Match

34: Upside-Down

'When I dream of the same person, what does it mean?'

'I keep having dreams with the same person in it, what does it mean?'

'What does it mean to dream of soccer?'

'What does a soccer net mean in dreaming?'

Cole feels like he's done more research on this than the essay assignments from past psychology classes. The more answers he reads, the more he feels like he knew what it was all about.

'That same person could be of importance to you. It could suggest that there isn't a fixed relationship, or an unresolved problem with them.'

'To dream of a soccer net means you have a fear deep down, of missing your goals.'

And then to him, a low blow:

'To dream of a soccer net when you're single suggests that something is changing in your life.'

He closes all the tabs and slams his arm on the desk in an irritated thud. So my brain is basically telling me I'm lonely, huh? he thinks.

"Yo, can you tone down the angry gamer keyboard mashing? I'm getting to the cool fighting scene!"

Cole looks at Hayden, who's got his eyes glued to a manga book. He rolls his eyes.

"I'm not gaming. I'm researching."

Hayden raises a high, intrigued eyebrow. "Researching? Like what?"

"Uh..." he closes his laptop. "Nothing important."

"Uh huh, sure," Hayden flips a page.

"Fine. Promise me you won't laugh?"

He responds with a half-focused nod.

"It's just, I've been well, having a couple reoccurring dreams. And I wanna find out what the hell their meanings are."

Hayden stops what he's doing. He puts his book down, then looks at him with a confused head tilt.

"Are they scary, like, nightmares?"

Cole shakes his head. "No. They just, have these specific themes. So, when you dream with the same stuff over and over, it means something right?"

"Shit..."

"Huh?"

Hayden stretches out his arms, evading his gaze from Cole. "Nothing! You right, man, you right."

Cole wants to push against Hayden's sudden concern, yet he's feeling held back. This dream situation is starting to get on his nerves. He ruffles his hair and groans.

"Hey, Cole..."

He looks up. "What?"

In a funny gesture, Hayden pretends to grab something from the top of his head, then chucks seemingly nothing at Cole. Cole flinches, thinking something was thrown at him. Upon realizing it was nothing, he pinches his brows together, confused.

"What the hell was that?"

He smirks. "I'm lending you one of my brain cells!"

"...thanks."

Cole grabs his phone, shoving it in a large pocket. He then grabs his soccer bag, car keys, and trots to the front door. Hayden peeks around the corner.

"Whoa where are you going??"

"Practice."

"But, don't you have that on Tuesdays?"