Naomi grasps onto her pillow tighter. Her fingers clench into painful fists, grabbing at the cool silk material. She was having the nightmare again, the same nightmare she had been having for every day this week. Every day since Monday. Fear pushes her out of the dream and she sits up gasping for air, her eyes struggling to open.

The sun peaks in at her windows and she slides across the bed then steps onto the fluffy white carpet at the foot of her bed. Her nightgown is wound around her body haphazardly and she pulls it straight. She stretches intensely then treads over to the window and pulls it back. A burst of light illuminates the neat little bedroom.

Naomi reaches down to the table just below the window and picks up a pink hair band. She scoops up her hair and ties a loose bun on the top of her head. The view from the apartment building wasn't anything spectacular. Most days the traffic made it difficult to concentrate but at night the flickering city lights are mesmerizing.

Naomi found the place by an ad online. Her roommate, Sarah, at the time was looking to share her two bedroom apartment with someone. She had just moved into town and was hoping to sublet the apartment to help pay off the home loan. When Sarah met Naomi the two immediately clicked, Sarah's large family quickly took to Naomi and even quicker Naomi became part of the family.

Sarah agreed to put Naomi's name on the contract provided Naomi covered half the monthly payment which Naomi did diligently. Sarah enrolled at a college focusing on fashion. Naomi always found it difficult to categorize Sarah. One week she made outfits covered in florals, another week the outfits were strictly monochrome. Sarah has a good eye for what looks good and she can always accurately predict the next big thing. Naomi finds herself in constant awe.

Naomi enrolled into a college just a few roads down from Sarah. She chose business studies. Her inability to decide on something resulted in only business studies still having space in the course. A mere year ago and Naomi managed to fill up her free time with online courses to accompany her degree. Her first year saw her and Sarah become close then inseparable.

Her bedroom door flings open and Sarah saunters in then collapses on the bed. She's wrapped tightly in a fluffy pink robe and her soaking red locks drip into Naomi's sheet.

"Sarah, you're getting my bed wet. We've spoken about this", Naomi says as she walks to where Sarah is laying. Sarah groans but says nothing.

Naomi drops onto the bed beside Sarah and remains silent waiting for Sarah to announce her grievance with the morning as she did most mornings. 'It can't be milk. I replaced it literally yesterday. Today isn't bin day and it's not raining.'

Sarah lifts a hand and produces a top tightly curled in a fist. She pushes herself up and tucks the gown over her knees. She holds the top open. It's a white strappy crop top with a red tiger on the front. The red tiger is turned facing forward with a serious look on its face. Naomi tilts her head slightly and examines the top closely.

"I don't know Nay. I made this last week and I was so excited about it then I put it on and it just doesn't look right. Why am I so good at making clothes that look good on anyone but me?" Sarah flops back onto the bed and rolls her eyes.

Naomi takes the top from Sarah and examines it closely. "I mean it's cute...But you would never wear anything like this?"

Sarah sits up on her elbows and rolls her eyes again, "I know. That's why I'm here. I need answers."

Naomi hops off the bed and slips off the nightgown. She steps out of it and puts the crop top on. Sarah watches on intrigued. There's no denying that it looks great on her. The crisp white compliments her olive skin perfectly.

"See, you're not self-sabotaging. You're just subconsciously thinking about me."

Naomi winks at Sarah and Sarah laughs.

"Wear this with those black jeans you got last week. Let me go raid my closet for a crop too."

Sarah is out the door as quick as she entered, "don't leave your clothes lying around!" Naomi shouts after her.

There's silence and Naomi sighs. She pulls open her wardrobe door and examines the top. It does look good and she's happy Sarah didn't trash it all together. She pulls out the black jeans and then drops to her knees to rummage through her shoes. She pulls a pair of crisp white sneakers and sets them down beside the door.

Naomi walks to the bathroom, hanger in hand. She walks in and shuts the shower on before pulling the top and her underwear off. She slips the top on the hanger and hangs it on the shower rail then steps into the shower. The water takes some time to warm up but Naomi makes quick work with showering and changing. With her brown leather backpack hanging on one shoulder Naomi walks from her room to the open plan kitchen and lounge area. There's a few glasses on the small wooden table in the middle of the lounge and Naomi picks them up expertly and gently puts them in the sink. She flips the on switch by the kettle, then opens the cupboard below.

She pulls out two oval shaped travel mugs. A matte black for her and a white and blue marble for Sarah. In the cupboard above the kettle is a box of instant cappuccinos. One vanilla and one caramel. Naomi takes the last two vanilla sachets out then dumps the empty box in the bin. Sarah walks out from the passage leading to her room. She grins at Naomi as the kettle rattles to a halt with a click.

