Once Upon A Dream

Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Four: Fates Funny Like That
-Riley-

I sat on the sofa anxiously awaiting the sunset.

Cordelia said she was going to her park tonight as well as tomorrow night. But she didn't exactly give me a time.

"You okay son?" My grandfather asked as he walked into the living room. "Look jittery."

"I'm fine Gramps...just got some plans a little later and I hope it goes well."

"This got to do with a girl?" He asked.

"Kinda."

"Kinda?" He questioned.

I couldn't help but chuckle before I explained what I could without it getting weird.

"So I've been talking to this girl for a while now...and I'm really into her, and I'm pretty sure she's into me to." I said. "Thing is even though we talk and we've seen each other in...um, in passing, we've never hung out, so we're going to try and meet up tonight at the park."

"And you're worried she's gonna be a no show?"

I nodded. "Yeah, it's kinda scary...putting your heart on the line, relying on fate to work out in your favor."

"Fates funny like that son...take your grandma and I, you ever hear how we met?" He asked.

I shook my head and he continued.

"It was back in the 50's I was 17 so it had to be uh, 1954...my sister's gal friend supposedly liked me a heck of a lot, but back then it wasn't customary for girls to approach guys for a date so she told my sister who told me to be nice and take her out on one date...my sister set it all up, she was to meet me at the ice cream shop in town since it wasn't an official date I didn't have to pick her up or anything."

He smiled. "Night of the date came round, I couldn't tell Tammy whatshername from Susie whatchamacallit...but in walks this girl, prettiest girl I've ever seen, hair so blonde it looked like it had a glowing halo under those lights...eyes so bright and smile so vibrant she could light up a room, she walked right up to me and take a seat in the booth across from me."

I smiled and listened on.

"She looked at me, I was completely awestruck and she giggled at how stupid I must've looked." He laughed as he must've been seeing it all in his head. "She finally spoke to me saying, 'sorry my sister Regina couldn't make it...but I figure why waste a perfectly good date, I'm Patricia.' And I've loved her every since...so you see fate has a funny way of giving you just what you need when you need it."

"Thanks grandpa...I think I'm gonna head out now." I said noticing the dark orangey color outside. "The sun will be setting soon."

"You be careful out there, and if your girl does show up...don't freeze up like I did son." He smiled.

I nodded and grabbed my jacket before I pulled out my keys and finally took off toward the park.

But this time when I reached the park it took me a while to exit the truck.

For one I was nervous, truly and genuinely nervous...what if she didn't come. For a month now I've been coming to this same park and I feel so deeply that THIS is the park. What if she doesn't show tonight and later on she tells me she waited for me at the park....then this wouldn't be the same park and that small little glimmer of hope that this park gives me will be gone.

If I did find out that this isn't in fact the park from our dreams, I'll feel like we are back at square one maybe I'll even feel further away from her.

I sigh and try to shake the troubled thoughts from my head, It's too late in the game for doubts...we've come this far...months of dreaming of the same girl, talking to her, getting to know her, falling for her...this has to be real.

I finally mustered up the courage and got out of the truck. With a deep breath I finally step forward and make my way into the park.

I found myself walking down a worn path in the now familiar park.

I took a look to my left and saw the same open field I saw every evening since moving here, I look to my right and make out the silhouetted trees of the thick forest.

I continue to walk and suddenly the row of vivid red benches come into view, between every two benches is a tall lamp post, on and on they go they seem almost never ending.

I take a seat on one of the benches.

Then out of the corner of my right eye movement catches my attention and I look up.

Coming from the opposite direction a man jogging past me, I nod my head and he does the same...a silent hello.

I get up and walk around.

Tonight I am too wired to sit still.

I go and find a tree to stand under, but as I stand up from my seat I notice another person walking up to me.

It's a girl.

As she draws closer I start to slightly freak out as I take in more detail, she is young possibly close to my age, she is wearing a PINK hoodie and a pair of jeans. She has brown hair pulled back into a ponytail, she looks almost as if she is trying to look at me but also ignore me.

Given the fact that the sun had fully set and I'm some random dude just standing in the park is more than a little suspicious and probably scary for a girl.

I smile at her and she gives me an unsure smile in return before walking past me.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"R-Riley?"

I freeze completely but my heart starts to race, I knew that voice well.

I turned and came face to face with the most beautiful girl I have ever seen.

Her smile is warmly familiar, full and lovely and just for me, she had the same pretty brown hair that I had seen on countless nights. She was in a similar coat to the one in the dreams as well, but here she was without the mask, just her...

"Cordelia?" I ask for verification.

She smirked and looked up at me as she walked  in closer.

"H-hi." I say a little unsure...I mean here was the girl I've dreamt about for what felt like forever.

There's a small sound of a slight chuckle, "took you long enough to arrive."