As Good As Dreams

By: Christina K.

Chapter 14: Sleepless Night

(A/N : Oh, I'm so sorry guys! I've been married to my job for the whole week and I haven't had any time at all to write. But here I am, updating. So never fear, chapter 14 is here. Man, all of the Mexican food is getting to me. I'm losing my mind. Enjoy, and review, please! Reading reviews makes me happy and motivated to keep going.)

I had been tossing and turning since Delilah and I had gotten back to my parents's house. Even with Delilah lying in my arms, sleeping on my chest, which had become my cure for insomnia, wasn't helping me.

I thought about sneaking downstairs and meditating, but I knew it was pointless. No amount of meditating would make me forget the flood of emotions I had experienced during dinner.

I looked down at Delilah's hand, resting on my chest, the diamond on her finger twinkling in the moonlight. My eyes traveled up to her angelic face, her dark eyes closed peacefully.

"Hello Beautiful," I whispered, stroking her dark, curly hair.

My mind was on speed, images of the night and my past, all thoughts leading straight to Lily, the one who claimed my heart for so long, and who, I was afraid, was doing it all over again.

My guilt consumed me and I couldn't find myself able to look at Delilah's face anymore.

I carefully slid out of bed and walked downstairs to the kitchen. On my way downstairs though, I heard a car door slam and then footsteps sound up the walkway.

I approached the door to see Lily, eyes swollen from crying and hair wet from the rain.

I opened the door and invited her in, only to have her throw her arms around me and sob into my shoulder.

"Lily, what happened? What's wrong?"
"It's Ray. We had a fight. I didn't know where else to go."
"Tell me what happened."

"He thinks I'm in love with you."

"What would make him think that?"

"Tonight, at the house, he thinks that we were too close." She looked up at me with her sad, green eyes.

After a minute of uncomfortable silence, she spoke again.

"You know, sometimes I think I made the wrong choice in sophomore year," I cut her off before she could finish.

"Lily, why are you doing this? I loved you for so long. But now," I paused, rewording my thoughts. "I'm going to marry Delilah."

At my words, I saw her eyes fall and glitter with tears. The sight of her crying could still break my heart.

"Lily, please don't cry." I put my hand on her jaw, my thumb brushing her cheek.

I looked deeply into her eyes and my mind flashed to Delilah, my angel asleep upstairs and I pulled my hand away.

"I can't do this. I'm in love with Delilah. I'm sorry."

When her expression changed from sadness to shock, I was just hoping that I hadn't hurt her too badly.

"What is wrong with me? Why can't you love me? No one loves me."

"Ray loves you. He's always loved you." She stood up and tugged on her hair, as if to hold back the tears already falling.

She started to walk towards the door, but turned and grabbed my face, pulling me into a desperate kiss.

As much as I wanted to fight it, I couldn't stop and found myself returning the kiss.

I snapped out of it and pulled out of Lily's arms, hearing a noise behind me. I turned and saw Delilah turn around and walk back upstairs.

"Oh God, what have I done?" I muttered and ran to follow her.