Beautiful Dreamer

Chapter Twelve

I woke up to a face staring at me, grinning. For a moment I thought it was Pam, though I was still utterly confused as to why that would be. Then I was afraid it was the man who supposedly had kidnapped Uncle Rob. But I blinked sluggishly, and saw that it was my Mom. Relief washed over me, and my confusion melted into a smile in return. I sat up, and was surprised to see a birthday cake in her hand.

"Happy birthday Willow!" She said with excitement.

"Oh my gosh, thank you so much!!" I grinned as well. I had completely forgotten it was my birthday today. The thought had been driven out of my mind because of all this weirdness going on.

She placed the cake on my bedside table, hugged me, and kissed my cheek. "You didn't have to do all this, you know." I said sheepishly.

"Of course I had to! What did you expect me to do with all this baking expertise?"

I chuckled. Of course she had baked it herself. Whenever I wondered how she could possibly make me love her more than I already did, she just kept going.

"Get dressed and come downstairs. I've got your favourite breakfast ready and steaming— pancakes with berries from grandma's garden!" With that she left me to beam in excitement for the rest of the day. I got ready and headed downstairs as quickly as humanly possible.

      •     • •

The cake was delicious. It was butterscotch flavoured, with caramel syrup on top. The pancakes were amazing as well. But the grandma's garden -part brought all of the dreams back again. I was only half present the whole morning, for which I felt terribly guilty. Mom had done all this for me and I wasn't even fully appreciating it. My only comfort was in the fact that she didn't know this. I tried to seem as grateful as I felt, which was immensely.

After our small party, I decided to take a walk to the library, and check whether my dream was true. I hurried down the side walk, my heart beating frantically. I entered the library and walked through the aisles. I saw no one. I was starting to feel half relieved, when a chill ran up my spine. I heard the same pair of hushed voices, giggling together. Slowly, my hands trembling, I slightly parted the books on the shelf between us. As I peered through the gap, my heart did a jumping jack from my throat to my feet. I could hardly believe my eyes.

There, right in front of me, stood my proof— Simon and his gorgeous girlfriend. I felt as if I couldn't breathe. I didn't know which part I was more shocked by— my dream coming true (that almost sounds positive heh); Simon having a girlfriend; or my own stupidity at believing I ever had a chance with him.

I slid through the aisles, careful not to reveal my presence to the happy couple. I hurried out the library as unnoticed as possible. I almost ran all the way back home, tears streaking down my face. I did the only thing I could think of— talk to Pam about it. She was always there for me, and right now I needed someone I was sure about my relationship with.

I knocked on Pam's door. She opened, and thankfully not Cal. I didn't want anyone else seeing me in a state like this.

Her eyes widened. She gasped, "Willow, what happened??"

"Let's talk upstairs." I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

She led the way up the stairs and into her bedroom.