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     **Chapter 1: You're really into this fantasy junk, aren't you?**

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The dead silence in the library would probably drive a lot of people insane, but not me. I spend most of my time in here browsing the books and fangirling over my favorites. I just casually stroll through the isles lost in the world of literature. I'm pretty sure I fell asleep overnight here once after I locked myself in their bathroom with about five books to avoid leaving. The librarians weren't too happy about finding me asleep in a stall using their books as a pillow.

The point is the library is basically a second home to me. I devote much of my afternoon to searching throughout the whole building with hopes of finding the perfect story to read. At night, I go to my room and climb underneath all of my pillows and blankets creating almost like a sanctuary for me; a safe place to read without distraction. Then I can fall deep into my imagination and pretend I'm in the story.

Sometimes I can actually do that. I can picture the trees of the forest rising up in the area surrounding me or see a massive castle towering over me. Being only five feet, it is easy for something to tower over me, but you get the idea. I can smell the freshly made kettlecorn or designer perfume if I try hard enough. I feel the fear as if I was the character in peril and tears form in my eyes during a death scene. Wherever I am, I literally stand up and let out a victory cheer if the hero or heroine wins against the ruthless villain.

By the way, that's not the best idea when you are secretly reading in class while your teacher is giving the room a lecture about the different bones in the body or something like that. I don't really remember; like I said, I was too wrapped up in the plot.

Today, like any other day, I woke up as early as I could. In my case, that would be ten; that's pretty good considering I read until three in the morning last evening. It’s Saturday today, which means I have the whole day to pick out a few books and I have to whole night to read my heart out.

I graze my hand along the spines of the books as I walk slowly through the bookshelves. I quickly glance at each title to see if any really pop out at me. Just by the touch and texture of the covers, I can tell how long this book has been here or how popular it is.  The mauled jackets indicate that multiple people have flipped through the pages previously. It could also mean that the library hasn't replaced the books since dinosaurs roamed the earth, but I always try to convince myself it's just because they are popular.

As I browse through the fantasy section, one title seems to speak to me; well, not literally. That would be weird. I slide it off of its shelf and look at the cover; I soon realize, though, that there is not much to look at. It is a tattered, cheap paperback with only simple white letters on a black background. Fire and Rain. It grabs my interest, so I flip it over and begin to read the back.

"Earth has been destroyed," I read in my head, "Overrun by tyrants, the survival of humanity depends all on two heroes who-"

"You're really into this fantasy junk aren't you?" A husky voice says from behind me, making me jump. The book is grabbed away from me and I turn around to protest. It is pulled from my reach as I desperately try to get it back. I look up to meet a familiar face. I place my hands on my hips and purse my lips as I give my friend one of my famous evil looks.

"It's not junk Brady," I say snatching the book back from him. He rolls his eyes and props on arm against the bookshelf.

"Sure," he mutters sarcastically, "You keep telling yourself that, Jade."

"It's not!" I assure him, "If you actually read, you would know what I mean." He plasters a fake-offended expression on his face. He holds his chest and pretends to be shot.

"Ouch," he says trying not to smile, "I think that counts as bullying!"

"How so?" I say as I playfully punch him in the arm.

"You're saying I'm illiterate!"

"I did not! I'm just saying you could read more than you do." He scoffs.

"I read!"

"Really?" I say sceptically, "Name the last thing you read."

"The comics on the back of the cereal box." I punch him on the arm for real. He rubs it gently and shakes his head exasperated at me. "You asked the last thing I read and I told you!"

"I meant the last book you read!"

"Curious George!"

"You're impossible."

"Thank you!"

"That was not a complement."

"Whatever." He ruffles my hair as he walks past me. "See you later, Jade!" he calls to me, waving behind him, "Have fun with your book!" I hold my index finger up to my lips even though he can't see me.

"We're in a library you know!" I whisper-scream to him. I see him shrug then saunter off. I sigh and look at the book in my hand.

"I guess I'll read you tonight," I mutter. With the book in my hand, I make my way over to the front of the library. I place it delicately on the polished countertop and smile sweetly at Mrs Bayes, an elderly lady who works there. She glances up, her eyes peeking over the top of her big, round glasses, and grunts as if saying "Oh, you again." She doesn't talk much, but I can usually understand what she is thinking just by her glares or noises of disapproval. She sighs deeply and reaches over to scan the book.

