When you dream, what do you dream about?

A Short Story

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I won’t say much by way of introduction other than to quickly praise

gkgaius

for not only stepping up and taking the Valentine’s Day slot but also for producing a story that avoids both cliche and cynicism- two things that are absolute rife when it comes to writing about love and romance. This is further proof that sometimes you can say far more with atmosphere, dialogue and poetry than you can with polemics and arguments and logic.

Show, don’t tell and all of that.

Enjoy.

TJB.

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“When you dream, what do you dream about?”
“You!”
“Be serious!”
“Well, it’s true Liz! I dream about you. About making you mine. About having kids with you. About it all, and I have dreams of a life I want to build.”
I see she’s blushing. Maybe she wants me too? She’s beautiful. Okay, she turns her face away from me now. I love it. She does maybe want me too. Should I ask her out now?
“And how come you haven’t made me yours?” She asks.
She stops my thoughts. I stop looking at her and focus on the football playing right in front of me. It’s about time one of the players asks for a substitute and I have to jump in.
“Sub,” I hear! “Great timing,”

I get up and run. I’m playing center back - I love it and here I am.

The ball rolls to me, I control, and pass it to my right. My teammate runs and passes it. I make sure the backline is great, I continue to think amidst the beautiful chaos how beautiful she looks sitting right there, watching me play. She came here for me. She’s beautiful. As they say, hang her in the lourve. Why haven’t I asked her out yet? Fear? Is that really what holds me back?

Damn, I’m so good at playing center back! My mind jumps back to the game. I block shots. I move with speed. I make sure I run carefully - I need to lose this muscle somehow though - crap - cramp! I ask for a sub. And back with her again.
I sit.
“The same reason I haven’t chased my dreams,” I utter.
She gets up and walks away. She’ll be back.
“Fear I’ll lose you, that’s why.”
She walks back with a bottle of water in her hands, “here” she says. The smile on her face hasn’t faded away.
“When you dream, what do you dream about?” I ask.
“I dream of today.”
“What do you mean?”
“Wanna hear a poem I wrote?”
“Sure.”
She unlocks her phone and reads:
“Tomorrow -
How much I am scared of you now.
You bring forth so much opportunities

yet take away from me.
Tomorrow -
Your dreams I wish to accomplish
Things I wish to do.
Oh Tomorrow.
How beautiful you were
How seductive you were
Yet I must seek better.
I must seek today.
I‘ve always loved you. I say to myself often

that I shall do so tomorrow.
You were beautiful - And seductive.
Tomorrow.
Joyful tomorrow
Sorrowful tomorrow.
How much I’ve become so scared of what you promise.”

“Oh wow Liz, that was good!”
“Thanks Mike, anyways that’s my answer to why I dream of today.”
“I get that.”
“Do you?”
“A little. I’ve just always been this way I guess. What else do you dream about?”
“Mike,” her eyes open wide as her mouth begins to move, and I reach in and graze my lips over hers.
“I dream of today too I guess,” I get up and run back on the field.
I smile while kicking the ball and defending as well as I can. I guess it was written in the stars to kiss her today.
After the game, our conversation continues into the night. I walk her home, and before saying goodbye, I kiss her on her lips once again.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then?” She asks.
“Joyful tomorrow, yes!”
We lock lips once again and bid each other goodnight.

The End! Happy Valentine’s Day!

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