Dream dance

He was in the same dimly lit place as his first dream. This time the brightly illuminated spot was much larger and Tori were standing in the middle of it. She was summoning him to join her. Slow music gently filled the space around them. She was wearing the same light silk blue dress as in his first dream. Her chocolate brown hair was softly glowing under the light, falling in gentile waves on her shoulders. Tori's hand was extended towards him, as if beckoning him for a dance. Beck felt his feet carrying him to her. He took her delicate hand in his and put it on his shoulder. His eyes locked with her mesmerizing brown ones. His hand slowly trailed up Tori's arm, feeling her soft skin under his fingertips, until he reached her shoulders. Beck did the same with his other hand. Then he slowly slid them down her back, feeling the slight shiver this caused to run thru her body. Finally Beck's hands stopped at her narrow waist, encircling it and pulling Tori in a light embrace. They began slowly moving in tact with the music. Tori rested her head on his chest. His nose filled with the sweet aroma of summer flowers emanating from her hair, her slender body lightly touching his, quickening his heartbeat. He felt his whole being fill with serenity and peace. After minutes, hours or eternity, he couldn't say, Tori lifted her head, smiled contently, and asked:

"Are you done running from me?" Beck looked at her confusedly and instinctively tightened his grip around her waist.

"What do you mean? I would never run from you." She smiled again and caressed his cheek. Then she gave him a quick soft peck on the lips.

"You have been, for the last eight months." She grinned at him mischievously, untangled herself from his embrace and turned around in a twirl of brown hair and shimmering blue silk.

"Now it is your turn." Tori laughed and began to slowly run away from him. Beck gave a haste chase.

"Tori stop, don't run from me." They ran and ran. Every time he got close and tried to reach out and stop her only the silk of her dress slipped thru his fingers. Just as he was about to grab the elusive girl he felt the ground give away under him. A deafening blear filled his ears and the world around him was shattered.

"Tori come back!" Beck shouted and desperately reached for her.

Beck slammed the blearing alarm clock and jumped from the bed. His heart was beating like a drum in his chest. 'I have to do something about this. Talk with some one.' But with whom? He couldn't talk with Tori or Jade of course. Cat could provide a sympathetic ear, but little in the way of useful advice. Robbie could listen, but Rex couldn't keep his mouth shut. Andre was the most appropriate choice, but he had become Tori's best friend and he might feel obliged to tell her and that was something Beck was not ready for. His gaze fell on the phone he was playing absentmindedly with. A number had popped up on the screen. 'Yes, she might be able to help me.' Of course she would tease him to no end, but at least she won't tell anyone. He dialed the number and hoped he wouldn't wake her.

"Hey Crazy Hair, why are you calling in this hour? Aren't you at school?" Came a polished female voice from the other side. She had come up with this nickname after he had told her the story about the evening at Karaoke Dokie and the rude girl who tried to hit on him. She found the story absolutely hilarious.

"Did I wake you up?" he asked apologetically.

"No of course not, I woke up two hours ago. I don't lie around like you high school kids." She teased good-naturedly.

"Do you have time to meet me today? I need an outsider's opinion on something." Beck asked.

"One moment, let me check. How about four thirty at that cute café I showed you the last time?"

"Okay, thanks."

"Bye Crazy Hair" she laughed.

"Bye Alyssa" he smiled and hanged up.

Somewhat reassured Beck prepared for school. He jumped in his car and drove to pick up Jade. She waited in front of her house. She was not her usual confident self, actually she looked somewhat unsure and off balance. He stopped and she climbed in.

"No coffee?" she asked gingerly, looking at him sideways.

"No coffee." He replied firmly. Jade turned her head and began pouting, or what passed for pouting with her. After a while she turned to him.

"I know that yesterday you had planned a special evening that I sort of ruined." He turned and cocked an eyebrow towards her. "Okay, I did."

"What has gotten into you these last few months? You have been much crankier lately." Beck looked at her less with anger, and more with concern. He had always enjoyed Jades fiery temperament. But lately it has become more of a chore then a pleasure. Not that she was ever a ray of sunshine, but lately she has been in an almost perpetual funk.

"I don't know frankly. Lately school has become more stressful and I guess have taken it out on everyone around me."

Beck put his hand on her shoulder in a reassuring gesture and they both got in school.