I Want To Dream Now

Chapter 10

"I didn't see you last night," Charlene says.

She appears out-of-nowhere, as per usual. Tonight she wears a sparkling, blue gown. Her curly, brown hair is pinned up. She wears no shoes.

Robin reaches his hand out to hold hers, and helps her cross the river. He can feel her pulse beat rapidly, as she tries to walk on the tree trunk. She feels her feet slip a little, but Robin is there to  reassure her. He grabs her on the shoulders.

Robin nods, his eyes seem tired. 

"Are you OK, Robin?" Charlene knots her arm with his as they casually stroll around the forest. Frogs are leaping out of everywhere. Charlene's feet are drenched in the soggy soil. She grips his arm harder.

Robin lies, "I am."

"OK, you're acting weird."

"Am I?" He mumbles out, never taking his eyes off her toes. They are painted a beautiful, glossy cream color.

"Yes, you are." She stops talking then. Even as Robin pulls on her arm, she remains very still, refusing to move. She never lets go of his arm though.

Robin is forced to look at her face, and is horrified to say the least. He takes a step toward her, steadying his gaze on her right-hand cheek which is completely bruised, along with a giant scar.

Her hazel eyes lower down sadness. "I guess I can't hide everything in my sleep."

"This is real?"

She nods, and Robin can spot big tears filling her eyes. She closes her eyes then, letting them spill down her cheeks. She turns her head the other way, hiding his face with her free hand.

Robin doesn't back down though, and he grabs her hand from her face. She glowers at him from the corner of her eye.

"I never wanted you to see me like this."

"I know," Robin laughs gently. "You're all dressed up in a stunning Chanel frock, and I can't stop staring at you."

Charlene laughs a little, her smile magnificent. 

"Did that make you smile?"

She grins then. "Of course. A man who understands fashion. What's not to smile about?"

Robin's smile fades into a big horrified frown. He realise he has said far too much. "Oh, I'm not really that fashionable..."

"You just said Chanel!"

"I'm only guessing," he says, laughing.

"Seriously?" She raises a long brow at him, in which forces him to look away. "This is Chanel. This isn't a coincidence, Robin. I know its not."

"OK, then? So what, Charlene?"

She smiles very gracefully then. "So, I just discovered another secret about you." She squeezes hs shoulders. "You work in a high-fashion clothes store, don't you?"

He shrugs. "Perhaps."

She squeals in excitement. "Oh wow, you've got to hand it to me!"

Robin can't help laughing along with her. But he is also shivering ferociously on the inside.

"Now, lets see if I can guess the shop..."

"No. No more."

She grins. "And what if I don't stop?"

"Then I'm waking myself up. Your choice, Charlene."

Her lip quivers at the idea, but she rolls her eyes in the end. "Fair enough. I'll stop."