long way home

flashing lights

You're at a party, music blasting. You're in the corner sending a text to Dream asking him to pick you up early. You don't usually go to parties. You just wanted to be a supportive friend for her birthday but the party ended up being more than an hour or two. It's been four hours since the party started and more people are showing up which makes you're anxiety worse and worse by the second. Lets not even bring up you're social meter.

It's been 10 minutes and still no response. You go back and forth to yourself trying to decide whether you should call him or not. Right when you're about to press the green call button, he texts back, "Sure. I'm in the way." 20 minutes later, you're sitting in the front porch waiting for dream to pull up. When he finally does, he gets out of the car and walks up to you. "What happened? Are you okay?" he looks a little worried and a bit sleep deprived.

"No I' fine. Just tired is all." you look up at him to let him know that you are in fact fine then you both make you're way to his car. Dream opens the passenger door and makes sure that you're in comfortably.

The ride home was silent. Painfully silent actually. Car rides with Dream would usually filled with upbeat music and nonstop conversation but not tonight. Something was on his mind. You decide to break the silence when Dream beats you to it, " Why did you even go to the party if you were just going to leave early? What's the point?" You look over at him, his hand gripping the steering wheel, brows furrowed. Dream never acts like this. At least not with you. "What's wrong?" You ask, voice gentle and patient.

You knew something was on his mind ever since he walked up to you from the driveway. "You woke me up, Bailey. I've been really busy all week and I finally got some time to rest." You look down at your fidgeting fingers. Now feeling selfish, you say, " I'm sorry I didn't know. If I did I wouldn't have texted you." Dream looks over at you, his right eyebrow raised in disbelief. "I would've called instead.", you say trying to hold back laughter.

"I fucking hate you." Dream says through a little laugh. "I love you too Dream. And thank you by the way. I really do appreciate it." The car comes to a stop at an intersection. The red light illuminating the car. "You're welcome. You could've called me earlier you know. I know how much you hate parties." You sigh, "Yea I know. I just didn't want to be the first one to leave. I would've felt bad."

Dream turns to you again, "Never feel bad for pulling yourself out of a situation that makes you nervous or uncomfortable. Okay?" You look up at him, moved by his words, "Okay." Green light reflects off the hood of the car. "So what's up with you?" you ask half wanting him to answer, half knowing that he won't. "Nothing I'm just stressed out from work." You know that's not true. You and Dream have been friends since elementary school. You know when something is bothering him. You just wish you could get it out of him. But forcing information never works with Dream. You have to let him come to you. And you know that. You just don't know how long it will take for him to open up.
___

30 minutes later Dream pulls into a burger place that you're not familiar with. "Do you want anything?" he asks. You lean over to see the menu. It looks like a regular fast food menu, similar to McDonalds or Burger King.  Even though you're not looking at Dream, you can feel his eyes in you. Your face grows warmer and warmer by the second. Dream staring becomes so distracting that you just blurt out a number from the menu with out thinking. Dream smirks. "You sure?" you look at him, flustered. "I cant focus on what I want to eat if you're staring at me like that." He chuckles, "How did you know I was looking at you?" You scoff, "I have peripherals you know. And I also can sense when someone is staring at me."

He laughs "Oh I'm so sure. What is it like a sixth sense or something?" You lean back in your chair and cross your arms, chin raised,
"Maybe, maybe not. I cant tell you all of my secrets you know." you can tell Dream's mood has changed because of how giggly and smiley you are now.

He has always worried about you. Even when you two were little. He would make sure that no matter what, you were happy. Even when he was stuck in bed with a fever, he would make sure to call you and ask how your day was and what happened at school.

"So do you want to look at the menu again or do you actually want a chilly cheese hotdog from a burger place?" You lean over again and actually get a good look at the menu then tell Dream what you want. He pulls up to the intercom and tells the employee both of your orders. "Do you want to park and eat at one of the tables outside? "You hesitate. You don't normally like eating in public. "I'm just kidding. I know how you are. I'll just park and we can eat in the car I'm starving."

Purple and blue lights from the fast food place beam through the windshield. Space Song playing at a low volume in the background. You never realized until now how much you missed hanging out with Dream. You both have been busy. Him with work, you with school. It's nice to just sit back and relax with him. Dream's presence was inviting in that way. Sure conversation is always enjoyable with him but the comfortable silence was better in your opinion. You both hum in satisfaction as you finish your greasy, definitely unhealthy, but delicious meal.

You reach for your drink to cleanse your pallet. As you do, Dream also reaches for his and your fingers touch. Chills start at you fingertips and move up your arm and across your chest.

That's never happened before

"S-sorry" you pull your hand away and look out the window. It's late. But there are still people outside, sitting at the tables and benches by the entrance of the building. You look up to see the stars only to find them blocked by thick gray clouds. You look at the time in the radio: 10:15pm

"You didn't sense me that time."