Everything Blue [ OMHK, Book 2 ]

IHOP

"As soon as I was out in the street, I realized I didn't want to be alone after all, I realized I didn't want to be anything at all."
― Elizabeth Wurtzel, Prozac Nation

J E N N A

Do you ever have a dream that feels so realistic that when you wake up, it feels like it's merged with reality?

I was never one to have particularly lucid dreams, but this was an exception, fueled by my own hopeful thoughts and need for closure.

My dream was a replay of that Saturday morning I was supposed to hang out with Tyler. The only difference is, this time, Luna didn't open the door. Tyler did, and he immediately pulled me in for a hug.

His arms felt so real and safe that when something shook me awake and I opened my eyes, I refused to believe that I had just been dreaming.

Tyler's real. Tyler's blue. Tyler's still dying.

I was face to face with somebody familiar. It wasn't Tyler though— instead, it was my brother.

"It's about time you woke up," Harmon rolled his eyes, stopping his obnoxious shaking. I put a hand up to my face, immediately feeling the usual weight on my heart return.

It was just a dream, Jenna. Tyler's still in the hospital.

I realized that much, but what I couldn't figure out was where I was.

Sitting up, I realized that I was lying down in the backseat of a truck. It felt familiar, and I quickly realized that it was Joshes. Craning my neck, I saw him in the front, driving. "What's going on?" I asked my brother, closing my eyes again. I was exhausted, and my back hurt like hell.

"We're going out for breakfast," he responded lazily, smiling at the boy in the drivers seat.

"Oh. Why?"

Harmon frowned at me. "...because we're hungry?"

My stomach growled. I guess I was too.

"What about Tyler?" I asked worriedly.

"Well, it's not like he's going anywhere."

"I guess."

Josh glanced at Harmon and I through the rearview mirror, flashing us a small smile. "IHOP or Steak & Shake?"

"IHOP," my brother and I answered at the same time. I glanced at him, feeling heavy again.

Why couldn't I just feel okay for five damn minutes?