January Dreams
Page 9
I shrug and sip my water. “I didn’t do it to be funny.”
The waitress comes back with a small plate holding a grilled cheese and my stomach growls. “Y’all need anything?”
“We’re good,” he snaps at her.
“Well here’s your check.” She tosses it on the table and mumbles something under her breath as she returns to the counter.
“That wasn’t a very nice thing to do, Megan.”
“Yeah, I don’t aim to be nice to people who treat me like dirt.” I fling my words back at him and take a bite of the warm gooey sandwich. I’ve angered him, but I don’t care.
“When have I treated you like dirt?”
I give a sarcastic laugh. “That’s quite a loaded question. Though, I shouldn’t be surprised you don’t remember everything you’ve done because I’m not the only one you’ve treated so poorly.”
“Well?”
“I don’t know Casper. I don’t exactly keep a log of times when people are shitty to me.” Which technically I do, since I keep a journal.
“So, you can’t come up with anything?”
I finish one half of my sandwich and sip my water. “You’ve never respected me. You told all your friends I’m an easy lay.”
“What? I never said that about you. I’ve barely talked to you.”
“Let’s see, in elementary school, you constantly made fun of me. Asked me out after a few days before you decided to tell me it was all a joke knowing I had a crush on you. You and your little friend Hunter wouldn’t let me participate in a group project because I came from a so-called poor family. You’ve called me names. You always act like you’re better than everyone else because you have money. Oh, and more recently, you told Matt that I cheated on him. Is that enough for you or you want me list some more?”
He is taken-aback. “Most of that was when we were younger. I wasn’t exactly mature as a kid. And I never told Matt that. Why would you even think that?” He’s offended, but I don’t care. How can I possibly feel sorry for him?
“Because all you are is a liar.”
I scarf down the second half of the sandwich as we sit in silence. I grab my bag and the ticket and walk up to the counter. I feel him standing behind me and I have to restrain myself from touching him. Ugh. What is wrong with me? I pull out my wallet, but he already gives the waitress money and tells her to keep the change. Annoyed, I shove my money back into my bag and leave the restaurant.
The rain has stopped, but my hair is already disarrayed. I can feel it.
“Where are you going?” he calls after me.
“Away from you.” I shiver and my breath comes out in little white clouds.
“Don’t you need a ride?”
“I know my way home.”
“Yeah but I thought you didn’t want your parents knowing you ditched work.”
“So, I won’t go home until it’s time.”
“Fine.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see him throw his hands up. He stops walking, but I keep going. I can go to the library. Or the park. As I cross the train tracks into the old part of town, I pass the busy Whistle Stop Café and keep walking. The wind picks up and I hug myself tighter. The temperature keeps dropping. It’s dark and it’s so cold outside.
My cheek burns and throbs. I check my phone and it isn’t even seven yet. The temperature says thirty-three. I can’t stay out much longer. What am I going to do for three more hours? I start typing a text to Cherry, telling her what happened. I know she won’t look at her phone until her break, but I’m so pissed off, I need this outlet.
There is a shuffling sound nearby that makes me snap my head up. My pulse quickens. I gasp and look around, but I see nothing. I usually don’t mind being alone, but the creepy feeling like I’m being watched settles over me. I hug myself tighter and try not to focus on a branch snapping nearby or the howling of the wind. I feel like I’m in my dream. Something or someone’s after me. Fear grips me and I’m not afraid to admit what a scaredy cat I am. I turn back into the direction of the diner and run.
I’m always running. Or wanting to escape. Run from my dreams. Escaping reality. Escaping my parents. Running from some creep who is trying to kill me.
I’m shaking all over and I want out of these woods. The dreams. I want out of my parent’s strict rules. Away from the psycho people at school. I glance behind me, and my foot catches on a root and I crash to the cold, wet ground.
“Megan, are you okay?” Casper asks. My heart skips and heat floods my body. When I sit up, I’m face-to-face with him. Our eyes meet and for a second, I feel like the girl in my dreams. Then reality hits me and I scramble to my feet.
He holds his hands up. “I didn’t come to make you mad. But I can’t leave you here by yourself.”
“How chivalrous.”
He rolls his eyes. “It’s really cold outside, come on.” He offers his hand, but I don’t take it.
I climb into the yellow boat and close the door. He already has the heat blasting, which feels great. I hold my icy hands close to the vents. He gets in and starts driving.
“Look, I can’t have a civil conversation with you until I get answers,” I say. “Why did you lie about me to Matt?”
“Megan, I swear I didn’t tell Matt that.”
“He said it was you.”
Casper sighs. “Matt wanted out of the relationship. I told him it was a dumb thing to tell you and that he should tell you the truth. He made it up so he could get the sympathy from Erica.”
Tears well in my eyes and I shake my head. “That’s not true.” Except he started dating Erica right after me.
“I’m sorry.”
“How do I know you’re telling me the truth?”
“You don’t. You have my word and have to trust me. I have no reason to lie to you.”
“I’m sorry, but it might take a long time for you to gain my trust.”
“If I can get Matt to admit what he did, would that help?”
“What are you going to do? Beat him up until he admits to something you did?”
