I'm Natalie Johnson and I'm a daydreamer. I get teased alot at school. So what better way to escape than design my own day dream adventures?
Except lately, well, they don't turn out like I planned. It's almost like my daydreams have a mind of their own.
Natalie, the slayer faded as the daydreamer, the real Natalie Johnson began to awake. Her surroundings morphed. The cafeteria was replaced by yellow kitchen walls and the stainless steel appliances were replaced with a quaint and simple breakfast nook. Natalie herself changed. She gained glasses and sixty pounds as she shrunk two inches. The hair that framed her face shortened and became brown with a slight wave. Her usual button nose was replaced by slightly larger nostrils. The hip threads she always wore were replaced by a blue sweater that alluded to her tubby belly and on her feet were simple running sneakers.
This was who she really was.
Natalie, the real girl, kept all the memories of her adventures, but the slayer had no idea she was nothing more than a dream. Coming into reality, she was struck with sadness and a wave of isolation despite being with her family. Sometimes the rush of excitement and joy in her dreams, made real life that much harder.
She blinked her brown muddy eyes and gazed around the kitchen. In front of her was a bowl of half eaten cereal long gone mushy. Off in the corner the television quietly played while she ate breakfast with her father, Brian. He slurped his coffee from behind the newspaper like he normally did. All she could see was his bald head and chunky sausage like fingers.
Ruth, her mother, was scowling at her with a hand on Natalie's shoulder. "You're going to miss the bus. Didn't you hear me?"
"Yeah, I was just thinking about a test I have today," Natalie lied and pushed her chair away from the table. She didn't miss Brian lowering a corner of his newspaper to roll his eyes at her. "I'll hurry." There was apology in her voice.
"You better," Brian said. "I'm not giving you a ride again, understand me?"
She nodded with a rush of anxiety hitting her. "Yes, Dad."
"Good." Brian's voice had the hints of disapproval.
Ruth gave him a sideway glance. "Don't eat too much at the pep rally tonight. Your sister is coming for dinner."
Everyone knew about her and her appetite; the evidence was pretty obvious. "I won't." Scarlet spread across her nose and the tip of her nose. Natalie picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder.
Brian lowered his newspaper again. "Then we're going to talk about your behavior, understand? You're losing focus too much again. We need you to be an active member of this family. That means doing things other than sitting in your room all night. Do I make myself clear."
Natalie nodded, a tendril of hair falling across her glasses. "Yes, Sir," she said, but hoped he wouldn't stick to it this time. She hated having to spend time in the living room after dinner.
"And you will start driving lessons again. It would help your mom if you could run errands. Start acting your age," Brian mumbled and went back to reading the paper.
Her heart raced at the idea of being behind the wheel of a car. What if she messed up? "Well, bye." She said, glancing at her parents, but Ruth was already back at the counter, preparing the vegetables for that night's special meal. Brian was reading his newspaper and only gave her a slight head nod. It was so lonely in that room, sometimes Natalie would prefer to live alone. The kitchen felt like a hollow tomb.
She suppressed a sigh and hurried for the bus. Outside, Natalie let the door close behind her and breathed a sigh of relief. The air was refreshing and for a moment, her problems seemed far away. Off in the distance huddled between the morning fog, Natalie could see the mountain tops. Some were small and others taller, but they were equally loved. She never wanted to leave the mountains or Vermont with its smell of sweet honeysuckle first thing in the morning.
The small porch was cluttered with an old wooden bench and a pot full of blooming flowers. Beside them was a host of gardening tools covered in a thin layer of dirt. With uneven steps she headed down the walkway with a bang. The white gate always stuck, but Natalie opened it with a deft twist before she trudged along down the street toward the bus stop.
Not even really sure when the fantasies started, now Natalie couldn't keep herself from daydreaming about the slayer and her boyfriend. She loved that almost more than impaling minions with her sword. It was fun, like a movie that was private and just for her. Barely able to wait until she could continue the dream, Natalie hurried toward the bus stop.
She continued along until a creepy feeling on the back of her neck made the hairs stand to attention. Natalie stopped in her tracks and looked over her shoulder, but nothing was there. She had the nagging feeling in the back of her mind that someone was watching her. Crazy as it was, it was a feeling she hadn't been able to shake the past few days. The more Natalie tried to ignore it, the worse it became. She scolded herself for being paranoid. Maybe all those dreams about being the slayer were making her manic, but even if she wanted to, she couldn't stop. These days it was like the story was beginning her to continue.
