nyctophilia | dreamwastaken

computer

SATURDAY:

The next morning, Niki is gone. I notice because the cottage is unusually quiet, and there is no smell of something delicious in the air when I head downstairs. I see that she has left a note and I pick it up, reading what she had written down.

going to the store to get some groceries and fertilizer! will get you lunch when I come back.
dream may swing by for a bit to fix something in my computer so be sure to let him in. thanks!

-niki

I groan, and I'm about to lean my head on the counter when Cinder pushes against my foot, meowing. I give in to her begging for attention, and as I scratch her between her ears, I start to worry. Dream is coming. God, why does it feel like ever since he's moved here, I see him every day? It's like a punishment for something.

I decide to get ready since I don't know when 'soon' is. I head back to my room, pulling over a graphic t-shirt with baggy jeans and chains, getting my beanie, and doing my makeup. By the time I'm finished, I don't realize how hungry I actually am.

I head to the kitchen again, looking for something in the fridge to eat. I see the to-go from Niki's dinner the night before and I decide to eat that. I reheat it and as I sit at the dining table, eating the leftover spaghetti, a knock comes at the door.

I pause, mouth full of spaghetti, and I slowly turn towards the door, swallowing before wiping my mouth with a napkin. I peek through the curtains and my heart sinks. Of course. Of course, he would show up now.

I open the door, annoyance already settling onto my face, and Dream smiles back at me. "Hi." "Hi." Although he says 'hi' in a happy and enthusiastic tone, I say mine in a bored and annoyed tone. "Can I come in?" He asks and I step aside.

He walks in, looking around the cottage before turning to me. "Any idea where Niki is?" He asks again and I shrug. "Shopping. She said you're here to fix her computer?" Dream nods, pulling out his phone to review his texts between her. "Says one of her monitors went black and she can't seem to fix it."

I nod, and my eyes trail up the stairs. "Okay... can you fix it then?" Dream looks up, flashing a cocky grin. "Of course I can." I roll my eyes and I lead him up the stairs, another feeling besides annoyance growing in my stomach. When we reach her room, I push open the door, showing Dream her computer, although I'm certain he would know where it is already.

I stand back, sitting on Niki's bed as I watch Dream open the small backpack that he's brought, which I hadn't even noticed. He frowns as he takes a look behind the monitor, before going under the desk to take a look at the wires.

I decide to just stay quiet instead of making unnecessary remarks. I study the way his arms flex when he reaches for something or the way he lets out soft grunts every time he unplugs or plugs something. My heart picks up as he runs a hand through his hair, and I close my eyes, shaking my head slightly. "Alright, well this should be an easy fix." Dream suddenly says and I open my eyes, startled to find him staring straight at me.

"What the hell... Why are you staring?" I mumble and something changes in his eyes. "So you can fix it?" I ask, watching as his eyes shift back into brightness, and he nods. "Yeah, should take about an hour or so. I need to fix something inside the monitor, and I need to head back to my house to get another tool-."

I cross my arms and I raise my eyebrows. "Oh yeah? How are you going to get over there? How did you even get here in the first place?" Dream opens his mouth but then he stops, realizing that I'm baiting him. "Uber." "Uber? Really?"

Dream nods and I watch as the corner of his lip twitches, a trait I know that indicates that he's lying. I uncross my arms and I stand, towering over Dream who's sitting on the edge of Niki's desk.