I remember this day…
This is the day I met Conner at the service station!
I run. My breaths hitch, and my stomach feels sick. Really, really ill. Sweat beads down my forehead, and my body aches. It’s been so long since I’ve run, and I’m running to him… to see him. If I see him, I’ll wake up from this nightmare, and all is well… everything will be fine after seeing Conner.
I know it will! I just know!
The service station is lit like a beacon in the night—my haven.
I dart a look at the car park, and my heart lurches at the white Toyota Corolla parked there. My smile brightens, and excitement launches inside. I jog to the entrance, and the doorsopen, beckoning me to enter. James notices me, and his smile falters as if he realises why I’m here.
But that’s not the case. Not tonight. I’m here for something more. I’m here to get my dream back.
I run towards the aisle where I know he’s in. I stand at the end of the aisle, my breath heaving out and my heart beating beyond my control.
He is there, his brows furrowed and his hazel eyes darkening while he concentrates on what flavour chips he will pick. I smile at how intensely focused he is, as if this is a life-and-death matter.
I walk over to him and stand beside him. Leaning down, I grab the salt and vinegar chips, turn towards him, and hand them to him.
“How did you…” His brows furrow.
“Because I love you, and I know this is just some stupid dream I will wake from, and then everything will be okay,” I declare confidently.
His brow arches, and he blinks a few times, as if struggling to understand.
Maybe I need to kiss him to wake me from this dream.
I grip his shirt, lean in, and let my lips collide against his. But it lasts a second before he shoves me off. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
My eyes widen.
What’s happening? Why am I not waking up? Why am I still here?
Conner walks around me and heads to the front with his packet of chips and energy drink.
I blink a few times, bewildered.
I mechanically head to the fridge, grab the six-pack of beer, and head to James. As I pay, he slips the Snickers bar into theplastic bag. My throat tightens, constricting. As I head out the door, warmth falls down my cheeks.
Was everything… was it all a dream? And this… is this real?
I bite my lip until I taste iron.
Wake up, Noya! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!
Conner leans against his car, smoking a cigarette. I move towards him when he arches his chin and glares at me like I’m some… some freak he doesn’t know.
“Hey.” I jolt, realising the two police officers before me. The younger one glares at the bag while the older one has his arms folded across his chest. “What’s in the bag?”
I bite my lip. “Um…”
I flinch when I hear the car door close. I turn towards the Toyota, my stomach dropping when Conner reverses out of the parking spot. His window is down, and as he reverses, those hazel eyes glare at me while mine widen in disbelief.
“I said, what’s in the bag?”
My shoulders slump as I watch the car drive off down the street. “Beer,” I croak.
“Can I have some I.D.?”