“Maybe we can do a video call tonight so I can see them.”
“They would love that,” Dad replied, sounding less morose.
“Okay, I’ll call after my classes.”
“Sounds great. Have a good day.”
“You too. I love you.”
“Love you, too, honey.”
I ended the call and leaned back on my elbows. He always had a way of making me feel better. I just wished we could be out on the roof together, watching the sunrise instead of being on different sides of the country.
Sitting in a cold, empty stairwell didn’t have the same calming effect my secret spot had, but it was better than having to stay silent in my room. I played on my phone, stalking my old friends to pass the time. They were still enjoying their summer vacation, but after only one post mentioned my absence, it looked like they all moved on. We grew up together, had been friends for ten years, and they forgot about me in less than two weeks?
I shouldn’t hold that against them. I was creating my own new life here, making new friends, and not giving them more than a thought every few days. But it’s different when you’re the one that leaves. You’re forced to change and adapt. They’re the ones who should be mourning what once was. My lame attempt at cutting them off worked better than I imagined. I got one email signed from all of them, and that was it. They didn’t even reply to what I sent back.
So this was it.
This was my new life. I didn’t belong in my old one anymore.
Finally, it was an acceptable time to get up and shower. I went back to my room and grabbed my things before claiming as much hot water as I wanted. After I changed and blow-dried my hair, I went back to see if Natasha was awake and wanted to get breakfast, but she was still snoozing.
I headed downstairs wearing my favorite teal converse to cheer me up and sent Hannah a text to let her know I was going to breakfast early. Hopefully, someone I knew would be there to distract me. Anytime I wasn’t actively thinking of something, my nightmare replayed, so I had to stay busy.
This wasn’t turning out to be a great day. If I wasn’t so terrified of having another bad dream, I would have gone back to sleep until tomorrow. I sat alone during breakfast and got a message in our group chat that everyone was running behind. I’d have to meet Hannah, Daniel, Theo, Sai, and Malik at our history class.
The teachers acted like a secret email was sent out to all the staff telling them to go full force today. We got homework and reading assignments in every class, including math! I’d never been so grateful for tutoring and study sessions in my life. My friends were going to be the only reason I managed to pass my classes.
I saw Niall throughout the day, but each time I tried to speak to him, he ignored me. It felt strange to have gone from nearly forty-eight straight hours together to silence. I kind of hated it.
Hannah caught up to me after my Earth class on the way back to the dorm.
“You’ve been off all day. Is everything all right?” Hannah stopped me before we reached the building.
I hadn’t realized she noticed. We all seemed lost in our own worlds and too busy in class to connect. My overstuffed backpack slipped off my shoulder, and I hiked it up with a shrug. “I had a rough night.”
She raised a concerned brow, waiting. Was this an off-limits topic? It wasn’t like I could tell her to hang on while I called and checked with Masie. This wasn’t about my birth parents or my past, so it was fine. Right? Or were dreams like this a sign of something? What if only hybrids got them? Would I be revealing myself without even knowing?
I knew I should play it safe, but I was so exhausted. Since I got to this school, things just kept piling one on top of another, and I was close to my breaking point. My nightmares might be what pushed me over the edge, and if there was a way she or someone else here could help, then it was worth the risk. I could trust Hannah. I truly believed that. I could deal with any fallout later.
“I get nightmares, and last night was particularly bad. I can’t usually sleep after them so I’m pretty tired too.”
“Nightmares? About what?”
This was the first time talking to anyone about them outside of my family. I tried to keep them from my mom as much as possible because I knew how much she worried about me. I didn’t want her thinking even my sleep was dangerous.
How was I supposed to explain this? If anyone, or any place, would understand, it was Hannah and the other students of Drexel, but it still felt strange. No one else had talked about dreams or premonitions yet.
“They’re about disasters usually.”
She shifted her feet. “Like earthquakes and tornadoes?”
“Yeah, and fires and typhoons, but sometimes they’re also about mass shootings or building collapses.”
“Saige, that’s terrible. When did they start?”
“I was twelve when the first time one came true.” I watched for her reaction.