Mythical Melancholy

When Dreams Come True

My eyes began to wander: amongst tattered pages, aligned desks, and the sullen faces of students. Mrs. Dunn, our twelfth grade Literature teacher, sat down before us and began today's lesson. She glanced over multiple students before selecting the giddy Amy Waters to commence the class reading. There were a select few in our class that gained the privilege of reading, although none but Amy enjoyed it. Either way at least they were being recognized, I on the other hand often spent my time sifting text, searching.

Amidst my work, I sensed my nosy ex-boyfriend glance back at me for what ever dumb reason his mind could muster. Concealed by the classes low murmurs he whispered what was probably another apology to which I returned a quick scowl. Such an idiot. I retreated to my book as the selective gaze of Mrs. Dunn shot towards our inaudible whispers. I focused on avoiding her attention and escaping when finally, the people beside me began to dissolve, Amy's happy reading became silent, and the black inked text subtly blurred until all was gray. That is when I finally saw it, the rabbit's hole in my mind and the emergency exit from this reality. One which I happily entered.

To my surprise, I wasn't greeted with the fluffy, happy daydreams I'd come to expect; for some reason I felt this scape was a reality itself. One far different than my own because everything: the sky, the moon, and even the air itself, felt very alive and vibrant; although, my eyes remained hazy, unable to discern the moon from the sun or my breath from the wind. That was when I had heard him: the cool, mellow tone I would never forget.

"Hello" he greeted softly. I turned my head to meet the sound's origin but found myself staring at the moon. My eyes focused and gazed steadily in amazement at the magnificent sphere; much unlike the rest of my body for I found myself dizzy in this unnatural dimension, where everything was so hazy and blurred but was still so... there.

The voice arose once more, "Would you care to join me in a more..." he paused to find the words, "comfortable dimension?" My mind swirled from the disturbing question.

"Dimension?" I mumbled, struggling to balance myself. The voice chuckled lightly and I felt my head begin to spin wildly.

"Don't worry" the voice faded, "it will just be but a moment" and as his sentence ended so did my dizziness.

I opened my eyes to see the entire world from above and I gawked in awe at a magnificent mosaic of dark green and blues slowly rotating as if on display.

The voice, now crisp and clear, spoke to me amidst my amazement. "Salutations!" it cheered, "I'm glad to see you enjoy my view" Once again, I turned to face the mysterious voice but soon realized I couldn't turn at all but only stare hopelessly at the beautiful planet. I quickly began to try and move the body I no longer possessed but the cool voice cleansed me of my panic speaking softly, "You are alright. Trust me. You're simply just in a dimension that puts you in my perspective. That's not so bad right?"

"I guess..." I muttered incredulous of his reasoning. "Wait, why am I here?" I bursted, finally realizing the situation. This was no day dream or even my own reality for all I knew.

My life, a life in another completely different existence, was passing by while I was trapped here. My friends and parents would be worried... My mind paused on this thought. My friends? What friends? I've only ever been burdened by bad boyfriends and petty princesses that leeched off of conflict. Not once did either of them come over to my lonely lunch table. Those weren't friends. And my parents... I've only ever known my mother and father's voices as screams that scorned what little privilege I have over my life. They never once complimented me whenever I pulled up my grades or managed to do all my chores for their sake of relaxation. Those weren't parents. Why should I return to where I'm not wanted?

The long pause that followed my question was finally filled with the earnest voice that I had grown to enjoy, "Please forgive my rudeness but you seemed... away."

"No, it was nothing" I detoured, "please forget about it"

"Forgotten" he concluded in a reassuring jest.

"So, why am I here?" I questioned calmly, "and who are you, if that's not to much to ask of course." I felt myself incapable of burdening this voice with my problems and felt unusually calm in its presence.

The voice sighed lightly at the topic, "Not to digress my dear; but, I must ask, who are you?" My mind twisted at the strange response.

"Umm..." I began, unable to think of a decent answer

"Please pardon me miss" the voice interrupted in realization, "I dared to answer a question with such itself. Please allow me to properly answer."

"Okay" I continued, off put by his aggressive sincerity.

"You see my dear... I must confess, you are here for my own selfish purposes. I was feeling quite down after losing many children tonight. So I looked upon the stars, upon the countless dreams, and saw how yours glowed so brightly. I needed that light, I needed that dreamer. Someone who believes the impossible and creates worlds from a single conscience. You see, I must apologize, for my greed dismayed my morals and brought you here as if the Sun's light wasn't enough."

"The Sun?" I questioned, confused with its role in his strange explanation.

"Well, I try to reflect as much of that light, that happiness, back to my children on Earth and I assumed... no, I believed... if you were to join me here I could gain a little more light so that I could give more happiness to those of my children that mourn their siblings." A short pause followed his words, in honor of his children I think. He then concluded, "I now see my error. You must allow me to send you back..."

"No!" I interrupted, displeased at the thought of returning. "Please don't. I am very thankful for what you've done and I would love to help you and your children." I babbled, trying to convince him to let me stay.

"Well..." he considered, "if you insist..."

"I do! Please allow me to stay for as long as you'll have me."

The fair voice I knew only wavered slightly, "I suppose I could"

"Thank you!" I cheered.

"But!" the voice emphasized, "I'm sorry to say you must indulge me with you company while I check in on my poor children."

I considered the terms. It would be a little awkward invading in their private lives but it would be even more so to return home and continue the family conversation on the "unladylike" words used to describe my ex the day I found him with another girl in his arms. "I accept" I answered  formally, shaking the image from my head. It only strengthened my determination to stay.

Then the rotating world before me, before us, began to enlarge until the clouds passed around us and the forest he spoke of before came into a detailed view. There, on a large hill, something rustled through the darkness.