Chapter 2: Bri is Danielle

 Chapter 2

What the fuck?!

Bri sat straight up. Erect and sweaty, she rubbed her eyes and squinted at her clock. 11:48. 

Who....who is Danielle? She thought. 

She looked around the room and then out her window. The rain had stopped and the window had raindrops splayed across the pane. There were no mar cars out. The moon and a couple street lights cast an ambient glow into her room between the sheer curtains. 

Bri went downstairs and got a soda. She didn't mind the caffeine- she certainly didn't want to sleep again anytime soon. 

She sat on the couch and turned on the TV. Then she pulled out her phone from her hoodie pocket. 

She texted Lita- her bff.

^Girl.... I just had a fucked up ass dream. 

......

2 mins later Lita responded with:

What happened? 

Bri replied

I dreamt I was driving and crashed. But I woke up before I "died". And when I woke up I said "I'm Danielle"

What?!

Lita's next text was a series of emojis  and an invite to eat

Hey meet me for lunch tomorrow all my classes are later in the day so I'm free baby girl

Aight bet ho

Lita: night bish

bri: nigggjjjjt

Bri stayed up until three rewatching a Netflix show shed binged over the summer. Some series about some kids in the 80s fighting monsters 

Bri woke up around 10:30 the next morning. She had fallen asleep on the couch. God, I reek, she thought. Her brother had already left for school and her dad was at work. Her mom, Evie, worked from home fielding client calls about their home renovations. It was almost her lunch time and also time to check in on her sleeping beauty. 

Girl what are you doing today? I see you been slinking around the house all night

Mommy I haven't been up all night. I had a nightmare. 

Oh. Well I put your basket of clothes up there. Your dad asked me when you were free so we can get the oil checked on your car. When you get ready for the day call your father and...

Oh! bri exclaimed. 

I have to meet Lita for lunch. 

Bri- your car...just text your dad cause we have to go out of town next week again and he wants it done. 

Bri's dad had bought her the car in exchange for her staying close to home for school. Bri had gotten a full ride out of state but her science major made more sense at her local university. So her parent didn't mind paying out of pocket. Plus she could stay close to all her homegirls from school. She figured she'd branch out eventually. Travel after she graduated then roll into work eventually. She was just happy her parents didn't mind or push for a career path so hard core like Lita's parents. 

Bri pulled herself upstairs and into the hallway bathroom she shared with Lando- her brother. 

On the floor was his basketball shoes and the shower curtain was yanked to the side still damp from his morning shower.

Bri sat on the toilet and peed. She got up and turned on the faucet. Reached over and flushed the toilet. When she leaned back over, one hand on the soap pump she glanced up at the wall cabinet mirror. 

In the reflection was not Bri's brown mocha face- not her almond eyes and gently dainty lashes...the short twists she normally had in a small bunch at the top of her head that splayed like a palm frond.. but the face of a dead white girl with long dark black hair, icy blue eyes. The girl wore a camosole-white, under a long sleeves green vneck. Her pale face looked sunken in and she was wet. Dripping. Crying. Her mouth hung open as if to scream but the only sounds Bri heard was her own startled shout. She flew back against the bathroom wall and sunk down. 

Her heart pounded again- today was gonna be rough....