My Past Life Haunts Me!

It's Just A Cold!

         Ashlyn stood in a dark room quietly. She looked forward and laid her eyes on Korn. She took a step forward as he morphed into a shadow figure. Ashlyn looked at him, confused, as he laughed, raising a gun. "Who are you," she says to the figure. The shadows around her lit up with fire. She looked around in fear as the figure kept laughing.

As the flames grew higher, Ashlyn stumbled backward and tripped over a nearby object, falling to the ground. The figure stepped closer, the gun barrel now pressed against her forehead.

"You know exactly who I am, Ashlyn," the figure hissed, their voice low and menacing. "And you know why I'm here."

Ashlyn's heart raced as she tried to process what was happening. The flames around her grew more intense, casting flickering shadows across the room. She could feel the heat against her skin as she stared at the figure looming over her.

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind the figure. "Drop the gun and step away from her."

Ashlyn recognized the voice immediately - it was Dean. She watched in disbelief as the figure turned to face him, gun still in hand. "Dean," the figure sneered. "You should know better than to interfere."

Dean stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the figure. "I won't let you hurt her," he said, his voice steady.

The figure raised the gun, but Dean lunged forward before they could pull the trigger, tackling them to the ground. Ashlyn watched in horror as the gun clattered and the two figures struggled on the floor. "DEAN," Ashlyn said as she scrambled, reaching her feet.

         Ashlyn raised up abruptly in bed. "DEAN," she screamed loudly. Ashlyn looked around her room, breathing heavily. She looked outside and then at her phone, reading it was 8 am. "I'm gonna be late," she said, getting out of bed. She stumbled a bit and felt her forehead. She then shook her head and ran into the bathroom, preparing for class.

         Ashlyn walked into the classroom, feeling lightheaded and dizzy. She had barely slept the night before, plagued by vivid nightmares of shadowy figures and flickering flames. She stumbled slightly, almost tripping over her feet as she made her way to her seat.

Team and Pharm looked at her with concern. "Ashlyn, are you okay?" Team asked, his brow furrowed.

Ashlyn nodded weakly, trying to force a smile. "I'm fine," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Pharm reached out to steady her, but Ashlyn pulled away, feeling suddenly nauseous. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

But before she knew it, everything went black. She slumped forward in her chair, her head hitting the desk with a thud. Her classmates gasped in shock as Ashlyn's body went limp, her breathing shallow and erratic.

Pharm and Team rushed to Ashlyn's side. "ASHLYN," Pharm said, shaking her, "Team, help me get her to the hospital."

Win walked around the pool quietly and looked around. "Where's Pharm," he asked.

"Missing your boy toy already," Dean asked him.

Win looked to Dean, annoyed. "No, we have a meet soon, and he needs to be here practicing," he said, looking. Win's phone made a chiming noise as Dean smiled, shaking his head and looking away.

"That boy has you wrapped around his finger," Dean said smiling, "Look, he's texting saying he's not coming cause he's tired, and your giving in."

Win looked at his phone and then showed Dean the text. "Uh, not exactly," Win said.

Dean looked at the phone, reading the message. 'Pharm and I had to take Ashlyn to the hospital. We're taking her back to her dorm now, and then I will be to practice,' he read.

Dean pushed the phone into Win's chest and took off running.

"Do you even know where she lives," Win yelled to him, smiling.

Dean walked into the lobby of Ashlyn's apartment building as Pharm and Team walked out of the entrance. They stopped and looked at him. "P'Dean," Pharm said softly. Team looked at Dean carefully.

Dean nodded to the two of them. "Hey, guys. What happened with Ashlyn?"

Pharm shook his head. "She passed out in class. We took her to the hospital, but she insisted on returning here. We're going to keep an eye on her," he explained.

Dean's brow furrowed with concern. "Is she okay now?"

"We gave her some medicine to bring down her fever," Team said. "But she's still pretty weak."

"I see," Dean said, rubbing the back of his neck, "I'll keep an eye on her. You two can go on and head home. Well, Team, you can head to swim practice Win is waiting."

Both Pharm and Team nodded. "Let us know how she's doing," Pharm said, handing Dean the key to her apartment.

Dean nodded as both walked off and then headed to the elevator.

