Ethan woke up just when the climax point was about to begin, but maybe that was because he was not, yet, supposed to know the Shakespear's play going on behind that dream.
Waking up with anxiety and curiosity had become as normal as taking oxygen for Ethan, it was supposed to be like any other day- but the terror from that latest dream was eating him inside. Even though the cat was out of the bag, the Ben - Lexie issue was not totally solved.
JOHNABURG HIGH SCHOOL
Ben: Yo 'sup!
Ethan: Hey, how are you holding up?
Ben: What?
Ethan: Okay so now we pretend yesterday never happened?!
Ben: Oh are you talking about the Lexie issue?
Ethan: Duh! Is there any other problem in your life?
Ethan asked rhetorically.
Ben: *chuckles* No of course not! About Lexie, uh listen..I can't just sit around doing nothing because of some girl who doesn't like me back! C'mon, you know me better than anyone, I'm not "that-type" you know?
Ethan: I know you and that is why I'm concerned. You don't open up, at times you're like me. You don't let go of things easily, that's what I know!
Ben: Ethan it's okay dude, life won't stop, I must move on and you should be helping me with that! But look at you, you're dragging me into it!
Ethan: You don't know how to lose an argument do you?
Ben: *laughs* NO!
Ethan: Let's hit the arcade today, we owe this to ourselves after all the "girl problems"
Ben: OH I FORGOT ABOUT HANA! How are things going on between you two? She's not even real, what am I asking huh!
"She is real and I'll tell you what is happening!", Ethan protested.
Ben: You're oozing bloodlust! what are you getting angry for?
Ethan: Oozing what? *Ethan's phone beeps*Never mind, I don't think I can make it to the arcade today, gotta run some errands for Dad.
Ben: He still uses you? couldn't hate anyone more.
Ethan: Yeah yeah okay!
Ben: Dude why don't you talk things out? You two aren't normal, you know that right?
Ethan: Every individual seems normal until that camouflaged shell cracks open. Listen Ben, we've been through this before, right? There's nothing to talk about, my existence is merely for his usage, and nothing else. Whatever please don't ruin your mood because of this shitty-issue, alright? I'm gonna run late, meet you at the arcade tomorrow at four, sounds good?
Ben: Yeah fine huh!
Hurricane Katrina was going on in Ethan's mind, he may have acted cool, but the thought of never be able to see Hana again was demolishing him. He could not wait until midnight, neither could he ask the Earth to revolve around a little faster.
THE COOPERS' RESIDENCE
Mr. Cooper: Ethan! c'mon in boy!
"Look at this young man, it seems like yesterday he was playing around at our yard and now he's running errands for his father! Dear, you've been such a great kid since childhood, always begged God to bless us a child like you", Mrs. Cooper started weeping. She brought in some cookies and Darjeeling tea, not the best combo but tasty and anti-oxidizing indeed.
Ethan: Thank you Mrs. Cooper for the tea! Sir dad told me to drop this file by your house.
Mr. Cooper: Uh yes yes, I told him there's no rush, he's always serious about business isn't he! Say, he gives you more time these days, doesn't he?
Ethan: No sir dad is really busy, as usual, of course, work is important.
Mr. Cooper: Oh boy he hasn't changed, I told him to spend more time with you since you don't even have your mother living with you. Listen boy, you drop by our house every chance you get okay? You'll get in depression living that lonely!
The Coopers were a lovely couple, they lived by the countryside to enjoy their declining years. It was a beautiful wooden house far from the touch of technology and concretes, surrounded by greens aged over a hundred years. All they lacked was the ranting of a child. Ethan's family had been friends with the Coopers since he was not even born, so they always adored Ethan like their own.
Ethan: Thank you so much, sir, for your concern, but I'm completely fine on my own. Mom even taught me a lot of hacks for maintaining household chores!
Mr. Cooper: I'll talk to Edward about looking after you more, it's high time you two start working on your father-son bond!
Mr. Cooper insisted Ethan to have dinner with them and stay the night since they had guests coming over too. The errand was just an excuse to get Ethan to visit them - the Coopers just wanted Ethan to step out of his comfort zone and have fun. Ethan could not resist and decided to stay.
Ethan kept himself busy by helping with the banquet, he even set the BBQ out. Just when guests were starting to come in, Ethan escaped to the terrace. He did not know the guest list, just some neighbors- he thought. Turning of the events occurred when Lexie came in.
HALLWAY BESIDE THE TERRACE
Lexie: Ethan?
Ethan turned back to the direction of the source of the sound- as the moonlight focused solely on his face and the spring wind being the culprit behind making Ethan's hair flow so charmingly. He was glowing in the white shirt he wore, Lexie- who confessed a day ago- was now in agony.
Ethan: Lexie! hey! didn't know you were coming!
Lexie: I'm surprised to see you too! So how are you related to uncle and aunty?
Ethan: Uncle and aunty? oh, wait are you, family relatives? but I never saw you at their place.
Lexie: Yeah Kevin Cooper is my maternal uncle, you see we had family issues which made us cut ties with each other a long time ago, but now we're fine!
Ethan: Oh that's great! Uhh, the Coopers are like my second parents. Kinda feel guilty for not stopping by their place like before.
Lexie: So how's Ben? I texted him to drop by yesterday to taste my cake, he didn't respond. Is he okay?
Ethan: Yeah he's fine, it's the semester exams eating him! I'm sure he'll respond!
Lexie was in a cute casual blue dress, wore a little makeup, not enough to distinguish. They both were standing by the terrace railings, which was giving Ethan a Deja Vu. They were starting to engage in a conversation just when Mr. Cooper came in searching for them to come down and join them.
Mr. Cooper: *clears throat* You two know each other? oh yeah, you go to the same school, forgot that uhh! Wait am I disturbing you two?
Ethan and Lexie in union, " No, absolutely not!". They both looked at each other and laughed.
The buffet was set out in the yard, the lights and the music were on. For dinner, there were lasagna, pasta, baked beans, apple pie, and more. Everyone had a great weekend night which passed by with all the peals of laughter, conversations, and singing and dancing the adults did. Soon all the guests left and Lexie bid Ethan goodbye.
Hana was wondering around in Ethan's mind the whole time, and it was finally time to sleep. Ethan to himself," I never thought people can be this passionate about sleeping!"
PORTAL LAND
Hana: Hello there!
Ethan: I would've had a heart attack if another minute passed! I was seriously worried.
Hana: Yeah I know the last dream was not really a "dream", I'm sorry for the inconvenience!
Ethan: You won't tell me why that happened, will you?
Hana: No I will, so not to make things any harder, just assume my boss kinda warned me about something. I was going off track so the boss was trying to bring me back, that's it.
Ethan: Well that is not a very appreciated method though.
" Why were you worried though? Wait lemme guess, you had a fear of not being able to see me again, hadn't you?", Hana said enthusiastically.
Ethan: Don't you already know?
Hana's conscience was numbed by the earnestness overflowing in Ethan's eyes, as she glared them, all frightened.