An Anxiety Dream.

Date: 1/16/2026

I was at a house party back in college getting fucked up. I wandered through the halls chatting with friends and strangers alike, but I eventually needed to get a new vape. I walked outside and saw some people starting a bonfire on the enormous driveway that was shared by at least 4 buildings. I kicked dirt over the small flame, as no one was attending this particular one, and moved on. I went to a nearby vape store, but instead of being greeted by a worker there were two very young officers. A man and a woman. The woman was black, beautiful, and thumbing through the merchandise with little interest. The Man had curly, dark hair and a handsome face. He was immediately charming. He offered me a free vape along with some candy that the store was apparently introducing. He was vague about why the store owner had been arrested. I left and went back to the house, which was mostly absent of people at this point. I was just kinda there, until there was an assertive knock at the screen door. It was the officer from the store. I was confused but flattered that he wanted to see me again. He was in street clothes and was handsome. He invited me out and I accepted. I noticed something was off halfway through our stroll through town when he stopped by a truck with a nervous driver. The driver allowed this man to rummage through his goods and return with drinks and snacks that I did not accept. The more he talked, the more of an edge I felt to his voice. He was interested, but not earnestly. It was like he had an agenda and I began to feel manipulated and sick. This was emphasized when I was suddenly attacked by a stranger, but the officer stepped in to save the day, but it felt strange. And then it happened again. I recognized my "attacker" this time and before the officer could intervene I called the stranger out. He was remorseful, explaining he had no choice. He was closer to my age and handsome, and sweet. I left with him, only to receive threatening messages from the officer who'd I abandoned. Suddenly I was on campus, and the stranger, who then said his name was Garrett was there. But he didnt know me. I was watching the theatre department prepare for a musical, but the stage was settled into a valley or crater with high cliffsides on either side. I was on a staircase overlooking the stage, but after a while I felt dizzy. I tried to go back up the stairs which lead to the college. It resided at the top of the crater. The stairs were steep with thick wires which I used to pull myself up each step as my dizziness got worse. I was having a panic attack. Once I reached the top I had to get to my next class which was at the top of a tower, involving winding steps that were tiny, sloped, and once again steep. I only made it halfway up before I collapsed in fear and breathlessness. Garrett, Who didnt know me, saw me and helped me up the stairs, smiling and comforting me the whole time. When we reached the classroom, I wasnt able to sit with him. I kept stealing glances but he ignored me. I dont know what the class was, but the professor hated me. My classmates bullied me. Halfway through, I looked down to see one of my fingers covered in a thick coating of nail polish that cracked like blue wax when I bent my finger. I frantically peeled it off, but when I investigated the rest of my hand, I realized my nails were falling off. The girl next to me made snide comments and laughed at me. It was then that I woke up.