         Dean quietly walked into Ashlyn's apartment, careful not to make any noise as he went to her bedroom. He pushed the door open slowly and peeked inside, finding her sound asleep in bed. He sighed in relief, glad to see that she seemed to be resting comfortably.

         He approached the bed and sat in the chair next to it, taking a moment to study her face. She looked so peaceful, her lengthy hair splayed around her and her breathing slow and steady. He couldn't help but feel sympathy for her, knowing she had been feeling so sick.

He reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his touch gentle and comforting. He hoped she would be feeling better soon, and he vowed to do whatever he could to help her.

         Sitting there watching over her, he couldn't help but think about how close they had become over the past few months. It wasn't something he had planned, but he enjoyed spending time with her and appreciated her sharp wit and warm personality. He couldn't deny that he had developed feelings for her, but he had hesitated to act on them, worried that it might damage their friendship.

         For now, he contented himself with being there for her, offering his support and care in any way he could. Dean softly touched her forehead and then moved his hand to the top of her head, rubbing lightly. He stood up softly, starting to walk to the bathroom to get a towel. When she grabbed his hand, breathing heavily.

         He turned back to her lightly and rubbed the top of the hand. "Ashlyn, I'm right here," he said as she grabbed his lower arm, pulling him back down as a tear rolled down her face. He placed his forehead on hers, lightly touching his cheek and rubbing it lightly.

"Dean," she whispered softly as another tear rolled down her face. He opened his eyes and looked at her as he took her into his embrace, laying down next to her.

"Ashlyn, I'm right here," he said, softly placing her head on his chest.

As she lay in his arms, Ashlyn's breathing began to even out, and she slowly drifted back into a peaceful sleep. Dean stayed by her side, holding her close and whispering comforting words until he was sure she was asleep again.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness towards her and a desire to keep her safe and cared for. He knew that she was strong and capable, but he also wanted to be there for her, to support her in any way he could.

Dean couldn't help but wonder how she had ended up in this state as he watched her sleep. He made a mental note to talk to her about it when she was feeling better to see if there was anything he could do to help.

For now, though, he was content to simply be there for her, to offer his support and care in any way he could.

         Ashlyn woke up abruptly and looked around. A washcloth fell from her forehead as she set up the light. Dean walked in, holding a glass of water. "Don't try to get up. Just relax," he said as he sat on the edge of the bed next to her, lightly touching her shoulder and guiding her to lie down.

"Korn," she whispered softly. Dean looked at her quietly and put a hand on her cheek softly.

"Almost, but I'll chalk it up to the fever talking," Dean said with a smile.

"I-I'm sorry I saw him in your face for a moment," she says, touching the hand caressing her cheek.

Dean chuckled softly. "It's alright, don't worry about it," he said, gently squeezing her hand. "How are you feeling?"

Ashlyn took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly before answering. "I think I feel a little better," she said slowly. "My head doesn't hurt as much anymore."

"That's good to hear," Dean said, reaching for the glass of water on the bedside table. "Here, drink some water."

Ashlyn took a sip of the water and then lay back on the bed, her eyes closing again. "Thank you, Dean," she said softly. "For taking care of me."

Dean smiled warmly. "Of course, Ashlyn. I'm happy to help," he said, stroking her hair gently. "Just rest for now. We'll make sure you get better soon." Ashlyn nodded and sighed.

She then rose back up. "I forgot I have an assignment due today," she says, reaching for the covers.

Dean took her hand carefully. "Pharm bought you some time with your assignments after the teacher witnessed you passing out," he said lightly, pushing her back down to the bed and covering her back up, "be a good girl and rest."

Ashlyn looked at him again and blushed. He put a hand softly to her forehead. "Did your fever spike? Your face is red," he asked, checking out her face.

She looked at him and covered her cheeks. "N-no, just you said good girl, and well, it made me think," she says, looking away.

Dean chuckled softly. "Oh, I see. Well, don't worry about it. It's just a figure of speech," he said, trying to ease her embarrassment. "Just focus on resting and getting better. I'll be here to keep you company."

Ashlyn nodded and closed her eyes, feeling grateful for Dean's presence. She felt safe and cared for in his company. She took his hand softly. "D-dean," she said softly.

He looked at her softly as she pulled his hand close. "Want me to lay next to you," he asked softly.

Ashlyn looked nervously at him and then nodded. He smiled and rolled up his sleeves as he sat next to her. He softly wrapped his arm around her shoulder as she quietly laid her head on his chest.

