Dream On - Chapter One

(The Dream)

The young girl kept on crying, not knowing what to believe in anymore, in a quiet corner of her house. She still couldn't believe that her best friend had done this to her.

Mike had told her that he loved her, making her feel something as well, then he had said that he didn't the next day... and then he apologized. But she had had enough. She had believed in miracles, in love. And now she suffered because of it.

How could she resume being friends with him after all this? How could she not care about him talking about other girls just days after her heart almost broke. The one friend who had helped her surface depression... was now the cause for the same. But though the answer to her problem was clear, she didn't have the strength to end the friendship, not yet.

She looked up, prayed... help me, she thought, help me to know right from wrong...just this once.

A car stopped outside... the girl's eldest cousin Diane got out, she was wearing a white dress. The girl hadn't been able to go to her cousin's wedding, being so ill, and so Diane had come to her.

"Ash, oh baby", she murmured on seeing her eighteen year old cousin choke back tears.
"I don't know what to believe", Ash said.
"Don't say that. Sweety, you can get past this. He's not a nice guy... not anymore. Face it... and move on. End it baby."

The girl wiped her tears with her hands and looked up at Diane. Her cousin was radiant with much apparent happiness. Could there be a miracle for her. She still hoped, but felt scared at the same time.

"That is right, even if something happens with this guy... you'll be settling. You deserve so much more... and you can get so much more. She looked through the window, outside at her husband. There was nothing but love in her gaze.

Ash just nodded, too exhausted to speak, but she got up and hugged Diane. She felt better, and she knew that Diane will know it in her own way.

"That is right, love. There is something great for you out there. Be prepared to catch it. Do not settle Ash, dream on."

Diane hugged her one more time and left. Ash went up to the window and saw her leave. Diane was everything she wanted to be.,.. beautiful, successful, loved by everyone... and happy in love. Or maybe she was someone Ash could never be.

(Ash wakes up)

That dream was my reality. I see it as though I was an outsider... and after six years now I feel like an outsider. I didn't really listen to Diane, too much had happened for me to believe in love anymore. But I did stick to one thing she asked me to do. I ended the so-called friendship and I did dream on, only now my dreams do not involve love. But I am no longer sad. I have other dreams, and they do come true. I am happy.

I look at my mom and dad laughing outside, they didn't fall in love before they got married, I look at a picture of me and Ve at her wedding smiling big.. god I miss her! And I look at Diane's daughter who just entered... Becky. She is beautiful, just like Diane. She came to me and hugged me and handed me a book to read out to her.

It was Cinderella... I read it out with animated faces and watched Becky laugh . She is so cute, I couldn't help thinking. She smiled dreamily at the mention of the prince. She had no idea that fairy tales weren't a reality. But she still dreamed... the story ended and she pointed at the last words I had missed.

"And they lived happily ever after...", I looked at her and she smiled back at me. She seemed wiser then her years, but how could that be?
"So will we... we'll both be Cinderella and we'll both get our prince", she said and played with my hand.

I sure hope so sweetheart, I thought looking at the seven-year old and remembered being so much like her when I was a kid.

I hope so... especially for you. I smiled and took her in my arms. Should I give it a try, give love another chance... I was so confused. Becky had made me think what I was too scared to face.

Yes, I thought, it's time.