"Are you okay?" He asked, still refusing to turn around.     When the pain faded, Jade opened her eyes and replied, "Yes. Who are you? Why did you chase me?"     "You don't even know who I am.." he said in sorrow. Jade noticed that he lowered his head a little.     "I know your voice, but I can't place who you are completely, " she explained, feeling sorry guilty and a little sorry for him. "Turn around so I can see you. Maybe I will recognize you."     She realized that her hand was still tightened around the lock of hair she had pulled out. She felt silly now about pulling out his hair. She felt as if she knew him and should not have acted so hastily. She was now glad that he was still turned around and could not see her embarrassment. "I'm sorry for pulling out your hair," she said.     No need to be embarrassed. I understand, " he answered as if he could read her mind. Then, he turned around to face her. It was if it were in slow motion.     Jade gasped as she saw who he was. "YOU!" She cried. *********************************************************************** Jade woke up sweating. She looked around her in a panic and saw that she was in the back seat of her parents' car, her head resting against the window.     She sat up and looked at her clothes. They were dry and clean. She reached up and touched her head; no blood. In fact, there were no wounds on her at all. She was fine.     It was all a dream, she thought with relief. She sighed with content and relaxed against the seat. She looked out the window at the passing scenery.     Then, Jade realized that she was holding something tightly in her hand. She looked down and opened her hand curiously. She was shocked at what she saw.     She was holding a lock of blond, curly hair!     At first she gasped. Then she smiled.     "What's the matter?" Jade's mother asked from the passenger seat.     "Oh, nothing," Jade replied. She stuffed the lock of hair into her jeans' pocket and gazed out the window.                                                                                         Mary Burger Copyright ©2000 Frances Mary Burger