"You're the burning in my heart that never dies, never dies
Without you here my world is black and white, black and white
Like a show without a stage
Like a storm without the rain
You are the one I can't replace
Need you by my side
Need you by my side."
—Amazing Life by Britt Nicole

Chapter 7: A Sweet Dream

I closed my eyes tightly. A part from the song "Advice" by Christina Grimmie suddenly popped into my mind.

But when you think you're stuck,
Just go another way...

Now where the heck was that other way? I badly needed that right now.

I heard the flushing of a toilet, and then the stall opened. Now I saw the other way and could hear a choir singing the chorus of "Hallelujah" somewhere in the background.

Thank you, Lord!

"Excuse me," I muttered as I quickly passed the lady and locked the stall.

I heard her say, "Urinary bladder's full, no doubt."

I put a hand on the wall to steady myself, taking deep breaths. I didn't know I'd been holding my breath for too long. That's when I noticed my palms were sweaty again, even though I'd just washed my hands.

Now they'd entered the restroom as I heard the rushing water from the sink and Leslie's giggling.

"Oh. Toilet's occupied," Groban said, and then the door of the restroom closed a moment later.

I opened the stall slightly to make sure I was the only person in here.

Yep, everything was clear.

Sighing in relief, I wash my hands again. That'd been so close! I did the same thing to the restroom's door. Wow, I felt like I was James Bond.

I walked rapidly to my booth and sighed in relief for the millionth time this day. Moments later, Fred delivered my order. He raised his eyebrows, silently asking me if I was all right. I gave a weak thumbs-up in response.

I began eating my pasta. Pizzalicious really had the best pasta and pizza here in Lark Creek, Virginia.

Fred also gave Leslie and Groban their orders, and I chuckled to myself as he made funny faces at the blond-haired guy's back while walking away.

"So," Groban started, "you and Aarons always eat here?"

"Not all the time," Leslie corrected. "Just most of the time. They have great pizza and pasta here."

"I agree. You're also neighbors, right? When did you first meet?"

Now, what was this? Groban was asking personal questions to Leslie—and it was about me! I took a drink from my iced tea as I did my best to listen to their conversation.

"My family and I moved here in Lark Creek five years ago, and that's when I first met Jesse—when he was running on the field early in the morning," she told him. "It was kinda funny, 'cause I didn't know we were classmates at Lark Creek Elementary School. I beat him in a race with the rest of the fifth-grade runners. I was the only girl who joined, and I still won."

I smiled wistfully. Leslie was so proud of that achievement, and she really deserved it.

"Whoa! You're one fast runner." Groban was obviously astonished. "And you two are members of Lark Creek High's Track Team, right?"

I think Leslie just nodded and ate a slice of pizza, since I didn't hear her reply.

"Are you two dating?"

I spat the iced tea from my mouth, it landing onto my empty plate. Anger rose through me. I wanted to stand up now, face them, and say to Groban, Yeah, we're dating, so back off!

Instead, I put the glass onto the table and slowly clenched my hands into fists, holding them stiffly at my side. I wished I could see Leslie's reaction right now.

There was silence until she answered softly, "No, we're just best friends."

It was the truth, but I couldn't help but feel a stab of hurt in my chest.

Groban sighed in relief. "That's good."

My jaw tightened again. It was official: Groban had a thing on my queen.

"What?" Leslie asked. I guess she hadn't heard what Groban had said. Thank God.

"I-I mean, that's good that you have a best friend."

"Yeah..."

"So, is it fine i-if I'm going to cou—"

A cacophony of spoons and forks falling onto the floor could be heard throughout the entire pizza house. I turned to the scene of the crime and saw Fred picking up the fallen objects while saying "sorry" over and over again to the customers. I grinned. Looks like I wasn't the only one who'd been eavesdropping on Leslie and Groban's conversation.

"Fred, are you all right?" Leslie asked with concern. "Let us help you."

"Yeah, I'm all right. I'm sorry I was clumsy. No need to help me," Fred replied sheepishly. When we locked eyes, I mouthed thanks, and he winked. I should give Fred an extra tip later.

"Hey, Nigel," Leslie said. "While we're eating, let's start our lesson so that we won't waste time."

"S-sure..."

000

It was almost five in the afternoon when I arrived at my house.

After I'd finished eating my pasta, it seemed that Groban wouldn't bring back the courting topic anymore for the rest of the day, so I'd paid my food, thanked Fred (I hadn't forgotten to give him an extra tip), and exited through the kitchen. Then I'd taken a bus to go home.