Did I mention I'm not the most patient person in the world? Well, even though it only takes a couple minutes to checkout a book, I always get anxious and start jumping around like I have had too much sugar or I need to go to the bathroom. People have thought both.

To occupy myself, I usually just count random things in the room. I know for a fact that there are eight windows in the main room, ten pencils neatly stored in plastic cup on Mrs Bayes' desk and thirty seven wrinkles on her aged face, although I'm pretty sure that by now, there are more.

"Here you go," Mrs. Bayes says monotonously as she slams the book down in front of me. Ignoring her hostile tone, I snatch up the book and both hands. Looking at it, my grin widens.

"Thank you!" I call back to Mrs. Bayes as I rush out the door, smiling ear to ear, "Be back tomorrow!" I could have sworn I hear her groan after I say that, but I just pretend that I didn't. I bet she loves my company even though she doesn't on the outside, right?

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The clock strikes two in the morning and the most irritating bird pops out of my clock; yes, I still have a clock like that. Don't judge me. Anyways, it makes a noise that sounds like a cat being strangled and what person wouldn't be annoyed by that? I bury my head in my many pillows on my bed and shine my flashlight back on the pages. "I have to finish," I encourage myself in my head, "Almost done." I weakly turn another page.

My eyelids are becoming heavy and as seconds tick by, I find it harder to keep them open. I'm about half way through and I have just reached a cliff hanger. Though the cover is plain and uninviting, the plot weaves me in with its twists and turns. I lightly sniffle trying to keep tears from falling from my eyes, but being the sensitive soul I am, I can't help but cry.

The anguish and the pain this book provokes from me makes me almost believe it's real. I feel for the characters and I can sense what they have been through. I am crying like a newborn as if I had actually witnessed the death scene I just read. Yeah, I know that I'm lame; you don't need to remind me.

"'Go now before they come!' he stifled a scream as she tackled him in a hug." I read as I frantically turned the page. "'I won't leave without you Dev!' He weakly brought a wounded hand to her hair, brushing his fingers gently though it. 'I know you won't'"

"Jaden, are you still awake?" I scramble to switch off my flashlight and lie down, but I am failing. I slam my head down on the pillow and close my eyes tightly. Underneath the covers, my slim fingers are bookmarking my page.

"Jaden Toya Miles," the reprimanding voice of my mom reaches my ears making me cringe. I am in deep trouble now. I just stay silent and hope for the best. In this situation, the "best" probably means I will only get grounded for two weeks instead of the rest of my life.

"Jaden, you were supposed to go to sleep over four hours ago!"  I hear her footsteps crescendo and then I feel a tugging on my blankets. "I know you're awake! You better respond young lady or there will be serious consequences."

"This is a dream," I say, thinking quickly.

"Excuse me?"

"Your dreaming. This isn't really happening."

"Are you trying to trick your own mother?"

"We're both asleep."

"Jaden, I swear-"

"You swore. Your setting a bad example for me."

"You're digging yourself a bigger hole."

"I think I hit a rock and can't go any further." I hear my mom let out a scream of exasperation and her footsteps fade out as she stomps away. As soon as I hear the distinctive sound of my door slamming, I bring the book from underneath my covers, fumble with the flashlight switch until it comes on and frantically search for the spot I left off from.

"Don't even think about it," a muffled voice says from behind the door.

"Stalk me much, mom?"

 "Jaden," she says in an ominous tone. I turn off the flashlight and throw the book onto my nightstand.

"Night!" I scream wildly, "Don't let the bedbugs bite!" I lay in silence hugging my pillow for a few minutes waiting for any sound indicating that she left. I hesitantly reach for my book after waiting thoroughly.

"Sleep. Now, "I hear the familiar voice from the other side of the door. Wow, she's good!

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A/N: Hi guys!

How do you like this story so far? Please give me your feedback :) The awesomesauce cover is by @watergirl_10 :D Also, a big thank you to @yato739 for editing this!

thanks for reading!

~'Ponine