"When I see you, I can't breathe. And when you look back at me, I find that breath is of little consequence."
My eyes opened to find that I was no longer laying on a grassy patch outside in America. I must have drifted off to sleep since I woke up in the gardens of Versailles; this was officially a dream. It was a spring day; it smelt like a spring day. Gently lifting my upper half off the ground with my arm, I gazed all around my surroundings. The garden was empty, expect for the odd bird or butterfly. Huh, just like the first time I was here; I got so lost in the gardens. I wandered for at least an hour without seeing or hearing anyone else; it was that big. I wonder what made me dream of this? Last thing I remember, I was recalling the sad memory of missing Peter, how much I used to love him…. back at time when I thought I would always love him; when I truly believed that. But time has a way of changing things…..
"Or preserving them." My eyes rolled forward to see a faceless, brown-haired man in an English university suit standing in front of me. Though he had no distinguishable eyes, I could tell that he was also looking at me. "I think… haven't I seen you before? In my dreams, I mean?" "Our last encounter was so profound that it left an imprint on you, I see?" "I don't remember," I answered back honestly, though I was certain that I had dreamt of him before; even if I couldn't remember the dream itself. We stared at each other for a quiet moment until the softest smile on his lovely face appeared.
"Why don't you lay back down and rest?" "Why are you here again?" "Same as last time," the mystery man came to sit down on the grass beside me; he rested his elbows on his folded knees. "I am here to serve and help you, however and whenever that may be." "You're my humble and faithful servant?" I teased, grinned in his direction. "Always," he said with a distinct smile. Again, our eyes found each other's- softly, warmly. "What are you here to help with this time?" He took his time answering, drifting his gaze out onto the garden in front of us.
"You do not love Peter?" "No," I confessed with a sigh. "Not anymore." A natural lull in the conversation fell over us. I picked up a blade of grass in my hand and twirled it in my fingers. "There was a time when I was deeply convinced that I'd always love him," my eyes were looking at nothing in particular now. "But six years is a long time and things changed…. I've changed. I'm not the same girl who fell in love with Peter anymore," my hand flung the grass blade away. "No," he agreed in a quiet, gentle tone. "You've become quite a woman; a true lady."
This made me look at him. Somehow, I couldn't shake this weird feeling… it was the oddest thing; almost like I had deep feelings for him- this stranger. He must be a stand-in for Josh or Peter; something my mind's created, but still…. My eyes peered over to him from their corners. There's still something about that voice… something that draws me in, deeper and deeper…. He noticed me peaking at him and responded with a pleasant smile. Man, his smiles were something precious…
"I like it when you smile," even I was incredulous to hear something so dumb and impertinent come out of my mouth. I was about to go into immediate repair mode when his head turned to face me. "Tell me something, Miss Covey. Do you believe that love can persist over years without two people seeing or even speaking to one another? Or is such a reality impossible?" "Well, my mother's been dead for a very long time and I still love her. But in the case of Peter…. no, I think some contact is at least necessary." He nodded, though I wasn't sure if he was convinced. "W-why? What do you think?"
Another long pause came over us. His lips parted slightly as he drew in a long, deep breath. "There's a reason you could forget me but not Peter…. I was the one person you couldn't bear to fall out of love with. It was kinder to forget, because you knew…. deep down, you knew." "Knew what?" My eyebrow raised. What the heck is he talking about? I had no idea and yet, he sounded so incredibly sincere, passionate… it was almost like he was pouring out his heart to me; this mystery man. His eyes went back to mine, revealing the honesty in his face. "If you remembered, there would be no others; there could be no others."
"I…. I don't understand." What does he mean "no others"? The way he was talking, it was almost like I not only knew him in real life but loved him…. sincerely loved him. He didn't explain himself, instead continuing to watch me with the silkiest stare. "Did you ever wonder why you always smelt of flowers in high school?" "How did you know that?!" I asked, a little affronted. He chuckled warmly. "I know you, Miss Covey. I know….." "Well, yes actually; I did wonder…." I replied truthfully. Peter always claimed that I smelt like flowers, but I could never figure out why.
To my surprise, the man stood up. He made his way over to a nearby rose bush. I watched curiously as he cut a long stem red rose, bringing it back to me. I took it, wordless by his action. I loved flowers…. I loved them so much, particularly roses. "They're your favorite," he grinned, as if to be reading my mind. I simply gawked up at him with wide eyes and a slightly confused expression. "You were lucky, Miss Covey. I was not so fortunate to forget you; your essence always permeated me, regardless of the year." "A-and now….." I was a little afraid to ask my question, to hear his answer…. Maybe I was afraid because… his voice…. "N-now will I only see you in my dreams?"
He stared down at me for the longest time before saying anything; I swore, it was like he was re-absorbing my "essence" all over again. "Soon….. it won't be long now. That's why you've dreamt about me twice in the last month. And you will dream about me one more time before August." "Why August?" My voice was so quiet and meek. In place of an answer, his gorgeous smile returned. Such a beautiful, perfect smile….. I could see it over and over, and never get bored. "Incredible," his hand reached out for mine. "After all this time…. It still happens to me." "What?" "When I see you, I can't breathe. And when you look back at me, I find that breath is of little consequence."
"Aerity! Aerity, come inside!" My eyes fluttered open slowly. The setting sun was painting the sky a lovely shade of pink high above me. "Come in!" Kitty's voice reached me again. I was still laying on the grass where I'd fallen asleep. "Peter's here! He says he wants to talk to you about something!" Peter? My hand rose up to my forehead as I tilted my head a tad. That's right, I was thinking about Peter; I was remembering when I last saw him when I was eighteen and…. "When I see you, I can't breathe." What…. what was I dreaming about just now? Was that Peter's voice or…. No, it must be his; but I don't ever remember him saying anything like that to me. It has to be him though, I managed to comprehend before the dream slipped away from me entirely. Who else could it have been?