Fairy Lights and Cigarettes

Two: Like a Dream

"Blondie."

Who's voice was that?

"Blondie, can you hear me yet?"

Who's Blondie?

My eyes flew open and I could suddenly feel my hands pressing into a warm body as I came back to my body. Rain was still falling, but I was currently sheltered by the stranger holding me. He was crouched, holding my head up while the rest of my body was supported on his legs. How mortifying.

"Are you back? You okay?"

Whoa, he's handsome.

"Uh, yeah, I'm okay," I finally managed, tearing my eyes away from his beautiful face. "Um... what happened?"

He slowly sat me upright, but kept me leaning against his legs with a gentle hand on my shoulder. "You fainted, but only for a few seconds. How do you feel?"

Come on, brain, work with me! "I think I'm okay now, just got a little woozy." I tried making myself stand up, but the rest of my body didn't seem to get the memo.

"Whoa, it's okay, you don't need to move yet," he assured, gently pushing me back down. "Give yourself a second." I nodded, trying to relax. "Do you faint at the sight of blood? Or are you just tired?"

Blood. My knife! Nausea washed through me. "Oh, I totally stabbed a guy didn't I? I'm terrible!"

Lance waved his free hand. "No, no, you're not terrible, Blondie. Ray is the terrible one. You just saved our asses."

Right... he had attacked first. I made myself nod, mostly trying to convince myself that I did, indeed, do the right thing. Then I remembered that we were running. "Wait, are they going to catch up to us now?"

"No, we lost them a while back, and it's a good thing too." Lance scanned the area. "Speaking of, I think I know where we are. You good to stand yet?"

Oh, why did this have to happen to me? This should have happened to someone that wasn't shy and awkward. The universe was against me today. As I tried, once again, to stand, Lance took a hold of my hand and helped me up. He steadied me with a hand on my back as I wobbled. I was beet red at this point, but I hoped the darkness hid that fact.

Lance watched me carefully until I gave him a little thumbs up. "If you're good, let's get you home."

"Y-yes, let's do that." I wanted to protest, but I didn't know this area, and it was late. I didn't want to risk running into any more sketchy guys either. So I followed the stranger out from behind the buildings until we approached a main road. The whole way, I couldn't help but look over my shoulder every few feet. Even if this wasn't real, I wanted to be safe.

"Where do you live?"

His question brought me out of my head. "Oh, on... wait, I know you've helped me, but I don't know if I'm comfortable telling a random guy where I live." My heart hammered in my chest as I spoke. My shyness was competing with my caution, but thankfully, the latter was winning.

To my surprise and relief, Lance smiled. "Hey, I don't blame you. Do you have someone you can call?"

My eyes widened as I realized my phone had probably fallen out when he pushed me down, because it definitely wasn't in my pocket. "I think I lost my phone, but even if I didn't, I don't know anyone that lives nearby." I started fidgeting, getting more worried and uncomfortable by the second.

"It's okay, I'm not going to leave you lost." Lance glanced up and down the street in thought. "How about this, I'll take you to some place you know, like a restaurant or something, will you be okay to go home from there?"