January 15, 2017

I wake up early and look around at my dorm. My side of the room is adorned with reference books and awards. Fee-fee’s side; however, is plastered with posters of her favorite comedians from late night TV and a few classic literary works. “Good morning, Fee-fee.” I smile, catching the English major’s attention.

“You’re up!” she giggles, sitting up and hopping off the bed, “How’d you sleep, Lizzy?”

“I slept well.” I lie, trying to forget the terrible nightmare I had. It was about the man, well, sort of. I was in a white room by myself, and I just heard his voice, chanting, “See the world as the world sees me!” I looked around but found no way out. No way away from the man. He was everywhere, and nowhere at the same time. Then, I looked down at my hands and wanted to scream. They were on fire. I yelled, but no sound would come. It was terrifying.

“Yeah, I slept very well.” I repeat to alleviate Fee-fee’s suspicions, “I had a nice dream about winning the peace prize. It was fantastic.”

I can’t believe what I am saying right now! I lied to Fee-fee! I never lie, especially to Fee-fee! Something is off here, but Fee-fee doesn’t need to worry any more than she already is.

I glance at the door as someone knocks from the other side. “I’m back!” Jaxson shouts from the hall, knocking again as Fee-fee opens the door, “Ohp! Sorry Ophelia.”

“No prob, mate.” Fee-fee laughs tiredly, “I’m just glad you are here so I can SLEEP!”

Jaxson walks in and smiles. “You look good today.” he chuckles. I glance at myself in the mirror and laugh. My chestnut-tinted hair looks like a giant congelation of fluff that just happened to land on my head. “Heh.” I smirk, “I just woke up.”

“I can tell.” teases Jaxson, remembering the brown paper bag in his hand, “Oh! I brought breakfast. You like Paul’s sausage breakfast sandwiches, right?” Of course I do! I get one every morning from Paul’s Café on my way to class, and the whole campus knows. I thank Jaxson and graciously accept the friendly gesture. “Would you like a glass of milk?” I offer, but Jaxson shakes his head. “I have a drink.” he assures me, showing a protein shake as proof, “Ta da!”

Jaxson sits at our small dinner table and unloads the food, handing me my sandwich as I join him. Fee-fee, who is fast asleep, will have to warm hers up later as she usually does. It is 8:43 when we finish eating, and Jaxson checks his phone while I start-up my laptop. “I don’t think so!” Jaxson objects, quickly closing my device, “Westmont wanted me to make sure you relax today, so that’s what we are going to do. That means no working for once, Allison.”

“Relax?” I gasp, “We have a research paper due this Friday!”

“Westmont gave you an extension.” he informs me, “She says if you take today as a day to recuperate, you’ll have an additional week. She’s really concerned, Allison.”

“Well if I can get an extra week for relaxing, I guess I better make the most of my day off.” I grin, “You know what I haven’t done in a while?”

“What?”

“A photography session!” I giggle, holding up my finger, “You wait right there until I am ready!”

I run off, get a shower, and put on a sweatshirt and jeans. By nine o’clock Jaxson and I are walking out of my dorm house with my camera. “Are you sure you should be out walking around?” Jaxson protests several minutes later. “Trust me Jax,” I guarantee, silently kicking myself for the new nickname, “nothing relaxes me more than a day of taking pictures.”

We walk down the main path through campus as I take pictures left and right. “Aha!” I gasp, getting a wonderful idea, “Follow me!”

Leading Jaxson down a less-traveled path, I run into the woods with my black-haired friend close behind. “Where are we going?” he calls as if I am losing my mind.

“Here.” I answer, stopping in my tracks to take a picture of the beautiful scenery. The snow is falling, and several hundred yards away are the frozen waterfalls that look just as calming in winter as in any other season. “Smile Jax!” I say, snapping a picture when he gets near, “Not bad.”

“Okay, so how about we get inside?” Jax suggests, nodding back to main campus as the wind picks up, “Paul is having a two-for-one grilled cheese special for lunch and it’s almost noon. I know I could use some tomato soup to warm me up.”

“Lessgo!” I decide quickly, taking the lead once again, “I’ll pay!”

It’s a nice walk to the café, despite the temperature being below zero. Negatives aren’t a biggie for a Maine girl like me, but Jaxson is from Florida, so I can see why he doesn’t like winter that much.

