A Dreamer's Guide To Happiness

CHAPTER 2: Vincent Miller

"So..." Vincent clears his throat as he took a sip out of his coffee cup. "what happened earlier?" He asked

"Oh that- that was nothing." I said then I looked away.

I was so embarassed... talking to your childhood crush about some embarrassing experience of yours is a different feeling. I just hoped that it was just another nightmare.

"You sure? Cause when I heard you scream... I was worried."

I wasn't looking at Vincent but I could feel his eyes on me, I just couldn't look at him.

"Hey... Ash? Can you look at me please?" He asked with such a calm yet worried voice.

Did he just call me Ash?? No one calls me that.... I kinda like it.

"Okay... I'll tell you what it happened, It's fine if you think I'm weird; I'll tell you anyways."

I looked at him straight in the eye but I was still embarrassed. This might be the day where my crush starts thinking that I'm weird... heck! He might not even talk to me after this coffee talk.

"Don't worry. I'll do my best to understand." Vincent assured

"It was a nightmare...a really "REAL" nightmare. I'm not a fan of clowns and in my stupid nightmare, there was one beside me." I explained as quickly as I could

"Real?? Beside you? Can you tell me more?" He asked

Vincent was looking at me straight in the eye and I was looking at his. I could tell that he was really worried and that he wanted to know more. I feel like I can really trust him and also... this could be my chance to have a better relationship with my crush.

"Okay..." I took a deep breath and calmly recalled what happened.

"In my dream- well, nightmare. I was still in the cafeteria, I was still wearing my headset and I wanted to take a nap. Maybe a few minutes later... I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked up and there was this creepy ass clown dude standing right beside me."

Vincent was just listening... nodding a few times as if he was really trying to imagine and understand what I was saying. Anyways...

"Like I said, I'm not a fan of clowns. Seeing one makes me feel anxious and sort of "panicky". Get me?" I asked

Vincent just gave me another nod

"Go on." He said

"That's pretty much what happened- I know it's weird but it felt real to me. I was there and I could still remember everyone NOT seeing the clown except me." I said and explained once more

"That's dope... well uhmm- that's pretty cool to think but I feel like that would've been so scary for you." Vincent sounding amazed and sorry at the same time

"Can I tell you something? Like just
one more thing? I asked Vincent sounding timid

"Sure thing. I'm all ears."

"Have you ever heard of lucid dreaming? Dreaming but you're sort of awake?" I asked

"Oh... I've read something about that on reddit. Isn't that like controlling your dreams?" He said

"Yeah that's basically it. I do it all the time... well not all the time but like twice a week or something."

"Oh that's pretty cool. I tried doing it once but instead, I just woke up next day. I don't even remember having a dream that night." Vincent chuckled as he explained

"You'll get the hang of it once you keep on trying for a few times. To be honest, being able to do it if I wanted to is cool. But I kinda feel like dreaming is better than living. You know?" I looked outside as it started to rain

Being able to talk to Vincent about a weird hobby of mine is a good feeling. Knowing that he doesn't think I'm weird and I still think that I myself is weird fills my tummy with butterflies.

"Hey Ash... can we do this again?" Vincent asked nervously

"Hmm? Do what?" I heard him clearly the first time but I want to make sure. I don't want to jump to conclusions and hope that me and my crush will have another coffee time.

"This? This hanging out in the cafè after class? Can we do this more often?" He added

"Uhmm sure? Why not? That would be fun right? Two friends hanging out after school? Thats nice." I said nervously as I try to keep myself from looking mortified.

"Yeah. Friends." Vincent looked out

I didn't know what to feel but I was so embarrassed with the way I was acting. I just couldn't keep my blusing.

"Hey I gotta go... the rain outside is a little lighter than before so I guess I'm gonna head out first. I'm just gonna walk home so yeah..." I said

"Let me walk you home then? If that's fine." Vincent asked

"Oh uhmm okay."

OH MY GOSH!! MY CRUSH WALKING ME HOME? WHAT THE FU-...DGE. IS THIS EVEN REAL?? AM I DREAMING? I SHOULD REALLY WAKE UP NOW.

"Okay just give me a sec. I want to take this cookie home with me."

Vincent stood up and took his small plate with an untouched cookie to the counter.

A few minutes passed and came back with a small bag in his hand. I guess that's where the cookie is. DUH obviously

"Lets go?" Vincent asked

"Yeah sure." I stood up from my seat and walked out of the cafè

Vincent walked out with me and we started walking... slowly. With a few small rain drops dropping on my face.

He took out an umbrella out of his backpack and opened it.

ME AND VINCENT ARE SHARING AN UMBRELLA. LIKE WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FREAK? AM I REALLY SURE THAT I'M NOT DREAMING?

His arm was rubbing agaisnt mine as we walked and I could feel his hand almost accidentally touch mine. Gosh I wish he would reach and hold my hand. If he would, I might not let him go.

Vincent clears his throat and whispered something

"I li... y..." he whispered

"What was that?" It sounded so weak that I couldn't understand what he said.

"Nothing." He kept quiet as we continued walking

"I'll see you after school tomorrow?" I asked lightly... trying to sound cute.

"Yup... I'd love that."

"Okay then... anyways, this is me. I gotta stop by somewhere. My apartment is just around the corner. You now know where I live okay?" I said... I do hope that me and Vincent will be able to do this again.

"Oh okay cool. I'll see you tomorrow then?" He asked

"Yup. See ya!" I walked out of the umbrella and I looked at him and waved goodbye.