Her stomach was a bundle of nerves. Natalie bit her lip and continued to stare behind her until she was sure no one was there. Her steps hurried toward the bus stop and she sighed. It wasn't long though before the feeling returned. Natalie slowed and was able to hear something behind her. It sounded like the clicking of heels along pavement. Out of the corner of her eye, Natalie saw a shadow of a tall man wearing a rounded, old-fashioned hat.
She paused, her heart pounding like a set of drums in her ears, and spun on her heel. Natalie saw nothing, but she could feel eyes on her. It felt like they were everywhere. "Who's there?" Natalie called with a loud, but frightful voice.
Nothing.
Not even a rustle of trees or the squawk of a bird, but she still felt it. And it was growing closer.
Irrational as it was, Natalie ran. She took off down a back alley. It was a shortcut she took sometimes when late for the bus, a dirt road lined with old cars and cans of garbage. Her legs pumped, her feet crashing against the earth, while Natalie ran faster than she ever tried to do in gym class. It wasn't long before she began gasping for breath, but the fear kept her moving forward. Goosebumps rose on her arms while the sound of footsteps traveled behind her.
They were growing closer.
More hurried.
They were coming.
She paused, leaning on a house for support. Her lungs burned while she gulped down air. Behind her, Natalie saw nothing but the shifting of trees with birds perched on delicate twigs. Over head was bright sunlight, but she felt nothing but terror; a horrible chill down to her bones. Filled with fright, the sound of footsteps drew nearer. Backing up against the house, her eyes widened with disbelief; cast along the fence was a shadow of three men, nearly of the same height with identical hats walking toward her. But there was nothing, nothing there to cast the shadow at all!
They were still coming. The sound of heels clicking grew louder.
No one was there, but she felt icy hot. Her skin was crawling. Instinctually she ran again. It was crazy, but she had to keep going. She cleared the alley and ran across the street diagonally toward her bus stop. The yellow bus was already there and the last of the high school chain smokers stepped on. Natalie watched the stop sign fold against the bus, a clear sign it was ready to start moving forward again.
It couldn't leave without her. Natalie waved her arms and ran toward it. "Wait!" She managed to croak out of her sore throat, begging with her mind for it to stop, despite her usual bad luck, it did.
Natalie slowed her run as she came beside it. Climbing the steps proved hard so she used the railing to step on board. Huffing and puffing, she smiled meekly at the driver. He shook his head as Natalie craned her neck, trying to see who followed her all that way, but there was no one.
No one was there.
Feeling like a fool, Natalie threw herself and bag down into the first seat to avoid everyone's gaze. It didn't matter because she could still feel their eyes borrowing into her and their mocking laughter was just loud enough for her to hear. Outside the window, the scenery whipped by. Filled with relief, Natalie felt the frightful feeling dissipate like a cloud.
"Why are your cheeks all red like that?"
Natalie turned to see Sarah McDonald sitting behind her, sucking on a lollypop and rolling it around the inside of her mouth. She was a cheerleader and dressed in her uniform that day. They used to be good friends, in the days of tea parties and carousel rides until she realized she was better than Natalie.
"I almost missed the bus," Natalie said meekly.
"You were running before that. We saw you," Sarah said loudly and the rest of the bus laughed. Sarah joined in with her own mocking laugh, her eyes shining as everyone watched her and listened.
"I...I thought someone was following me," Natalie said and didn't know why. She squeezed her eyes shut when she realized her mistake.
Sarah threw her head back and laughed. "Following you? Who would bother to follow you?"
The bus erupted into laughter. It was a loud, heckling that mocked Natalie. She almost wished she missed the bus, but even more she wished for something bad to happen to Sarah McDonald and all the girls like her. So angry, tears formed in her eyes, Natalie's glasses fogged up. She begged the tears not to fall, biting her tongue hard to keep them at bay.
She would not become more embarrassed. She wouldn't!
Natalie stared out the window and watched the passing hills as the bus came to a rolling stop at the next pick up spot, but it was empty. Once again, Tristan Miller was late for school. She wished for once he'd wake up on time; bus rides were much more manageable when he was around.
After a few more stops, the bus ascended the hill toward the school and the teenager chatter continued. A paper airplane flew through the air and hit Natalie in the back of her head. It lodged in her hair and she closed her eyes as laughter came from the rear of the bus. She sighed and felt like disappearing down a rabbit hole, if she would fit through. There was no solace at home and at school, it felt even worse. If Natalie could disappear, she gladly would.
She plucked the paper wedged into her hair free and tossed it onto the ground with anger, disgust, but mostly it was directed at herself. Natalie was on her feet before the bus came to a stop with her book bag pulled over her shoulder. She skipped down the steps into the sunlight, happy to be on her own and away from her peers. She made her way through the cobblestone courtyard littered with students huddled together. Some whispered and Natalie was sure she saw a few wayward glances cast her way. She hurried past so as not to encourage any unwanted comments about her weight or lack of fashion sense.
