Avi Kaplan: A Collection of Short Stories

In Dreams Part 2

You expect the dreams to end once you met him.

You quickly realize how very wrong you are.

+++

Avi drops you off back at your place after your first date and with a shy smile, he leans forward and presses a kiss to your cheek. You smile at his touch and feel your stomach flutter with excitement. Pulling back, Avi smiles too and promises, "I'll call you."

You go to bed that night, a rush of giddiness still pulsing through your veins and you dream.

You shiver from the chill in the air and noticing, Avi uncurls the scarf from around his neck and carefully wraps it around your neck. Smiling, he grabs your hand and pulls you onto the ice. "C'mon, skate with me."

One hand still holding onto the side of the rink, you soak in the warmth of Avi's hand in yours and tentatively let go. Your knees shake slightly, but Avi steadies you, holding on to your forearm. "I'm going to fall and look like an ass."

Avi chuckles, "I won't let you fall. Promise."

He holds on to both of your hands and slowly starting to move backwards, pulls you along. You let out a little yelp of excitement at the feel of the ice moving beneath your feet. Looking up at him, you smile and laugh as he twirls you in a small circle.

"See?" he asks, holding you close, "I'm not letting you fall."

Someone whizzes by, catching Avi off guard and he loses his balance, falling and pulling you down with him. You land on your butt, the cold ice seeping through your jeans and a dull throb aching in your muscles. Avi looks over at you, worried, but you start laughing and he laughs, too. He leans towards you and kisses your lips, once, twice and you suddenly don't care how stupid you might look.

Avi calls you the next day. "Hey, want to go ice skating?"

You don't hesitate before answering yes.

+++

You've been seeing each other for six months when Avi has to leave to go on tour. You knew the separation would be a trial and the day he left, you held him close, your face buried in his neck. Avi kissed your shoulder softly and pulled away from you with a sad smile.

The first week he was gone, you had dreamed of just his face. No words, no emotions, just the smiling image of his face. The second week he was gone, you dreamed of him holding you. You woke with the feeling of his arms still around you.

A month in and you miss him with a deep ache in your chest. It's then that the dreams turn into something more.

You're standing in the coffee shop where you first met, except the whole place is deserted, not a soul to be found. You turn around a few times in confusion before you realize...you know you're dreaming.

The sound of the door opening catches you by surprise and turning, you let out a cry of elation as you see Avi in the doorway. He catches your eye and stares at you in disbelief. You walk towards him slowly and when you reach him, you extend your arms and touch his chest, letting out a small laugh and the solidness of him.

"I'm dreaming," you say, looking up at him.

Avi swallows hard. "Me too."

He wraps his arms around you then and you melt into his touch. Your arms curl around his neck, your fingers sinking deep into his hair. "Oh, I've missed you so much," you breathe into his neck.

You can feel his smile against your skin. "I'm here now."

Avi holds you for a few minutes before leading you to the table you sat at when he first saw you and—