shivers up my spine, "You're still an orphan and always will be. All orphans are trash and that's what you are."

I try to speak but no words form from my stuttering mouth. Instead my eyes continue to sob.

All of a sudden, Fiona laughs to herself and gets on top of my body, wrapping her sausage-fingers around the sides of my neck, squeezing and causing limited amount of air to rush to my brain.

"Everything was your fault. I blame you for killing my daughter and your father and I know you killed your good for nothing of a mother," Fiona spits, "Killing comes with horrible consequences and I'm here to deliver."

Fiona continues to choke me to death as silent tears form in the corners of my eyes. My breath hitches in my throat as I continue to listen to the revengeful Fiona.

"I've always hated you because you were never my daughter. You were never going to replace her you good for nothing of a child," Fiona pauses and breathes, "I'm going to kill you. You deserve it. Your life is so pathetic and you're a liar, which is the worst of them all."

Fiona no longer appears like Fiona. Fiona's stares appear ghostly as she transforms into a dark shadowy figure still choking me dry. I have moments if not seconds to live but I need to find a way out of this nightmare...

That is it! This is not real. This is just a figment of my inner dark imagination. Wake up, Hazel! Hazel, you need to move!

I squeeze my hands into fists as the knuckles turn white under the pressure. I pry off the shadowed hands around my neck and scream as loud as I can.

Scrambling in the daybed as my screams continue to muffle in my throat. Sweat covers my entire body from head to toe as I stare at fingernail marks imprinted into my dry bloody hands once again. Wiping my eyes with the back of my hands I motion them into fists, planting them on either side of my face and ponder whether or not if I am still dreaming.

Why does Fiona always seem to ruin every little bit of happiness I have? She is still ruining everything and she is not even really here! She said I killed her daughter. Why does she blame me for her mistakes? She has told me this before but I never know what she means. But I know one cannot omit one's tragic past and their faults. It is easier to blame someone else. Someone like me...

I shake my never-ending thoughts aside and posture myself in an upright position. Pulling my knees towards my thumping chest and wrap my shaking arms around my legs. I am still wearing my swimwear and skirt overalls, so Jake must have carried me here. Peering out the glooming bay window, trickles of raindrops fall aimlessly down the stain windowsill. The sky is completely white and hazy like how my head feels as fog cascades around the window frame.

Discontinuing peering out the window, I raise my head and gaze around the dorm room and spot Honey through the crack of the door where she is seen talking to someone. But who? I continue to stare at the door and try to guess what is being said from outside.

"What on earth happened to her, Jake?" Honey questions with concern hinting at her voice.

"She freaked out, swallowed water, hit her head, I had to give her CPR and she got a concussion from the impact," Jake explains.

"Well, thank you for your help but I'll let her sleep off the concussion and I'll let you know how she is doing later on," Honey said as the door handle jerks.

"That's alright, I just hope she feels better soon," Jake said, his voice full of concern. Maybe guilt is eating him alive because I almost drowned. It is within his duty of care to prevent drowning as a coach and lifeguard so he was only doing his job.

"What the hell, Jake? Why the hell are you talking to that 'low life'? What's your deal?" Chanel's heels stomp down the hallway. "What has gotten into you, Jake?"

Honey unhinges the door and sends a half-sided wave towards Jake. Jake spots me from afar and smiles at me, as I find myself tiredly smiling back at him.

Hazel, you know you need to let Jake go but why have you not yet? Why have you not? You're not good news when you're always around him. Chaos always strikes when he is a mile within your radius. You need to get ahold of yourself and let him go for good this time. But what if I still love him? Do not be silly, Hazel... You're not worthy of his love. You have never deserved his love or him. You never have and never will...

Honey hurries into the room and shuts the door before Jake is dragged away from sight by none other than Chanel herself, as she sends Honey and I death glares.

"Wow, what's her problem?" Honey said, walking further into the room.

"Chanel's mad because I spent time with her boyfriend once and she's a jealous type but she denies it," I said laughing with a tired expression.

"Oh, you're awake? And yeah, she's so petty, but sounds like her in a nutshell," Honey rolls her eyes, "I hate petty people. They make me mad and she makes me mad all right."

I agree, nodding my head and wondering out loud, "You're telling me. Anyway, where's Jordan?"

"Oh, he's at work today," Honey said and changes the subject, "So, how are you feeling?"

"My head kills, but never mind that, I need to tell you something," I said voice cracking as my slender hands begin to shake.

"Spill," Honey says sitting on the end of the daybed, examining my body for any more injuries.

"So, remember when I told you about my nightmares, right...?"

"Yeah, I remember. Did you have another one?" Honey questions with concern written all over her face.

"I had a horrible one about Jake and I need you to help me to avoid him because I'm going to skip swimming lessons altogether."

"Wait, what?" Honey pauses as her nose scrunches up, deep in thought. "Hold up for a sec. This isn't going solve your problem and it won't do you any good in trying to avoid him."

"I'm only going to hurt him more... it's for the best, Honey..."

"But it's clearly obvious that you still love him."

"Of course, I still love him," I blurt out, eyes gaping at my stupid roaming mouth. "But I'm only in love with the 'idea' of Jake which is why I can't see him anymore. It is too risky."

"I'll only help you if you tell me that you're not running away from your problems and feelings because it's easier and that you're not letting Chanel get to you," Honey said narrowing her gaze at me.