“Megan,” he says my name like a warning. I don’t know what to think about him. “In case you freak out tomorrow, I had your car towed so they could fix it.”
I look at his profile, stunned. “You did what? Why?”
“Because I feel bad that your car broke down and it didn’t seem like anyone could help you. I didn’t want to leave you stranded or have to face your parents.”
I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to accept it. And if my parents knew that someone did this for me, they’ll think I coaxed them into it. “Please don’t tell my parents.”
“Why would I tell them? What would it matter?”
“I know how they think. They think I’m a problem child. Like I sneak out all the time or do drugs or have sex. They think I manipulate people. Like I could manipulate a dog to chase a squirrel,” I mumble.
“Well, now I know where you get your trust issues.”
I roll my eyes. But he’s probably right. My parents never trust me, even though I never give them a reason not to. “Well, thanks for the car. You didn’t have to do it.”
“I know. But you’re welcome.”
“I’ll pay you—”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?” I’m not quite sure what his angle is and why he’s being like this.
“I told you earlier. I like you.”
“Suddenly. Like, one day you woke up and decided, ‘hey, I really like Megan.’ Or because I’m one of the last girls you haven’t conquered.”
“That’s really annoying.”
“What? The truth?”
“You know, for someone who doesn’t like gossiping, you sure like to listen to the rumors.”
I narrow my eyes. “They aren’t rumors. I’ve heard from the girls themselves how you treated them.”
“What exactly did you hear?”
“That if you can’t get them in bed, you spread rum
ors that they’re terrible in bed.”
He gives a hard laugh. “That’s a good one. What else have you heard?”
“Some girls gloat that they’ve slept with you, which I’m not sure why they would. But Trinity Taylor said you called her every night and even gave her gifts until she finally caved. Then the second you had your way with her, you bolted.”
“I take it you trust her.”
I don’t know Trinity that well, but I saw the hurt on her face when she talked about it. “She has no reason to lie.”
“Of course not. But I do?” He is still smiling, but it isn’t exactly a friendly smile. I’m sure he’s amusing himself.
“Why would she say that?”
“Probably to get attention. I couldn’t tell you.”
That seems like a likely excuse he’d give. He slows to a red light. And locks the doors.
“Ask me how many partners I’ve had.”
“What?”
“Ask me.”
“That seems a bit personal and I don’t feel like talking about your conquests.”
“One,” he tells me anyway. “And wouldn’t you know it? Trinity is right about the story. But she was the one who bolted,” he says with all seriousness. His tone is low. His eyes stay on mine and I search them for any hint of lying but find none.
For some strange stupid reason, I wonder why Trinity would lie about that. Why would she say Casper is the bad guy? Why do I seem to buy his story? The light turns green and shines into the car. Casper looks back to the road.
“I admit,” he says. “I haven’t always been the best person. But I have a hard time caring about a lot of people at school. Most of them are shallow and have no real meaning to me. After Trinity, I put up a front so no one can get close to me. I let them think whatever they want. I can’t believe I’m telling you all this.”
“So, what about Amber? You had to have had a past with her.”
I see the muscle in his jaw clench. He seems to struggle with his words. “We went out a couple of times and she thought we were together. I never liked her in that way.” He pauses and tightens his grip around the steering wheel. I’m not sure what he’s upset or scared about. Maybe because Amber is a psycho who stalks him, but he is holding back something. He lifts his cap and scratches his head and replaces the cap. “Truth be told, I have liked you for a long time,” he finally says.
He must be crazy. Or is still playing with me. I laugh, but I’m more shocked and I don’t know what to do or say.
He sighs. “I don’t expect you to believe me. Especially since you think I did all those things to you. I’m no angel, but I’m also not the terror you think I am. You’ve always been so inaccessible. And now I know why. But if I have to prove it—”
“You don’t have to prove anything. I’m not going out with you.”
I see for a split second his face fall. Like I can actually hurt Casper.
“Are you and Vincent still together?”
“Yes, why?” Has he heard otherwise?
“Just curious why you didn’t call him.”
“He’s just going through some stuff.”
“Sorry. Look, I know you’re with him, but it’s like you’re consuming my mind. You must feel something for me if you rushed to my house—”
“I shouldn’t have done it, okay?” Truth is I did feel something that day I rushed to his house. Like he was in trouble and I needed to save him. But there is something more that I don’t want to acknowledge. I can’t let myself admit it.
“Megan, I dream about you every night.” The raw emotion in his voice makes my heart dissolve into mush.
But he’s toying with me. Someone definitely told him about my dreams. “Give it up already, okay? Just because someone overheard me talking to Cherry and blabbed to you doesn’t make it right to throw it in my face. I can’t believe you. For one second I actually thought—”
“Will you listen to me?” He cuts me off. “Every night, I dream we’re running away from someone trying to kill us.” His severe tone tells me he isn’t lying. “There was a dragon that made us stop…you know…messing around,” he murmurs the last part. “There’s a war and the dreams have been messing with me.”
I haven’t told Cherry about the war or us messing around. Are we actually sharing dreams? This can’t happen. It isn’t possible for two people to have the same dream. My heart starts vibrating against my chest. I can’t seem to catch my breath. This is insane. It’s not possible.
