Dreaming of YOU

Chapter 7: Dreams and Reality

The dance floor pulsed with energy as Yvo spun Elara around, laughter spilling from their lips. But just as he felt the thrill of the moment, he caught a glimpse of Maya slipping away from the crowd. Her expression was distant, and Yvo's heart sank. Confusion churned inside him—did he make the wrong choice by not pursuing Maya?

"Elara, wait," he said suddenly, pulling back from the dance.

"What's wrong?" she asked, concern flickering in her eyes.

"I need to check on Maya," he said, glancing back toward the exit where Maya had disappeared. Without waiting for an answer, he hurried after her, weaving through the throngs of dancers and well-wishers.

"Maya!" he called, his voice rising above the music. But the crowd swallowed his words, and he couldn't see her anywhere.

He stepped outside into the cool night air, hoping to find her alone. The moonlight illuminated the garden area behind the gym, and he spotted her sitting on a bench, looking out into the distance.

"Maya!" he approached, his heart pounding. "Are you okay?"

She turned slightly, surprise flashing in her eyes. "Yvo? What are you doing out here?"

"I was worried about you," he admitted, sitting down beside her. "You seemed upset."

Maya sighed, brushing her hair back. "It's just... a lot to take in. Seeing you with Elara made me realize I'm not sure where I fit in."

Yvo's heart raced. "Maya, I didn't mean to hurt you. I—"

Before he could finish, the music from inside the gym blared louder, and the laughter of their friends echoed in the night. Maya looked back toward the noise, and Yvo felt an ache in his chest. He didn't want to lose her, but he also didn't want to lead her on.

"I just need some space," she said quietly, standing up. "I'll be fine."

"Maya, wait—" But she turned away, walking back toward the noise, leaving Yvo feeling more lost than ever.

As he stood there, the weight of the night pressed down on him. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. Just as he was about to head back inside, the world around him blurred, and he felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him.

Suddenly, everything went dark.

Yvo jolted awake, disoriented, the sound of laughter fading into the background. Blinking against the bright light of his room, he was hit by the familiar voice of his older sister, Yves, who stood at the door with a teasing smile on her face.

"Yvo! Wake up, Mama's Boy! You're going to miss breakfast!"

It was his sister, Yves, her playful tone unmistakable. He groaned, blinking against the harsh light of the morning sun. The reality of his bedroom came into focus, and he rolled over, trying to shake off the remnants of the dream-filled night.

"What time is it?" he mumbled, running a hand through his hair.

"Late enough that I'm starting to wonder if you've decided to hibernate," Yves teased, her laughter ringing through the air. "Did you finally have a good time at the prom, or did you just stand there being your usual charming self?"

Yvo groaned again, pulling the blanket over his head. "Just go away, Yves."

"Not a chance!" she said, bouncing onto his bed. "You're not getting out of this one. I want details! Did you finally find a girl who can tame the infamous Yvo Caesar Gabriel?"

He peeked out from under the blanket, feigning annoyance. "You know I'm not like that anymore."

"Right. A mama's boy who happens to be a playboy," Yves smirked, clearly enjoying herself. "Did you get your heart broken, or is that just your way of dodging the question?"

"Ugh! Can't a guy just have a moment of peace?" he groaned, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. The memories of the night came flooding back—Elara's laughter, Maya's retreat, and the looming question of his feelings.

"Okay, fine, but seriously, what's the deal?" Yves pressed, her tone shifting to genuine curiosity. "You've been dreaming about this girl, and now you've got someone right in front of you. It's like a rom-com waiting to happen."

Yvo sighed, leaning against the headboard. "It's complicated. I don't know what I want."

Yves raised an eyebrow. "You're telling me you've got a crush on both girls? Wow, talk about living life on the edge! You're going to have to make a choice sooner or later."

He rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of her words. "I know, but what if I choose wrong? What if I mess everything up?"

"Welcome to adulthood, Yvo! It's messy, but you've got to figure it out," Yves said, her expression softening. "But you can't keep running away from how you feel. You owe it to yourself—and to them—to be honest."

"Yeah, I guess," he admitted, looking out the window at the morning sun. "It's just hard when everything feels so up in the air."

"Then you need to talk to both of them," Yves said, her voice firm. "No more playing the field or acting like a clueless boy. Be a man. Own your feelings."

As he sat there, the truth of her words settled in. He couldn't keep avoiding the reality of the situation. Prom night had opened up something within him, and he needed to confront it head-on.

"Alright, you win," he finally said, pushing off the blanket. "I'll figure this out."

Yves grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Good! And maybe next time you can take me to a prom instead of hiding away in your room!"

"Yeah, right," he chuckled, shaking his head. "That's never happening."

But as he got ready for the day, Yvo couldn't shake the feeling that his life was about to change. The dream girl and Elara were pulling him in different directions, but maybe it was time to confront both of them and finally figure out where his heart truly belonged.

He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversations that lay ahead. Today would be about clarity and honesty, and he was ready to face whatever came next.