"W-what," I stutter and force myself to lie, "That's not true at all, it's just umm... I don't know..."

"You don't have to lie to me, Hazel. This is a safe place. You can tell me anything and you know I won't judge you," Honey's hazelnut brown eyes reassure me.

"Okay, you might be right, but I'm still lying to him and I almost spilled the beans because of this stupid concussion," I touch the back of my head where it's still tender and flinch in the process. "It was too close so I have to avoid classes since I can't leave the club."

"I think you're making a grave mistake and I think your nightmares will only get worse from here on out if you avoid Jake," Honey said, her mouth in a thin line, "Chanel might be an ogre but we can deal with her, but please, don't drop out. You can't give up on your 'noble suitor'."

"Oh my God, I cannot believe you just called him that," I giggle to myself and add, "But Jake is not my 'noble suitor'."

"I know," Honey laughs to herself, "but he has to be. So, what do you say? You in?"

"Okay... fine. So, what do we do?"

"Well, we have to take down the jealous ogre inside out, once and for all."

"And how do you suppose we do that?"

"Well, for starters we live next door to the woman so God only knows what dirt we'll find out sooner or later," Honey says with a smirk.

"So we're going to spy on her?" I tilt my head to the side.

"More like we're going to ruin her reputation, but yes, more like ears dropping on her," Honey explains with her hands.

"Well, I already have some dirt on Chanel that may interest you..." I said with hesitation, overthinking if I should blurt out someone else's secret.

"Don't leave me hanging, dude!" Honey's eyes never leave mine, "I'm listening."

Chanel has made an enemy out of me and she treats Jake like trash so I feel no remorse nor regret telling her big secret."Okay, so... I haven't had a chance to tell you yet, but Chanel is cheating on Jake with—"

"What! Wait, let me guess..." Honey taps her chin, deep in thought and says in a casual tone of voice, "The janitor."

"Eww gross, ha—" I laugh, covering my mouth then dropping my hands to my sides, "Well, it was in a janitor's closet so close enough but, I'm pretty sure it was with Weston. Because he is the only one with black hair that I know of and it cannot be Jordan because he would not even dare go near Chanel but it could be someone random."

"What a selfish, lying, manipulator. Jake doesn't deserve to be cheated on by that 'ogre'," Honey said with a small giggle. "And that's true and Jordan hates Chanel, so it's definitely not him and not his type."

"True," I nod, changing the subject, "Are you still mad at what Chanel did to you?"

"It's in the past now and I try to not let it get to me," Honey's gaze drops to the wooden floor.

"Have you ever tried confronting her and asking her why she did what she did?" I said studying Honey with concern.

"No, I have no interest in hearing her apology," Honey lifts her gaze, examining my facial expression, "Honestly, Chanel is not worth my time nor patience for that matter."

"But she ruined you and you have to know why she did what she did?" I said with sympathy in my eyes.

"I do, but if I confront her she is going to play the 'victim' and make me apologise for what she did and I don't think I can handle that," Honey frowns, furrowing her thick brows.

"I understand but I do think you deserve an apology from her and I will make sure that you get one," I tell Honey straight, "But first of all you have to go talk to that Swedish guy who you like on the swim team, Ethan right?" I question with a wink.

"No, I can't talk to him. What if he doesn't like me?" Honey's eyes widen at the thought and shakes her head.

"You won't know until you go talk to him," I motion with my hands.

"Okay, here's the deal. You have to continue taking swimming lessons and I'll talk to Ethan next time I go," Honey outstretches her hand in front of me.

I puff a defeated sigh and agree as I shake Honey's hand. "Deal, but I deal with Jake on my own terms."

A smirk plays on Honey's face as she releases my hand, which drops to her lap. "Okay, deal. Well, I'm going to get you some water and aspirin and something for you to eat. It should help with your concussion. How does that sound?"

"Thank you, what would I do without you, Honey?" I said leaning back into the ruffles of the pillows scattered amongst the daybed.

"You'll be a lost puppy like on your first day here," Honey laughs to herself as she grabs her belongings and heads towards the door. "I won't be long but make sure you rest while I'm gone."

I do not reply so she swivels on her boot heels and starts eyeing me like a hawk, "Promise?"

"I promise," I said in a whisper. Knowing those two words breaks my heart inch by inch. I hide the arising emotions as Honey leaves the room and shuts the door behind her.

Why does everything have to lead back to Jake? My every thought is of him. I have to let him go so he can be happy but, Hazel, he is not happy. You have to save him. You cannot let him fall. Not like in the nightmare. I have to take the fall for him. The nightmare cannot come true and I will never let that happen. Jake deserves a happy ending. Not me...

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~ Cheers ~
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Please, tell me in the comments what you thought about Chapter Twenty Two? 🙈 I'll be greatly appreciated, thank you, you very kind soul!
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~ Chapter Twenty Two ~
~ Dedications ~
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HeliiBoh
DebMorey
PeterPetruzzella
CaitlinWoodward9
DaniJones_14
ChloeMayerhofer
savvvy1998
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You guys should totally check out PeterPetruzzella short story! Lighthouse. It's amazing!
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You guys should totally check out ChloeMayerhofer story! Fallen! It's awesome!
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C.Morey 🥕 xoxo
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