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“In every moment of your life, I will always be by your side.”

sunflower_stories
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Chapter 1 - 1.“The Eyes from My Dreams”

Every night, when I fall asleep…

I see the same dream.

It feels like something is waiting for me there.

As if the moment sleep takes over, I'm pulled into another world.

It's always dark.

A cold breeze drifts through the air.

And I'm standing there alone.

Then… I see him.

A boy.

I can never see his face clearly.

The more I try, the more it blurs — like mist slipping through my fingers.

Only his eyes remain clear.

Deep.

Calm.

Strangely familiar.

He never speaks.

He just looks at me.

And every time…

Just when I feel like I'm about to recognize him —

I wake up.

Jennie sat up in bed, her breathing uneven and heavy, like the dream had followed her back into reality.

She ran a hand over her face, trying to steady herself.

It feels like I forgot someone, she thought.

Someone I knew… or maybe someone I wanted to know.

The feeling was strange.

Not fear.

Not sadness.

Just emptiness.

As if her heart was calling out to a lost memory.

This dream had been haunting her for almost two months now.

Every single night.

And every time, it was the same place —

A deserted alley in Boulder, Colorado.

Cold wind. Darkness everywhere.

Sometimes, distant screams echoed through the dream.

Faint. Nameless. Terrifying.

And there he stood.

That boy.

His face always blurred, but his eyes… clear and deep.

As if he knew her.

Every time the dream pulled her closer.

And every time she felt she was about to recognize him —

She woke up

.................

Soft sunlight spilled into the kitchen.

David was already sitting at the table, a cup of coffee in his hand.

Her older brother looked up the moment she walked in.

"Jennie, how did you sleep?" he asked.

"Fine… I guess. Just didn't get enough sleep," she replied quietly.

David frowned slightly. Even though they weren't as close as before, he still worried about her.

He always did. He was her big brother, after all.

"You remember your therapy appointment next week, right?" he said, his tone more serious now.

"I was thinking I should confirm it again."

Jennie nodded, her eyes still carrying the emptiness of the dream.

"Yeah… I know. It's just… this dream. It's been happening every night for two months.

The screams… and that boy…"

David watched her carefully.

"If you want, I can go with you," he said gently.

"You don't have to go alone."

Jennie didn't answer.

She slowly lifted her coffee cup, her thoughts still tangled in dreams and forgotten memories.

.................

Jennie was eighteen — a high school girl with a wild heart and a reckless kind of freedom.

She had always treated life like a challenge she refused to lose to. A little rebellious. A little careless. And impossibly good at smiling through the worst storms. No matter how hard things got, she would find a reason to laugh. And even when her world felt like it was falling apart, her smile never stayed gone for long.

Because that was her secret.

She hid her pain behind laughter.

She buried her frustration beneath careless jokes.

She made sure no one ever saw how much it hurt.

But her life had never been easy.

Her parents divorced when she was still young. Not long after that, her father died — leaving behind nothing but silence and unanswered questions. Then her mother left too, walking away from Jennie and her older brother, David, as if distance could erase responsibility.

Now she lived with David.

Under the same roof.

Bound by blood.

But warmth?

That was missing.

Their relationship survived on responsibility — not affection.

And then… the dreams began.

That was when everything changed.

Her laughter grew quieter.

The light in her eyes slowly dimmed.

The girl who once challenged the world now struggled to face her own reflection.

She still tried to act normal.

She still forced herself to smile.

But deep inside, something felt… incomplete.

Like a piece of her soul had been taken.

Like she was waiting for someone.

Missing someone.

.................

Jennie slowly finished her breakfast, each bite feeling like it was trying to fill the emptiness rising inside her. When she picked up her bag, the cool morning air brushed against her face, gently pulling her toward the building's elevator. Instead of taking the stairs, she decided to step into the lift.

The elevator descended slowly, and after a few moments, the doors opened. Two children, Ethan and Lily, who were tenants of the building, stepped in with their father, heading downstairs for school. In fact, this building had originally belonged to Jennie and David's father, which David had been managing since his passing.

Ethan and Lily whispered to each other nervously, as Jennie's once rebellious and distant nature had always kept them from speaking to her directly. As she stepped off on the ground floor, Jennie noticed a shopkeeper downstairs, harsh and gruff, shouting at his gentle, kind-hearted wife.

