Insomnia

I had gotten to class just in time that morning. It was partially my fault though. I had spent most of the morning panicking and thinking about tonight. This wasn’t a dream. Jinxx, as he called himself was real.

The thought bothered me a lot. It wasn’t until my second class of the day that I received some great news. The essay that I had told my Mum about was being returned today. Bearing that in mind, I arrived early for my second class.

I was sitting at the desk when the other nineteen students ambled in. In university no one said anything about me being early. In school people would have called me a nerd, but here everyone was grown-up and mature.

The lecturer strolled in next and began the lesson. It was near the end of the lecture when our teacher started handing back the essays.

She moved round the room, handing them back and chatting to people. She got to me and laid mine down before me. I grinned widely when I saw how well she marked me. I couldn’t wait to tell Dad. I peeked up at her.

“Well done, Ellie.” She beamed. “Your use of words is brilliant and I especially like your ideas on communication. I just need you to participate in group discussions now, but other than that you’re doing amazing.”

I blushed, unused to the flattering comments. She moved down the line to talk to another student. I looked down at my paper and smiled.

“Congrats on the essay.” A voice spoke.

I nearly jumped when I saw the guy who waved at me yesterday, leaning over me, staring at my essay. He caught my gaze and smiled. He was quite cute and had green eyes.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to freak you out,” He held up his hands. “My name’s Sean. I waved at you yesterday.”

I fumbled a bit to think of what to say to him. He seemed really nice. I hoped I didn’t say something stupid.

“Um…It’s fine,” I smiled. “Thank you. I’m Ellie.”

He nodded and turned round when someone called over to him. A guy was standing by the door, looking over at us. I recognised the guy by the door. He was the noisiest person in the dorm. I only hoped he didn’t walk over, but he did.

“Hey, man, you coming for lunch?” He asked Sean.

“Yeah I’ll be there in a second.” Sean confirmed.

The guy looked at me and I shrank back when he stared down my frame. I had always been chubby and it never really bothered me until people started judging me. I was, by no means, fat. However, I wasn’t a size 8.

Sean grinned at me and said his goodbyes before departing with his friend. They moved through the chairs and that’s when I heard what Sean’s friend said. He tried to keep his voice down, but failed.

“Hey, man. What’s up with you talking to the nerdy, fat girl?”

I got up and grabbed my bag, making sure to leave after Sean and his friend were as far away as possible. I stalked back to my room and dumped my bag by the bed.

I grabbed the phone and decided to ring Dad. That would really cheer me up. Dad would always encourage me and he would be proud of my grades. I keyed in the number and waited for Dad to pick up.

To my surprise it was Mum that answered the phone.

“Oh, hey Mum. Is Dad at home?” I asked.

“No, darling. Your Dad has just nipped out, why?” She sounded preoccupied, but I wanted to share the essay with her too.

“I got my essay back and got a really great grade. I just wanted to share it with you and Dad.” I felt the excitement ebb back into my voice again.

“That’s wonderful.” Mum replied, she sounded bored too, like she was watching paint dry. “Did I tell you that Daniel has found a girlfriend, well he has. She’s a lovely girl, apparently. She’s studying to be a lawyer. Why couldn’t you study something like that?”

I tried to keep the hurt from my voice as I spoke. I had always wanted to be a social worker, always wanted to help those in need. It was my long-term dream.

“That’s amazing. I’m really happy for Daniel,” I tried to calm myself down. “I’ve always wanted to be a social worker though, Mum. To help people, you know.”

She sighed down the phone as though I’d just slapped her in the face. It was a sigh of disappointment. A sigh that said my son will be a surgeon and nothing else can top that.

“I just wished that you’d be more like Daniel. What he’s doing will really help people. You’ll be helping benefit cheats and people that can’t be bothered to help themselves.” She snapped.

I could feel that comment about my weight from earlier ebbing at my mind as she chastised me. I felt bad for even ringing. I just wanted her to be proud of me. She carried on talking about Daniel and his achievements. I offered half-hearted responses until she noticed.

“What’s wrong? You sound so grumpy.” She said, annoyed by my lack of praise for my brother.

“Sorry, Mum. A guy from the dorm was nasty about my weight and it just got to me.” I immediately regretted the words the moment they left my lips.

Any other Mum would soothe her daughter and tell her she was beautiful, but not my Mum. This was her favourite topic, other than Daniel.

“Well, your weight is a big concern,” She retorted. “Your brother isn’t fat so I’m not sure who you take after. I assume it’s your father.”

At that comment I hung up. I sniffed and stood rooted to the spot for a few minutes. The phone began to ring again. I glanced down at it and promptly removed the batteries. I continued to stare at the wall for a while.

I set the phone on my desk and sat down. I glanced at my laptop, opening it and continuing my other essay.

It was only when my vision blurred that I stopped typing and buried my head in my hands. My shoulders shook as I cried. My entire body hurt and I barely registered the sound of my mobile phone ringing.

I got up, opening my bag and seeing Dad’s number made me feel at ease. I answered in an instant. Dad sounded concerned.