Sarah has on a home made black strap crop top with a flutter of purple butterflies on either side of her rib cage. She has matched it with blue skinny jeans and black heel boots. She drops her leather jacket onto the couch and walks into the kitchen, her heels clicking against the floor.

"You look so cute", Naomi says nodding with a smile.

Sarah stands beside Naomi and bumps her hip against Naomi's with a wink. Naomi steps aside and Sarah continues the coffee making process.

"I'll add coffee to the shopping list. Oh also am I taking the car today or you?"

Sarah hands the matte black coffee cup to Naomi saying "maybe you should. I've got that late class so I think I'll just hang around campus. Drop by for lunch though?"

Naomi nods as she makes for the door. Sarah lifts her shoulder bag off the kitchen counter then throws her jacket over the bag then the combination over her shoulder. Naomi pulls her long black cardigan off the hook on the back door and slips it on then adjusts her backpack. She pulls the door open and Sarah smacks her behind as she walks out the door.

Raurlin gulps down the last of his black coffee then places his mug into the sink. He looks out the window and the view seems different. The sun is brighter for sure and the grass is definitely greener. The air is thick with pollen. Raurlin inhales it deeply then sneezes loudly. Behind him his roommate and best friend bursts out laughing.

"Oh shut up Jax. How long have you been standing there?"

Jackson drops onto a leather couch and laces up his sneakers, "long enough man. You didn't hear me come in?"

Raurlin shakes his head as he picks up a mug of coffee on the counter. He walks to where Jackson is sitting and hands him the cup. Jackson accepts the cup and the coffee is finished in two large gulps. He puts the cup down on the table and Raurlin glares at Jackson.

"Seriously, the sink is right there", Raurlin points to the kitchen.

Jackson stands up with a grunt, "and time waits for no man or well...Look it doesn't matter the king awaits. Can't keep him waiting. I think we might have rain today."

Jackson makes for the door leaving Raurlin standing alone. Raurlin closes his eyes and inhales then exhales deeply. The king. There is no way to escape him. 'And of course it will rain today. Today of all days.'

Raurlin sits into the passenger seat of the truck. Jackson puts the gear into reverse and the car rolls out the driveway. In silence they follow the road out of their complex. The roads are busy but given the time of morning it's to be expected. Jackson rolls his window down and pushes to turn the radio but Raurlin turns it off.

"Seriously Raur? Don't touch a man's radio. Look I know you're tense about today but we only need to be there for like an hour then we're out okay? I'll be with you the whole time."

Raurlin's hands clench into fists. He inhales and exhales again trying to focus on a single sound. "Something is different about today Jax. Everything is so loud and so bright. It's overwhelming. I can't focus on anything."

Blood starts dripping from the fists.

Jackson smells the blood before he sees it. He rolls his window shut and turns the a/c on. Cold air blows furiously into the car. Goosebumps fly across Jackson's arms. He looks over at Raurlin who is leaning back with his eyes shut. The blood continues to drip. Jackson steadies his breathing and his heart beat follows until the steady beating is the only thing Raurlin can hear.

With an exhale Raurlin slowly releases his fists. His breathing matches Jackson's completely. Raurlin slowly opens his eyes but the light is still too bright. He opens the glove compartment and pulls out a pair of sunglasses. He puts them on quickly before taking out a pack of wet wipes. Raurlin busies himself with cleaning up his hands. Jackson's hands tighten on the steering wheel.

They come to a stop in front of what looks like a house. A large house. Jackson rolls down his window and presses the intercom. There's a loud bell then silence followed by a click.

"Jackson and Raurlin here to-"

"-Yes the king is expecting you."

The gate slowly rolls open and Jackson rolls his window closed, "I hate that little shit" he mutters. He drives onto the extensive property and parks in front of the main building. He looks over at Raurlin who looks pale.

"Raur we just need to keep it together for as long as we're in there."

Raurlin nods and holds a finger to his lip, "you know he's listening."

*******Author's Note********

Hey there! Thanks for diving into chapter one! How did you like it? I think the first chapter is always my favourite. If you'd like to see a little book trailer I made for this book check out my IG : @writer_c.robinson. Also let me know what you thought of the first chapter with a comment.

By request of my sister and probably biggest supporter I will be using a song per chapter to give more of a vibe of the chapter. For more on the pictures I initially planned to use check out my IG.

- C.