Never Have I Ever… understood nightmares
When I open my eyes, I'm staring at the low ceiling of my old house. It takes a second for the image to register in my mind, before I blink and sit up quickly.
I'm in my old bed, all by myself, surrounded by nothing other than my pillows and bed sheets.
As soon as I realize that, I look at my wall blankly, trying to figure out what's going on.
Where's Rio?
Why am I in my house?
What's going on?
Slowly, I throw my legs over the side of my mattress and get to my feet. I take a few careful steps before pausing and looking at my surroundings again.
There's no mistaking that I'm definitely in my house, and definitely by myself.
As I cross my arms and frown, trying to figure out what's going on, there's a loud knock on my door. I open it to find Rod standing on my doorstep, a big smile on his face while Allen stands behind him smirking.
"Someone's awfully lazy today," Rod teases, walking into my house without even waiting for me to give permission while Allen trails in after him. "It's already noon! Don't tell me you were asleep this whole time?"
"Uh…what…" I fumble for words, unsure of what's going on as both boys sit at my table and turn to look at me.
Giving me a skeptical look, Allen smirks, "Really, Neil, enjoying a festival day is nice but you should have given yourself more time to fix up before the wedding this afternoon."
Wedding?
The confused look on my face must say it all because Allen shrugs and Rod says with a pitying smile, "You forgot, didn't you? I'm sure you were busy moving in but still…"
Staring hard at him, I say, "Moving in? What…"
Allen gives me a look before saying, "I know you just got here a couple of days ago, but to shamelessly forget that Rio invited you so nicely to her wedding…"
"Wait, WHAT?"
Both Rod and Allen jump in surprise at my yell, before I slam my hands down on the table and ask, "What's going on?!"
"Rio's wedding is today…? You know, that girl who lives on the farm, the blond one?"
Anger flares in my stomach, before I glare. In a dead voice, I say, "What?"
Rod shivers a bit before laughing nervously. "You've got a scary look on your face, Neil. The town farmer is getting married today, remember?"
I don't bother answering; turning on my heel I march out the door, ignoring Allen and Rod's calls as I head outside and down the road towards the farm.
I'm going to get to the bottom of this, no matter what.
When I burst into the house, Rio and a few girls all jump in surprise. Rio wears a wedding dress, the cream-colored white shining while strands of blond hair fall over her shoulders in gentle waves. She looks exactly the same as she did when we got married.
Staring at me, all the girls complain and rush me, saying, "Neil, you're not supposed to be here, no men are allowed in the house while the bride is getting ready!"
Ignoring them, I push my way past their weak barricade and grab Rio's wrist. As she blinks at me in surprise, I demand, "Rio, what's going on here? Why are you doing this?"
Rather than answering me, Rio flinches in fear. When I see that, my grip loosens and my heart threatens to crumble.
How could my touch make her flinch like that?
Why is she looking at me as if she's never met me before in her entire life?
"Um…" she says quietly, tugging her hand free, "My wedding…it's today. I know you just moved into town just two days ago, but you really shouldn't act so familiar with me…it's kind of weird, Neil."
Pain seeps in my chest, but nonetheless I swallow and ask, "Seriously, Rio, this isn't funny. What the hell is going on?"
Giving me a look that makes me feel pathetic, Rio says, "I told you. I'm getting married."
Feeling more and more pathetic by the second, I drop to my knees and grab her hand, sharp pain shooting through my heart as I plead, "Rio please…if this is a joke it's not funny. It's me, Neil! Your husband? I'm not the best husband in the world, but I try every day to make you happy, even if I'm clumsy and don't always know what I'm doing…please don't say something like you're marrying someone else…"
Again, she takes her hand away from me before giving me another scared look.
"Neil," she says seriously, "I only met you two days ago. You're scaring me….please stop…"
My hands fall limply as I stare up at her, uncomprehending everything and feeling completely broken. I'm given no time to say anything in return when Iroha and Felicity grab me by the arms and pull me out of the house, while Michelle and Tina move forward to comfort Rio and assure her that everything's okay.
