My Past Life Haunts Me!

Protect Her!

         The bell echoed through the classroom, signaling the end of class. Ashlyn gathered her books quietly and then grabbed her backpack. Pharm sat at the desk beside her and then sat up in shock.

         'Hey Ashlyn, have you seen this?' he said, holding out his phone to her
Ashlyn took the phone from him and felt her cheeks turn red as she saw the image of her and Dean laughing together from when they had lunch. She zoomed in on the picture. "Where did you find this," she asked him nervously.

"It's all over the campus site," Pharm said to her.

         Team looked over her shoulder. "So, you had a lunch date with Dean," he says, teasing and nudging her shoulder.
Ashlyn felt her heart race at the mention of a "date," She quickly corrected Team, "It wasn't a date; we just had lunch together." But even as the words left her mouth, she couldn't deny the flutter in her stomach at the thought of it being a date.

Pharm leaned in, his eyes flickering with excitement. "Come on, Ashlyn, spill the tea. What was it like?"

Ashlyn hesitated, not wanting to share too much, but she couldn't deny that the lunch with Dean had been enjoyable. "It was nice," she said with a small smile.

She looked back at the phone and smiled again.

Team and Pharm both grinned at her. "Looks like someone's got a crush," Team teased.

Ashlyn felt her cheeks heat up again, but she couldn't deny the truth in his words. She had feelings for Dean, even though they had just started getting to know each other.

As the three of them left the classroom, Ashlyn couldn't help but wonder if Dean felt the same way. And if he did, where would that lead them?

Win walked into changing room of the swim club holding his phone. "Hey did you see this," he says, handing Dean the phone.
Dean took the phone from Win and looked at the picture of him and Ashlyn at lunch. He felt a strange mixture of embarrassment and excitement seeing their image circulating the campus site together. "Yeah, I saw it," he replied with a smile.

Win looked at him with a sly grin. "So, is there something going on between you two?"

Dean shrugged, feeling a little bashful. "I don't know. We're just hanging out."

Win raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh, just hanging out. Well, she's pretty cool, so good for you, man."

Dean couldn't help but smile at Win's approval. "It's weird. Ever since I met her, it feels like the thing I have been looking for has been found, and I can't help but feel a pull toward her," Dean says to him.

Win clapped a hand on Dean's shoulder. "That's called love, dude," he says, laughing.

Dean looked to Win, shrugging off his hand. "I don't know what it is, but I can't help having this attraction towards her," he said.

Win laughed as he took his phone back. "Hey, send me a copy of that photo," Dean told him.

Win laughed and shook his head. "Your something else," Win said as he sent him the picture.

Dean looked at his phone, saved the picture, then slipped his phone into his pocket and started getting changed into his swim gear, still thinking about Ashlyn and their lunch date.

Win chuckled as he watched Dean get lost in his thoughts. "Just don't forget we have practice today, man," he reminded him.

Dean snapped out of his daze and nodded. "Yeah, I know. I'll be ready in a sec," he said, finishing up getting changed.

As they walked out of the changing room, Dean's mind was still on Ashlyn. He couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to spend more time with her, to get to know her better. This hangout after school could be the perfect opportunity for that.

He smiled as he headed toward the pool, excited about what the rest of the day might bring.

Dean left the changing locker room with Team and Win behind him, laughing. He looks around, noticing Ashlyn sitting on the bleachers, looking down at her phone. She looked up and smiled when she saw him.

"Hey," she said, patting the space beside her. "Have a seat."

Dean sat beside her, feeling excited as he looked at her. "So, how was your day?" he asked her.

Ashlyn shrugged. "It was alright. Just the usual stuff. How about you?"

Dean grinned. "It was good. Just a lot of swim club stuff to take care of."

Ashlyn looked up at him curiously. "You're the president, right?"

Dean nodded. "Yeah, that's me. I try to keep everything organized and ensure everyone is doing their part."

Ashlyn smiled. "That's cool. I don't think I could handle that kind of responsibility."

Dean chuckled. "It's not as bad as it sounds," he says.

Team and Win walked up to Ashlyn and Dean. "Hey, you two, we were going to get something to eat. Team's bottomless stomach is requiring food," Win says to them.

Dean looked at Ashlyn. "Actually, we have plans to hang out after school. Maybe we can catch up with you guys later?"

Team and Win looked at each other, smiling, and then back at Dean and Ashlyn. "Plans, huh," Team says, teasing.

Dean and Ashlyn looked at each other again as she blushed. "Just hanging out," she says, looking to Team.

"Oh, is that how Americans put dates," Win says, teasing her.

Ashlyn blushed again softly. "N-no," she says nervously.

Team and Win looked at each other again and then at Dean and Ashlyn. "Sure thing," Win said, laughing. "Have fun hanging out."

Dean and Ashlyn watched as Team and Win walked away. Dean turned to Ashlyn. "So, what do you want to do?" he asked.

"Well, I heard there was a cafe around campus," she says to him softly.

"Sounds good. I hope you're ok with riding on a motorbike," he asked her.

Ashlyn smiled. "I've actually never been on a motorbike before," she said.

Dean grinned. "Well, you're in for a treat," he said, standing up and offering her a hand. "Let's go."

Ashlyn took his hand and stood up, feeling a flutter of excitement in her stomach as they walked toward the parking lot. They reached Dean's motorbike, and he handed her a helmet.

"Put this on," he said, strapping on his helmet. "Safety first."

Ashlyn laughed and put on the helmet. She climbed on the back of the bike and held on to Dean as he started the engine and drove off.

