My Dream Boy: A Love Story

“Now class, today we’re gonna focus on…” Oh her voice is so annoying. Does she know she doesn’t have to talk like a squeaky toy to get our attention? Honestly, people need more self-awareness. People like her are the reason I wish I never had to wake up. My head rests in the palm of my hand, and my gaze shifts to the world outside this dingy classroom. A bluejay sits carefully on the large tree branch just out of my reach. Past the bird, the soccer team practices on the green field with the sun beaming on their sunburnt faces. Birds sit on the tree branch outside the window, twittering their happy tune. Not a cloud could be found in the sky. Such a waste. The first nice day in weeks and I am stuck in class with Ms. Showfield and her overly positive attitude. If I’m going to waste my day I wanna at least be at home, in my bed, dreaming. It’s the only thing I can rely on to lift the little I have left of my spirits. Never has dreaming made me feel unsafe, unloved, or frustrated. Especially not since he started showing up. Now he’s always there, waiting for my return even though he doesn’t have a choice. He’s far too perfect to be mine, just a reminder to how he only exists within my head. “Kacey!” Ms. Showfield slams her hand against my desk. My head shoots up out of my hand. “Go to the principal’s office right now!” “Sorry Ms. Showfield.” I whisper. Maybe if I apologize now she’ll change her mind? “Now Kacey!” She screeches, causing a faint ringing in my ears. “Yes ma’am.” I pick up my textbook and shove them into my already stuffed bag before pacing toward the door. Of course. Ms. Showfield always finds something to get me in trouble for. *** The door creaks open and the smell of old spice fills the air. Behind the mahogany desk sat Principal Timm. Normally, it’d be a pleasure to find myself out of Ms. Showfield’s presence. But not this time. “So Miss Kacey, here you are once again. What did you do this time?” His bald head shines under the fluorescent lights, making it hard for my eyes to adjust. He has to use shoe shiner on it or something. “I didn’t do anything, promise. Ms. Showfield is set out against me.” That’s mostly true. Sometimes, I push her buttons on purpose but who doesn’t. She’s just so easy to irritate. “I doubt that. It’s the third time in the past 2 weeks. At this rate, you’re gonna set a school record.” At least I am good at something. “It’s not my fault…” My shoulders slump forward. “Don’t backtalk me. This is your last warning, Kacey. If I see you here one more time, I will call your parents. I have let you off the hook far too many times.” “Yes sir. I’ll try not to let it happen again.” I can’t promise anything more than that or I would make him regret giving me so many chances. “No, it won’t happen again.” “Understood.” In reality, it will happen again. Even if it’s not on purpose, I’ve been told I have a tendency to cause trouble. That’s why my parents decided to send me to this school, Briar Academy for the Rebellious. I wouldn’t call myself rebellious, just drained. But it doesn’t matter what I think. A soft sigh escapes me. “You’re dismissed Kacey.” “Thank you sir.” I head towards the door, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. What time is it? *** Despite my better judgement, I knock on Ms. Showfield's door. When it finally opens, the look of disappointment on Ms. Showfield’s face is priceless. And to think Principal Timm thinks she doesn’t have a problem with me. “What?” “I need the homework for the rest of the day.” “Why?” “The principal has sent me home for the day and I’d figured you’d want me to have my work done when I return tomorrow.” Ms. Showfield smiles from ear to ear. “It's on the back table.” She turns away from me and returns back to her teaching. Now even more optimistic than just 45 minutes ago. My feet slowly carry me to the back table and I reach for the homework. I shouldn’t lie. I know that but sometimes I just have to. The real world is too much sometimes. However, if my dream boy was here it wouldn’t be all that bad. He’d always be by my side, glowing like a candle in the dark. “Hurry up now!” Ms. Showfield calls out. I pick up my pace and rush to the door. “Sorry ma’am.” I push the door open, almost tripping over my feet. I’m free at last. *** Finally, I’m home. It’s quiet. Mom should still be at work and Dad is probably off with one of his side chicks. Not the most ideal situation but I have the house to myself for a couple hours. I throw my bag to the ground and rush up the stairs, down the hall, to my safe haven. AKA, my bedroom. I plop my head on the pillow and lay there, hoping to fall asleep quickly. My thoughts dissipate, and I hear his voice once again. “Hey!” I look for where his voice came from. Our eyes meet, his brown hair falls to each side of his face. And his sea blue eyes sparkle in the sunlight. “I thought you’d never be back…” He whispers in my ear as he hugs me tight. “How could you possibly think that I could leave you!” I giggle, returning his embrace. “Oh yeah I forgot you’re absolutely smitten with me.” He smirks. “Shut up.” I glance up at him, grinning ear to ear. “Have you gotten taller since last time?” “I guess so. I hit 6 feet a week or so ago but you disappeared." “Yeah, sorry.” I look down at my fidgety hands. “I haven’t been getting a lot of sleep lately.” “It’s fine, you’re here now.” He squats down just enough for me to see him behind my hands. He contorts his face into his best mouse impression. I resist the urge to laugh. “Goofball.” I