RUTH'S POV
I woke up late that night because of the same dream that I'm having for a very long time .
I looked at the table clock . It was showing 3.30 am sharp _ the vampire hour . I got up my bed and looked outside the window . It was dark _ quite dark outside . My head was hurting slightly as usual , like it always does after having the same dream each time .
In my dream , I was standing near a big castle which was in the middle of a dense forest . It was a bright full moon night and the whole forest was flooded with the soft light of the moon . Distant howling of unknown beasts was coming from the forest which made my body shivered . I could clearly hear mournful howlings of thousands of wolves as if they were trying to forbade me to go into the castle , as if they were saying something to me .
I was walking slow by slow towards the castle as if I got hypnotized by something ... I entered the castle and was moving from one hall to another to desperately find someone . I was searching like crazy for someone that I didn't even know of .
Suddenly , I came into the centre of the castle when I heard someone stepping behind me . I slowly turned my head to see who's making the noise and saw a flash of light so dazzling white that I couldn't see the face of the unknown person in my dream .
Then I suddenly woke up in my bed with a jolt .
I have been having that same dream for a very long time as long as I can remember . I don't know if the dream means something or not _ but I don't wanna waste my time thinking about it . Whatever . I went back to sleep . I have to wake up early next morning because I have exams tomorrow for which I have been preparing for a very long time and I don't wanna ruin it by thinking about that stupid dream . I set alarm on my phone and closed my eyes .
" Ruth ! "
It felt like I have just closed my eyes when I heard mom from downstairs calling for breakfast . I looked at the clock . It was showing 6.00 am .
" She's always ahead of the alarm ! " I said to myself , then turned off the alarm which was set for 6.30 .
I went to the bathroom to get freshen up . I looked at the mirror . A pair of green eyes looked back at me which were swollen because of the lack of sleep last night . I yawned and sprinkled some water in my eyes to be fully awake .
When I went downstairs , I saw everyone was already there waiting for me .
" Happy birthday , dear ! " Dad said to me softly while giving me a warm hug .
" Happy birthday sweety ! " Mom hugged me too .
Oh , I almost forgot that today's my seventeenth birthday !
" Thank you so much mom and dad ! " I was so happy to see them together at this moment as they both were always busy with their works and we hardly eat our meals together except some rare occasions .
We happily had our breakfast after a long time .
" You got any plans for your birthday , sweety ? " Dad asked me after a while .
" No , dad . " I replied .
" What'll you do after your exam ? "
" Nothing much . Why ? "
" Let's have dinner together . You , your mom and me . "
" Sure , dad ! That's gonna be so awesome ! "
I felt so happy because it's been a long time that we'll be going out together as a family . I finished my meal quickly and left for the school . The day has started quite well .
" Hey , Ruth ! "
I turned back and saw Emma was coming towards me , running .
" Hey , what's up ! " I said to her seeing her catching her breathe .
" How's your preparation ? Mine is way too worst . We had a big party last night at our house . " She said anxiously .
" No worries . " I pushed her slightly with my shoulder . " We got your back ! " I said to her while waving to our another friend Lisa who was just entering .
" Hey ! Buddies ! " She screamed at the sight of us .
" Hey ! " Both Emma and I said in a chorus and burst out laughing at the same time .
" I heard that your hot brother has come back from the state . " Lisa said to Emma while emphasizing the word ' hot ' in a sexy way .
" Hey , Lis , don't start again ! " I said to her mockingly as we all know that she's got a crush on Rob , Emma's brother . But he never gives her a chance for flirting or anything . He's just that nerdy type of guy who loves books more than anything .
" Okay , wanna come to Billy's party tonight ? After our exam is over ? " Emma said to us after a while .
" No . Got programs with mom and dad . " I said to her while entering the classroom .
" Come on ! " Lisa grabbed my shoulder .
" It'll be fun ! After all Leo will be there tonight ! " She winked at me while laughing so hard .
Leo , the captain of the basketball team of our school was my secret crush that only we three know .
" Yeah ! It'll be fun ! Hey Leo ! " Emma said suddenly . I quickly turned my head to have a look and saw him coming through the door . We have got the same subject and we have a very casual relationship like classmates ... well , except my having crush over him ...
" Hello ladies ! " Leo smiled and gave a high five to both Emma and Lisa while only said just " Hi " to me .
I was blushing heavily and was staring stealthily at his sight . He was looking way too much handsome that morning . He was wearing a white shirt with a black T shirt underneath . The sleeves were rolled back and I could see his veins in his wrists which I liked the most . His brown hairs were back brushed neatly and I could smell a spicy and woody smell of his perfume coming from his body while he was talking to us , standing a few inches away from me .
I couldn't engage myself to their conversation . I was just standing there blushing while looking completely stupid in front of him .
" Hey , can't you talk ? We were trying to make you communicate with him ! It's not the first time that you did the same ! " Lisa said to me after Leo had left .
" I ,, I was thinking ... " I stammered . It's all my fault that I can't speak a single word in front of my crush . Oh , why am I so stupid like this ?
I got back home quickly after everything was over . It was evening and the sun had set already . It was quite dark outside . I unlocked the door and went straight to shower as I had to get ready for the dinner . Mom and dad was not home as usual .
I stepped into the bathroom and closed the door . I looked into the mirror and looked at myself . Everyone says that I'm beautiful _ but am I really ? I have a nice face with beautiful eyes and luscious lips . My waist is slim and curvy . I have such long legs that can be called hot . I have smooth skin which is soft and honey colored . I think I have the look of more innocent one type than the hot sexy type that boys like the most . I put off my clothes and bra and looked at the mirror again .
" What type do you like ? " I said to myself while thinking about Leo ....
The kitchen phone was ringing loudly at that time . I quickly finished the shower and wrapped myself up with a towel . I was wearing nothing but the towel and stepped out of the bathroom .
" Hello . Who's this ? "
" Honey , it's me , dad . "
I heard his anxious voice over the phone .
" Dad ? When you'll be back ? We got dinner together , remember ? " I reminded him of his plan while thinking what had happened suddenly .
" Listen , sweety , me and your mom , both has got stuck in our works all of a sudden . I'm just very sorry , dear . We'll be a bit late tonight .... " He paused a little as if trying to find words to say something . He sounded a bit anxious over the phone that I got nervous too .
" Okay , dad . " I said sadly .
" Listen , sweety , we ... we are moving out of the town tomorrow . "
" Wait . What ? " I screamed with surprise . " Why all of a sudden , dad ? "
" I'm so sorry , darling ... but we have to . It's all of a sudden though , I know it's hard for you ... but I can't help it . You go and pack your stuffs . We'll be moving early tomorrow . "
Then he cut the phone , leaving me quite perplexed in the spot .
Damn it ! We have been moving from town to town since I was little because of my parents jobs . I have changed schools so many times that I can't even count how much . I just got fed up at this moment . We have been living in this town for about a year now and I have thought that , at last I can be settled in somewhere after a long time . It'll not take too much till I graduate and move out of the house . I decided to stay in this area after that and complete my college . But my whole plan got ruined just now .
I was so shocked and felt so sad that I cried for a while . I couldn't believe that I was leaving the town , my friends , my school , and ... Leo , who doesn't even know about my feelings though .
I looked at the clock . It was showing 7 pm sharp .
" Okay . " I wiped my tears . " I'll go to the party tonight and tell Leo about my feelings . "
I was determined and wanted to give it a try . I have to overcome my fears . It's just a year for me to graduate , after that I'll move out and come back here again .
I went upstairs to my room .
" Let's give it a try ! " Looking into the mirror , I said to myself .
