Dream Story

Neil, Keyra and I are walking towards the end the main street of a country town. It seems near dusk because the shops have their lights on. The main street follows the curves of a couple of hills so both ends of the street are uphill. The shops beside us are like internet cafes and reading lounges. We stop outside one of these lounges.

“Are you sure you're all right?” I asked Neil.

He faced to us. “Don’t worry.”

“You still looked flushed” Keyra put in.

“I’m fine.” Neil turned to continue up the street. “I think I’ll go."

Keyra looked at me for a moment. I debated inside my head; I didn't want Neil to leave just yet but I was concerned that he should get better. I sent Keyra after him and she ran to catch up. Keyra pulled him up and started talking animatedly to him. Neil tried to walk away but Keyra dragged him into a standing bookshop and started flirting with him, forcing him to stay.

Meanwhile, I entered the lounge and curled up on the couch at the back of the shop. There is a glass window between the two shops and I watched the play of words between my friends. I knew Keyra was pretending to flirt, I could see the distress in the turn of her head. She didn't want to but it was the only way she knew to make a male stay put. Neil continued trying to tell Keyra that he didn’t want her attention while reigning in his frustration. The conversation looked to get a bit too heated.

Keyra walked out of the shop upset and came into the lounge, headed straight toward me. I sat up so I could give her a hug, as she was one of my closet friends. She fell onto the couch, into my arms and I hugged her around the middle. I watched through the window as Neil gave up leaving and followed Keyra into the lounge. He had a defeated expression on his face. Neil is also one of my friends; I slipped off the couch and moved next to him when he stood still. I put my arms around him from the side as he is taller than I was and squeezed tightly but softly with my head on his shoulder. I said nothing, even I surprised myself with my actions.

There is a book open on the couch and I glance at the message written on the inside cover. I can’t remember whether Neil gave me the book or had just written in it. I let go reluctantly and hid my awkwardness by poking Ben in the side with my foot, just because he is lying on the floor next to the couch. I looked around to see who else was here. Keyra had joined William and Rachael on the couch and someone else, I can not remember whom, was also sprawled on the floor.

Suddenly and unexpectedly, arms snaked around my waist and pulled me into an embrace. I held Neil’s arms to me; it was very comfortable within the circle of his arms. His head rested gently on my shoulder.

“Why did you do that?” he whispered into my ear.

I leaned back against him, sighed contentedly and answered just as quietly, “Because I really like you.”