Chapter 1
My story is not that of your average 24-year-old girl. I am different and not in that ‘we are all unique’ kind of way. I am different in every sense of the word. By day, I have a regular job at a publishing company. I’m an assistant with the promise of promotion to a literary agent (hopefully). I own a 2 bedroom apartment with my boyfriend of 3 years, Jeremy. He is the love of my life and a teacher by day, musician by night. This part of my life is normal. The thing that makes it different is that ever since I have been a child, I have had many imaginary friends, which is to be expected. The only problem is that as I got older...so did my imaginary friends. They have never left me. They are there...in my head, in my life. By all standards, this should make me crazy. Maybe I am. Right now, things are good. I have a good career going, I have a wonderful boyfriend and I’m happy but the fear is always there. Fear of losing the one life I do want to continue living.
“Cassy...c’mon babe. Time to wake up.” Jeremy gently shakes me awake. I moan, reluctantly waking up. I open my eye to find him smiling at me. “It’s almost 7:30” Jeremy shows me the clock and I jump up realizing I have 30 minutes to get showered and dressed before I have a staff meeting.
“Call Rory for me, please. Tell him I might be a few minutes late.” I start pulling out clothes to wear and strip off my pajamas. I quickly jump into the shower, careful not to wet my hair and scrub up. I’m brushing my teeth when Jeremy comes in the bathroom and kisses my shoulder.
“Wow, what happened? did I do that to you last night?” Jeremy strokes my shoulder. I turn and see a massive deep purple bruise on my shoulder blade. What in the world is that? I don’t remember falling or hurting myself. I quickly lift my gown over my shoulder and hurry past Jeremy and busy myself with my clothes. Jeremy follows me, worried. “Cassy, you’re still taking your meds, right?” Jeremy hands me my skirt. I finally face him.
“Yes, I am. It’s probably from the gym or something. “Jeremy looks me dead-on, serious, “I swear I’m taking them, Jeremy. I’m late so can we do this tonight please?” I slip into my skirt and get my shoes on. Jeremy pushes his spectacles up the bridge of his nose.
“Okay. I’m just worried about you. You know what the doctor said about stress and lately...” Jeremy passed me my jacket.
“I know, Jeremy! I just don’t have time to convince you right now. Can we talk tonight, please? I have to go!” I got up and left, leaving him in the bedroom. I quickly got in the car and headed off to work. The company was busy with expansions so work is stressful at the moment. I just hate it when Jeremy treats me like a child. I have a condition, yes but I have a life too. One that needs my full attention right now. Everything else can wait. I run to get the elevator and caught it before the doors closed. The staff meeting lasted 2 hours. I had a pounding headache when we finally adjourned. I slowly made my way to my cubicle and just flopped down into my seat and put my head down on the table.
“Rough morning?” Michael leaned over my wall. He was the office hottie. All blonde locks and blue eyes. The ladies seemed to swoon at the mere sight of his hair. He had always been over-friendly, which annoyed me as I was very happy with Jeremy. The fact that I wouldn’t shag him must be my appeal. I slowly lifted my head and nodded in response to his question. “Well, a couple of the guys from the third floor are going out for drinks after work. Join us?” He came around and set a bottle of aspirin down next to me, leaning closely over me. I shifted my chair away from him.
“I think I’ll pass. I need a quiet night.” I politely declined. Michael pouted but didn’t push the issue as much as he usually does.
“We will be at NuBar if you change your mind.” Michael winked at me then stuffed his hands in his pockets and left. I picked up the bottle and took two pills then flicked through my calendar. I realized I had to refill my prescription so I would have to stop by the pharmacy after work. I decided to text Jeremy.
*SORRY ABOUT THIS MORNING. I MISS YOU. SEE YOU TONIGHT*
I started answering emails and before the long, the day started to go faster. At 4 pm I sighed, relieved that soon I could go home. I checked my phone and saw a text I hadn’t answered from Jeremy.
*BTW, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. MISS YOU TOO. PARENTS CONFERENCE TONIGHT. I WILL BE HOME LATE.*
Crap! was that today? I completely forgot. I decided to stop by the school after the pharmacy and surprise Jeremy. I quickly dodged after-work talks with Connie and Lizbeth and quickly went to get my prescription. Medication secured, I quickly sped off to North Ridge Secondary School to say Hi to Jeremy. His car was still in the lot so I was in luck. I went to his class and spied him chatting to Miss Busty Ella Simpson. She was flipping her hair back and forth like she was in some cheesy movie. I knew she liked Jeremy but he didn’t share the same sentiments. That didn’t seem to hinder her pursuit though. I quietly entered the classroom and watched her face from flushed and flirty to annoyed. Jeremy perked up and got up and walked over.
“Happy Anniversary baby. Sorry, I forgot.” I gave him a soft kiss which took him and Ella by surprise. Jeremy, shy and red, kissed me back and then hugged me.
“That should be my line” He chuckled. “What brings you around?” He looked me over and saw that in my bag was the medication and he visibly relaxed. I knew he was worried I would forget.
“Can’t I surprise my boyfriend?” I jokingly pouted which made him laugh. “What time will you be home? Because I have this little black lace thing I want to show you.” I ran my finger along his belt. Jeremy’s eyes popped at my come on. He pushed his specs up the bridge of his nose. I found that so cute. Jeremy cleared his throat.
“Around 9 at the latest. Wait up for me.” He demanded softly. I laughed and kissed his cheek. Ella came closer, interrupting us. I shot her a dark look. Jeremy squeezed my hand. He knew I didn’t like her.
“Nice to see you, Cassidy. Did Jeremy tell you? He and I were asked to speak at a National convention next week.” Ella announced. I turned to Jeremy, surprised that he hadn’t told me. He made to explain but I shook my head. We would end up fighting, which is what Ella wanted. Instead, I just smiled.
“That great. Jeremy, I will leave you to prepare for tonight. See you later.” I kiss him, a little too passionately and then turned and left. In the car, my annoyance set in. No way was he going out of town with her. I trusted him but she would probably drug him. I wouldn’t put that past her. I immediately shook the thought out of my head. That wasn’t rational thought. When I got back to the apartment, I headed for the kitchen and checked my medication....why was there so much left? I checked the calendar I used to keep track of when I take them. I missed a few days....a week! I started to panic. I had to take my pills every day to keep the hallucinations at bay.
“Do you? That’s what they want you to think.” I looked in the mirror and there she was. Katya. One of my ‘friends’. “That whore needs to learn her lesson. She wants your man!” Katya slicked on her red lipstick. I moved back, my breathing speeding up. This was not happening! I shut my eyes and tried to steady my breathing but my breathing just increased. I sat down on the floor, bringing my knees up to my chest. the room started to spin and the walls seemed to start vibrating. I held my head and tried to concentrate on real things...Jeremy! I called out in my mind and then the room suddenly went black.
