One Last Look

03 - Dried Tears

"Get away from me. You're no longer what I love. You are nothing."

This voice was familiar. But it came out blurry.

"No, Lily, GO. Leave me and Jenna alone."

"No, Matt please. Please, No don't do this. You don't have to. Don't leave me please," , pleaded Lily in a distant tone.

"GO AWAY!"

*Lily screams*

"NO!"
Shouted Lily, already sat upright on her bed with a sweaty forehead.

"oh my goodness, what was that?"

Confused, Lily looked onto her phone and checked the time.

It read 3:24 AM.

"oh my God." Lily repeated continuously and uncontrollably, starts crying.

It was the most terrible dream she had to encounter. Now that this happened to her, Lily obviously can't sleep no more.

She couldn't remember what had happened to her before, it seemed as if the last memory she ever had was when the night of the double date. But other than that, blank.

She checked the texts she sent Matt and everything flashed itself back. Lily did remember going to Starbucks to talk with Matt but had no memory of what they were discussing.

Lily had no choice but to text Matt and ask him what the hell happened. Mentioning the dream won't help so she didn't say anything about it. Instead, she texted;

Matt. I know it's late,
but I can't sleep and
I don't know what's
happening to me. I'm
scared and I don't know
what to do.

There was no response as Lily waited, and waited, and waited. The usual, instant replies from Matt didn't happen this time.

Now she began to feel hopeless and empty. What if the dream actually happened? What if Matt really left me? Thinking about it just made her wanna cry.

She texted Jenna.

Jenn, look, it's late
but I have something
to tell you. Please
reply asap.

About a minute later, Jenna replied.

hi. I'm really sorry.
I really am. I'm not
the friend you deserve
and I didn't mean to steal
Matt. We'll talk soon.

Lily was now confused as ever. What did she meant by 'stealing' Matt? It almost gave her a headache.

It was almost morning and Lily still wasn't able to get some sleep. She wanted someone to cuddle with, to explain that terrifying dream and get it out of her system. Without a choice, she rang Richard.

He answered.

"hello?"
"hey, I know it's late and I'm so sorry if I woke you but-"
"Lily? thank god, I had this really weird dream, I can't even explain it."
"Oh really? Me too. Coincidence? I think not."
"Ahaha, yeah. You wanna come over? I'm currently at Jennas', but she hasn't come home yet. Really unusual and I'm getting worried."
"Oh yes yeah I'll be right there. Though it's like four in the morning,"
"Yeah.. So I'll be waiting."

Lily was smiling from cheek to cheek, then drove out the street.

*Richard's view*

Richard heard the doorbell and quickly opened the door.

"Are you okay?"
"No yeah I'm alright," said Lily in a really tired way.
"Please, make yourself at home, "

They both sat down on the living room couches that faced the large windows which had a magnificent scenery of stars that glistened in the night sky. Richard got some hot tea and started whispering to each other. Perhaps it was somewhat awkward, but they were almost cuddling which warmth them.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to call you in this hour, just for a stupid dream I had. I panicked and... nobody was there so I-"
"Lily.", "it's okay. I felt lonely too. Jenn still hasn't come home yet and I bet Matt as well. Just as long as you're all okay, nothings more important than that."

Lily can't help but think what a thoughtful person Richard was, and started crying all over again.

"I had this dream and it almost felt like a vision," Lily said while wiping her tears.

"its okay. Just spill it."

After all the explanation, Richard leaned in and hugged Lily, tight.

"I'm terrified. Matt is the only thing I wouldn't want to lose in this world. And not like that,"

"I have something to say," Richard said out of a sudden.
"Matt fell in love with Jenna. I should have told you. I don't think you remember what happened, but Matt told me everything. After he confessed at Starbucks, you collapsed on the floor and he sent you back to your apartment,"

"What?" Lily said in a cracking voice.

"Yeah. I was shocked. And angry, and bewildered. I should have told you Lily, I'm sorry. I really am."

"No.. It's okay. I'm fine," whispers Lily.
"You sure?"
"Yeah."

They cuddled and cried together and knew how it all was coming. Before they knew it, they slept, until dawn.