He Who Weaves Dreams | #ONC2023

7

The next night, Jonathan was able to accompany Claire in her dream for only a short time. He had to help the other dreamers in their dreams too.

Before he left her, he asked her, "What would bears be without the bees?"

"What?" Claire looked at him as they searched the town plaza in her dreams. "Is that another joke?"

The boy smiled. "The answer is... ears!"

"That is so corny," Claire said but still chuckled. "Funny because it's corny."

"What did the triangle say to the circle?" he asked next.

They looked around the cemented fountain. No sign of Keith here either. Claire sighed. "Fine." Then she asked, "What?"

"You're pointless!" Jonathan laughed at his own joke.

The girl was suddenly silent. Her thoughts were voiced out, "What if this is pointless? What we're doing. Maybe Keith's not here anymore."

Jonathan walked closer to her and put a hand on her head. "I'm sorry. Forget that joke. I shouldn't have said it. And don't lose hope so easily." Using his other hand, he produced a bright red rose and gave it to Claire. "A beautiful flower for a beautiful girl. And I'm also sorry I can't stay with you. I promise to help you again next time."

As Jonathan's image disappeared from her dream, Claire clenched the rose tightly in her hands. He was right. Keith was waiting to be found by her to tell her what really happened to his family.

She would find him.

When morning came, Linda was surprised that Claire and Jonathan were chatting comfortably about school during breakfast. Jonathan insisted on carrying Claire's bag as they walked side by side to the black Mercedes and entered Southeast High together.

Jonathan took Claire's hand and led her to his group after they got into their classroom. "I want to introduce to you all, Claire Mendoza."

The boy's group looked at her with smiles on their faces. Claire was not good with crowds and dealing with many people. She was always only with her own little group of friends and she wasn't comfortable interacting with big groups. Although, she knew she needed to get out of her comfort zone if she wanted to be a teacher. "Hi," she waved at them.

"Hello, classmate," greeted one of the boys, Lester was his name.

"Thank you for helping me before, Claire," Tina was standing with the crowd, beaming at her. Her hair was beautifully styled with colorful clips and she now wore lip gloss.

"You dream hopped already, Claire? How many times?" a short-haired girl whose name she didn't know suddenly asked.

Claire answered, "Uhm, no. Not yet. I just... manipulated my dream. But I would love to."

"Hey." Geraldine was standing beside her boyfriend, Hans Luke, whose hand was around her shoulders. So, they didn't break up. "Tomorrow's a holiday so we're having a party this night at my house. My folks are on a business trip. Want to come? We won't stay too late, of course. To still have time for our dreams."

"I-I uh..." Claire wasn't sure what to say. Her eyes darted to the right and saw Wendy. Her friend was obviously eavesdropping and mouthed "Go!" Claire bit her lower lip as she smiled then said, "Okay. But can I bring my friends with me?"

"Sure thing," the other girl replied.

"Great."

Geraldine continued to say, "We'll meet up at the water fountain in front of Asul's at 5 and go to my house together. Party starts at 6. See you there!"