I had the dream. It's not like any other dream: like a clown chasing you down an endless hallway with locked doors, or the grudge chasing after you in an insane asylum... You know pleasant dreams like that.

No, this dream was never like any other dream. It wasn't a fantasy, or a nightmare... Although it sometimes felt like it is. No this dream wasn't like any other dream. It was a memory.

I didn't think I would have it but then again when are you ever in control of what you dream? You fall into a deep slumber and let you're mind explore all the things you're mind doesn't explore when you're awake. It chooses a door and opens it for the night and let's you explore it then abruptly shuts it when you wake up, never really letting you remember the vivid details.

But this dream... I always remembered everything about it... I lived through it once and now every other night when I have the dream.

This time I didn't expect it. I mean I was happy going to bed after meeting Nathan's family. But it didn't stop me from having it. I was an idiot for thinking my conscious well let me still be happy for once going to bed but it didn't. I didn't expect it but maybe that's why I should have... It always does when I least expect it.

I was there again and I was a mess of emotions: I was angry, confused and scared out of my mind.

I was bleeding. Although I could barely feel the warmth of the blood because I was so cold. It was like I was in a mountain top with a bikini on and there was a full on blizzard outside.

I had a decision to make and I was running out of time. I knew what I had to do... What I wanted to do... What I wish I was strong enough to do. The clock was ticking. The water. It was everywhere.

I woke up gasping, my sweat soaked the sheets. I looked around my room until my eyes landed on the picture. Tears willed up in my eyes that I think for a second I might actually be sick.

I took deep breaths. I wasn't going to be weak anymore, I promised that to myself and I won't break it.

I spent the rest of the night trying to go back to sleep but every time I closed my eyes, I was there and I was so cold and scared. Soon I gave up on sleep altogether and the next thing I know I was in the garage with my earphones on so I wouldn't wake up my dad or the neighbors. Not that they'll call the cops anyways.

I fell into routine. The same routine I always had when I couldn't go back sleep or I was angry. I was already in my black workout shorts and a tank top, so all I needed to do was put on my black workout gloves and re-adjust my ponytail.

I started on the jump rope first to warm up. Already my thoughts drifted back to that night. I can't shake it.

It happened a long time ago I needed to move on with my life. But yet I can't run from my past as much as I would want to, every turn I made, every step I took, every mistake I made, someone would be there. They would see me and think of a monster.

I throw the rope across the room and go to the punching bag instead. My thoughts keep drifting to that night. It changed everything and now I can't live a day of my life without being watched.

Don't other people have lives! Why can't I just live my own life without constantly being watched? God if I was a celebrity I would have gone out of my mind already. Hell I'm already insane.

How would Nathan react if he found out? What would I say? He would look at me like every one else in this god forsaken town. He can't find out. But he will. His family even heard stories so obviously he had to have too. I just can't figure out why he's staying.

I'm soon going back and fourth between punching and kicking.

It's all so frustrating I just want it to stop already. I'm so tired of it. Of everything. But Nathan, I can never get tired of him.

I stop and take a breath and walk to the treadmill. Walking at first, which turned to running, which soon turned to sprinting.

It was like I was trying to run away from these these thoughts in my head that kept tainting me. It was so stupid but what am I supposed to do? I've dealt with this for years already. It will never stop.

I turn off the treadmill and walk to the sofa, collapsing on to it. I'm so tired. I'm so tired of being me.
__

"Annabeth," I turn to the other side, hoping whoever it was that was calling me goes away. "Come on I let you sleep long enough but it's time to wake up beautiful. You haven't ate anything yet, come on if you eat I'll let you go back to sleep."

I groan and flip to my stomach. "Annabeth don't make this any harder than it has to be. Come on."

I let out a giggle. I have a dirty mind. I hear a sigh. "Fine, fine you can sleep, princess."

I reach out and slap someone's leg. "Well that's not very nice." The person says.