Observing all this, Jennie lowered her head and, without saying a word, continued walking toward school, lost in her own thoughtsDavid watched from the window as Jennie walked down the street toward school. His breath was slow, weighed down by a strange unease in his chest.

Then his gaze drifted inside, to a faded photo frame on the wall, holding a picture of him and Jennie as children. They had been so happy, holding hands, a bond so deep it seemed unbreakable.

But today, as he stared at that photo, a hollow emptiness settled inside him, as if that joy had slipped away somewhere unseen.

Lost in thought, he remembered a moment from their childhood, when Jennie had fallen and run to him, tears in her eyes.

David had knelt down, gently brushing his hand over her head, and said, "It's okay, I'm here. Everything will be all right."

But now, that same David, who once protected her, felt powerless, as if he couldn't offer her that comfort anymore.

He thought, maybe she needed to fight with him again, like she used to, but today, her silence pierced him deeply.

That silence was like a heavy weight, pressing down on him, and he wondered if he could ever fill that void, as the guilt of his actions anchored him, knowing he had failed to give Jennie the love she deserved, the care she needed. And now, he stood on a path where he could only bear the weight of his own mistakes.

.................

When Jennie arrived at school, the familiar atmosphere greeted her like an old, distant memory.

The corridors were alive with laughter—children's high-pitched giggles bouncing off the walls, lockers clanging open and shut, and the low hum of teachers' voices weaving through it all. Yet, for Jennie, the sounds seemed distant, as if they belonged to someone else's world.

She walked slowly, each step measured, light… almost too light. But inside her chest, a hollow ache pressed against her ribs, a quiet emptiness that refused to fade.

Then, a gentle touch on her shoulder startled her. She turned to see Sarah—her closest friend—watching her with concern.

"Why so quiet again today, Jen?" Sarah's voice was soft, but threaded with worry.

Jennie forced a faint smile. "Nothing… I'm fine."

But Sarah didn't believe her. She stepped closer, her eyes searching Jennie's. "You're not the same as before," she said gently. "That sparkle on your face… it's gone."

Jennie lowered her gaze. The hall's chatter and laughter continued around her, but she barely noticed. Sunlight streamed in, falling softly on her hair, and for a fleeting moment, she felt like maybe she should speak—maybe she should let someone in. But the words were trapped inside her, heavy and silent.

Sarah gave her a small, understanding smile. "Come on… class is about to start. We'll talk later."

Jennie nodded and stepped into the rhythm of her routine, submerging herself in the familiar motions of school life.

The classroom was filling up. Students settled into their seats. Jennie quietly pulled out her books, her hands trembling just slightly as she tried to focus.

Then Nancy burst in—bubbly, talkative, overflowing with energy.

"Jen! You didn't tell me what happened yesterday!" she exclaimed.

Jennie gave a faint smile. "What happened?"

Nancy leaned in, teasing. "Steve was showing his drawing again! And look, Sarah was right there."

Steve, Sarah's boyfriend and the class's talented artist, blushed under Nancy's teasing. He ducked his head and returned to his sketchbook, trying to focus.

Sarah glanced at him with an amused smile. "Steve… pay attention, will you? I'm watching you."

He smiled back sheepishly, but the class had begun, and his mind wasn't on the lesson. His fingers unconsciously traced shapes in the corner of his notebook.

Then, his gaze fell… and he froze.

Those eyes.

The same eyes that haunted his dreams every night, pulling at something deep inside him.

His hand stopped mid-motion. His heart pounded, as though someone had whispered his name.

"Jennie…"

He jerked his head up. Everything seemed normal—but nothing felt normal. Something inside him had shifted.

The classroom bell rang sharply, and the students scrambled to their feet. Sarah and Nancy, bubbling with energy, rushed toward Jennie.

Nancy leaned forward, almost bouncing. "Jen… even today, Adrian was staring at you the entire class! Why don't you just say yes? You two should date!"

Jennie shook her head firmly. "No… I'm not interested in Adrian. I'm not thinking about that right now."

Sarah interrupted softly, yet firmly, "Forget about all that. Let's go outside for a bit, get some fresh air."

Nancy's eyes sparkled. "Yes! It's freezing today… perfect weather for a walk and some coffee."

Jennie shook her head gently. "Not today… I just want to study in the library."

