Once Upon A Dream

Twenty Five

Chapter Twenty Five: Familiar Strangers
-Cordelia-

I looked up at him, it was really him...Riley.

It felt so surreal but I was finally here, in his arms looking into his face.

Which might I add...damn, boy is seriously fine. He had this young Marlon Brando thing going on. You could totally tell he was the football sorta guy with his handsome jock vibe.

It felt so odd to just be standing there hugging someone I've never met before, and yet I know him so well.

"I can't believe it's really you." He kept saying. He looked down at me and smiled, "I thought I was going crazy there for a minute."

I smiled, "I know what you mean...So New Jersey huh?"

"Yeah" he smiled. "We've been here for a month...and you said you're gonna be moving here once you start college?"

I nodded, "Yeah that University I got into is Princeton and it just makes sense to move in with my dad and stepmom."

He smiled, "You are so amazing, do you know that?"

I was all smiles since the moment I walked up to him, and his compliments didn't help my smile to falter any.

"It's crazy because I feel like I have so much to ask you but we've already asked it all." I said as I walked toward one of the benches. "And to be honest I know this is sorta knew and yet it isn't so I hdon't want to overwhelm you or anything like that."

"You do realize we've basically been dating for the past few months."

I seemed like so much longer but in truth it had only been a few months since i first dreamt of the park. And he was right, we saw eachother every night, learned more and more about eachothers pasts, talked about our futures, discussed our dreams, opened up about our secrets and worries...Plus despite us never actully saying anything, I hadn't exactly talked to any other guys other than him.

"Yeah, so do I call you my boyfriend then?" I asked more than unsure and a little worried we were still moving too fast.

"Well how about this, we've gotten to know eachother in the dream world and now we've offically met in real life...give me the chance to take you outfor real."

"It'll be sorta long distance for a while." I countered feel a little bad that even now in the real world there seemed like there was still something keeping us apart.

He smiled at me, "I think I can handle a little distance so long as we can text or call now, and if you can make it up on the weekends then that's cool with me...hell I'll even make it out to go see you at your mom's."

"You would?" I asked happily and impressed.

He shrugged cooly, "Why not, I don't mind the road trip and if i'm gonna be your boyfriend then you know I'd like to get to know you personally...that includes getting to know your family and friends."

I liked hearing him talk about being my boyfriend.

"Well if it isn't too overwhelming...my best frineds are here with me in town this weekend...we're housesitting for my dad."

"Maxine and...Sherrie?" he asked a little hesitantly.

I smiled a little embarassed actually, I had been so adament about keeping things as private as possible, I think I even tried using code names when talking about people in my real life.

But with him I was so comfortable that talking came easy and It turns out I revelaed more than I intended to.

I nodded, "Yeah...Max knows about the dream thing...Sherrie hasn't even heard about you." I felt guilt and quickly explained. "Not that I was keeping you a secret, trust me, I couldn't ever be ashamed of the special thing we've had...but Sherrie's gone through a lot."

He nodded "I get it."

"I'd like you to meet them while they're here if you think you'd be up for it...I know i'm kinda throwing all this on you all of a sudden."

"Hey" He said softly. "You don't have to keep apologizing, I understand exactly what you're feeling and thinking because I can promise you that i'm going through it too Cords."

I smiled and melted with his words.

"You're excited and nervous, kinda embarrassed, you're afraid that you're going to scare me away by moving too fast but don't want to seem disinterested at the same time...I Promise you it's all going through my head too."

I felt a little more at ease.

"I would love to meet the rest of your coven."

I couldn't help but laugh now, "You're dumb... I'll tell them the truth tonight and you can come by tomorrow...give me your phone."

He smiled and obliged me, unlocking it and handing it over. I created a new contact and input my information before I text myself from his phone to get his number.

"Come closer, I need a picture for you." He said softly.

"Oh I look horrible." I tried to protest.

"You're silly, you look beautiful."

I smiled and nodded at him before scooting closer to him.

We were sitting under one of the lamp posts but I also turned on my flashlight from my cellphone for added light (since it was night).

He put his arm around my shoulder so casually and his comfortable motion filled me enough to ease my tension.

He snapped the picture and it came out absolutely perfect.

"You have to send it to me." I insisted.

He nodded and immediatelt text it, I noticed the time.

"I should get going." I sighed and  then smiled, "It feels weird leaving right now, knowing this is when we usually meet up."

He nodded and smiled, "yeah, I was just gonna to say that...do you think we'll still have our dreams?"

I shrugged, "Who knows..."

It was true, unfortunately it wasn't something I had thought about really. On one hand I would like to keep dreaming of Riley...that was our world were we first met and got to know each other, there we were comfortable and there were no doubts about feelings and affections. Here out of the dream there was doubt, and second guessing, and awkward tensions.

But on the other hand I wanted to get to know him here, and I didn't want it to become overkill, seeing each other in the dreams, then in real life...I wondered if the duel worlds could effect us mentally, have things blur from dream and reality?

Suddenly I didn't want us to dream of each other anymore.

"Guess we'll find out later then." He said as he stood up and held his hand out to me, I place my hand in his and stood up alongside him. "I'll walk you to your car."

And just like that hand in hand Riley and I left the park.