School seemed to drive kids together in packs. They couldn't wait to discuss who was wearing what. Natalie felt scrutinized. For her, there were no hip clothes available in the city that she could fit into even if her parents could afford them. She moved with her head down toward for the entrance, and pulled open the orange door leading into the main foyer to see Michelle Tracker standing right in front of her.
For Natalie there could be no worse way to start the school day. Michelle Tracker, with her long red curls and glowing skin, was the perfect girl. Her body was model thin with her shapely legs exposed in the short blue and white skirt. It was a school issued cheerleading outfit. Blue and white were the official colors of the Meadow's Creek Lions, the football team that never lost a state championship game in over thirty-two years. Unfortunately for the both of them her personality wasn't perfect at all and sometimes Natalie wondered how the girl managed to navigate society at all.
"God, this must be a sign. I should have gone back to bed this morning, right? What are you doing here?" Michelle said with narrow eyes.
Natalie sighed, looking for an exit strategy. None was apparent other than ignoring Michelle and running away. Walking away never worked; the tall girl's legs were longer than her own and outpaced her with ease. "Well, I do go here. Unfortunately."
"Yeah, like I need you to remind me of that, loser. Listen, I have a game tonight so don't get ugly Natalie vibes on me. Everyone will be watching me and I don't want to get a spontaneous zit or some gross oozy thing."
Natalie let out a long breath. "I'll just get out of your way then." She tried to step past her, but Michelle shadowed her movement and a frown spread across her face.
"Oh my God, you're going to the pep rally tonight, aren't you?" Michelle squealed. "You so can't go. You'll throw off my karma and we'll lose the game! It'll be all your fault."
Getting blamed for things she had no power over seemed to be a trend in Natalie's life, and it was one she didn't like. "I can go if I want to. It's not a private party. It's for the entire school."
"But nobody wants you there!" Michelle stomped her foot.
"That's not true! I was invited."
"By who?" Michelle screeched. "Oh, not him! Please, why even he puts up with your crap-maybe it's his stupid hair."
A boy sauntered up behind Natalie and put his arm around her shoulder. At first, Natalie was startled and drew a quick breath, but saw the smiling face of Tristan. She felt her first genuine bout of happiness that day. Her heart felt light and began to soar.
Tristan glanced at her and grinned; it was lopsided and exposed his dimples. A good looking boy and quite a bit taller than Natalie; his blond hair was short and styled in a fashion that caused it to stick up erratically. On the west coast, he would have been the perfect California surfer.
"We were just talking about you." Michelle thought for a moment. "Dork."
His blue eyes danced with mischief as he regarded her. "You would think in this day and age your parents could afford to clothe you. I guess we really shouldn't make fun of the less fortunate. Poor Michelle, forced to wearing sporting goods."
Michelle rolled her eyes and scowled. "You know what Tristan, you think you're smart and cool but if you were, you wouldn't be hanging out with that troll."
Tristan ignored her. "She giving you a hard time?"
Natalie shrugged. It didn't feel like such a big deal anymore. "Not any more than usual."
"Let's get out of here." Tristan cast an evil look at Michelle. "We have more important things to do. Like watch mold grow."
"Shut it, Miller," Sarah spoke with distain. She strolled up behind them with her arms crossed. She was best friends with Michelle and together they were, as they called them, the evil twins. "You're just grumpy because your brother is more popular than you are. And he doesn't even live here anymore."
"Wow, Sarah, impressive. You were able to actually speak in full sentences there rather than just grunting and text message abbreviations."
Sarah blinked. "I always speak in full sentences, OMG, Miller!"
Natalie giggled and covered her mouth which incensed Michelle. "Don't you dare laugh at us, who do you think you are?"
Tristan grabbed Natalie by the elbow and pulled her away. "C'mon. I think we've teased them enough. Let's give them something to think about for the day other than hair and nail polish." Natalie followed Tristan into the school, thankful that she had such a great friend. He was the only one she had, but she wouldn't trade him for all the friends in the world.
Michelle crossed her arms and let out a breath with her jaw clenched with anger. "It's too bad your mom can't afford to buy you a brush, Miller! You should try moving into the twenty-first century."
"And you'd be pretty if it wasn't for your face," Tristan shot over his shoulder without looking back. The hallway was darkly lit and crammed with students. In between the classrooms, lockers lined the walls with alternating colors of orange and yellow. Above those lockers were posters advertising Michelle Tracker as the next best thing for Homecoming Queen; class president; and Natalie's favorite, lead in local production of Romeo and Juliet. Every school needed an overachiever and Michelle was happy to fill that role.