Nancy blinked in surprise. "Wow… you're always busy. Can't you just relax a little?"

Sarah gave a soft smile. "It's okay, Jen… if you want, we can go later together."

Jennie nodded and quietly made her way down the corridor.

As she walked, Sarah noticed her slow pace and stopped. That emptiness on Jennie's face struck her heart with an ache she couldn't ignore. She stepped closer, her voice low and soft.

"Jen… are you really okay? The sadness I see in your eyes… it worries me."

Jennie nodded again, silent. Sarah reached out, placing a light hand on her shoulder.

"Whatever happens… I'm here. You can always talk to me."

Jennie exhaled softly and continued walking. This time, something was different—Sarah's presence brought a faint warmth, a fragile comfort she hadn't felt in days.

Sunlight fell across her hair. The sounds of the corridor—the chatter of students, the faint tapping of keyboards, the distant ring of the bell—blurred behind her thoughts, dissolving into the background.

She whispered to herself, "Today… I'll take some time for me. I'll dive into my thoughts, try to understand my world."

And with that, she lifted her head and walked toward the library, each step a delicate balance between the emptiness inside and the shadows of her dreams.

she walked home along the same path as always.

Evening had fallen. The air was chilly. Shadows of the trees stretched long.

Suddenly, her steps slowed.

That same feeling.

As if someone was near.

She looked across the street —

A boy was standing there.

His face still unclear, half in light, half in shadow.

But his eyes…

Jennie's heart stopped.

The same eyes.

Exactly like the ones that watched her in her dreams every night.

Deep. Calm.

As if hiding an untold story.

As if he had known her forever.

Time seemed to freeze for a few moments.

He was just looking at her.

No smile.

No gesture.

Just a steady, deep gaze.

Jennie blinked —

And he was gone.

The street was empty.

Only the wind moved.

Her fingers trembled slightly.

The wind still blew…

but inside her, everything had stopped.

She suddenly realized —

she wasn't seeing him for the first time.

As if she had always known him.

And maybe…just maybe

this was a story that had already begun,

and maybe it still remained unfinished.

To be continues.....

Note:-

Jennie Walker🌻

Age: 18

Role: Protagonist, High School Student

Outer Personality:

Once rebellious, carefree, independent, and sharp-witted. She reacted quickly to others and often hid her pain behind a smile.

Inner Personality:

Now quiet and lost. A mysterious dream has been deeply affecting her life. She struggles with inner confusion and emptiness while slowly trying to understand herself.

Current Struggle:

Trying to balance her past and dreams,

David Walker👨‍⚕

Age: 23

Role: Older Brother, Key Supporting Character, Last-Year Medical Student

Outer Personality:

Calm, responsible, always in control of every situation. He constantly looks out for the safety of the house and Jennie.

Inner Personality:

Restless and guilt-ridden inside. He feels he hasn't fully understood or protected Jennie.

Current Struggle:

Understanding Jennie's changing emotions and mysterious dreams, while carrying the burden of his decisions and responsibility.

Sarah Morrison👩‍💼

Age: 18

Role: Supporting Character, Jennie's Best Friend

Outer Personality:

Smiling, kind, and wise. Easily connects with people and brings a light, positive energy to any environment.

Inner Personality:

Sometimes slightly worried, especially when she senses Jennie's inner emptiness. Friendship means a lot to her, and she always wants to be Jennie's support system.

Current Struggle:

Understanding Jennie's sadness and mysterious changes, while guiding her with her protective and supportive nature.

Nancy Carter🤷‍♀️

Age: 18

Role: Supporting Character, Initially Jennie's playful rival, later friend

Outer Personality:

Energetic, funny, talkative. She used to tease Jennie and stir up the atmosphere, but gradually their friendship grew.

Inner Personality:

Curious, lively, and slightly mischievous. She cares about her friends' happiness.

Current Struggle:

Struggling in studies, balancing school grades with social life, and understanding her own identity.

Steve Carter 👨‍🎨

Age: 19

Role: Supporting Character, Nancy Carter's cousin, Sarah Morrison's boyfriend

Personality:

Charming, confident, social. Slightly possessive and competitive. Protective and observant, but not openly jealous.

Relationship:

Sarah: Genuinely likes her, sometimes feels insecure.

Nancy: Playful bond as her cousin.