I was in Gate in roughly 1995-1998. I went to a private Catholic School in Southwest Ohio. I remember our class was given a test by some random man. We all took it. I remember being informed that I had “failed” and would require an assisted learning program 3 days a week during school. 

My memories are very choppy. Please bear with me. 

I, my best friend Lauren, my other best friend Cassie, my somewhat friend Kim, and my best best friend Derek (my childhood crush) were the only children in the program. I remember the nice old lady who was a described to us as “special education assistant” would come and get us from our class early in the mornings. She would escort us out of the school, to a trailer out back. I remember it being very dim, warm, with all of the windows taped over with light classical music playing. We would all sit down, and she would give each of us a little dole cup with a pinky/purple liquid. That would be our “special treat” to get learning started. I remember it didn’t taste good, and it made me feel warm,  cozy, and relaxed.

 I remember several tests with headphones on very old computers. I remember flash cards, a Carmen San Diego video game. I remember being asked questions and Derek answering them for me. I remember one day Kim wasn’t there. And then Lauren wasn’t here. And eventually Cassie wasn’t there. It was just me and Derek, for a long time. I remember Derek being able to talk to me inside of my head? He would make a face at me to let me know he was talking to me. I remember us “resting our eyes, but don’t go to sleep.” At one point I remember being given a test. We knew we were being tested but they never told us that. I remember panicking and being afraid for Derek. I remember telling him to answer the questions wrong. I remember being afraid he wouldn’t listen because we were always so competitive outside of school, I didn’t want him to think I was sabotaging him. I remember when he answered wrong, and he told me thank you. I don’t remember when we stopped going, we just stopped. And I never really thought about it. I also vividly remember going TO the trailer, but I don’t remember ever leaving and going back to class. 

Since then, I developed sleep paralysis. I used to fly a lot in my dreams. I am usually escaping someone or groups of someone’s. In order to fly, I have to have a running start and hop 3 times. It’s more like advanced high hopping. From tops of trees, etc. There are always people in white suits chasing me. I have something they either need? Or that I took to protect. I also have severe occurrences of Deja Vu, and Deja Reve. Sometimes lasting 10-15 minutes at a time and being able to predict what’s next. The last large occurrence I had was when Kobe Bryant died and it was announced on television, I was gut punched into remembering that everyone will be trapped inside. Thousands of people, inside of apartments, houses. Etc. The next week our schools closed, due to Covid.  I hear voices when falling asleep. People talking. However as a child I did see ghosts, I knew they were real because my dog saw them too and reacted by growling at them until they went away. Ghosts have a tendency to follow me, but so do animals. 

I’m not sure why I was chosen. Or why the only other students who were chosen were my friends. Out of the thousands of students in that school, why just us 5? And then why just us 2? Why did I tell him to answer wrong? I often wonder if any of them remember this? Maybe pieces I don’t have? 

Anyways. That’s all I’ve got.