The beginning

It was the first day of high school. As Riya stepped onto the campus, a wave of emotions washed over her. The hallways buzzed with students reuniting after summer break, laughter echoing off the walls. She took a deep breath, reminding herself that everyone else was just as nervous as she was.

She picked up all her courage and walked into the classroom, her heart pounding. As she had joined mid-semester, she felt like an outsider. She sat quietly in the back, blending into the background and observing her new surroundings without the pressure of being in the spotlight. She wanted to take her own time to adjust, and she was grateful for the anonymity.

However, a girl sitting next to Riya turned and exclaimed, "Hey everyone! We have a new face in class!" her heart raced as her attention shifted towards her. The girl continued with a playful tone, "Come on, let's give her a warm welcome! What's your name, and what's something fun about you?"

Before she could respond, their professor, who had been busy organizing his notes, looked up and noticed the commotion. With a kind smile, he said, "Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't realize we had a new student. Please, would you like to introduce yourself to the class?"

Feeling the spotlight on her, Riya took a deep breath. The warmth of her classmates' smiles and the professor's encouraging nod eased her nerves. She stood up and introduced herself, sharing her name and a quirky fact about her  love for collecting vintage postcards. As she spoke, laughter and friendly banter filled the room. Riya was relieved as it turned into an unexpected opportunity to connect.

After a long day, Riya finally stepped into her dorm room, she dropped her bag by the door and flopped onto the bed. She was thinking about how her 1st day went well somehow. Just then, her roommate walked in. She was the same girl who had brought her into the spotlight during class, and to her surprise she approached her with a warm hug. "Hi! I'm Sarah. Your roommate "she said cheerfully, her smile was lighting up the room. They quickly struck up a conversation, sharing their hometowns and interests. 

As they continued to chat, they found common ground and laughter flowed easily between them. Then Sarah suggested they explore the campus together. After finishing, they sat on a bench, watching the sky change colors. Riya pulled out her phone to take a picture. "We have to remember this moment!" she said, grinning widely. Sarah couldn't help but smile back and posed.

One day, feeling particularly stressed, Riya turned to Sarah and said, "Hey, do you want to go shopping with me? It's the only thing that really helps her unwind." Sarah smiled and immediately agreed, sensing that they needed a break from the chaos of high school life.

As they strolled through the shops, they chatted about everything from classes to their favorite clothes. The vibrant atmosphere around them lifted their spirits, and Riya felt more at ease. Shopping has become a fun escape. Sarah encouraged Riya to try on different outfits, and they laughed at some of the ridiculous choices they made.

While Sarah and Riya were shopping, they decided to take a different path through the store, exploring the sections they usually overlooked. As Riya browsed through some clothes, she noticed a guy enthusiastically helping a girl pick out an outfit. He was attentive and seemed genuinely invested in her choices. She couldn't help but wonder who that lucky girl was, having such a charming guy by her side. But then, the girl stepped out of the fitting room. To her surprise, it was his mother! Riya chuckled at herself.

Just as Riya was about to turn back to the racks, a little voice in her head piped up," just look at him". He is tall, not overly muscular-his build is healthy and athletic, with just enough toned muscle to show that he takes care of himself. His features are uniquely attractive, with a friendly smile that lights up his face. What really stands out are his sparkling eyes. His style is laid-back yet stylish." Is he still single?"

The thought made her blush, and she quickly glanced back at him. He caught her eye for a moment, and her heart skipped a beat. After getting caught off guard, she felt her heart pounding, and she quickly rushed to Sarah. 

After finishing shopping, Riya and Sarah returned to the dorm, and Riya felt a wave of happiness wash over her. She turned to Sarah with a big smile, expressing her gratitude for spending such a wonderful day together. "Thank you for being the best shopping buddy!" And we should definitely keep doing this. They both chuckled.

But just as she was basking at the moment, a voice piped up in her head, teasingly asking, "Where can i find him?" She couldn't help but chuckle at the thought, realizing that even amidst her gratitude, her mind was still wandering back to that charming guy. It was funny how quickly her thoughts shifted, but it only added to the excitement of the day.

In order to avoid overwhelming thoughts, she indulged in her assignment, then drifted off to sleep, but soon she felt like someone was holding her tightly from behind, her arms pinned down. She tried to call out for her mom, but no words came out;she was completely frozen in fear. Just when the panic was at its peak, she suddenly woke up, heart racing and breathless.

Having been dealing with sleep paralysis for about 3–4 months now, sharing it with anyone seemed impossible. It had become her little secret, an insecurity that she carried alone. Each night, as she drifted off to sleep, she felt a mix of dread and anxiety, knowing that she might wake up trapped in her own body again, unable to scream or move. The thought of being judged kept her silent. So she kept her struggles hidden, feeling more isolated with each passing day. 

Riya glanced over at Sarah, she was peacefully sleeping beside her. Needing a breath of fresh air, Riya quietly slipped out onto the balcony. Standing there, she looked up at the stars, wishing for relief from the grip of her nightmares and hoping for a peaceful night's sleep soon.

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