ARI

"Imagine yourself running through the woods, and someone is chasing after you."

I closed my eyes shut as I tried to imagine the ridiculous scenario my mother came up with.

"Now imagine tripping and then breaking your right leg in the process."

In the scenario, I held my broken leg, jumping up onto my good leg and looking back at the guy chasing me.

I felt my heart rate speed up as I stood in the backyard, listening to my mother.

"Now, since your leg is broken, you want to use your arms, your hands, your claws. Imagine your nails becoming longer."

I felt the familiar pinprick feeling in my nails as they grew longer, sharper.

"Good, now the guy is slowly approaching you."

I stood my ground, waiting for the guy to show himself so I could claw his face off.

As the guy inched closer, I grew more afraid.

Something shiny hit my face, blinding my eyes for a second.

I closed my eyes and then opened them to witness a gun in his hand.

I backed away, suddenly scared for my life.

Sweat gathered at my forehead and I trembled in fear.

Every step I took back, he took one forward until he was standing right in front of me.

I felt the cold tip of his gun resting on my head. I was continuing to step back when I fell over a branch.

I laid on my back as I watched the man, staring at me with hate.

I tried to get up but I couldn't feel my legs.

I cried out for someone to hear me but no one was there.

That is until I saw a mans body run past me towards the gun.

I cried for the man to stop but he didn't listen he just kept running with so much hate and determination.

I screamed when I heard the loud shot.

"SHAWN!" I cried for the man who was dead on the floor.

A searing pain burned into my hand, snapping me back to reality. My eyes shot open and I breathed in my mother's familiar scent.

The necklace I was gripping in my hand flew across the yard.

My mom gripped my shoulders, shaking me. "Ari! Ariana! Oh god, not again!"

"Mom! He shot him!" I cried out in pain. I held my chest, feeling my heart crushing with agony.

"Shot who?!" My mothers concerned voice floated to my ears and I blinked in confusion.

"Mom?" I asked, finally out of the state I was in.

"Honey! What's wrong? Please, talk to me!"

"I d-don't know. It felt so real." I stood up half expecting my legs to buckle underneath me.

I looked at my palm, feeling the dull ache the necklace left.

My mom looked at me sheepishly. "Sorry, I didn't know how to pull you out."

I looked at the necklace I was gifted when I turned 13 and turned to my mother hugging her.

"It felt so real mom." I tried to push back the tears but couldn't.

The man who I saw dying felt familiar. I didn't see his face properly but I knew that I knew him.

I pulled back when I remembered what my mother had said.

"Again? What did you mean when you said again, mom?"

She pursed her lips and looked like she was going to avoid telling me.

"Mom. I know I heard you say again." I said a little too threateningly than I should have.

She held up her hands. "Okay, okay."

She sighed and sat down on the grass, her hands in her lap.

I mimicked her but crossed my arms over my chest, still feeling my heart ache.

"It was when you were 5 years old. Your dad and I were downstairs watching TV when we heard you shouting. Mason shot up from the sofa and ran upstairs before I even had a chance to breathe." Her lip quivering, probably at the memory of my father.

"By the time I reached your room, your dad was pinning you to the bed, trying to stop your shouting and struggling. I thought it was a seizure at first but your dad being a doctor and all, said it was a night terror. You stopped all of a sudden and took in this big breath and then with the loudest scream I have ever heard, came out of your mouth. It took me a moment to realize you were screaming a name, Shawn."

My eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. Who the hell was this Shawn and why was I having nightmares about him?

"When you came to, we asked you who Shawn was but you wouldn't say anything for almost an hour. I begged your dad to take you to the hospital but he was stubborn and did his check up on you himself."

I smiled. My dad was stubborn when it came to me being sick or injured, he didn't trust anyone to take care of me.

"Finally, you said two words and then fell back asleep not remembering what happened."

"What two words?" I asked.

"'I will'." My mom said shrugging.

"I will? I. Will. That's what I said?" What the heck was wrong with my five year old brain?

My mom shrugged again, her eyes glazing over, probably remembering the day this happened.

"This was the last time it happened?"

My mom stood up, stretching her legs. "No, this continued until you were almost seven and then nothing after that. We never found out who Shawn was and why you were dreaming of him for almost two years."

I stood up, more confused than ever.

"But mom, this makes no sense at all? Why would I even be having nightmares about a man I have never even met before?" She was walking into the house and into the kitchen. I followed behind her, my stomach growling.

"I don't know Ari. I did some research to try to find an explanation but it was confusing stuff like something with the part of the brain that controls dreams, and then some of it was part of the brain that triggers memories."

Well that makes no sense!

I plopped down on the kitchen stool and groaned.

My mom rubbed my back. "It's okay sweetie. I know it's confusing right now but everything will get better."

I rolled my eyes at her and snorted. "Sure, mom."

She laughed and pulled out bread and some condiments.

"Make me some too please!" I smiled widely at her and squinted my eyes.

She rolled her eyes and made about six sandwiches, she ate only one.

I was stuffing my face while my mom stared at me with a disgusted frown.

I opened my mouth and little, showing her my chewed up food.

She gagged.

"What?" I asked innocently.

She turned around and left up the stairs but not before I heard her mumble, "Nasty-ass." Under her breath.

I chuckled to myself and munched happily.

***

"Oooo, this one is shiny!" My eyes twinkled when I noticed the new iPhone displayed in front of me. "Mom! I want this one!" I was flipping through the apps when my mom sighed and looked at the price.

"Sweetie, are you sure you want this one?"

I felt guilty but I really wanted it. I pouted and whined, but then I realized I was being a bitch. "Um, no, I think this is better." I picked a random flip phone and smiled at my mom. "Yup! This one is perfect!"

She smiled in return. "Excuse me?" She called over the employee who then took us to a sitting area.

"Hi, I was wondering if I bought the new iPhone, would I be able to make payments?" I looked at my mom gratefully and she smiled at me.

The worker explained that it would be about $150 a month for both my mom and I and that we were actually paying a cheaper price.

After signing a few papers we headed home with our new phones. "Mom, I know how hard it is to pay for things especially when we have so many bills and I'm sorry for acting like a brat." I hung my head low because I felt ashamed of my behavior. I should know how hard it is for my mom to pay for everything.

My mom hugged me. "Sweetie, it's okay, really. What kind of mom would I be if I couldn't get my daughter the phone she wanted?"

"Not a terrible one." I answered with a small smile.

As soon as I got home, I went upstairs and started to play with my phone, downloading some music and some famous social apps. As I was scrolling, I saw an app that was specifically for job applications.

Why don't I get a job? I mean, it would be so much easier for my mom if I at least paid for the stuff I only needed and helped out with the groceries considering we are getting almost $200 worth every week because of my large appetite.

For the next 3 hours, I spent my time researching, making resumé's, creating nice cover letters.

I felt pretty confident when I laid down to sleep.

Hopefully, tomorrow I can start to go to places and apply and hopefully someone hires me.

I closed my eyes, hoping again, that tomorrow will be great.