Chapter Fifteen
“These are my dreams,” Casper continues but the ringing in my ears muffles his voice. “Every night, it’s like a strange story. We’re running from something or someone. I can’t explain it, but in the dream, I’m in love with you.” His voice lowers at the last part. “I knew something was up that day you came to my house. Why did you come to check on me? Of all days? How could you have known what I was dreaming?”
My body trembles and my stomach clenches. “Pull over.” My breaths are short and shallow.
“What’s wrong?” He pulls the car into an abandoned parking lot.
“Unlock the door.” The walls are closing in and I can’t catch my breath.
“Please don’t run,” he says softly.
“I can’t breathe. Open the door.”
He unlocks it and I tumble out onto the pavement. The rush of cold air hits my face, stinging a little, but I welcome it. He runs to my side, kneeling beside me, but I scramble away from him.
“What are you? How are you inside my head?” I try to stand, but my legs deceive me and won’t hold my weight. Casper catches me before I hit the ground. Everything is dizzy.
“What are you talking about?” He steadies me against the car.
“You swear you aren’t lying? You didn’t overhear Cherry and me? No one told you?”
“I’m telling you about my dreams. Why would you and Cherry be talking about them?”
“Because those are my dreams,” I whisper.
“What?”
“I have been dreaming about you every night for months now. Exactly the same dreams you described. There’s a man trying to kill me. One time he pushed me off a cliff, but I held on, until you saved me. You always kill the man, but he always comes back. Except the past couple of nights. The day I came to your house, he shot you and I held you in my arms. When I came to school that day, you didn’t show, so I worried.”
“You swear this isn’t some witch thing?”
I narrow my eyes at him.
“Sorry. I’m trying to figure this out. I’m so lost.”
“That makes two of us.”
“How is this possible?” He wonders out loud, letting me go, even though my body seems to miss his touch.
“I don’t know. But this is why you think you like me, Casper. They’re dreams. They don’t mean anything.”
“You don’t think it means something when two people dream the same dream? That alone should tell you there’s some inexplicable link between us.”
I can’t deny that. But that doesn’t mean I want to fully accept it either. “I don’t feel that way about you. Besides, you think you wouldn’t get a lot of crap if you told your friends you liked me?” I shiver.
“Again, I don’t care what they think. If they can’t accept you as my girlfriend, then I can’t accept them as my friends.”
“We aren’t together.”
“Sorry. I know. I meant…” He shakes his head. “Can we get back inside the car?”
I nod and climb in.
He puts the car in gear and drives off. “Why don’t we go to my house? You really need to put more ice on your cheek.”
“Is it bad?” I pull down the visor and open the mirror. I gasp. My cheek is swollen and black. I sigh and close back the visor. It looks terrible and I really don’t know how I’m going to hide it from my parents.
“My mom can help. She’s a nurse.”
“What? I’m not going to your house.”
“Why?”
“My parents will be there if you’re worried—”
“I’m not a charity case. If that’s why you’re doing all this.”
“I wish you would believe me. What are you worried about?”
“Casper, I don’t belong. I’m not like you. I can’t have my parents find out about my black eye. It’s just…” Pointless since he pulls up the driveway to his drug-lord mansion.
“They won’t bite,” he says and gets out of the car. I stay put.
He opens the door and when I don’t get out, he closes the distance, resting his arms on the top of the car. Again, a little too close for comfort, but my heart seems to like it.
“Megan,” he says softly. “What’s wrong?”
My hair hides my face, which is a good thing since tears well in my eyes. I don’t know why I’m crying. Emotional day to the extreme and it’s all finally crashing on me, I guess. I have disliked Casper for so long and yet, one night with him seems to change it all. I want to dislike him, but what if he really meant what he said? I would still never go out with him, but right now, it seems like he genuinely cares. And we share dreams. That doesn’t absolve my insecurities of meeting his parents, who are a nurse and a doctor. And who could tell my parents.
My curtain of hair is brushed behind my shoulder and my body tingles at his touch. I know he can see the long trail of a tear that rolls down my cheek in the soft light of his car.
“Why are you crying?” His voice is gentle.
“I’m a mess,” I finally admit. “I can’t meet your parents looking like this. And I don’t want them to see this.” I point to my eye. “I don’t want them to tell my parents.”
“You don’t have to impress anyone, you know. They’ll like you and they won’t say a word. But if you really feel that way, we’ll go in the back door. You really need to put ice on your cheek.”
I consent and follow him on a path that leads to the garage. We enter the kitchen and he open a door that leads downstairs for me. “I’ll be down in a minute,” he says after turning on a light and closing the door. I feel awkward that he snuck me into his house. I guess that’s what he did. I walk down the stairs and gawk. Okay, so his entire basement is like the size of my house. There is a loveseat and a couch that faces a large HDTV. I peer into the room on the left. And gape. It’s a room with hardwood floors, a pool table, and a ping-pong table with a sink. On the other side of the room are two doors, one of which is closed, and the other that leads to a bathroom. I’m scared to see the bathroom. It’s probably the size of my room.