Dreams & Other Lost Things {Sequel to B&TBR}

Chapter 14: An Adventure.

The sun wasn't out the next morning.

It was floating above the clouds, making them a lighter gray than they really were. There wasn't any snow falling from the sky, either; it was like everything was standing still.

January was the beginning of a new year – a new chapter, as some would say – thought it doesn't change anything. It's still your life, and everything is the same except for the year.

As I walked through the busy streets of people, I noticed that it seemed like a gloomy day. Everything was dark and sad. They expected it to rain soon which would bring ice if it got any colder. I grabbed a seat in the Merci café and ordered a coffee. I also ordered a hot chocolate to take to Asher when he arrived.

Over the last two weeks, I spent most of my time going to the art building and painting with Mark – when he decided to show up, that is. The rest of my time was spent graciously stuffing my face as I watched old movies that reminded me of the Christmas' I barely had. If I'm being honest, it did make me sad to know that Asher had his family to spend the holidays with. I had to spend mine alone – besides the brief visit from Ben and Mia and the check-in from Grayson before he left for his family as well. My parents were both off doing their own thing; Dad had business meetings and cases back home and Mom was busy doing... whatever it is she does.

I had very little contact with either of them. Mom called and wished me a Merry Christmas and told me she had a gift for me when she came back from Paris – I had no idea why she would be there – and Dad sent me an email. I was having a hard time deciding which one deserved the Best Parents of the Year Award.

My coffee arrived with Asher's hot chocolate a few moments later. I stirred the straw around in my coffee to help cool it down before I could take a sip of it. I flinched and pulled it away from my face when the blistering steam hit my face.

On the table in front of me, my phone buzzed and Asher's picture popped up on the screen. My nerves suddenly pulsed and my head went dizzy – the most common feelings of being in love.

"Hello?" I answered after the second ring.

"Hey, um..." Asher mumbled breathlessly as the phone was shuffled around. "I can't come see you because I just got here and I'm just walking in the door but what about later? And we can talk then, too."

"What if I just came over? I could help you unpack. I know how messy you are..." I realized how pushy I must have sounded. The boy just came back from visiting his very big and busy family, of course he was tired. "I mean, unless you're tired. Later would be okay."

"No, no! Come over. Just knocked and I'll come get the door. See you soon," he rushed. I got a goodbye out before we both hung up and I was on my feet practically rushing to his apartment. The two warm cups in my hands kept them from freezing as I stepped out into the rush of cold air. The sun hadn't come out yet but it still wasn't raining or snowing, thankfully.

When I reached Asher's building, I hurried into the elevator to get to his floor. Both of my hands were full with my wallet around my wrist and hot cups in each when I reached his door. I kicked it with my foot and waited for him to open it. A few seconds later, I heard him fumbling with the lock before it flew open.

His five o'clock shadow made him look older, and made me feel like he had been away long. It only made the hug I gave him a lot stronger. Yes, I still had the two hot cups in my hand when I hugged him. They didn't spill or anything, but they were beginning to make my hands feel numb from the heat.

"You have no idea how happy I am to see you!" I exclaimed, but it was muffled by his sweatshirt.

There was only silence between us though. It was the last thing I expected. His hands were tight around me, holding me like I was going to slip away at any second. I felt his chest heave up and down against mine like he was holding back a cry. I wanted to back away from him and look at him to see what could be wrong, but he wouldn't budge.