Catch a Falling Dream

Ding Goes the Doorbell

“Are you sure that we are awake? It seems to me that yet we sleep, we dream” - William Shakespeare 

         I headed to Honors English class with Dustin, my heart pounding. I decided not to show him the letter from the mysterious organization. This was one of those things even close friends wouldn't understand. English was usually my favorite subject, but today the conversation about A Midsummer Night's Dream just seemed to taunt me. Just like in the play, some elf seemed to be messing with my head. First I found the answer to a physics question in my dream, and I had just received that bizarre letter. The question still echoed in my mind. What do you dream about?

        "And that concludes Act IV," Mr. Winder said. "We'll get to watch the movie soon!" Normally I'd be excited, but right now I just wanted to go home. 

        The rest of the morning was a blur. I just walked to each of my classes and just tried to do what the teachers told me. After Calculus I and US History it was finally 5th period, my lunchtime. I walked to Kate's locker where we met each day. I didn't have any morning classes with her sadly. I took advanced classes, but Kate had basically maxed out on the high school curriculum last year and had special online courses. She was always happy to reconnect with me at lunch. 

        "Hi Kate!" I shouted as I spotted her walking to her locker from the opposite end of the hall. I sprinted down towards her locker.

        "Oh, Hi May!" She said, smiling warmly. "I just saw Dust and he told me that you were a bit down. Everything alright?"

        I considered telling her. I really did. Telling her that my Grandpa had talked to me and the weird letter I received. But then I decided against it. If I didn't understand what was going on, how would she? No, I just needed to get through the day without any more crazy things happening. "I'm fine, really," I said. It must have sounded unconvincing because Kate gave me a look, but then decided to drop it.

"If you say so." She said, closing her locker. "Anyways, let's get some pizza." 

                                             *****************************

        When I exited the old brick school building at 3:00, I felt like a released prisoner. Fresh air always seemed to calm me down. I raced to the bus. I was the first one on. Although I normally sat in the front, today I headed straight for the back. Both Kate and Dustin were after school for the musical, so I could be alone.

        I paid attention to the scenery around me. We first past by the big creek by the school. Then it old farm houses and grassy, empty land. Then we entered a more suburban area. After a few minutes, we were in the shopping area. I saw the local dinner Mindy's and the grocery store Frederson's. Than I saw the newest addition to the town, a technology store called tech-shack. The store looked so modern with its digital logo and the glossy windows. I could hardly recognize it for what it used to be, our family's furniture business.

        My Grandpa's furniture store was one of my favorite childhood places. I'd come after school here often. There was always a fridge filled with snacks. Than I'd stay with my Grandpa as he chatted with customers, cracking jokes. Grandpa would also let me show customers around. He also taught me how to repair broken furniture people brought in. I also watched my Grandpa do wood work diligently. As I got older, he started letting me help. I still remember the pride of making my first bookshelf with him.

        I also remember my 10th birthday, when he blindfolded me to show me a new section of the store. When I looked I thought I'd never seen anything so incredible. Right before my eyes was a vast array of trinkets. There were little animal figures, small boxes, and small mirrors. Then he handed me something from the wall. It was wood and had feathers hanging down.