"THE DREAM SHE NEVER WANTED TO WAKE UP FROM" in "SHORTS"

Sometimes, in her darkest moments, The Ex-Guardian of The Isolated Castle was still able to dream something great. Some dreams were so good that she never wanted to wake up from them.

It was obvious. She’d been missing her best friend lately. That dream had been vivid, as if it were real.

As if she were really living it.

The Ex-Guardian opened her eyes to a bright, unfamiliar living room. She heard a loud hiss and a clank from an open kitchen nearby. She got up and sat down to get a clearer look. There he was, busy as usual. When he turned his head, his hazel eyes met her brown ones. They exchanged smiles like they’d always done ages ago.

“Hey.”

“Oh, my God.” The Ex-Guardian felt her grin widen at what she saw. He came to her carrying a plate of one of her favourite meals made by him:

Three layers of pancake. Pineapple jam in-between. Lots and lots of whipped cream.

The Mighty Queen, The Ex-Guardian’s beloved mother, would have been shocked at the sight of that menu.

“Yup.” He was grinning at her, his hazel eyes twinkling. She didn’t hesitate when he offered her the pancakes. “Just what you like.”

“You know me.” She smiled back as she started slicing the pancake and spooned some into her mouth. Hmm. It tasted just as she’d always remembered. Thick, but fluffy, moist slightly. Sweet from the pineapple jam, rich from the whipped cream.

The last time he made her this, it had been his effort to stop her from crying.

Once she finished the whole layers (to her surprise), The Ex-Guardian chose to wash the plate as a thank-you. Then she sat down again on the couch with him. He turned on the flat screen TV in front of them. He started flipping on channels with the remote. She eyed the screen expectantly.

“Wait, that was ‘Criminal Mi-“

“Nope.” He shook his head firmly. An ironic grin spread across his handsome face. “You are not watching anything depressing like that. It’s the last thing you need right now. I can’t believe you can stand it.”

She giggled and let him choose the show. It was a comedy they both had watched before, but somehow still funny. They both laughed wholeheartedly.

Then he suddenly grew serious.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” She knew it was always impossible to lie to him. Somehow, he always knew. “Why?”

“You know why.”

The Ex-Guardian sighed. She didn’t feel like talking about it. She just wanted to be where he was right now, just like old times.

Back when everything was much simpler…

She found his arm and held it for a while, pressing her cheek against the hem of his flannel shirt. She inhaled deeply, yet she was too afraid to close her eyes. Somehow, the back of her mind had always known. The whole thing was still only a dream.

“You’re the only Hazel Eyes I need,” she murmured, suddenly feeling sleepy again. A familiar lump started forming in her throat, slowly choking her. She hated that.

She also hated that her eyelids were weightened by something warm inside. Next to her, he sighed.

“There’ll be someone else for you,” he whispered with his usual assurance. “You know it. Just wait and see. Believe. Have faith.”

“I just wanna stay here.” Oh, dear. Now she sounded like a scared, rather nagging little girl. She hated that too, but somehow couldn’t help it. “This is my sanctuary. I don’t wanna go back to sleep.”

“You know you have no choice.”

The Ex-Guardian nodded sadly. Still with her face pressed against his arm, she could feel her tears starting. She closed her eyes.

I just wanna see you again, she wanted to say. Too bad, she was feeling all choked up. I miss you so much, buddy. I want my big bro with me…

When she opened her eyes, she was finally back in her bedroom again…alone. Her tears were the only she’d carried from her dream…

R.

Last updated October 26, 2018