Disclaimer: I do not own Connect 3 or anything that has anything to do with them.

All of these events are fictional. Sadly. Disney does.

Disney also owns "Just Around the River Bend."

Enjoy and Review!

I'm Only Sleeping- Chapter Seven

Sara's POV-

I was knitting when the phone rang. It was the Monday before Thanksgiving. I had gotten out of school early because it was a half-day. Neither of my parents was home.

I picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"What I love most about rivers is:
You can't step in the same river twice
The water's always changing, always flowing
But people, I guess, can't live like that
We all must pay a price
To be safe, we lose our chance of ever knowing
What's around the riverbend
Waiting just around the riverbend
"

I laughed. Nate told me I was humming that song when he talked to me. I didn't doubt it. I love Pochahantas.

"Well I dunno who this is, I think I'll hang up now-"

"Sara, wait!" He always did that. Lately, I was beginning to think he was scared I'd hang up.

"Hmm?"

"I'm going to be in New York on Wednesday til Monday!"

Now it was my turn.

"I look once more
Just around the riverbend
Beyond the shore
Where the gulls fly free
Don't know what for
What I dream the day might send
Jut around the riverbend
For me
Coming for me.
"

"Haha, I'm serious. I'm coming in!"

"That's great! But exactly why does this concern me?"

His turn.

"I feel it there beyond those trees
Or right behind these waterfalls
Can I ignore that sound of distant drumming
For a handsome sturdy husband
Who builds handsome sturdy walls
And never dreams that something might be coming?
Just around the riverbend
Just around the riverbend.
"

I smiled. My heart felt like it was radiating, not beating.

Then he finally answered my question:

"I was wondering if you'd like to meet me there..."

My turn!

"I look once more
Just around the riverbend
Beyond the shore
Somewhere past the sea
Don't know what for ...
Why do all my dreams extend
Just around the riverbend?
Just around the riverbend ...
"

I wasn't the greatest singer, but Nick seemed to like it, so it didn't matter to me.

"Yes or no?" He sounded impatient, which wasn't like him at all.

"I'd love to, but I have to ask my mom, and she isn't home right now. But in case I can't, you should come here, and spend some time with me in my natural habitat." I laughed.

I heard his sweet laugh. And then:

"Should I choose the smoothest curve
Steady as the beating drum?
Should I marry Kocoum?
Is all my dreaming at an end?
"

I heard the flash tone.

"Oh Natey, I got to answer another call, one moment, don't hang up!"

I hit flash.

It was my Mom.

"Hi mommy!"

"Hey sweetpea. I'll be home in about two hours."

"Oh, okay. Umm, I have Nate on the other line, but before I go, I was just wondering if we could go into New York to meet him this weekend?"

A pause.

"Sweetie, why doesn't he come here? I'd be glad to have him. He could even bring his family. I would love to put faces to all those names.

I smiled.

"Alright, I'll tell him Mommy. Okay, Love you. Bye!"

"Bye love."

I hit flash again.

"Nate?" I said, barely containing my excitement.

"Hmm?" I was so relieved to hear his voice on the line.

"I can't come to New York."

"Oh." He sounded really disappointed. It almost broke my own heart.

"But my Mom would be fine if you came to our house, and you can even bring your family."

"Oh!" This "oh" sounded a lot happier. He continued. "I'll ask them. I'd love to see you."

Did he say love? My breath caught in my throat. I managed to choke out, "Yeah, me too."

"I'll go ask them now, and I'll talk to you later, Sar." I loved it when he called me that.

"Okay Nat." Hehe.

"Bye babe."

Babe?

"Bye, hon." I said half-jokingly.

Then he hung up. I slowly put the phone back on the receiver.

"I'd love to see you."

Yeah, and I'd like to snog you.

I hope at least one happens.

Sigh.

Or do you still wait for me, Dream Giver
Just around the riverbend?