Rapid Eye Movement


I was so happy that Tuesday was a half day once I’d finished my first two lectures. It was brilliant and I knew today would be better than yesterday.

The first lecture whizzed by as did the second one. Once class was over and everyone began to leave I started to imagine what I’d do with my evening. Perhaps, I could finish that other essay and hand it in early or maybe I could go to Oxford Street and buy some films.

My thoughts were disrupted by someone tapping my shoulder. I jumped back, startled by it. A very nervous looking Sean was standing next to me. I immediately felt bad. I had probably freaked him out.

“Sorry about that,” He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

“N-no it’s cool,” I mumbled. “I was just away with the fairies.”

He laughed, dropping the nervous attitude. Sean was a great guy when he wasn’t around his jerk friend, whose name, I discovered was Kyle.

“I was thinking, would you like to get a coffee tomorrow?” He asked.

I blanched for a moment, staring dumbly at him. I felt my lips quivering a little. Sean was asking if I wanted to get a drink with him tomorrow. I couldn’t believe it. I had never been on a date with a guy before.

Woah there, Ellie. This might not be a date. He may just want to hang out as friends. Either way I was pretty pleased with that. However, I kept my cool and smiled.

“I would love to.” I replied.

He grinned, looking even more handsome. His green eyes lit up and I couldn’t help but smile back. He quickly wrote his number on a sheet of paper and handed it to me.

“See you tomorrow, Ellie.” He turned, and weaved through the chairs.

I could see Kyle waiting by the door and he glanced at me. His eyes narrowed, but Sean didn’t seem to notice and they left. I shrugged and gathered my belongings.

I was on cloud nine as I made my way back to the dorms. I was actually going to have coffee with a guy. It was like a dream come true. I figured that I’d finish my essay and then get some films.

I walked through the lounge and up the stairs. I practically floated along the corridor. I paused at my door, unlocking it and stepping into my room.

Something felt off in the room though and I glanced around nervously. No, something wasn’t right, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Someone put their hand over my eyes and my vision was obscured.

“Guess who?” A voice ghosted over my ear.

I had heard that voice before and I gulped. I didn’t answer, not wanting to believe it. The hand uncovered my eyes and I turned round.

Jinxx was leaning against the door, watching me. This couldn’t be happening. I narrowed my eyes into a glare. How the heck did he appear in here?

“What are you- how did you?” I asked, stepping forward.

He was taller than me, obviously. I was tiny at four foot eleven. I had to look up at him and I noticed more about him in the daylight. His skin was as pale as porcelain. His fringe was brushed to one side and nearly obscured his eye. The back of hair, though long, had bits sticking up like a crow’s nest.

He looked so human and I remembered I was fairly close to him so I stepped back, putting some space between us.

“I told you I’d love to be here all the time.” He grinned.

I hadn’t thought that he meant literally. I glowered at him. If someone had told me two weeks ago that I’d start having night terrors and all this crazy stuff would happen I think I’d laugh in their face.

“I didn’t think you meant literally.” I seethed.

He bit his lip again, something that was slightly more alluring in the daylight. He seemed to be enjoying my discomfort. He ghosted towards me, leaning closer, locking eyes with me. My breathing stuttered.

“Can you blame me? It gets so lonely in the dark.” His blue eyes sparkled. “I like your dress, by the way.”

The dress I picked out this morning was purple with flowers patterned onto the material. Since it was autumn now I had paired it with some boots and thin tights and a thin cardigan. I wrapped the cardigan round myself, suddenly feeling very exposed.

“I will kill you if you touch me.” I snapped.

“I’m immortal so I’ll take my chances.” He retorted.

Our minor disagreement was interrupted by the phone ringing. Oh great, that’s just what I need right now. I backed away from Jinxx. I picked up the phone, trying to keep my voice calm, but that failed when I saw my parent’s number.

“Hello.” I said, tentatively.

“Oh good, you answered. Do you have any idea how angry I am with you?” Mum’s shrill tone met my poor ears.

I glanced at Jinxx and motioned for him to leave, which he didn’t. He sat on my bed and watched me with something akin to concern in his eyes.

“Sorry, Mum,” I mumbled. “I’ve just been busy.”

I really wanted to forget the discussion we had the other day. Mum seemed to have other ideas. It seemed like she and Dad had had another argument. That was just me guessing though.

