Law of Dreams

4

"Brad's having this thing Sunday," Law told me once I'd finished my Thursday shift. He leaned against the body of his car and drew from his cigarette. He didn't turn his head when he breathed out; the smoke just clouded the space between us. Sometimes I worried that when it cleared he wouldn't be there.

I wanted to ask what thing, and was he going? And was this my invitation? "Cool," I said, pressing my hands to the arch of my back.

"Want to come? It's at this bar near my place."

A rush of excitement spiralled through me. "Yeah, sure."

We looked at everything but each other.

*

I lay in bed and saw myself at a table beside Law with Brad and a few others. Law had an arm draped around my shoulder and I talked to his friends from under it. He watched me speak and when I looked at him he gave me that smirk I never saw enough. His smirk said—I'm glad you came.

We drank cocktails and beers and Brad said to Law afterwards that we made a cute couple, and that Law should put a label on things before someone else snapped me up.

That night, for the first time, Law asked if I'd like to stay over. I went out onto the tiny balcony adjoining the lounge area. He came up behind me and wrapped me in a blanket, holding me tight. I want you he said. When he unravelled the blanket, my arms turned to wings and I stretched them wide. You're beautiful Perry he said. Look at your colours.

I opened my eyes to the ceiling of my bedroom. I was alone, but I still felt him there.