In the beginning, I thought I had gone mad. I saw her everywhere, a shadow of a figure. She was mysterious, in an inviting way. I could never get a good look at her, for as soon as I glanced, she was gone. It was agonizing, I needed to know this girl, to see her and understand her. She haunted my dreams, always the same beautiful girl. I never bothered asking anyone else if they saw her. I knew they wouldn't, she was there for me, and me alone. Why, I couldn't tell. But there was no doubt that she was following me. The way she looked at me brought all manner of emotions. Like a burning summer day, with the chilling winter wind. Certainly not pleasant, but not altogether terrible. Impatiently I waited, for something to change, something to happen that would get me close to Her. Day after day she was there, watching vigilantly. Oddly there was comfort in her gaze, safety in her presence. Until the day came, in which I finally met her.

The world slowly came into focus as my eyes fluttered open. The obnoxious sound of my alarm rattled my brain, I rolled over and stumbled out of bed, mornings weren't exactly my favorite. For a moment I thought I saw movement outside my window, but put the image out of my mind. I pulled on some soccer sweats and a hoody, as I started down the stairs. My morning routine was fairly simple; 5:30-run, 6:30-shower, and 7:00-walk to school. I couldn't get through the day if I hadn't cleared my mind in the morning.

I stepped into my shoes and ran out the door, California mornings were great, especially in Dublin. The wind was just strong enough to wake my brain up, and perfectly warm. The town was quiet, no cars passed and the world was still for an hour. My thoughts swam in my brain, ideas not fully formed. I ran to relax myself, the wind in my face calmed me down and helped me focus. As my feet moved I felt free, nothing could get in my way. My life couldn't be described as stressful in anyway, but there's something about the human mind that gravitates to worry. I looked around at the trees, some of the leaves would fall, but not most of them. Fall was just about over, and it still felt like summer.
As I made my way back to the house, the city began to wake up, lights flickered on, and noise began to take up the quiet. The sun peered over the hills, illuminating the houses. I threw off my shoes and rushed up to take a shower. School wasn't exactly fun, but it wasn't difficult either. I found all I really had to do was show up, take a few notes, and do my homework as the teachers talked. So I never really dreaded it. I dried off and put on some fresh clothes, went back down the stairs and started walking to school. Being a Freshman in HighSchool, I did not yet have my license, but since Dublin was so small, I never felt like I needed it. I met up with Tanner, a friend I'd had since third grade.
He greeted me as he stepped out onto his porch. "Hey Jaxon, you ready for Mrs. G's test?"

"What test?" He laughed and half-jogged to catch up with me. We walked mostly in silence, not uncomfortable silence, rather the familiar kind. As we entered the relatively small school, we split off, going in opposite directions. The day started out slow, Biology and Math went by as they normally did. My day got weird when I left math. I stopped by my locker before lunch, then headed to the stairs. Passing a few familiar faces on the way. I hadn't spent lunch in the cafeteria since I discovered the roof, there was an opening onto the top of the school that must have been forgotten. I pushed open the door and climbed up. There was a ton of space in which I was guaranteed privacy. This spot was sacred to me. It's where I made my big decisions, did my homework, and went whenever I felt like a break. I sat down next to a cooler filled with Coke bottles, pulled one out and lay on my back. The sky was bright blue, and crystal clear.
"Beautiful day isn't it," the voice came from behind me, and I jumped to my feet. She was standing there. In the shadows, I could see her bright eyes searching me. I had no idea what to say, I didn't often meet beautiful girls who stalked me everywhere I go.
"Who are you?" I figured that was a good place to start.
She walked toward me, coming out of the shadows. "My name is Lily. And I'm here to warn you of a danger. You have to be ready for what's coming." her tone was low and serious.
This was ridiculous. There's no way I would listen to this stranger. But there was something about her. "Yeah, okay I'll watch out," I walked over to the edge of the roof and sat down. Hoping she would go away.
"Don't be dumb Jaxon, you'll see what I mean soon enough. Enjoy this while it lasts." She seemed genuinely concerned for me. But what she was saying couldn't have any truth to it, I lived in Dublin, California. I went to High-school, played soccer, and generally lived a pretty average life. Nothing and no one could ever put me in danger. "It'll make sense soon, I promise. Just be careful who you trust."
I turned around and she was gone. The words ate at my brain. It couldn't be possible, any of it. I must've been going crazy. I pondered the meaning of it all as I lay down on the ground. Before I knew it my eyes were closed.