Entering the house, I saw May Belle and Joyce Ann watching Once Upon a Time, which was also one of Leslie's favorite television shows. Yeah, she now watched TV—sometimes. She could watch the series online, though, since she had a MacBook Air and an Internet connection at her house.

"Where are Mom and Dad?" I asked while grabbing a bottle of milk from the fridge.

"Did you forget? Today's one of Dad's friends' birthday party," Joyce Ann answered. "And they won't be coming home tonight."

I poured the milk into a mug. "Oh, right."

May Belle came to me and whispered, "So, how was it?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. "They just mostly talked about geometry stuff," I said, which was the half-truth. "Don't tell Leslie that I spied on her, all right? Pass the message to Joyce Ann. Thanks."

May Belle just grinned widely and went back into the living room. I trusted that May Belle knew how to keep a secret now—even Joyce Ann. I didn't need to worry about my spying mission to be out in the open, right?

After I was done drinking my milk, I put the mug on the sink and went into my room. May Belle and Joyce Ann used Ellie and Brenda's room, so I had the whole room to myself now.

My drawings of the castle of Terabithia, Prince Terrien, the Terabithian Warriors, and many others concerning Terabithia were attached all over the wall. Sitting on my bed, I got one of my sketchbooks under the pillow. This blue sketchbook was special.

I opened it and flipped the pages until the drawing of my queen in oil pastel appeared. Leslie was sitting in a chair while smiling, her long, wavy blond hair falling down gracefully around her body. I caressed the face. My drawings of my queen could fill an art museum, but she didn't know about them, of course. I was sure she'd freak out if she knew about it.

Groban loves Leslie. Leslie loves I-Don't-Know-Who. It can't be me, I thought. There's really a possibility that it's Groban.

That thought sent a chill down my spine. Wait, did she even want to have a boyfriend? I wished I could read her mind when it came to whom she loved.

A sigh escaped my lips. Why on earth was love so complicated?

Downstairs, I could hear my two sisters cheer, "Yay! Pizza!"

Crap! She's already here!

I quickly hid my sketchbook under the pillow and pretended to sleep while facing the wall, my blanket all over me—except for my head.

The door creaked open and Leslie said, "Jess?"

I gulped, nervous. Please believe that I'm asleep! Wait, why am I pretending that I'm sleeping in the first place? Oh, right. I can't face Leslie right now 'cause of this guilt I'm feeling inside.

She shouldn't know I'd spied on her. If she knew about it, then that'd be a major disaster.

Best friendship over.

Leslie sat on my bed. I could feel her eyes staring intently at the back of my head.

Just act natural, Aarons.

Then, a hand started combing through my hair in a comforting manner. It'd been a long time since someone had last combed my hair like that: my mom. She'd always done that when I was still a kid, especially when I'd had a nightmare.

I smiled at the memory, and, without me noticing, I truly fell asleep.

000

There was a warm and comforting light that drew me in, and I didn't want to let go. It was like a honey, and I was the craving bee.

I smiled to myself. I was sure this was only a dream, but I didn't want to wake up yet, so might as well enjoy this moment.

This time, the light felt closer than ever before, and I didn't plan on letting go. I placed an arm forward, hoping to grab onto the source, not wanting it to leave. I snuggled closer to it, hoping to relish in the feeling for as long as I could. I was contented as I held onto the warmth of the light. It felt so blissful, so joyous, causing me to take a deep breath. I wanted more—to be closer to it than I already was.

I moved myself once more, my arms finding something and wrapping around it. I lay my head down, and my body shifted so that I could feel the warmth of the light even more. It felt so stable, so secure. If I opened my eyes, the light and its warmth would go away for sure. I didn't want that to happen for now, so I simply enjoyed it while it was here—with me.

My smile grew tenfold. Despite all of my previous uncertainties, I was now confident that this light and its warmth wouldn't leave me. Not this time.

I sighed softly, the action bringing me courage. As I slowly began to open my eyes, my hold on the object increased. It felt so real; I was nervous if it left me, it'd devastate me. However, many minutes had passed and it was still here. But it felt like it was holding me now.

My sense of confidence returned, and my eyes continued to open, revealing what I was holding onto. My vision was still kind of hazy, and the many emotions coursing through me made it much harder to see.

Even so, through half-open eyes, I could see a beautiful blonde lady sleeping next to me with a joyful smile plastered on her face.