I pick up my bag and walked out of my apartment. I glance back at my roommate on the way out. She sleeps peacefully, not a care in the world. I sighed. If only I could be that carefree. I’ve no time for that. Being a doctor means many things. One of them would be zero downtime for one’s self. Go me. I’ve made it this far. Having second thoughts would be idiotic at this point. I’ve already studied too deep into the subject to back out now. Three whole years of medical education only for me to hesitate. I don’t have time for hesitation. I take a deep breath and march out the door resolutely, a jolt of energy suddenly coursing through me body.

It’s a rainy day today. I pull my hood over my head and dash for the car. I open the door and jump in, throwing my bag in the passenger seat.

Traffic is slow. As usual. I drive by neighborhoods of other college peopl. Not much to see other than students struggling to drag themselves out the door. It’s a good medical school, but it is draining. I make it to the building for my class. I’m early but that’s a good thing. I plop myself down on the bench near the entrance under the roof hangover and pull a medical journal and water bottle out of my bag. I stare down at the open book silently for what felt like a long time. A brief cough breaks the silence and snaps me out of a trance, and I look up. A guy stands in front of me with a slanted smile and hands in his jean pockets. Tall, pretty strong build. A little slim. He’s got a pretty face. I haven’t seen him in my class before.

“Hey. I’ve been sitting in my car for ten minutes and you’ve been sitting here in the cold rain ever since I got here. If you want, you could come sit in my car with me until class starts.”

He looks pointedly over to his Honda and then back to me with a hopeful grin. I do not return it.

“I haven’t see you before.”

His smile falters a little bit, but he recovers it carefully. Is he disappointed about something?

“Drake.”

He offers his hand so I can shake it. I stare at it. And then back up to him.

“I’ve never seen you around here before, Drake.” I say.

“Transfer student.” He replies as he puts his hand down awkwardly.

Well, that would make sense. He does look about my age.

“I’ve got the same book actually.” He continues. He flings his bag from over his shoulder and pulls out the same medical journal I have in my arms.

Huh.

“That’s alright. I like the cold.” I glance at my watch. “Besides, class is going to start soon anyway.”

He pulls a phone out of his pocket.

“You’re right. Well, I’m that case, I’ll just sit out here with you until we’re able to go in.”

He smiles happily and lands next to me with book in arm. He grins down at his journal as he hums to himself.

What is with this guy? I usually scare people off. Why is he so insistent? He is sincere in his giddiness. What’s he so excited about?

I don’t have time to ponder my thoughts as our teacher walks towards the entrance. She looks over at us and smiles.

“I’m glad to see that my students are already getting to know you, Drake! Hi Emily!” She says cheerfully.

Drake looks up and replies, “Me, too! I was worried it would be hard to be aquaintanced with them, but they seem really friendly!”

What’s he playing at? I was very cold towards him. I keep my facial expression the same. I smile back to our teacher.

“Drake seems very keen to learn! I can’t wait to study with him!” I answer delightfully. “He’s very chipper for someone new. I’d be rather shaken!”

Lies. I wouldn’t be bothered with this social crap. I already know that I’m no good at making friends. Why make a fuss about it? I must play along though to escape this conversation and make it to the classroom without trouble.

The teacher seems satisfied and turns to walk into the building. Drake turns to me with the same smile. This time, however, is different. There’s something behind the charm. Like some sort of mask. I can’t tell what he’s trying to hide, but he isn’t just smiling at me. Is he studying me?

“See you in class!” He calls as he gathers his belongings and heads in.

Hmph. I don’t have patience to be caught up on someone like that. Emotions going haywire. Studies first. I can talk to people any old time. I need to get through this year. I need to keep reminding myself not to get distracted. I stand up resolutely and stride through the entrance. As I turn around to look through the entrance doors, the clouds part... almost unnaturally. The rain disappears. I turn around with a shrug without a second thought. Probably just weird weather.

Class is as it always is: dull. The teacher isn’t paid to make it interesting, I suppose. I stare down at my book. I’ve read about this section already. I’ll study later. I need to relax my mind so I don’t ruin myself from exhaustion and brain clutter. I look around the classroom, vaguely listening to the teacher as my eyes lock with someone. Drake turns back to his textbook almost immediately. Has he been staring at me? No matter. It doesn’t bother me. As long as he doesn’t get us himself or me in trouble. Although it is odd. What is he looking for? I stare down at my watch. It’s already been a half hour. Have I been daydreaming? My fellow colleagues are quiet so it is quite possible.

“Emily? Emily!”

I flinch and look around. The teacher is staring me down.

“Emily, are you alright? Lightheadedness?”

I shake my head.

“No, I’m fine. I’m sorry.”

I turn my attention over to a girl standing next to her. All eyes are on me, but she seems particularly interested in something. Don’t tell me this is another weird transfer student.

“Emily, the Headmaster apparently wants to see you. This girl is here to escort you.”

The girl nods with an awkward smile. I know this face well. The one promising that you’ll try not to be awkward on the way there whilst giving an awkward smile. Not very reassuring, although I’m not usually on the recieving end of it.

