A Normal Day

“Wake up, Stephan!” Clare said. She looked younger, maybe five.

“What happened?” I groaned.

“I had a bad dream, Stephy. Can I sleep with you?” I was so confused. Why was I home? Was that all a dream?

“Sure.”

Clare jumped into my bed, happily. The next day, I woke up with a start. I heard my mom making breakfast. I walked downstairs.

“Good morning, my sweets! How did you sleep?”

“How? You were on a ship… with aliens… you were a robot!”

Clare and mother stared at me.

“Sweetheart, are you alright? Do you think you can go to school?” my mother said, still staring.

“I don’t go to school!!!!”

“Yes you do big brother. You go to Jackie Gleason High.” Clare said

“What?!?!”

“Hi kids!” My dad said has he walked to the door.

“Daddy!!” Clare said, as she hugged my father.

“Mom. What is he doing here?”

“Stephan, I really think you should lay down. Mother said as her voice stiffened.

I walked in to my room, slammed the door, and put my face against the pillow. Now, this part is very embarrassing, so don’t laugh. I started crying. Real tears. I looked up. I saw my sister walk into my room.

“Brother? I brought your favowite cookies. Peanut brittle. Mommy told me to get them for you.” Clare said. “And Sprite!!’

My head still in the pillow, not wanting to show my tears, I muffled a short, “Thanks.”

Clare sat next to me on the bed. I sat up and I hugged her tight.

“Guess what?” Clare said.

“What?”

“Your are in a simula---”

“Don’t tell him.” A voice said from afar.

“What is going---” Then, everything disappeared. I was alone on something that looked like a blank sheet of paper. Then, I blacked out….