Young Forever

Chapter 19

Would you rather be in a perfect dream or wake up and face reality?

To many the answer was simple. Yes, I'd rather sleep than face the real world. It was a no brainer, right?

But not for Angela, Aaliyah, Hanh, and Valentina.

Yes, this dream was perfect. It was everything they wanted. But there were still good things about the real world. They had their family and friends in the real world who were supportive of them. If they had died, they couldn't imagine the amount of grief they would bring to their family there. Those who loved them would be devastated.

Yes, staying in a dream would be ideal. But there's the underlying feeling that none of it is real. It is just a short, blissful dream.

So the four girls decided what they wanted to do.

Before going back to the real world, however, they decided to spend one last day in this blissful dream.

So they made plans to go to a movie, and then to the amusement park.

It was a weekend that day. A new movie called "Rose of the Night" was supposed to be out and it was very popular. So the girls decided to check that out. They got their tickets and sat in the theater. Halfway into the movie, Aaliyah held Angela's hand. Angela held onto it tighter. After all, this may very well be the last time they get to hold hands like this.

"Gosh, that movie was trash" said Hanh after they came out of the theater.

"Yeah. The plot was confusing and the characters were all over the place" said Valentina.

"I'd say its so bad that its funny" said Angela.

"I know right? When Mary said she was actually part of the moon, I had to keep myself from laughing because that came out of nowhere" said Aaliyah. "Not to brag but I think I can write better than that."

"You sure can Aali" said Angela.

"Alright then, to the amusement park!" said Hanh.

The girls made their way to the amusement park. They had a great time on the rides - the ferris wheel, where Angela and Aaliyah had their first heart to heart, the roller coaster which made their stomachs turn but was fun, the haunted house, which made them scream and cling on to each other. It was so much fun. The girls knew they would keep this memory when they go back to the real world.

Then, they came to the Tunnel of Love ride.

"Oh, remember this ride?" asked Aaliyah.

"How could I forget? This is where we officially became girlfriends" said Angela. "And these two devils had a part in it."

She looked at Valentina and Hanh.

"Hey, don't blame us. We were just speeding things up" said Hanh.

"Yeah. Come on, it was so obvious that you had a crush on each other."

"Oh, were we that transparent?" asked Angela.

"Duh! Everyone could see it, except yourselves" said Valentina.

"Oh come on Val" said Aaliyah.

They then came to a photo booth.

"Hey, what say we take a picture here? You know, for the memories" said Angela.

"That's a great idea" said Hanh. "Come on."

So they went inside the photo booth and took all kinds of pictures with all kinds of crazy poses.

"Haha, that was fun" said Hanh.

"I can't believe all this is gonna be over soon" said Valentina.

"Yeah. But you know, we have to go back to the real world soon. Our friends and families back there must be worried sick" said Aaliyah.

"Guys, no matter what, I will never forget you" said Valentina.

"Me too" said Angela.

"Me three" said Aaliyah.

"And me" said Hanh.

Valentina and Hanh went to their own homes.

"Hey Aaliyah, I'm really gonna miss you" said Angela. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me. And now we have to leave."

"Hey it doesn't have to be goodbye" said Aaliyah. "We can still find each other in the real world."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I promise, no matter where we are, I will find you. Because you are the one that opened my heart, and I don't think I'll ever forget that."

Aaliyah held out her pinky. Angela smiled and intertwined her pinky with Aaliyah.

"Then I promise I'll find you too" she said.

"Lets see who finds who first" said Aaliyah.

***

That night, they all met with Rosalia in a park.

"So, have you all made your decision?" she asked.

"Yes. We want to go back" said Angela.

"Pardon?" asked Rosalia. She seemed to be taken aback.

"You heard us. We want to go back to the real world" said Aaliyah.

"This world has been fun but in the end, its just a dream" said Hanh.

"Our real friends and families must be worried for us" said Valentina.

"No matter what hardships the real world holds for us, we will face it" said Angela. "So, Rosalia, take us to the real world."

Rosalia gave a smile.

"Every person I have asked so far has preferred to stay in their dream world. But you girls are extraordinary indeed. Alright, join your hands, close your eyes, and I shall send you back to the real world."

The girls did as they were told. Rosalia, too, closed her eyes. She conjured up a white ball of light that soon engulfed the scenery.

***

When Angela woke up, she found herself in a hospital bed. It felt like she had been asleep for ages. She looked at her heart rate monitor.

A nurse came into the room. Her eyes widened on seeing Angela. Angela just gave her a smile. The nurse went outside.

"She's awake!" she told everyone.