"Wait! WAIT!" I begin to struggle as Iroha and Felicity try to throw me out of the house. "Please, just let me talk to her! RIO! RIO!"
When I'm thrown out of the house easily, I watch the doors shut before looking down at my quivering hands.
I've never felt more alone in my entire life as I do right now, and when I remember the way Rio looked at me I shake my head in an attempt to forget it.
It was like she was talking to a stranger.
I'm sitting next to the aisle as Rod and Allen chat near me, talking happily while the crowd's low murmur surrounds us. The roadway for the bride and groom is right next to me, so reminiscent of my own wedding with Rio that I can't help but flinch when the wedding fanfare starts up.
Everyone stands immediately, and Rod nudges me as I weakly get to my feet and turn to look at the entrance to the festival grounds.
The second Rio walks in, I freeze up.
She's every bit as beautiful as I remember her being at our wedding; shy eyes avoid everyone's gaze, and a pink blush paints her cheeks, a smile threatening to make its way across her face.
Just looking at her sends a throbbing sensation through my chest and quickly I look over to see just who it is I'm going up against as a husband.
It's Klaus…the doctor.
The long nose…the floppy blue-black hair…the cold, scrutinizing look…
There's no mistaking it.
It's Klaus.
I must be gaping because Rod elbows me and when I look over he gives me a look that says 'be polite'. Ignoring him, I turn back to watch as the couple pass me, Rio turning her gaze to look demurely at the doctor as they reach the podium where Dunhill stands waiting for them.
She's marrying HIM?
That animal-hating, miserable old nag?
HOW COULD THIS KIND OF THING REALLY BE HAPPENING?
Unable to comprehend it, I begin to yell. Everyone turns to look at me in surprise, and as rage fills me I run down the aisle and grab Klaus by the front of his shirt.
"GIVE ME BACK MY WIFE!" I bellow, balling my hand into a fist while the doctor continues to give me a cold look, completely unafraid.
"She's not your wife," Klaus tells me snidely, his nasally voice even more irritating than it usually is. "She's going to be mine. She would never be with a guy who doesn't come into the clinic for his annual check-up."
"You bastard…I hate doctors…I hate the clinic…"
"Neil!" Rio calls. "Neil!"
I wake up covered in sweat, Rio bending over me with a concerned look on her face as her hand gently touches my cheek.
"Neil? Are you alright?" she wants to know, her eyes filled with worry as she uses the pillow to prop herself up on one of her elbows.
Relief washes over me, and without answering her question I roll over in bed and grab her. She squeaks in surprise as I hug her to my chest, squeezing roughly as she continues to ask what's wrong.
Glaring at the wall, I mutter, "Mine. This is mine."
"Neil…?"
Loosening my grip, I look down as Rio pulls back a bit and takes a deep breath before looking up at me with confusion written all over her face.
"Seriously, are you okay? It looked like you were having a nightmare…" she says softly. With a smile, I tilt her face upwards and lean down to kiss her gently.
"I'm fine," I tell her, to which she smiles back before snuggling into my chest, wrapping her arms around me as she does so.
Settling back down in bed comfortably, I silently swear to go to my annual doctor's check-up before pulling Rio into my arms and closing my eyes.
So I know two things for sure: Klaus dislikes all animals (which is just plain sad, since animals are adorable!) and Neil likes all animals.
I get the feeling that the two of them don't get along very well because of that point, not to mention that Neil seems like the type to have an aversion to doctors. Not that I entirely blame him...Klaus slightly creeps me out sometimes. That, and he is one ball of sass for a doctor-you think he'd be a bit nicer XD
Anyways, I get the feeling that Neil is the type to skip out on a doctor's appointment so his nightmares are a bit...weird XD
Well, until the next update! Thanks as always for reviews and reads, and requests are always welcome! :)