Tristan turned his attention back to Natalie as they came to her locker and she spun the dial. He leaned against the vacant lockers and shoved his hands into the pockets of his loose blue jeans. Natalie peered at him with kind eyes. If it was anyone else but Tristan she would have thought he was handsome in his white un-tucked dress shirt, with the cuffs rolled up above his elbow. Friends since toddlers, she couldn't remember a time when he wasn't her friend and Natalie wouldn't have it any other way.
He shook his head. "I don't know what her deal is. She seriously needs a Dr. Phil intervention."
Natalie grinned. "You can't get over it if you don't own it. If only, huh?"
"What is her problem?
"It's my fault really." Natalie pulled a few books from her locker. "I used to be friends with her." Until she dumped me, anyway.
"So was I. Why was that exactly?"
Natalie thought about the answer; because she was fun, she was hip, cool. Everything Natalie wasn't. "Because we're gluttons for punishment?" She laughed with her answer and so did Tristan. "Anything exciting coming out in the big paper tomorrow?"
"Nah, not really except maybe for the mystery of sloppy Joe Thursdays. There's nothing much to write about in the MCHS."
"What about the mystery of how the Lions haven't lost a championship game since our parents went here? That can't be natural."
Tristan grinned. "Maybe it's a magical talisman."
"Maybe. Or maybe there's something in the spring water."
Tristan thought with his head tilted to the side. "Nah, it's always the magical talisman."
Natalie bounced on her feet and they headed toward their classrooms. "Thanks by the way. I don't think I've thanked you."
"For?"
"The save with the evil twins, of course."
"Like I always tell you, any time." Tristan smiled at her.
Natalie returned it. "If it would save you trouble, I can go home after school. I know you have to cover the rally for the paper and I don't want to get in your way."
"Why would I want you to stay home? C'mon, Nat, it'll be fun going to the rally. After I get a few quotes we can sit there and eat bad food. Make fun of all the cheerleaders. It'll be a great time."
Natalie sighed, shifting her books from one arm to the other. "But they don't like me."
"We don't like them either. Besides, I like you." Tristan punched her chin gently. "And you're way prettier than any of them."
Natalie scowled. "I didn't say anything about them being prettier than me."
"I'm receptive for a teenage boy, what can I say. I know those girls are rough, but don't let it get you down. They're just jealous."
"Of me?" Natalie's eyes nearly fell out of her head from opening so wide. "I don't even have a cell phone. I'm a total outcast."
"Yeah you. Who else gets to hang out with me all day?" Tristan grinned at his joke, swinging his arm around Natalie's shoulder as they got to her study hall. "And lend me five dollars for lunch?"
Natalie nodded and couldn't suppress a smile. "One day I'm going to come knocking for all the money you owe me."
"I know, I know, but with Dad out of work..."
"I was teasing," Natalie said quickly. "I'm sure he'll get work again. When his back is better." Sometimes she forgot that other people had problems too and when she remembered, Natalie felt like a heel.
"See you in the library after lunch," Tristan said with a wave and sprinted down the hall so he could get to his class on time, which was on the second floor.
"See you then." She turned and went into her study hall. Natalie took a seat in the back behind the only Goth girl in school. While Natalie thought the look was retro and went out with Marilyn Manson, she envied the confidence it took to stand out on purpose. The other kids' chatter settled down when the study hall teacher, Mark Glovin, came in to take attendance.
Her name called, Natalie raised her arm shaking her hand side to side to get his attention. Mark Glovin never remembered who she was, but her eye was on him since freshman year when he was her history teacher. For an older fellow, he was charming and sophisticated. His teaching methods were grandiose and he grumped when he talked, but Natalie knew it was in jest. Underneath, she was sure, he had a kind soul and that's why she picked him to put into her daydream stories.
For a moment Natalie's mind drifted back to the bus. The anger she felt at Sarah rose in her until her face was flushed. She took a deep breath, fists clenched, and did her best to release. Things were bad enough at home. Couldn't she have somewhere to go where things were nice, at least part of the time?
Natalie guessed that's why she started daydreaming in the first place.
She focused her attention out the window and could see across the field and down into the low hills of the town. The roofs of the homes looked majestic and almost like a page from a story book.
Natalie unzipped her backpack and took out her yellow bound notebook decorated with pictures of tulip flowers. With a pen in her hand she flipped open to a blank page and began to doodle. It wasn't long before her mind drifted away and took her to a better place. It was time to return to her continuing daydream adventure...
