Lover

Ice Cream

-"It's not Dad...It's not Dad...It's not D-"

"Dad!"
I abruptly sit up, breathing heavy while I snap out of my dream state. I can feel my heart racing and pounding out of my chest. I look around but i can't really see anything because it's so dark. Claustrophobia gets the better of me, making me grab at my throat.
I need to get out of my room , I think as I shuffle out from under my blanket.

I walk out and go straight to the lounge. After briskly making my way down the stairs, ripping the curtains apart, I hastily open the windows to allow fresh air to enter the room.

"Fuck." I whispered to myself. I lean out of the window pane, trying to breathe in as much fresh oxygen as possible.

Again. The nightmare had come twice this month. It's happened before, it's a regular thing actually. On average I have it once a month... like a period- ...Good one, Alia...- and if I'm having a good month, I don't have it at all. I raise a hand to wipe the sweat from my forehead.

You know, it's one of those dreams that come around once in a while to give you a little scare. To make you remember how far you've come. Mine come to remind me about my past that I try so fucking hard to forget.

I pull back the windows and close the curtains.
I go to the kitchen, and grab a bowl from the cupboard. I glance at the clock hanging against our grey kitchen wall, realising that it's 4:40 a.m. Rubbing my eye with one hand, I open the fridge door with the other and take out our tub of chocolate ice cream.
I slowly jog up the stairs with my bowl of ice cream and back to my room, then quietly shut the door.

After setting down my bowl, I reach for my phone and switch it on. When we came home, I went upstairs to put my dead phone to charge. Jaz was so happy for the food. Apparently she had been doing some paperwork for the hospital while we were gone. We ate our McDonald's, watched a bit of tv and then I went to bed.
When the phone lights up, I type in my password and go onto Instagram. Tom didn't post anything. I'm sure he finished up late at the party. He probably went straight to bed.

Then I see a text from an unknown number. At first I thought it was one of those spam messages telling me I won a competition I didn't even enter. But no.

Unknown:
Hey, 'Alia'. It's Tom. Tonight was nice. We should do it again sometime. See you soon... I have no doubts about that (;

What?! He messaged me? He messaged me! Holy shit.
Okay, Alia. Type something back. Don't ruin this. I can't believe he actually texted me. Okay, a simple reply. Be cool.

Hello! Yes it was an honorable encounter. We shall indeed meet agai-
Too formal, right? Delete

Hi Tom! Yeah I was so stoked to meet y-
Ew. Delete.

Just be cool, Alia. Chill.
Hey, Tom. Yeah I agree we should meet up sometime. Whenever you're not busy, Movie star. Haha.

Oh god, I'm horrible at this ! You know what? Whatever, I'm just gonna do it. I'm overthinking.
Send.

Oh shit what have I done ?! Oh no no no. He's gonna think I'm a weirdo! Delete! Delete!

As I was about to confirm the removal of the message, I saw something that sent me into absolute awe and relief and worry.
I saw those three little dots, surrounded by a speech bubble, each having turns to jump up.

💬
He's awake? At almost 5 a.m ?

Tom:
Haha! Why do I have a feeling that you know I don't like being called movie star?

Alia :
Maybe it's your peter tingle ?

Tom:
-You're probably right...
-If you don't mind me asking, why are you up at almost 5 in the morning?

Alia:
I could ask you the same thing...

Tom:
Touché

Alia:
-Haha! Okay...This is gonna sound crazy but...
-I had a nightmare. So I got myself some ice cream to calm my nerves and as always it works really well :)

Tom:
This is gonna sound crazy but... I love ice cream!

Alia:
-Haha I'm sure you do.
-And why are you awake so early in the morning Mr. Holland?

Tom:
-I guess I could blame it on the jet lag...
-Mr. Holland ? Haha. I think I prefer Moviestar...
-Well Goodnight, Alia. I'm gonna get some rest now before i get a headache...Haven't slept from after the party!

Alia:
-Oh my. You should get some rest
-Bye, Tom. Goodnight.