“Well if it isn’t Ally and my man, Jaxson Mathis!” Paul greets us at once, “Back for more?!” Paul’s a hip twenty-something who also attends school here, paying the tuition entirely from his café profits. Business is booming for this marketing major as usual, so Jaxson and I take a table in the corner and order the grilled cheese special. “Great choice, I’ll get that right away.” Paul smiles, taking the order back to the kitchen. Paul doesn’t actually cook the food, his mom Paula does, but the recipes all are Paul’s. He just likes people and doesn’t want to be locked in a hot kitchen all day.

“I didn’t know you liked photography.” Jaxson says, trying to make small talk as I fiddle with my camera. “Yeah, I used to take pictures all the time, but I hardly ever have the time these days.” I explain, “My mom is a photographer, so it just rubbed off on me. The eyes of a photographer are a unique perspective.”

Jax looked at me. “Are you okay?” he asks. “Yeah.” I assure, lost in space. I blink. “Yeah, I’m fine.” I repeat, “Everything’s alright.”

We finish lunch and I cover the bill like I said I would. “Maybe we should go back to the dorms.” I suggest, and Jaxson is quick to agree, “I wonder if Fee-fee is up yet.”

Back at my dorm room, Fee-fee has gotten dressed up in the dark green dress shirt that really brings out her brown eyes and a pair of khakis. She has her hair pulled back in a ponytail and is fixing her tie, almost ready to leave, when we arrive.

“Hey babies!” she greets when she sees Jax and I, “Take some good pictures? How are you feeling, Lizzy?”

“I’m fine, Fee-fee.” I reply, “You look awfully spiffy this afternoon. Hot date?”

“No!” she replies with a laugh, “I just have to go interview the C.E.O. of Tangent Manufacturing for my article for the paper. Gotta dress the part, you know!”

“Good luck!” Jaxson smiles as she leaves, then turning to me, “What now?”

I look at my watch. It is almost one o’clock. “I don’t know.” I shrug, looking to Jax for suggestions, “Relaxing isn’t exactly my thing.”

Jaxson grins and grabs the TV remote. “Some television never hurt anyone.” he says, sitting me down on the sofa and clicking it on, “Ooh! Prisoner Brains!”

This actually isn’t that bad. It’s nice to sit and chill for a bit. The protagonist of the show is getting falsely accused of murder as I shut my eyes. When I open them; however, I’m alone in a white room with no doors or window. By myself, I hear nothing but his voice chanting, “See the world as the world sees me!” Once again, the man is everywhere, and nowhere at the same time. “No, no, no, no!” I panic, feeling the burning on my hands. They are on fire, no, they are making fire. I scream, but instead of sound, hordes of locust swarm from my mouth and soar around the room. “See the world as the world sees me! Allison Cameron, see it like it sees me! Treat the world as the world treats me!”

I look for a way out of this place. The locusts are everywhere. I can’t breathe, and then out of nowhere comes the man. He smiles as his voice continues to echo through the room. “Who are you?!” I demand to know, “Where am I?!”

“See the world as the world sees me.” he replies as the world around me fades to black. I open my eyes and see Jaxson next to me. “You’re awake.” he smiles, “Ophelia just got back and is making dinner. How do you feel?”

“I feel hungry.” I mutter, “What time is it?” The room smells like meatballs. Fee-fee must be making spaghetti.

“It’s 6:30.” Jax answers as I realize I’m leaning on his shoulder and quickly sit up. “I smell meatballs.” I mention, hearing Fee-fee’s laugh. She is in the kitchen stirring a pot of pasta, her ‘Kiss the Chef’ apron hanging from her neck. “Sunday Spaghetti Night, baby!” she laughs, “Then the three of us can settle down and watch America’s Funny Home Moments.”

“Kay, Fee-fee.” I nod, brushing my hair out of my face with my hand, “Any news while I was down and out?”

“The interview was just peachy.” Fee-fee assures, “Professor Westmont called to check on you too. She mentioned something about– never mind.”

“Fee-fee!” I curse, “You can’t leave me hanging like that!”

“It’s not important.” Jaxson assures, making me get off the offensive, “Like I said, Westmont is very worried about you still.”

I sigh. I guess I can let this one go. “So spaghetti, huh?” I smirk, “Sounds good.”