Dream Boy

Chapter Seven

"Sarah! I still love you! Don't leave me for him!"
"Evan? Where are you?"
"You can hear me, but you can't see what's right in front of you."

"Psst. Psst. PSSST."
"WHAT?"
"Shh."
"Taylor, you have no right to 'shh' me at four o'clock in the morning."
"Look out the window!"
"Stop whisper shouting! It's so annoying!"
"Look. Out. The. Window."
"Fine."
"What do you see?"
"Um, nothing. It's pitch black outside. Because it's FOUR O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING."
"Look closer."
"I still see nothi--it's snowing!"
"Do you want to sneak outside?"
"Um, yes!"

We tip-toe down the stairs, trying our hardest not to make noise. We grab our jackets, boots and scarves, and quietly slip out the back door. We stand in silence, letting the beautiful Christmas snow fall on our faces, tickling our cheeks. I pull Taylor into a side hug, so glad to have a friend like her in my life. She smiles, and I remember just how lucky I am.

"Taylor, I had another dream before you woke me up." My voice is quiet, almost nervous.
"Really? Please, tell me all about it! Maybe the book can help us interpret it. It is Christmas now, you know, so you can have it." I grin, remembering that I am going to spend Christmas morning with my favorite people.
"Well, it was dark, all around me. There was nothing--just blackness. Then I heard Evan's voice, his name is in the dreams now, and he told me that I could hear him, but wasn't seeing what was right in front of me."
After a moment of taking in what I said, she responds, "to me, it would seem like he's trying to tell you he's the one, but you are choosing Chris. Except, you haven't spent much time with either of them. It's almost like this dream was meant for later, or is a warning to realize something now before it is too late."
"What do I need that book for when I have you?" Taylor rolls her eyes at my response, making me giggle.

Back inside, we strip out of our now snow covered outerwear and creep back to my bedroom. There's no hope of us falling asleep, so we sit on my bed, whispering.

"Do you think Harrison genuinely likes me? Or is he just being prim and proper?" It's my turn to roll my eyes.
"Taylor, you are the prettiest, kindest, smartest, funniest girl I know. If he can't see that, he can go die in a hole."
"Wow, I haven't heard 'go die in a hole' since like fifth grade."
"I was trying to compliment you..."
"I know, I know. Thank you."
"I'm serious though, Taylor. I think he really does like you, because you are amazing. And if he doesn't, he will the second you start hanging out."
"Thanks Sarah. Now, can we talk about your love life?" I suck in a deep breath.
"What about it?"
"Oh, I don't know. How about the fact that the boy you've literally been dreaming of for all of your life is real, and a total hottie, cough cough Christian, is basically in love with you."
"Okay, one he is so not 'in love' with me. We haven't even been on a date yet. And he stole my shoe, so I don't even know what is actually happening there. And two, Evan, well, he seems more interested in Christine than me."
"Oh, come on. He was obviously either trying to make you jealous, or was jealous that you were with Chris."
"But--"
"No buts. It's my turn to compliment you. You are brilliant, creative, adorable, and hilarious. If those boys don't see that, they need glasses."
"Aww, how sweet. But really, thanks for that."
"There are just so many warm, fuzzy feelings floating around, huh?"
"It's the spirit of Christmas!"

"EVVVAAAN! Hold on, please hold on!"
"I'm trying!"
"Please, I can't live without you!"
"That's what I used to believe, Princess, but now, I don't know."
"Whatever do you mean?"
"You might as well marry him."
"Who, my beloved. Who but you?"
"That evil, evil king." With that, he lets go of the branch, and my heart tears in two.

I sit up, gasping, taking air in so loudly that Taylor's eyes fly open.
"What is it, Sarah? Are you alright?" Some how, we had managed to fall asleep.
"I, I had another dream. He, he--he let go of the branch."
"What? What branch?"
"Remember the dream where I was a princess, and an evil king tried to kidnap me?" I see a glimmer of recognition in her eyes, and continue, "well, I didn't save him this time. He let go."
"Honey, maybe you are the one that needs to let go."
"But I can't, I, I--"
"No, you don't love him. Don't say that. He is a dream. You barely know the real boy. You shouldn't let dreams get in the way of a good relationship. It's Christmas. Get this weight off of your shoulders." I close my eyes.
"Thanks, Taylor." I take a slow, deep breath. "I really needed that."

*****************************************

"Merry Christmas everybody!"
My family sits around the Christmas tree, enjoying sticky buns. We are taking what we call "Half Time." Every year, we open half of our presents, have breakfast, and then open more. Every once and a while, someone will yell out "Merry Christmas," as if they were just reminded that it is December 25th. We all laugh and yell it back, preventing the smiles from ever leaving our faces.

I have already gotten a car, so I don't expect much from my parents. But apparently, they are very proud of me for doing so well in school, and they completely spoil me. I feel guilty, but not after I see that they bought Eric an Xbox. They bought me a new laptop to use for school, and I am rendered speechless. As Taylor and I stare at my new laptop, all I can think about are the fairy tales I used to read. Why is all this amazing stuff happening to me, and why now?

I look up and see that Eric is already chowing down on the candy I bought him, and Aaron is begging to put the CDs Taylor and I had picked out in the stereo.

Why now?

Because there is no time like the present, and I need to enjoy every second of it.