I nod to my teacher and rise to walk towards the exit. The girl walks after me. I can feel everyone’s eyes follow me out. I’ve never been called to the Headmaster’s before. I hear the girl shut the door behind her and we walk a short distance to the next corridor.

“I’m Rose. Don’t move.”

What I thought started out as a friendly conversation quickly transitioned to a cold tone that made chills go down my spine. I turn around to see Rose drop her smile and pull something out of her pocket.

“A stick? What is this, some sort of scheme to attack me? I’m afraid you’ve got the wrong person.”

Why would this person want to do anything to me. Her signals show hostility. Her stare is penetrating. Do I know her?

She looks up at me with a mischievous grin this time. She waves the rod threateningly.

“Something like that. And no, I don’t have the wrong person. Sorry to disappoint.”

I’m swift with my next move. I immediately pin her against the wall, forcing her arms over her head. She inhales sharply in surprise.

“Ooh, you are still a feisty one.”

She wears the same cocky attitude, showing no concern for her current situation. In fact, it’s as if she doesn’t put any effort into fighting back at all. It irks me.

“Who are you? Why do you act like you know me?” I ask irritatingly.

“I told you. My name is Rose. And you’re Emily Michelle Parker. You’re 23, and you are trying to become a doctor only because your parents hope you to be one.”

I step back.

“How the hell would you know that?”

She smirks as she stretches out from her being restrained.

“Because we know each other. Or we did. Don’t worry. I still know you though. I’d like to think that’s the important part. You want to know why?”

I raise an eyebrow.

“Why?”

My eyes wander to the stick in her hand, and it is now subtlety pointed at me.

“Because that means I know that you are easily distracted by words.”

A flash of light blinds me and I fall backwards and hit my headon the wall opposite from Rose.

“Ah! Ow! What the hell!”

I stagger you immediately, but I feel like I was hit by a dizzy spell.

“Wh-what... the hell did you...”

I sway back and forth as I hear footsteps from behind me.

“What the hell, Rose! Simon said I was supposed to take care of this!”

That sounds like...

“Drake...?”

“Woah there!”

I feel someone hold me steady as I try to regain complete consciousness.

“Simon said you took too long. It’s not my fault you were being too slow. Look at that. I got the job done the ten minutes I was here! Go me!”

I shake my head and read the situation. Drake’s arms are still holding me. I turn to glance up at him.

“Umm... you can let go n- AH!”

I drop to the floor with my hands instinctively covering my head. Pain beyond whatever the hell I thought was pain before overwhelmed my body, but most of all, my head was throbbing under my palms. I felt Drake and Rose kneel down next to me in panic. I shook and groaned in agony as I slowly lost consciousness.

I opened my eyes.

A house? I looked around wildly. Where did the school go? Where the hell are Drake and Rose?

I walk around the room. It was a living area. Couch, TV, all the fixes. I hear faint voices that make me jump coming from another room. It sounds like several people. It sounds like they’re celebrating something? A blonde girl runs excitedly. She’s hand in hand with-

“Rose! Where the hell are-”

I run towards her to grab her by the shoulders, only to phase through her entirely. I stagger forward with a yelp. What is this place?

Rose and the girl giggle as they dart to the couch. Two other boys come in chasing behind (one with jet black hair, one with hair color similar to my dark brown), followed by Drake, who is walking in without care as he eyes them with a similar smile he had when I met him. Wait, he’s walking with-

“Wait, what?!”

That’s me. He turns to smile affectionately at me. And I give him the same. He’s got an arm wrapped around my waist. Are we...? Nope, not gonna question it. I’m probably dreaming anyway. Wait, why would I dream about this?

I slap my face. Hard.

“Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!”

The scene continues. Nothing changes.

Am I really stuck here?

Nothing else to do but watch. I can’t wake myself up so I’ll have to wait.

“What are we watching tonight?” Drake asks the group.

I look at the group closely. They’re familiar. Not just from the pictures. I know now that I used to know them but now I’m recollecting it’s myself. I murmur to myself.

“Your name is Nathan.” I point to the boy with black hair.

“And you’re Simon! Drake mentioned you before I passed out. And you’re Luna!”

How do I know them?

“I don’t know. Something to do with boat.” Nathan replies.

“Titanic!” Luna and other me exclaim simultaneously. Luna sits up with her arms in the air enthusiastically. Other me answers as though answering for a quiz.

“Really? You two are a bunch of romantics.” Rose rolls her eyes, but she does not object to the suggestion.

“No. I just don’t know any other movies about boats.” I say with a goofy smile.

“But you are a romantic.” Rose boops Luna’s nose. Luna blushes.

“Alright. Titanic it is!” Simon replies.

Everyone moves into a more comfortable position. Luna cuddles into Rose, who wraps an arm around Luna with a scarified smile. Simon and Nathan sit back, and Drake and I lean up against each other as Drake turns the TV on.

I don’t remember them at all, yet I act so at ease here. Why am I here? Unless...

“Ahgh!”

The headache is back for an encore apparently. I grasp my head firmly as I almost immediately faint from the pain and fatigue from the last.