"Unexpectedly, you find yourself in the past, of a dream your childhood longed to visit again...
But there is something different, and it made you feel like you either wanted to stay longer or leave and never return."
She opens her eyes to be greeted by bright flashing lights and noises from crowds passing by, each on their own little adventure. She was surrounded by different booths, food stands, and other amusement park rides, all quite blurry to truly tell which ride is which, but the bright neon pink lights show some silhouette, which was enough for her.
Her attention shifts to a group of people calling her to come closer with excitement, people she barely recognizes but who have a sense of familiarity about them, and as they get closer, she just stands there.
And as dreams are she finds herself somewhere else.
They all smile as they talk about love, soulmates, and how to find them, using the stars that surround their night shining as bright as the fairy lights that hung above them, on a bench surrounded by the group, though she did not feel crowded.
She feels a presence sitting behind her, back turned, as they each try it on each other, giggling, laughing, enjoying the moment. It's most likely nothing. Lies.
"How about you, Elle?" one of them says, breaking her gaze on the void, "Let's try it on you!" "Right!" says the other.
"Alright, ok," she sighs, hesitantly and timidly, as she always does. Will that ever change?
Probably not. She thinks.
They are doing what is needed, some kind of ritual that she herself never really believed in, when they are interrupted; though words were spoken, it was difficult to tell what they were, but the person's expression indicated that they were being scolded. Maybe they weren't allowed to do it here because it's mostly just a place to eat and nothing else.
As they apologize and were about to leave, a star shone brightly behind her, and as her friends pointed it out, she turned around to see a young man having a conversation with a friend, no words were heard, and time seemed to slow down.
He comes to a halt, aware that he is being watched, and makes eye contact. She remains motionless, her face flushed with embarrassment as the stare continues.
Though a wave was given, and a voice could be heard as his friend looked back.
As dreams are she finds herself somewhere else.
In a small moving room, a few people are playing a drawing game, and while most of their faces are blurred, one stands out the most.
The same young man as before, wearing a red plaid unbuttoned shirt over a black shirt. Sitting in a comfortable position, watching as those playing jokingly argues with what is written on the board.
She couldn't help but return her gaze to him, both of them seemingly distant from the group and from each other. As she thinks she knows for certain, her mind is playing tricks on her, creating scenes of the two being closer than ever before yet so far apart. As if to display to herself that this is the closest they'll ever get. Nothing else.
And with her confidence, even if she does happen to bump into him, that's all that'll ever happen between them.
And her mind proves it, because after a brief cut glance from him, she was back where she started, surrounded by bright neon pink lights and crowds heading in different directions.
There was no sign of him, but there was also no sign of the others, so instead of remaining still, she wandered the world she had imagined as a child, seeing a bit more clearer, various rides and other forms of entertainment with the touch of a young girl's imagination. Tall and crazy water slides, a fast-moving ferris wheel, and much more.
And, while some things remained the same, there were changes in the world that suggested it grew with her, such as the bench she once sat on having a beautiful and somewhat peaceful view, and the colors of the world itself changing from random bright colors to a bright neon pink and white lights that help you see through the night. As her worldview evolves and matures, she sees a dream world that is much closer to reality than it was before.
As she was admiring the world she has created, roaming around, she bumps into a familiar figure. Both turning around to apologize, her guessing who it is. She looks at the tall figure, who is wearing the same plaid shirt and black shirt underneath.
"Oh- sorry...",
"It's alright-"
It felt like time had stopped for a few seconds after they exchanged apologies.
"Are you ok?",
...
"Yeah, I'm good"
Someone calls out his name.
"Alright, cool, I gotta go now, see ya," He waves with a gentle smile as he moves further away from her.
"Ok, see you," was all she could say as she stood there, turning around in embarrassment and regret.
As painful as it is to admit, that is all they will ever be to each other. Strangers. It appears that way even in her dreams, but she is beginning to accept the challenge of accepting that fact.
And is beginning to believe that it is best to simply admire him from afar.
In a dream that seems to grow with her, perhaps as she grows older, she will see someone else, and one by her side and not at a distance.
----------------------------------
She wakes up, and though it felt like a bitter end between them, she sits there smiling, wondering what might have happened differently if she had acted differently, or if she'll ever come back and see him or someone else.
Different thoughts flood her mind even as she stands to eat; with her phone in hand, she opens messages, a little excited as she informs a close friend of her experience. Deep down, She wants to see the fantasy again... Whether for its own beauty or the beauty of another.
But, in any case, the stars will shine brightly the next time she sees them in that world, but that is all that will shine the next time she visits.