"No princess." I bury myself deeper into my bed. Wait... Not my bed... Couch? Who cares it's comfy as shit.

I hear another sigh. "Okay you asked for it." I'm lifted off the couch and I open my eyes in terror.

"What the hell!" I'm tossed on to someones shoulder and am facing upside down staring right at someone's butt. Wait a minute... I touch the butt. I laugh. I touched the butt, I laugh again. What is this finding nemo?

Oh god. What's wrong with me? I definitely need some sleep.

"Nathan!" I yell. I know it can only belong to him cause the butt was nice, and well I did check him out when he wasn't looking. Plus what other guy would be in my house?

"Hey! Don't touch my butt! That is private property!" He playfully slaps my ass.

"What the heck! You just slapped my ass! That is private property!" I quote him.

"Well I sure hope so! You're mine."

"I'm not an object." I cross my arms. "And put me down!"

"Why? Isn't this fun!" He runs and I'm bobbing up and down. I grab onto his lower back for support (making sure I don't touch his butt). Finally I'm being set down and into a seat.

"Finally! Ms. Grumpy is awake!" I look at my dad, we're at the kitchen table and he's sipping his coffee reading some newspaper article.

"Dad! You're just going to let him man handle me like that!" I yell.

"Well I didn't see him do anything wrong. So no harm, no foul." He smiles.

"But he-"

"Made brunch! Here's the syrup." Nathan interrupts me, placing the said syrup down in front of me.

That's when I notice the shit load of good looking food on the table. There's eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, strawberries. Shit it's a feast. My stomach growls.

"Isn't that sweet? He made us brunch! You have a good boyfriend there Annabeth."

I look at Nathan with disbelief. He made breakfast? No wait, brunch? In my kitchen!

"It was nothing really." He says shyly, "I knew you would be hungry when you finally woke up and you're dad was already up so he let me in and said you were in the garage sleeping so not to disturb you. I asked if he ate yet and he said no and I haven't ate anything either, so I figured might as well make breakfast but it was a little too late for that so I thought why not have brunch!" He smiles proudly. My dad smiles as well.

"Okay. I'm just going to go check what games are on in the living room. I'll be right back." He winks at Nathan before walking out into the living room, turning on the tv and volume louder than he needs to.

Nathan sits down next to me, putting a cup of orange juice in front of me. "You made brunch."

"Yes."

"You cooked, in my kitchen."

"Uh what's yours is mine and what's mine is yours?" He smiles weakly.

"Why?" I ask. He looks at me confused. I roll my eyes. "I mean why did you make all of this? You didn't have to, honestly, you could have just woke me up and I would have made it all myself."

He stays quiet for a moment. "Well why not? You deserve a break Annabeth. Don't you listen to me? I want to be there for you. I want to take care of you. I want to make you feel as special as I know you are... I want to be with you, always. You're mine." He reaches for my hand, and interlocks our fingers. "And I'll do just about damn anything to keep it that way."

I looks down at our hands. "I can take care of myself. I'm not special. You really should not want me..." I trail off, my thoughts returning to last night.

Before he can say anything else my dad walks in smiling at us. I hope he didn't hear any of that. He sits down at the other side of the table and we all begin to eat practically everything there was.

I was surprised to see the food gone so fast. I was also surprised at how good of a cook Nathan was. We barely talked in between our bites and when we did talk it was to ask if someone can pass us another pancake. It was literally that good.

By the time we finished everything my dad had called it a night and went to his room, it was almost nine already. I can't believe we stayed in the table, talking even after we finished eating.

Nathan gets up from the table and I watch him put the plates away in the sink, and turns on the water and begin to wash the dishes.

"What are you doing? I can do that." I get up from the table and walk over to him, taking the plate from him. Before he complains I hold out my hand. "You cooked, you can't clean. I'm doing that."

I begin to scrub the plate and then turn on the water to wash away the soap. Once I finish I grab the dish towel and begin to dry it when it's taken from my hands by Nathan.

