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"Butterfly. The name gently stirred in the back of Annabelle's mind.


"Butterfly. She groaned and rolled over in bed. It had been a dream. Again. The same dream she had had for over a week. Annabelle's eyes opened and she squinted at the morning light stabbing at her eyes.


"It's that time again. Annabelle sighed and swung her legs out of bed.


Annabelle shuffled downstairs like a zombie, pulled a nasty Pepto pink sweater out of her wardrobe and tugged her hair into a messy bun.


"Hi Honey."Annabelle's mother called from downstairs.


"Morning Mom. Annabelle replied half-heartedly.


"Your father is absolutely livid. Annabelle's mother said putting down her morning paper. I told him you were back with him."Annabelle's mother chuckled. "He swears that it can't be as bad as you say it is.


I don't know if it is. But it will be tomorrow. Annabelle's voice cracked. Some people say that dreams never come true.

 Annabelle said. So I'm going to try not to have one tonight. I have a feeling that if I have this dream over and over again, it won't come true. Annabelle's voice broke. Annabelle wiped the tears from her cheek and burrowed deeper into her kitchen chair.


"Well … If you ever do want to talk." Annabelle's mother replied. "You can always call me. Annabelle's mother gave Annabelle a hug. "I may be the only person who can understand what you go through.


Annabelle threw open the closet and pulled out a pair of jeans and a black sweater. She pulled on the gray shirt from the night before and returned downstairs.


"I'm off. I should make it through my day without a dream. That's my goal. Annabelle said quietly and walked towards the door.


"Have a good day, sweetheart. The mother said. I hope the gossip mill gets to spread this one. And I hope it isn't like your last breakup.


Annabelle's mother smiled as soon as the words were out of her mouth. Annabelle's face fell.


"I'm sorry honey, I know that was none of my business.


"It's okay Mom. I wasn't thinking about that. Annabelle closed her eyes.


"I did hear that Owen is back in town. I'm glad to hear that. He was always such a nice young man. Annabelle's mother said. Maybe it's time you gave the poor boy a second chance.


"Maybe. Annabelle said.


"The next time you see him maybe you can ask him what's going on with him. I always liked him. He was always very serious, but very handsome. Such a big, strong boy. Annabelle's mother sighed. A true gentle giants.


"Okay mom. Annabelle said with a smile.


Annabelle walked out the door and into the cold, biting wind. She began the short walk to high school.


School was just like a dream. Annabelle's lips were sealed tight and she tried her best to stay away from everyone. She wanted to avoid the constant talk about her dream. However, every time she hung out with another friend, she was reminded about it.


"Let's go to coffee. Sarah said.


"Where are we going? Annabelle asked.


"Where do you want to go? Sarah replied.


"There's this new coffee shop down the street." Sarah said. "Hey are you seeing anyone else?


"Me? No. Annabelle replied.


"I feel like something is up with you. Sarah said.


Annabelle didn't respond. She glanced out of the corner of her eye at Sarah. She can tell that she thinks that something is up. Annabelle sighed. The truth was, she wanted to tell Sarah about her dream.


"Honey, there's something I need to tell you. Annabelle said.


"That sounds serious. Sarah said.


"I've been having this really really weird dream. Annabelle said.


"Oh … I'm sorry.


"No, no. Annabelle said. "It's not sad … it's weird as hell.


"Okay? Sarah said.


"It's kind of embarrassing too. Annabelle said. It's about … you know .it's about my boyfriend. It's like … I can't say it or the dream will come true.


Annabelle noticed the change in Sarah's face. It was the face that she once saw when she was 18 and had her first crush.


"I don't know what's going on. Annabelle said. It's just been bothering me for over a week now.


Was it something that happened lately? Like maybe last week? Sarah said.


Something happened last week? Annabelle said. I only know about it because of Owen. I met him here yesterday. I kind of wished that I had never said anything to him though.


"Why?


I can't be with him. He's changed. Annabelle said. And I'm crazy. When he touched me I felt like I was going to go crazy.


Crazy how? Sarah asked.


Like … like I was going to pass out at least. Maybe worse." Annabelle said. "But before that I was so happy. I wasn't even wondering about my dream anymore because I was so happy to see him. And then when he touched me I knew that I would never be able to be around him again. Or forgive myself for ruining anybody's life. I would never ever let that happen.



 And that was … that was it for me. I couldn't even think about another guy going forward. It was just too crazy. It was like my whole life was going to crumble to pieces for never letting him touch me. Annabelle sighed.


"I'm sorry honey. Sarah said. Maybe it's more than that. Maybe you have some kinds of trust issues.


"Trust? What trust issues? Annabelle stared at Sarah like she had gone crazy.


"You know how you can't be around people that are going to hurt you? Sarah said. Maybe you feel like they are going to hurt you again if you even say they hurt you.


"But why? Annabelle asked.


"Were you in a relationship before Owen. Sarah asked. Were you ever cheated on?


"No. Annabelle said.


"Oh. Sarah whispered. You have some trust issues there. Maybe you have this thought that … Maybe you think that the guy is going to hurt you again.


"I try to help people not be hurt." Annabelle said. "And I try to forgive them. It's just that I don't trust people. I don't really have faith in humanity. That's why my dream is so weird. I'm trying to do my part and try to help people. 



But then I forget about it. I'm trying to do the first part, but I'm not doing the second part. What I'm trying to do is too crazy. And I think some people take advantage of my compassion. I mean, sometimes I wonder if people even take advantage of it. Maybe they use it to get me to forgive them or something. I don't know.


Sarah put her hand on Annabelle's shoulder.


Do you think that the person in your dream is actually taking advantage of your compassion? Sarah asked.


Annabelle looked at the ground. She took a deep breath. She shook her head.


"Not at all. Annabelle said.


"Then maybe … he just wants to be with you." Sarah said. Maybe your dream is just trying to tell you that you need to 


"Be with him? Annabelle asked. I can't. I can't do that. I need to do more research before I give people anything."


"Okay. Sarah said. I'm sorry that I said something. I just wanted to help you.


"It's okay Sarah. I still love you. Annabelle said.


Annabelle hugged Sarah. Sarah hugged her softly.


"I'll see you after school. Sarah said.


Annabelle waved goodbye to Sarah as she walked into school. She walked in slowly and found that indeed a lot of people were looking at her. She knew why. They were all talking about her dream. She walked in her class room and saw her teacher. 



Ms. O'Neal was looking at her. She walked to the left and saw Owen. She gasped. She saw him at his desk, staring at her. She then ran to the right and saw her locker. She looked at her name on the locker. She took a deep breath and went to class.