On my walk home, I couldn’t believe I said nothing about the lady. I should have at least told them about the dream. If that was even a dream. 

At home, I read, do homework, shower, then… go to bed. Except, I can’t even close my eyes or bring the blanket below my neck. I feel like a child, afraid of the dark and the monster in her closet.

No matter how much I keep telling myself; It’s not real. It’s not real. It was just a dream. It still feels like she’s watching me… moving closer and closer every time I close my eyes. Until… She is right on top of me.

Again, I feel my body lose all its feeling, as the creature lurches into my chest. I close my eyes as tight as I can. Hoping it would just go away. It stays and waits till I’m too tired to keep them shut. My screams are muted. The world is dark. Then… I open my eyes. 

I see ornate lights hung up on shelf walls, desks and chairs, and many, many books. Everything looked so old, yet so new. The people in the chairs were all women, wearing long high-waist muted dresses, wearing delicate hats with flowers and feathers neatly placed atop them.

I wasn’t moving, just observing when a lady walked up to me while I was sitting in the basic wooden chair.

“Emilia!” The lady said, excited to see whoever she was talking to.

“Oh, Esther! A fine morning to you, darling.” My character named Emilia happily said.

“Why, thank you.” The lady, named Esther said as she sat down in a chair next to mine. 

“What book did you find?” 

 Esther looked at her with a guilty look. “This book? I absconded with it when I passed by the men’s section.” Her voice barely whispers.

“Really? However did you nab such a book?” 

“I enticed someone with access.” Esther announced with a giggle, only to Emilia.

Emilia felt a shiver; and with a blink, my eyes flew open. The orange sun peaking through my curtains straight into my eye. I rub my eyes and look at my clock; 2:57 AM. That’s not right. I look at my phone; 6:30 AM. Shit! I’m going to be late for my bus!!!

I run to my dresser and put on the first shirt I pull out. Why did my clock change?! I literally changed the batteries last week! I run so fast grabbing my bag and shoes. Sprinting in only socks, I narrowly catch the bus when it was about to round the corner.  As I climb up the stairs, the bus driver gives me a funny look.

“You okay?!” She says in her Worcester accent. 

I am completely out of breath.“…Yeah!” 

Flopping onto a seat, the kids in the back mutter about my grand entrance. This is going to be the new gossip of my enemies, isn’t it?