January Dreams by Carrigan Richards (read people like a book .txt) 📗

into Casper’s brown eyes. “I’ll be waiting,” he says and nods toward the counter. “Your turn.”

I turn back and order awkwardly. My words are jumbled, and it takes me a second to get out what I’m trying to tell the cashier. I don’t understand my reaction at all. Except that I’m scared about what he wants to talk about. I don’t want to rehash Monday at all.

Vincent reappears and I catch Casper standing down the hall before we walk into the theatre. I hope Vincent doesn’t see him. We take our seats and watch people trickle in until about five minutes into the previews. I try to think of an excuse to leave for a minute to see what Casper wants.

“I’ll be right back,” I whisper to Vincent. “Do you need anything?”

“No, I’m good. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, they gave me diet Coke instead of regular. I won’t be gone long. Promise.”

He nods. I follow the orange stair lights to the exit door and as I exit the theatre, I look for Casper. Immediately, I think this is a trick, but he grabs my hand and pulls me against the wall behind a giant movie display. It’s like our private little bubble filled with this weird tension.

“What are you doing?” I ask, searching his eyes. His hands splay out on the wall as if keeping me from leaving. It makes me feel a little uneasy, but I don’t let it show. I wonder why his eyes are so intense.

“Why did you come?”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gone over there. Are we done?”

“I’ve been dreaming of you for two weeks straight now.”

At this, my back straightens, and tightness clutches my stomach. This is not what I wanted or expected to hear.

“I wrote you a note so we could talk. But you never called so I thought it was useless and tried to ignore it. Then you came over to wake me up. Which was strange because I swear, I thought I died. This man shot me—”

“He was trying to shoot me, wasn’t he?” I tense and my stomach continues endless somersaults.

His eyebrows furrow. “Yeah. And we’re on the run. I was looking for this jewel—”

I shake my head. “Why are you messing with me?”

“I’m not.”

“Yeah, your word is as good as O.J. Simpson’s.” I cross my arms in front of my chest.

“Megan, please. I’m not messing with you. I can’t explain what it is. But I’m so.” He pauses. “I’m so in love with you in my dreams. And the dreams are so intimate”

Heat rises on the back of my neck and it angers me. Someone overheard Cherry and me talking about my dream and he decided to play. People are so cruel. I can’t believe he would use my own dreams against me. I want to throw my full cup of soda on him, but I don’t want to cause a scene.

I take a breath. “I have nothing but contempt for you. So, if you would please, let me get back to my date.” I push him, he drops his hands, and I start toward the entrance to the theatre.

“You have to stay away from him,” he blurts, and I halt. “I don’t know why, but I don’t feel good about him.”

I scoff and shake my head. “You’ve got some nerve.” I take a step, but he grabs my arm. I can’t stop myself as I turn back to him, I chuck the Coke all over him. The brown liquid drips from his chin and soaks his shirt. I immediately want to apologize—this isn’t me, but maybe he will get the hint and leave me alone. He releases my arm.

“What have I done to you for you to hate me so much?” he shouts, wiping his face with his sleeve. I’m sure people are staring now.

I raise my eyebrows. “Wow. Would you like me to write it all down and hand in my 20-page research paper by next week?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Right now, is an example. Stop harassing me, because I’m tired of this little game.” I leave him standing there, dripping with Coke, and ignore his calls for me. I find my way back to my seat and feel the tears surfacing, but I hold them in. That’s what hot showers are for.

“Are you okay?” Vincent whispers.

“Yeah.” I give a fake smile.

I can’t decide if the movie isn’t that funny or if my mind is set on what Casper said or didn’t say. Something he said doesn’t sit well with me. I haven’t told Cherry about how intimate the dreams are. Or about the mysterious jewel. Is he embellishing or can he see into my head or something? How does he know about the jewel? Maybe I did tell Cherry about it.

I know all this is another one of his tricks. Why would he tease me so cruelly over my dreams? Like I can help what I dream about. Why go through so much trouble? We are in high school. Doesn’t he have other things to take up his time?

And why would he tell me to stay away from Vincent? Who does he think he is acting protective over me?

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Vincent pulls into my driveway and I feel guilty for the silent car ride.

“Yeah, sorry.”

“What did he say to you?”

I meet his eyes. “What?”

“I saw him talking to you in line. Kinda figured he wanted to talk to you.”

He saw Casper talking to me? Did he even go to the restroom? Was he watching us? Maybe my brain is overthinking. “Nothing. It’s no big deal. He brought up bad memories is all.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I had a really good time tonight.” I try to put on my best smile.

He lifted an eyebrow. “You did?”

“Yes.”