Free In Dreams by J. Sterling

was going to cry.
    “I’m not going anywhere.” He looked into her eyes. “I promise I’ll never leave you. I’m so sorry for what happened last time,” his face writhed with pain.
    “Last time?” The words stung with familiarity, but she couldn’t quite grasp what he meant.
    “Yes, in our last encounter. Or I guess I should call it our first encounter…or more accurately, your first encounter with me.”
    “Right. Last time,” she looked away from his gaze and settled on the sand at her feet. Her mind struggled to put the pieces together. She willed it to assemble this puzzle, but she couldn’t.
    “You don’t remember, do you? That’s okay. Control over your memories while we’re together will come with time.” She still had no idea what he meant, but she didn’t care. All she cared about was being with him. He smiled at her and she felt her heart melt.
    ****
    “Time to get up, sunshine. Oh, sleeping beauty. Nappy head. Wake up.”
    “What is that,” Katherine thought to herself. She could feel herself being pulled away from the beach…and the bench...and him.
    “I don’t even know your name,” she yelled out, but it was too late.
    She looked at the smile on his face one last time and then opened her eyes. Taylor stood above her.
    “Jeez, Kat. That only took me like twenty minutes. For the love, get up girlfriend, you’re going to be late.”
    “Taylor?” Katherine was confused. “Taylor, I was dreaming about him again. Oh my gosh. That was intense.” Katherine shouted out with a smile. She quickly realized what she said and her smile faded. “A dream. Dang. Every time I wake up, I’m sad all over again that it wasn’t real. But this time was different...”
    “No way! Tell me everything,” Taylor sat on the edge of her bed.
    “It doesn’t make any sense. I’m not sure what this guy is. I mean, he told me that he would always find me. And that we had a spot. And I just have to go there anytime I want to see him. And what the hell is going on? It’s weird right? Am I making it all up? Is this crazy? Oh good Lord, what is happening to me?”
    “That’s a lot of questions all at once, Kat. So, um…yes, you are crazy. Duh. Yes, it’s extremely weird. But it’s also extremely cool. I have no idea if you’re making it up, but who cares? I mean, they’re just dreams, right?” Taylor responded calmly.
    “Yeah. But weird as hell dreams. And I mean, what about him always finding me? It was like we were having a conversation. He apologized for the last dream I had with him in it, but I didn’t know what the heck he was talking about at the time. Man, I’m so dumb when I’m dreaming!”
    “What? What do you mean…apologized? Like for going and getting himself shot, or what?” Taylor asked.
    “I have no idea. But he said he was sorry for our last encounter…or my first encounter with him or something. He made me feel like he knows me, but I swear to you I’ve never seen anyone as hauntingly perfect as him. He almost looks NOT real.”
    “That is weird, Kat. I mean, do you think this guy was talking to you...like…he could come back every night if you wanted him too and stuff?” Taylor asked; her voice intrigued. “I’ve never heard of anything like this before.”
    “I swear, Taylor, I’m just as confused as you are.”
    “What about Cooper?” Taylor’s question crashed Katherine back into reality.
    “Oh, God. I don’t know. It’s like when I dream about this guy, there is nothing and no one else.” Katherine’s heart felt like it was ripping in half. She knew the guy from the dream meant more to her than anyone she’d ever known. But she also knew Cooper made her feel ways she’d never experienced either. “Do I have to choose? I mean, really? At this point...do I have to choose between them?” She knew the question sounded a little absurd.
    “I’m sorry, what are we choosing again? Between a real life super hottie and a guy that only appears in your