"Fine then, I'll dry." I roll my eyes and don't bother complaining because I know I'll only lose. We were done in no time or so we thought. It didn't feel like we took long but once we were done and checked the clock it was well past ten.

"Well I should go my parents are probably wondering where I'm at." I watch him walk to the living room and get his jacket. He puts it on and looks back at me who was still rooted at the same spot.

Okay Annabeth, it's now or never. "Um Nathan?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to stay? I mean it's already pretty dark out. We can watch movies and I can ask my dad if you could stay. If you like I mean, you don't have to stay I was just- it's late and I don't want you going out at night. It's not like I care though! You can do whatever you want for all I care..."

"Woah hold on. I feel like our roles are being reversed here. I thought I was supposed to be the nervous babbler in the relationship?" He smiles. "I would love to stay if you're dad let's me." I nod.

"Okay. I'll just ask." I quickly walk to my dad's bedroom upstairs.

"Dad?" I call out. He opens the door, he's in his pajamas I got him last Christmas. Good to know he actually wears them. "Can Nathan stay over? It's late out..." My dad looks at me suspiciously.

"He can stay. Just make sure his parents know where he's at." I turn, heading towards the stairs when his voice calls out again, "Annabeth? He stays in the couch." I smile.

"Of course." I run down stairs and tell Nathan he can stay.

__

"So... Want to tell me why you were in the garage passed out on the couch in the morning?" Nathan asks. We just finished watching Chucky, the one where Andy was in military school, I find that one actually entertaining to watch.

"I had a bad dream. So naturally I went to the garage." I say focussing on the end credits.

"Do you have those often?"

"Not for a while." I whisper.

"What was it about?" I ignore him. I wasn't ready. He can't know. My 'bad dream' wasn't just a 'bad dream'. It actually happened. And I can't do anything about it. All I could do is try to ignore it. "Annabeth?" I know he wants me to tell him but I can't bring myself to do it. I can't.

"It's getting late. We should be going to bed." I get up, shutting the tv off with the remote. Walking out of the living room I start walking upstairs to my room.

"Um Annabeth? Goodnight." I turn to him.

"What are you talking about?" I ask, confused. "You're staying the night with me, in my bed, in my room. Just sneak back downstairs before my dad wakes up at nine." I hold out my hand. He walks over to me.

"Are you sure?"

"Relax all we're gonna do is talk until we go to sleep." I roll my eyes. He smiles.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." He takes my hand, together we sneak past my dad's room and go down the hall to my room. Once we were there I grabbed a fresh set of pajamas. There was no way I was gonna go to bed when I feel this sticky after that work out. I turn to Nathan as he just stands there looking very confused as to what he should do.

"You can change or something? I'm just gonna shower real quick." He nods his head.

Great I quickly leave the room and go to the washroom, locking the door. Removing my clothes I quickly take a shower, in fear that he would look around my room. Quickly getting out I dry myself and change into a pair of grey sweats and a white tank top. I don't even bother drying my hair as I rush back into my room. When I enter my room I stop at the sight of Nathan pantless. "Sorry I can't sleep with jeans on..." he blushes.

"It's fine its not like I haven't seen that before." He looks at me curiously. "I mean swim trucks and stuff... you know the pool? And all, for PE we had a swimming unit." He nods.

Sighing I close the door and take hold of his hand and lead him to my bed. We both sit down next to each other. Not really knowing how to break the silence, but then I lean over and kiss him.

He pulls back. "I thought you said all we were going to do was just talk until we fall asleep." He whispers.

"And we will. Just after you kiss me." I whisper back. "Now kiss me you idiot." He laughs.

"You're wish is my command milady."

________________________________End of Chapter 11

Woah, Nathan is staying over? Are they really just going to talk until they fall asleep? Or just get carried away? What was up with the dream?

Who knows! You will all just have to wait until the next chapter! But please comment down what you think will happen! Don't forget to like this chapter as well!

Until next time!