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Dream World Mirau by Josephina Mari
Day Twenty Two of NaNoWriMo

I woke to a feeling of grogginess although I was for sure I got enough sleep. My body felt awake and ready to go, while my mind felt tired and wanted me to go back to sleep for a few more hours. Maybe school was starting to wear on me, but I was looking forward to seeing my friends at lunch time. That alone would give me enough drive to make it through English and History class. I hit the snooze button on my alarm then I pulled the blanket over my head as I tried to go back to sleep even if it was only ten extra minutes sometimes that made all the difference for me. It seemed like those ten minutes flew buy in the blink of an eye and I didn’t really feel any better afterward. I debated in my mind on if I should get up or just stay in bed for the rest of the day. I finally decided to get up out of bed a few minutes later then I hit the off button on my alarm clock before I reached over to the night stand near my bed to retrieve my glasses. Once I put them on the world around me quickly came into focus, and then I walked over to my closet and opened the door. My school uniforms still hung in the same spot they always had staring at me while I looked at them trying to decide what to wear. I took one of the uniform sets out of the closet as I thought to myself “I think I’ll wear it today. How bad can it be if most of the other girls wear them?” I quickly changed into the white long sleeve blouse, green bow neck tie, gray mid length skirt, and the matching gray over coat. I even decided to wear the regulation knee high socks, but the shoes I absolutely hated with a passion. I couldn’t go anywhere without my chucks, so I put them on, and then I pulled my backpack into my shoulders once I was already to go. I went downstairs for my morning bowl of Captain Crunch.

As I ate it I was reminded of the captain of the fishing boat we were on Jean Lu Charles was his name. He seemed like a nice guy and he had an interest cast of characters for crew members as well. It was nice of him to take us over to Mesa. I had no idea how we would have gotten there without him. I finished up my breakfast then I put my dishes away in the dishwasher. After that I grabbed my backpack and slung it over one shoulder as I made my way to the front door. I exited out of the house closing the door behind me. I checked to make sure it was locked before I walked to the end of my sidewalk to wait for my school bus to arrive. Once I had arrived at school I headed straight to English class like I always did. I was a little surprised to find Ben and a few other students had arrived before me and were already in their seats. Ben looked at me surprised as I took my usual seat next to him, then I dug into my backpack to retrieve my Literature book for today’s lesson. “Okay I have to say something...Who are you and what have you done to Mari? Are you holding her hostage somewhere?” Ben’s questions came as a bit of a shock to me until I realized I wasn’t wearing my normal clothes. I decided to play along and see if I could call Ben’s bluff. “I was really that obvious huh? Do tell what gave me away?” I said in a low devious whisper to Ben. Inside my head I couldn’t seem to stop laughing as I wondered if Ben really thought I was someone else. It is amazing how changing your clothes can change the way people perceive you. Ben looked me over with his eyes as a non-verbal cue. His eyes stopped at my shoes for a moment before he looked at my face again and then he said “You are definitely Mari. I think your old look is more ‘you’ thought. You should be yourself and not pretend to be like one of them.” Ben whispered to me as I heard a couple of girls talking in the back of the room. They were too far away for me to make out what they were talking about, but I got the feeling that they were talking about me, maybe Ben too, and it seemed like Ben could somehow sense that was well. Ben glared back at the two girls causing them to suddenly go quiet. An odd silence filled the room after that as more of my classmates came pouring in. The bell rang extra loud to signal the start of class. I was so eager to talk to Clare, Kyle, and Ben at lunch that it seemed to make time go buy even slower.

I was relieved when lunch time finally came around as I made my way over to my usual table where Kyle, Ben, and Clare were waiting for me. “Sorry everyone, I still haven’t come up with a plan yet. If I knew more about what we are up against I would have a better idea on how to defeat it. I know you have limited information on the Akuen though, so we will have to go on the defensive and look for a weakness or an opening to strike. I will do whatever I can to help out. I think I’m getting the hang of using the bow so I will probably stick with that.” I said looking sad that I couldn’t offer anything else to my friends who were counting on me. “It is fine Mari. I will probably stick with melee combat with my sword then. Mari and Baer will provide distance attacks.” Karou muttered more to himself, but it seemed Clare heard him since she said “Who is Baer?” How would you describe Baer in any other words than “Baer is an apprentice magician and alchemist in training. He is obsessed over his magic and we are currently looking for his Master....probably so Baer can learn even more crazy spells.” Kyle said laughing a little. “He sounds a lot like a certain someone we know doesn’t he Clare?” Ben said smiling. It looked as though Ben was looking at Kyle when he said then, but he quickly shifted his eyes to me before Kyle could notice. “The battle ahead will be difficult, but we have faith in you. Clare and I will keep the villagers as calm as possible and make sure they are safe. Focus on your mission at hand.” Ben said to both my and Kyle. “How is everyone holding up Ben? They have to be worried since we have been gone so long.” I said feeling bad since there was no way for us to communicate that we were safe to Lady Angela or the rest of the villagers. “I’ve been talking with Miss Angela. She said that she can tell you are safe due to the bond she has with her son. She also sends her prayers to you for a safe journey. Miss Angela told me that the villagers have been taking her advice and some of them have begun training with weapons to fend off the lesser Akuen beasts that come to try and destroy the village. Miss Angela said she has things under control there, but the longer we wait the stronger the Akuen will become.” Ben said trying to deliver the news in the most positive voice he could manage. It was supposed to be a message to put their minds at ease and relieve some of the tension after all.