Dean quietly put a hand on her head and rubbed her head lightly as he kissed her forehead softly.

Ashlyn closed her eyes and relaxed, feeling comforted by Dean's touch. She drifted off to sleep, feeling safe and protected in his embrace.

Dean sat there with her for a while, watching her sleep peacefully. He couldn't help but feel a deep affection for her. He had always cared for her, but being here for her in her time of need brought their bond closer.

As he lay there listening to her quiet breaths, he looked outside to the rain falling lightly on the windows; he couldn't shake off the feeling that he wanted to do more for Ashlyn. He wanted to be there for her, to protect her from any harm that may come her way.

         Dean decided to promise himself to always be there for Ashlyn, to protect and care for her no matter what. He knew he had feelings for her, but he wasn't sure if she felt the same way. All he knew was that he wanted to be by her side, to make her happy and keep her safe.

         Ashlyn woke up abruptly from her sleep. She looked around the room, noticing it empty. "D-dean," she asked, looking around. Dean opened the bathroom door with a towel in his hand. She looked him up and down quietly, noticing he had changed his clothes. Dean had changed into a dark red long-sleeve shirt that rolled the sleeves up with brown khaki shorts. She then looked back up to his face.

He looked down at his clothes. "I remembered I had extra clothes in my duffel bag for after swim practice," he says softly, a little nervous.

Ashlyn nodded softly as Dean sat down on the edge of the bed next to her. She looked him up and down and then smiled. "I like it. Let me see the relaxed you, not the school you," she smiles softly.

Dean let out a nervous chuckle. "That's good to hear," he says, smiling.

Ashlyn sat up quietly. Dean helped her adjust the pillows. "Are you hungry," he asked her softly, "I would say I made congee for you, but I'm terrible at cooking, so I had some delivered."

"congee," she asked him, confused.

"It's a type of rice porridge," he said, smiling.

Ashlyn smiled softly and then nodded, "I'd like some," she said softly.

Dean stood up softly. "I'll be right back," he said as he left the room.

A few minutes later, Dean returned with a bowl of congee and set it on the bedside table. "Here you go," he said, handing Ashlyn a spoon.

Ashlyn took a small spoonful of the porridge and tasted it. "Mm, it's good," she said with a smile.

"I'm glad you like it," Dean said, relieved.

Ashlyn's cell phone rang. She looked at it softly, seeing that it was her mom. She looked at him quietly as she answered the call.

         Ashlyn's mom asked her how she was feeling and if she had gone to see a doctor yet. Ashlyn explained that she had passed out at school, and Dean had taken her home to rest. Her mom thanked Dean for caring for her daughter and asked if she could speak to him.

         Ashlyn handed the phone to Dean, feeling a little nervous about the conversation. Dean took the phone and introduced himself politely. He explained the situation to her mom and assured her he would take good care of Ashlyn. Her mom thanked him and told him to also take care of herself.

After the conversation, Dean handed the phone back to Ashlyn. "Your mom seems nice," he said, smiling.

Ashlyn nodded, feeling a little embarrassed. "She just worries a lot," she said softly.

"It's understandable. She loves you," Dean said, putting a hand on her shoulder.

Ashlyn smiled softly and leaned into his touch. She sat with Dean the rest of the night, chatting until they fell asleep in each other's embrace.

Ashlyn softly looked up at Dean's sleeping face and lightly raised her fingers. She slowly traced her fingers along his facial features.

         She couldn't help but admire his handsome features, the curve of his nose, the shape of his lips, and the gentle slope of his jawline. She reached out a trembling hand and traced his features gently with her fingertips, careful not to wake him up.

         As she traced his face, she felt a warmth spreading through her chest, a feeling of contentment and happiness she hadn't felt in a long time. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to have Dean by her side, taking care of her and making her feel safe and loved.

         She leaned in closer and kissed his cheek softly, feeling a surge of affection for him. She knew she was falling for him and couldn't imagine a future without him. Ashlyn quietly grabbed her cell phone, took a photo of his sleeping face, and smiled as she looked at the picture happily. She then set her phone on the bedside table and closed her eyes, nestled into his embrace, feeling grateful for this moment of peace and happiness.

Ashlyn's only hope was that Dean felt his feelings for Ashlyn and not Marie.

~Riley