WARNING: TRAMA/HARASSMENT

"Stop faking okay? Yeah?"

My smile dropped,

"How'd you know?"

My voice was bitter which made Nick's face twist into concern.

"You're not the only one who's faked a smile, you know."

I didn't know how to respond to that,

"You fake it?"

Nick nodded,

"Not very often but when I do its something bad so no one usually notices."

I began to look skeptically at Nick,

"I've been meaning to ask since Ms. Sarah, what happened with y-"

Nick put his hand over my mouth,

"Please don't ask about my parents."

'What is this guy physic!?' I thought. I looked at my pasta,

"Don't worry I won't... sorry."

Nick looked startled,

"Why are you sorry."

"Cause I brought up something you obviously don't want to talk about... god this is going to remind you of it, I'm sorry for bringing it up, I shouldn't have done that and now I'm rambling which probably isn't helping but I'm still sorry I brought it up. Dang it! I keep bringing stuff up, I'll just be quiet now."

I quickly started eating again as I mentally yelled at myself. I almost choked on my pasta again when Nick ruffled my hair

"Don't worry Axe."

I couldn't help feeling an uneasiness in the pit of my stomach as we finished dinner. I could feel myself start to drift off as I was resting my head on my hand. I wasn't asleep but would be soon enough, I felt myself be lifted from the chair. I drowsily locked my legs around Nick's waist so I wouldn't fall. I heard Nick chuckle, I was laid on something much more comfortable than the couch, I assumed it was Nick's bed. Before Nick could go and try to sleep on the couch I caught his arm,

"You... can't... sleep *yawn* on the... couch"

Nick laughed,

"It's fine."

"No... otherwise, I'll get up... and move to the *yawn* couch."

Nick yawned,

"Your yawns are contagious... fine I'll just sleep on the other side of the bed. Is that okay?"

I could remember nodding in my drowsy state. I heard shuffling and then a thump bounced the bed a bit. I fell asleep feeling something brush through my hair.

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

'Honestly, these dream makers must have a bone to pick with me' I thought.

This seemed to be the calmest of my dreams, and by calmest that meant falling through the sky. I spread my arms and legs to try to stabilize myself, I could see a city beneath me as I fell. I started to panic as I was getting close to the ground, I was going to land on a highway. I was getting too close 3... 2... 1...

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

My eyes snapped open as my entire body jolted, 'yep dream maker's hated me' I thought. I knew there was no way I was going to sleep for a while due to that dream. I quietly got up so I wouldn't disturb Nick. I pulled my hair back and tied it with one of the hair ties Bea makes me carry. Bea always said I should pull it up more often, I usually only did when I went exercising or running. I threw on my sweatshirt and checked the time 4:37 am. I left Nick a note saying I was going on a run and would be back soon. Perfect. I quietly stepped outside and went down the elevator. Once I made it outside I breathed in the morning air, I took off and jogged all around the neighborhood. I was passing a bus station that was close to the apartment complex. A guy started jogging right next to me,

"Hey pretty boy, how's it going?"

I almost gagged,

"Better than your pick up lines that's for sure."

The guy didn't get discouraged and kept jogging next to me,

"Oh, so your a "play hard to get" kind of guy."

"No, I'm impossible to get."

The guy laughed and reached towards me, I dodged,

"Okay buddy, back off."