push him to the ground and his shirt rolls up just past his stomach. The corner of his lips turn up. “Meanie.” “Am not!” I offer my hand to him. “Are too!” Our hands interlock and he pulls me on top of him. “Says you!” I roll off of his chest onto the soft grass beside him. “Why are you all the way over there?” He pouts “Im only like an inch away!” “That’s too far.” He pulls me close to him, holding me carefully. “But now you're too close!” I pretend to pull away, secretly enjoying the close proximity. “Come back here!” A large arm grabs my waist, turning me to face him. I look into his captivating eyes. “I wish you weren’t just a dream…” He whispers. “W-what do you mean…?” My eyes flicker open. “Kacey! What did I say about leaving your backpack in the middle of the living room!” My Mom yells from downstairs. I sit upright and blink a couple times, the smile on my face drops. “I’m sorry Mom.” I yell back to her. I should’ve known the dream would end so soon. After 30 minutes or so of just sitting here, the front door opens and I hear yelling. “Who is this George!!” My Mom’s voice echoes throughout the house. “It's my cousin Linda! Get off of my back!” Screams my Father. “Don’t lie to me George!” “I am not lying Linda! And why are you home early! Are you trying to cheat on me Linda!” “Don’t try to make me the bad guy George! You brought home a skank! I knew you were cheating! Ever since I saw that necklace in your bag!” I creep down the stairs. I can’t believe my Dad chose to actually bring home one of his little girlfriends. Let alone get caught. The 20 or so year old lady on my dads arm speaks up. “If I may…” “No you may not! Get out of my house! Both of you!” I’ve never heard my Mom scream so loud before. “Linda, this is my house too!” “No it’s not George! I make the money, my name is on all the documents!” Tears start running down her face. “You just had to stay home and take care of the house, but you couldn’t do that! You had one job George! One job!!” “You expect me to be a stay at home husband! I’m a man for goodness sake!” Nor have I heard my Dad’s voice hold so much anger. “You had multiple opportunities to get a job! You chose not too! Instead you're too busy cheating on me.” My Mom goes quiet. “Now get out of my house before I call the cops!” My Dad takes his girlfriend and shouts a bunch of profanities at my Mom. He walks out the door and slams it shut. He’ll be back, whether it’s to beg for forgiveness or to pack his stuff and leave forever. Either way, it won’t be good. My feet find the bottom step and take me to my Mom. There she was, lying against the front door, bawling her eyes out. “Mom…” She straightens herself and wipes her eyes. “Yes, hon?” She fakes a smile. “Do you…do you need a hug?” My voice cracks. “No sweetie. I’m fine. There is some food in the fridge. You can heat that up. I’ll be in my room.” She stands up and limps to her room. I don’t know what to do. It has never gotten this heated before. Maybe it’s best I keep to myself and not cause my mom anymore problems. *** Beep. Beep. Beep. I sit up groggily, my hand reaches for the alarm clock. Eventually I manage to turn it off. The events of last night keep playing in my head. Despite everything, I never thought that this would happen. But I shouldn’t dwell on it, I have other things to worry about right now. Mainly, school but still. I look in the pile of clothes in the corner of my room, and dig through it for something to wear. They’re all clean, I just haven’t gotten around to putting them away. It’s more useful this way, and less exhausting. My thoughts slip back to my dream boy, it's better to think about than my life. “I wish you weren’t just a dream…” Whispers in my ear repeatedly. What did he mean by that? Why does he always feel so real? Why does it seem like he thinks by himself? My phone starts ringing. 7:20 am, I need to hurry to the bus or I’ll be late. As I make it to the living room, I hear faint sobbing coming from my Mom’s room. I wish there was a way I could help her. But I can’t even help myself. *** Up the school steps, through the halls, and back to Ms. Showfield’s classroom. She’s not here yet, thank the Lord. I sit down in my seat and wait for the bell. When it does, Ms. Showfield isn’t in class for another couple minutes. When she walks in, a guy follows closely behind her. “Hello class. Today we have a new student. Please give him a warm welcome.” The boy steps forward, giving me a clearer view. My mouth drops, and when he makes eye contact with me he freezes. It’s the boy from my dreams. He has the same brown hair, and sea blue eyes. Ms. Showfield nudges him, “Introduce yourself, dear.” Wow. She has never liked a student before, let alone one she just met. “Umm…my name is Aspen.” He breaks eye contact with me and looks to the teacher. “Where should I sit?” She directs him to one of the free seats a couple rows in front of me. As he walks to his seat, he watches my every move. And I, his. He’s even more beautiful than I could ever imagine. “Kacey. What is the answer to this equation?” I look around, and everyone looks at me. “Um…” “Quickly, Kacey.” He turns around, our eyes meet, I can’t think. “Kacey, do you want to be sent to the Principal’s office again?” I shake my head. “Um no ma’am. The answer is…uh 2?” The familiar laughter fills the room, my face turns pink. I wasn’t paying attention, so I don’t even know what equation she was talking about. “That’s incorrect Kacey. The answer is c, the author was trying to…” Oh, we were doing english…