“I asked your father to ring you and he tells me that you were hurt,” She continued as though I wasn’t there. “And I said to him, Arthur, you need to stop babying the girl, she needs to learn to stand on her own two feet, like Daniel. Well, he stormed out on me.”

I felt like sighing at this point. Again with the whole Daniel thing. I listened to her rant until she was done. I hoped she’d wear herself out eventually, which she did.

“So, young lady. What do you have to say for yourself? After causing all this trouble.” She snapped.

I knew my cue, “I’m sorry Mum.”

I heard someone scoff and looked at Jinxx. He looked annoyed and I raised my finger to my lips to shush him. He rolled his eyes and I turned my attention back to my Mum.

“Well, I suppose it’s all right. Daniel will be coming home this weekend. I think you should come to support your brother. He’ll be bringing his new girlfriend.” She rattled on.

I agreed to come and she continued to talk about a few other things. I glanced at Jinxx to find him leaning forward on his elbows, observing me.

Again I waved my hand in sideways motion towards the door. His blue eyes darted across the room then back to me. He grinned and shook his head.

“Get out.” I mouthed.

“No, you invited me,” He stood then, advancing towards me. I stepped back, trying to sidestep him. “You invited me so I’m staying put.”

My disagreement with him was interrupted by my Mum. I wanted to scream at that point.
“Who are you talking to?” She snapped, annoyed at the interruption.

I had no choice but to tell Mum. She would just bug me until I did. I glared at Jinxx and he stepped closer, leaning down to hear what was being said. How close he was unnerved me. I could feel myself shaking.

“Just a friend, Mum.” I replied, squeaking in shock when he slipped an arm round my shoulders.

“A boy or girl?” Mum asked.

“A guy.” I stuttered out.

“A boy?” She sounded shocked, like she thought I couldn’t get a guy to go near me.

Although that was probably true. I had never been very social around guys and these past few days were the most interaction with the opposite sex I had had.

“And is this boy your boyfriend? Don’t you think you should be focused on your education instead of dating boys?” She had now decided to play the role of concerned mother.

I debated on whether to tell her that it was nothing serious, but then I realised how that sounded. I gulped nervously. My eyes darted to look at Jinxx. He was watching me, grinning at the predicament. He was definitely enjoying this.

“I-it’s quite…..um…..serious, Mum.” I managed to get out.

Again I glanced at Jinxx. He raised a brow at my response. I heard Mum inhale sharply. I briefly heard her say something to Dad. He sounded happy, but then he was proud of me.

“Your father insists you bring the young man to dinner this weekend.” Mum spoke suddenly.

Well, this was going to be unpleasant. I had to agree and Mum eventually hung up. No, this couldn’t be happening. I suddenly remembered how close I was to Jinxx. I glared at him.

“Quit being mean,” He mock pouted, then laughed.

“My parents want to meet you. They think we’re together.” I started panicking.

He observed me for a few minutes and shrugged.

“You appeared in my room and now you’re here. I want some answers now.” I tried to sound angry.

“You’re so cute when you’re acting all angry.” He chuckled.

I put some distance between us and remembered that he said I had invited him. I probably had, but in not so many words. I guessed I must be quite lonely. I was the girl that lived in the countryside and was now in a big city.

“I invited you?” I queried that part.

“Yeah, you did.” He stepped closer.

I nodded and took a few calming breaths.

“Why me?” I had to know. I wish I hadn’t asked though.

“I chose you because you were different to all the others. The more I saw the more I knew you were different. When I appeared in your room I just wanted to touch you.” He replied.

Those blue eyes trailed down my body, then back up until he had locked eyes with me. There was an intensity in his eyes that made me look away. An involuntary shiver passed down my spine.

“See, you just shivered,” He spoke again. “If you’re cold we could hug to keep warm.”

I looked at him again. A hug was a fairly innocent request, but he seemed to have a way of making it sound different.

“I told you that I’ll kill you if you touch me.” I hissed.

He moved quickly then and was in front of me in seconds. The speed nearly knocked me off my feet and I felt his breath fan my ear. It sent shockwaves through my body.

“How feisty. And I told you that I’ll take my chances, babe.” He pulled back then.

My cheeks were bright red and I watched him vanish. I sighed and tried to calm my racing heart. One thing to look forward to was meeting Sean tomorrow.

Notes