The harsh ringing sound won't stop. I try hard to block it out but failed at doing so. I don't know where its coming from. All I know is that I am in a cold, dark place, tied to a chair. There are many bruises and cuts on my skin. Some cuts have dried blood on them. Someone opens the door in front of me, it's a tall figure but I can't make out who because of the bright light. My eyes adjust to the sudden blast of brightness and there he stands in front of me, with a smirk plastered to his face. It's-

                                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

My eyes shot open, taking in my surroundings and realizing that I was in my room. I let out a breath of relief I didn't know I was holding. My alarm standing on my bedside table was blaring. I shut it off and climbed out of the bed making my way to the bathroom.

Standing in front of the mirror I untangled my brunette locks and tie them in a bun. I couldn't sleep well last night because of the nightmares I have been having. It's the fourth day of the same dream. The same fucking dream. I don't know why I am having them, or what do they mean. All I know is that I am always tied to a freaking chair. Every. Single. Time. I wipe the cold sweat from my forehead and strip my night clothes for a hot shower. I really need it.

I am just glad that summer vacation has started. I couldn't have taken any more of that bullshit. I step out of the shower and dry myself. I walk back to my room and put on oversized tee and sweatpants.

"Good morning!", I greet Mom and Dad, sitting on the kitchen counter.

"Morning Sweetie!", Dad greets me folding his daily newspaper. It's a habit of his, drinking coffee and cursing the politics of the state.

"Good morning, sit down and eat your breakfast.", Mom says bringing me a plate of scrambled eggs. I scrunch my nose. I had quit eating meat when I was 12, but Mom wouldn't let me quit eggs. I don't like them!

"Mom, I am not that hungry. I'll just get some coffee.", I say making my way to the coffee machine. But she grabs my arm and makes me sit back down.

"No, you are going to finish that. Then only will you get coffee. Understand?", she said passing me a glare.

I sit back down and gobble the whole stuff. Sue me for not liking scrambled eggs. I don't know why though, considering the fact that both Mom and Dad are huge fans of eggs and meat. I make myself a cup of coffee and go to my room to get my phone. It had various texts from Linda and one from Mrs. Ryland. I open the one's from Linda

Girl text me when you wake up.

Hello up, up sunshine.

Seriously you're still sleeping. God, I have something important to tell you!

Sophie!!!!!!

The irony being that I got all these messages within a span of 10 minutes. Linda is the exact opposite of me. As patient as I am, she is as impatient. But she is the only one I got. We've stuck by each other since diaper-days. I smile at her texts goofily and reply-

What is it Lin?

I open Mrs. Ryland's texts next-

Sweetie if it's not much of a problem could you please head at library early. My grandson is over so I will be a little late. Thanks in advance. <3

Mrs. Ryland has made a real progress in texting. Now instead of calling and apologizing every time she does, she just leaves me a text.

Sure, Ma'am I'll be there soon. 😊

I check the time and it was already 9. I change my clothes into jeans and a polo tee and rush outside the house bidding a quick goodbye to Mom and Dad.

I had always wanted to work at a library. And when I got to know that Mrs. Ryland, who is also our neighbor, is looking for someone to help at Ryland's Library, since one of her workers had left, I couldn't miss it. I get the keys from her house and walk to the library. It wasn't that far from my house. A rough 10-minute walk.

I was opening the door to the library when my phone started ringing. I checked the caller ID and it flashed Linds.

"Spill", I said, my voice echoing in the empty library. An empty library has a whole different charisma to it.

"You will not believe what just happened!", she screams from the other side of the call. "Jake texted me. The Jake texted me. Linda. I am literally hyperventilating right now. Oh, my goodness. And you know what he wants me to meet him at his café at noon. EEEE!"

I put the phone away from my ears to prevent them from bleeding from all the screaming. Jake West is the guy Linda has been crushing on since forever. He is your typical smug guy. Gliding through the halls like a king. If it hadn't been for the vacation Lin would have been killed by now by the girl population of our school. Though it is weird as to why does he want to hang out with Linda. I mean it's not that she isn't a nice gal, she is. She is darn pretty with olive skin and curly midnight hair. But apart from that she is also a drama club kid. And as far as I know about Jake, he stirs clear from drama kids. He hates them. Reason unknown.

"That's great, Lin. But why does he want to meet?", I reply

"I am not sure. He just said to meet him there and not tell anybody. As if I would say someone."

"Ummm......but you just told me", I pointed out.

"Yeah, but you're not anybody or somebody. You're my best friend and you deserve to know everything. Everything. Anyhow I called because I need you to be at my place by 11 so that you could help me get ready before I go over to meet him. Cool?"

"Linds, I can't Mrs. Ryland won't be able to come to the library because her grandson has come to visit her and most of the schools have started their vacation today onwards so most of the people won't be coming. I must stay here. I'm sorry", I said already felt guilty for not being able to help her.

"Dang! Okay that won't be a problem. Maybe I can get ready early and come to meet you first before going to the café and you can rate my look and maybe do some minor changes. How does that sound?", she suggests enthusiastically. I could actually visualize her pacing around her room, jumping from time to time while her brains ticks a solution.

"Yeah cool! That would be nice. Okay then see you at 11:30 ish."

"Yeah. Done. Toodles.", and she hangs up the call.

I start picking some books and sort them and place them back into their assigned shelves, when the first person walks in. To be exact a guy. It's rare for a guy to come at this library.

"Hey! Ummm....is Mrs. Ryland here?", he asks.

"She is not here actually, and she won't be coming in today probably. Anything I can help with?", I ask passing a genuine smile. He smiles back and hands a piece of paper to me.

"Yeah that would be great. I wanted someone to suggest some books for a girl around your age. If you could pen down some of your personal favs.", he asked cocking an eyebrow.

"Yeah sure, no problem", after a few minutes I return the paper to him with around fifteen books that I have read or want to read. He gave the list a once over and left saying a bye.

Nothing eventful happened until 1 in the afternoon. Apparently, Linda didn't come for a fashion police check 'cause she was already late to meet Jake. And now she came bursting into the library, with a wide grin on her face. I didn't know someone could smile that big. Obviously, she has some good news.

"Jake asked me out!", she huffed.

"Jake did what?!", I gawked at her.

"Oh, don't be a drama llama. I'm just kidding, or not", she flashed me a toothed grin and walked out of the library.

I am not the drama llama. If anyone that would be her. I ask Rhea to take care of the counter and followed her outside. I'll show her who is a drama llama. I am not going to let it slide. Nah-uh.