“Hey princess, your Mum just rang me. She said you hung up on her.” He didn’t sound surprised at all.

“Hey, Dad. She-Does Mum love me?” I mumbled.

“Of course your mother loves you,” Dad replied, sounding upset. “What did she say?”

I told Dad and he sighed. It was no secret that my parents were not getting on. Two years ago they had split up for a short period. They decided to give it another go a while back, but it seemed like the same problems were eating away at their fragile relationship.

“I’m sorry, princess,” Dad reassured me. “You’re lovely just the way you are. I’m so proud of you and I think you’ll definitely help lots of people.”

I smiled at his words. We spoke for a bit longer and then he told me he had to go. He reassured me that he’d talk to Mum. He had tried talking to Mum so many times and it had never worked before, but I knew Dad would try.

I put the phone down and sat back at my desk. The essay was completely forgotten and I ran a hand through my mousey hair, another thing I had inherited from Dad along with his light brown eyes.

This essay didn’t need to be in for another week and I was half way through it so I decided to save my work and leave it for now. I opened the fridge in my little kitchenette and sighed.

I didn’t want healthy food, in fact I was tired of being berated for what I ate. I ended up ordering a Chinese meal for myself. It was the usual chow mein and rice, but I was content, sitting on my bed watching old Cartoon Network shows.

When it started to get dark I changed into my pyjamas and washed up my plate. I had had a fairly good evening. I knew my evil guest would be here tonight.

Are you a virgin? I can make you scream in other ways. My face heated up when I thought about it. I shook my head and walked over to the bed. I sat on the bed. Jinxx? What a weird name, though.

I curled up under the blankets and fell asleep. I was awakened again. What a surprise. Not.
I couldn’t move. Another surprise, Not. I saw the silhouette form and he was here, floating over to me. I was still terrified, but tried to mask it.

“Good Evening, Ellie.” Jinxx grinned.

He sat on the bed next to me, watching me with those beautiful eyes. What the heck was he? My guess was that he was a demon, or something in a similar vein, but that was a stupid assumption.

“A true assumption, though.” He smiled.

Had he read my mind? I noted that he was smiling this evening instead of smirking. He was still an annoying, evil jerk. I also noted that my lips could move again. My body was still paralyzed though.

“Hey Jinxx.” I tried to sound amicable. “How’s about you let me go now?”

He arched a perfect brow at me and this time he did smirk. I whimpered when his hand traced down my face, grazing my neck as well. His touch was soft and I almost sighed, until I realised that I was trying to escape.

“No, you’ll just run away.” He murmured. Damn right I’d run away. I glowered at him.

“You can’t seriously think this is acceptable behaviour.” I tried to sound like my Mum. Her tone always made me feel guilty.

He raised both brows this time and looked a bit startled by my response. Although, he remained calm and collected.

“Why don’t you tell me whether this is acceptable behaviour? Some people like being restrained.” He leaned forward, his black hair becoming a curtain around his pale face.

I stared at him, slightly dumbfounded. Who the heck would want to be restrained? What kind of person enjoys that?

“You’re so innocent. It’s adorable.” He chuckled.

I glared at him and attempted to move my body. He watched me, seeming to enjoy my futile attempts at escape. I can’t believe this is still happening to me.

Today had been the worst day ever. If Jinxx intended on killing me then why didn’t he just get it over with? Why drag it out?

“I’m not going to kill you.”

My eyes travelled to his face again. The moonlight shone into the window, creating shadows against his beautiful features. He looked angelic under its glow. I parted my lips to ask why, but he interrupted me.

“I have no intention of killing you. And I suppose it is cruel keeping you restrained against your will.” He snapped his fingers.

The feeling returned to my body and I bolted upright, forgetting he was there and nearly colliding with him. I reeled back, but did not attempt run.

“Were you here when I argued with my Mum?” I asked, curious about his whereabouts.

“Yes,” He paused for a minute, glancing away. “Why do you let her speak to you like that?”

My eyes widened and I wasn’t sure whether to be offended or relieved. I chose to be a mixture of both.

“You paralyzed me somehow and sneak into my room,” I snapped. “Whilst I’m happy you agree with me, I am currently unhappy with the fact you are in my room.”

Jinxx turned to look at me again and shrugged. What the heck? No, no way was he getting away with this. He couldn’t just sneak into my room.

“This behaviour is unacceptable.” I tried to accomplish sounding angry.

He smiled and laughed. I glared at him with the most meanness I could muster, which wasn’t really a lot.

“You’re so adorable,” He grinned. “I could just eat you up.”

I reeled back again and tucked myself into the corner of the bed, glaring at him. I was still a little scared and reminded myself that he could hurt me at any moment. He seemed harmless enough for the time being.

“How come you don’t appear like this all the time?” I dropped my guard.

“Are you saying you want me here all the time?” He smirked again, voice going slightly lower. “I would love to be here all the time with you.”

Yikes. I laughed nervously and proceeded to tuck myself under the covers again. He watched me, curiously.

“I have a lecture tomorrow morning.” I said, finalising it.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He vanished, and I was left alone in my room.

Notes