The wind rushed past them as they rode towards the café. Ashlyn held on tight to Dean, feeling the thrill of the ride and the closeness between them. When they arrived at the café, Dean parked the bike.

Dean and Ashlyn walked towards the cafe, passing a few students who gave them curious glances. Ashlyn couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious after the picture from their lunch date had circulated on the campus.

"So, about that picture," Dean said, breaking the silence.

Ashlyn looked at him, unsure of what to say. "I'm sorry if it's causing any trouble," she said softly.

Dean shook his head. "No, no, it's not that. I just wanted to ensure you're ok with all of this attention."

Ashlyn smiled. "I'll be ok," she said. "It's not like I'm not used to it. I don't want things to get out of hand."

Dean nodded. "I get it. But you don't have to worry about anything. I'll make sure nothing crazy happens."

Ashlyn laughed. "I know you will. You're like the responsible one in our group."

Dean chuckled. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."

Dean held the door open for Ashlyn as they arrived at the cafe. "After you," he said with a smile.

The café was cozy and warm, with soft lighting and comfortable chairs. They ordered their drinks and sat down at a table by the window, looking out at the campus.

"So, how do you like the motorbike?" Dean asked, sipping his coffee.

"It was amazing," Ashlyn said, still feeling the adrenaline. "I've never felt so free and alive."

Dean smiled. "I'm glad you liked it," he said. "I thought it would be a fun way to get around."

"Oh, I saw your picture on the swim team's social media page. You looked really good in your swim trunks," she said, smiling.

Dean felt his cheeks heat up at the compliment. "Uh, thanks," he said, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I hope it wasn't too cringy."

"No, not at all," Ashlyn said. "It was a really good picture."

Dean felt a sense of relief. "Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. Have you ever played sports?"

"Does Wii sports count," she says, laughing.

Dean laughed softly.

"Um...no," she says, "me and sports never really saw eye to eye. Well, I take that back. I know how to fight, but that's not a sport." Dean laughed softly. "I'm a klutz. It can't be helped," Ashlyn said, shrugging.

Dean looked at Ashlyn, surprised. "You know how to fight?" he asked, intrigued.

Ashlyn nodded. "Yeah, I took some self-defense classes when I was younger. And I've been in a few fights before," she said, shrugging.

Dean's eyebrows raised. "Really? I had no idea."

Ashlyn laughed. "Yeah, it's not something I advertise," she said. "But I can hold my own if I need to."

Dean smiled. "I can imagine. You seem like a tough cookie."

Ashlyn grinned. "Thanks, I'll take that as a compliment."

Dean nodded. "So, what else do you like to do besides fighting and playing Wii sports?"

Ashlyn thought for a moment. "Well, I like to draw and paint. And I love listening to music and, of course, the ghost hunts."

         They talked and laughed over their drinks, enjoying each other's company. Ashlyn couldn't believe how easy it was to speak to Dean and how much she enjoyed being with him. As they finished their drinks and got ready to leave, Ashlyn felt a sense of excitement and anticipation for what was to come.

         Dean stood in the middle of a field of flowers. A light breeze blew by as he turned and saw a woman standing facing away from him. He reached his hand out to the woman. "Excuse me?" he says to her.

         He then looked past her seeing Korn standing and smiling. Korn walked softly to the woman taking her in his arms, and covered her lips with his as the breeze blew again.

Korn lifted his head, breaking the kiss, and drew the woman into a hug pulling her head to his chest. "Protect her like I couldn't," Korn says to Dean softly. Dean looked at Korn, confused.

"Protect who," he says. The woman lifted her head back up and turned to face Dean.

         Marie looked at him curiously, tilting her head as Korn placed his hands on her shoulders. Dean looked up to Korn and then back down as Marie turned into Ashlyn. "Protect her like I couldn't," Korn said to him before disappearing.

         Dean woke up with a start, sweat dripping down his forehead. He sat up in bed, trying to catch his breath. That dream felt so real, so vivid. He tried to shake off the feeling but couldn't help but think about it all day.

         Dean couldn't stop thinking about the dream as the day went on. He tried to focus on his work, but his mind kept reverting to the fields of flowers, Marie, Korn, and Ashlyn. He wondered if the dream had any meaning or if it was just his mind playing tricks on him.

         That night, he fell asleep again and found himself in the field of flowers. This time, Marie and Korn stood before him, holding hands.

Ashlyn looked at Dean in shock. "Dean," she says in shock.

Dean looked down as a blood stain formed on Ashlyn's chest, and she gasped for breath falling to the ground.

Dean woke up in a cold sweat again. "ASHLYN," he says in shock.

The dream had felt so real that Dean couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong. He quickly got out of bed and grabbed his phone to call Ashlyn. After a few rings, she picked up.

"Hey, Dean, is everything ok?" Ashlyn asked, still sounding groggy from sleep.

"Yeah, sorry for waking you up, but I had a bizarre dream about you," Dean replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

"What kind of dream?" Ashlyn asked, now sounding more alert.

"Well, you were in the dream, and something happened to you. It felt so real, and I just wanted to make sure you're ok," Dean explained, still feeling uneasy. The line went silent, causing Dean to panic a bit. "Ashlyn," he asked, trying to sound worried.

"What do you mean something happened to me," she asked, sounding like she was holding something back.

"Well, you were standing in a field of flowers and....," he said, starting to explain.

"And a blood stain appeared on me," she says slowly.

Dean looked forward as his blood ran cold. "Ashlyn did you have the same dream," he asked her.

The line went silent again. "Dean, I think we need to have a conversation in private," she says to him, "Tomorrow after school." They both hung up the phone, but neither one slept the rest of the night.

~Riley