A Dream I Used To LOVE

Chapter 13

The car stopped in front of a big mansion. There were guards all around. As we drove in I could see a marble water fountain and intricate sculptures. I hadn't seen a bigger more well-decorated house before and so I blurted "Are you royalty?"
He couldn't stop laughing "Not at all. I'm far from that".


He held the door open for me as I admired the mansion.
"Please lead the way" I followed him into the house. The interiors were as magnificent as the exteriors. The beautiful interiors were filled with antiques, well-decorated walls, and extravagant furniture.

Within a few seconds of us entering I saw somebody come running towards Chris. It was a small boy, not more than 5 years old. Chris bent down with open arms and held him tightly in his embrace. I stood there silently admiring them.


"Meet my youngest brother Tyler." then addressing Tyler "This is Audrey. She's my close friend"

Tyler has the sweetest voice. "Hi Audrey" he greeted me then turning towards Chris he said
"Chris is she your girlfriend?" he looked at us and giggled.
"Tyler behave, she's my friend."
He looked at me and smiled awkwardly as if apologizing for what Tyler had just said.
"But you never bring your friends home" he questioned. 
"She's special" my heart was beating faster, nobody had ever called me special. It was a foreign feeling and I felt good "and she really wanted to meet you"

Tyler came over to hug me as well. He was very friendly
"I don't think anybody else is home". I spoke to Tyler for a while and he made us all laugh. Chris then instructed Tyler to go back to his room as it was past his bed-time. 

Chris took me over to his room so that I would feel more comfortable.
His room was big but felt empty. It had a lot of posters, a few family photos. Unlike the rest of the mansion, it wasn't fancy. I saw a big pile of books. He likes to read, I had no idea.

"So which one is your favorite?"
"I'm a huge Agatha Christie fan, so most of her books"
"Which is your favorite novel?" he inquired
"Little women and pride and prejudice. They are my guilty pleasure"
"Thought so"
"I loved the books so much that I decided I wanted four girls. " I cringed as soon as I said that.
Chris read the expression on my face "It's fine" his feeble attempt at making me feel better didn't work.
"Hungry?" he asked.
"Always" I smiled.
He went down and brought us a few snacks.

I thought about the sleepover and realized nothing could possibly happen between us. I decided to stay over because I didn't like my empty house and his family and he were so very welcoming.
"Let's have a sleepover tonight" 
He was pleasantly surprised by my willingness to hang out with him.
"You want to watch a movie?"
"Can I choose" I begged?
He handed the remote over to me.
"Bear with me as I put one of my favorite movies ever" I smiled.
The title read 'Dirty dancing'. It was a classic and one of my favorites.
Chris laughed at my choice as to if teasing me.


Chris POV
She was so engrossed in watching the movie, but all I wanted to do was watch her. She had seen the movie a million times before as she stated herself yet her expressions were as good as new. She knew the dialogues by heart. I had never seen a girl like her before, she didn't even cover up the person she was and I loved that about her. I had never seen her like this. Whenever she spoke about love or liking somebody she would always cringe but she didn't do any of that today.
Soon enough the movie was over, and she started talking like always. She spoke so much and I loved listening to her. She always had something to say. 

"I love this movie"
"Me too," I said looking at her.
"But you didn't even see the movie" she complained.
"I saw something better"

**********

That was one of the cheesiest lines I had ever heard. I heard that line in movies and read about it in books, but when someone says it to you it's as pathetic as when you read about it.
I cringed but I knew what he meant to impose when he said that.

"So you want to watch another movie or do something else?"
It was only 12 and I didn't want to be the person who went to bed at 12 at a sleepover.
"Let's dance" he suggested even before I could say anything.


The memories from our first dance flashed in front of me. It was fun dancing with him.
"Let's do it," I said enthusiastically. I felt elated. I had been doing things without thinking and for once it felt good. 
He connected his phone to the speaker and played a song.
It was the same song I played while we walked back home together.
"This song. Oh I love it"
He walked towards me held me by my waist and pulled me closer to himself. I placed my hands on his shoulder and we both danced slowly along with the soothing music.
The close proximity was making me nervous. 


I was struggling to resent him. The more I did the more I wanted him around. It felt like an addiction.