24 Dreams Of You And Me

17) A Real Life Nightmare

"I hate getting flashbacks from things I don't want to remember."

***

"What happened, Levi?" Richard asked as he looked at his son through the rearview mirror.

Alyssa was seated behind him and Levi behind Bella.

Bella turned around and looked at Alyssa. "Everything alright, sweetheart?"

"M-Mrs Lauder?" Levi's eyes narrowed in confusion and longing. He hadn't seen her in years. She still looked beautiful and her voice still felt sweet and peaceful.

"What?" Bella laughed. "What's wrong with you two?"

Alyssa looked at Levi, who was busy gazing at his father and Bella.

"Nuh-Nothing."

Richard cleared his throat. "So I'll drop you and Alyssa at Sarah's and Levi and I will be back in two days, right Bella?"

Something felt wrong to Alyssa but she didn't voice her thoughts. She didn't wish to consider it.

"Yes. Levi be a good boy while your sister and I are gone, okay?"

"My what!"

"His what!"

Bella frowned. "What is wrong with you two? Alyssa, I don't want you to act crazy in front of Sarah."

"No, no, no, no, wait. My sister?" Levi asked as if it is the last thing he ever thought he'd hear.

"Are you.. feeling okay, son?" Richard asked.

"I.. I don't even know," He raised his eyes to meet his dad's in the mirror and then slowly whispered, "..dad."

Bella playfully hit Alyssa. "You two never stop pranking mom and dad."

"Mom and what!"

"Mom and what!"

"Richard, do you think it's safe to take the kids along? I don't think they're feeling well." Bella said to Richard.

"Kids? How old are we?" Levi frowned and looked down at his body.

Everything seemed alright.

"Are you serious?" Bella asked.

"They're playing games, Bella." Richard laughed. "Levi, you're 16 and your sister is 14."

"I am 22, Sir." Alyssa said to Richard firmly.

"Sure, honey."

"What the f*ck?" Alyssa whispered to Levi who seemed frozen.

"Alyssa! Don't use that word! It's bad, where did you learn it?" Bella scolded.

"Oh God, mom. We're not having this conversation again. I can choose my own words. It doesn't matter to you in any way-"

"Alyssa." Richard interrupted her. "When your mother says something it's for your own good. Listen to her and stop fighting."

"But you don't-" she stopped herself. "Holy mother of God." She suddenly realised. "We're going to Aunt Sarah's?" She asked.

"You know that. Quit playing games.." Bella sighed.

Alyssa turned to Levi. He was awfully quiet. Just kept his eyes on Richard and Bella.

She moved closer to him and whispered, "it's a memory. Sarah is my mother's sister. We went to visit her over the holidays when I was 14. I had this same exact conversation with mom and dad."