Eric jumped up from his bed with shock. He was breathing heavily because of what he had just experienced. It took him a while before he recognized where he was.
"It was just a dream." He sighed as he noticed he was back in his apartment. Just so he was sure, Eric went to the window and looked at the sky, then his surroundings. Everything looked fine. He went back to his bed and laid down, trying to recollect his thoughts.
He wasn't totally convinced it was a dream. Everything felt so real. He remembered that when he touched the trees, they felt real, but then it all seemed to have disappeared into thin air like it never existed. If it were a dream, it was awfully weird.
What he couldn't bring himself to understand was why he of all people, had that dream. He would have been lying if he said he wasn't scared because he was.
Eric turned sideways and looked at his alarm clock that was still beeping loudly. It was already Nine Fifteen.
"Argh! Not today!" He shrieked. He turned off the alarm clock and grabbed his phone from his bed side table.
"Hey Moon. What's up? Aren't you coming for class today?"
"Dude I overslept."
"You of all people overslept? Why do I find that hard to believe? "
"Just help me write my name in the attendance sheet. I can't spoil my perfect attendance OK?"
"Sure, but this will be the last time I'll....."
Eric hung up before Mark could even complete what he had planned to say. He was more worried about reaching class before lectures where over. Today was supposed to be Mr Greg's last class with them and Eric was bent on having a conversation with his lecturer before had s exams. He hoped traffic wouldn't hold him longer than expected or he might just miss all his morning lectures. He couldn't help but blame it on the fact he was staying off campus. Eric gathered all he needed and zoomed off to his bathroom to freshen up.
University Of San Fransisco - Cafeteria
"So tell me, what happened yesterday that knocked you out." Luke asked Eric in an amused tone as they lunched.
"I don't really know Luke, I just overslept. Although I can't remember ever sleeping, but when I woke up I was already late."
"You must have overworked yourself last night to have slept like that. I mean you're never late." Mark said then gave Luke a knowing look.
"What do you mean?" Eric asked a little confused by his friend's statement.
"Nothing, nothing moon. I was just saying." Mark answered sarcastically then started eating his burger.
Eric was suspicious. Mark must have had a hidden meaning to what he said. "You're not the type to blurt out stupid words without a meaning, that's Luke's job."
"Hey!"
"No offence Luke, but I feel Mark's holding something. Don't you think?"
"Don't look at me, I didn't even say anything." Luke said then shrugged. He took his drink and started sipping it.
"OK, OK, OK," Mark finally spat out. "Let me tell you what I meant. Since I'm clearly the realistic one here," He boasted. "I'm just going to state the facts here. I think Eric got laid yesterday."
Eric and Luke laughed at what Mark had called a fact.
"Come on Mark is that all you got? You can't be serious."
"But I am. I'm just saying, you know, based on facts.
" Which are?" Eric asked smiling. He was interested in what facts Mark was talking about.
"Calm down! OK, so after lectures yesterday, you left class with Jennifer. Yes or no?"
"What does Jennifer have to do with any of this?"
"She has everything to do with this." Luke finally spoke up. He had already finished his lunch and was charged up to lead the conversation.
"Look who finally decided to talk." Eric said excitedly with a grin plastered on his face.
"Yea Luke, how about you help me out here, I don't know how I'm gonna explain further for this guy."
"What Mark's trying to say is that it couldn't have been possible that a time conscious nerd like you would been late for his last class before exams without an external force's influence. Clearly, Jennifer's that force. Look, we've noticed the way you look at her every time she comes to talk to us, plus your ever friendly 'I'm ready to help you with anything you want' attitude shows how much you like her."
"Come on," Eric couldn't believe that this was what they meant all this time. "You know that's not true. I do admit that Jennifer is beautiful."
"And hot." Luke complemented.
"With a beautifully endowed ass." Mark didn't forget to add.
"Yes that too." Eric agreed.
As if trying to prove their point, Jennifer walked past their table, smiled at Eric then went forward with her hips swaying harder than ever.
"Definitely hot!" They chorused, staring at her behind as if they were about to hulk her clothes off her body.
"So as I was saying, Jennifer's beautiful, but she's not my type. Besides I'm not ready to date yet.
" I bet it's because you're afraid to be dumped." Luke blurted out.
"Look who's talking. It's like you've forgotten your little incident with scarlet so suddenly." Mark said.
Eric's jaw dropped half way. He was shocked to the bones. Never in his life would he have imagined a girl dumping Luke. He desperately wanted to know the whole story.
Luke on the other hand wasn't at all happy that Mark had to open his big mouth at a time like this. He remembered telling Mark about the incident because he thought Mark would give him some ideas on how to win scarlet over, - a total waste of his time - he didn't expect Mark to blurt it out so willingly.
"I thought we had a deal bro? You weren't supposed to mention any of this." Luke said with shame.
"It just slipped out. Seriously it just slipped out , I'm sorry." Mark apologized with scorned laughter.
"Wooh! drama! Why am I just hearing about this now? I've been left in the dark. Wait, Luke was dumped?"
"Technically I wasn't." Luke replied, his /eyes glued to his phone. He was really trying his best to act cool. "She blocked my number before I could even ask her for a date. I'm telling you guys," He carried his head up and looked at their faces like he was about to say something of utmost importance. "Scarlet's a total nut case. She sick in the head."
"I see. How about I ask her out to test that theory." Eric passed his phone to Luke so he could test his patience.
Luke passed the phone back with anger.
Eric collected his phone back and started laughing.
"There's no way i'm going to give you her number. I'm serious Moon, that girl can't even be called a lady. Mark tried asking her out too, but she wouldn't even listen."
"Let me try my charm. I'm sure she wouldn't be able to resist a hunk like me."
"Get out." Luke was already tired of the who thing he got up and started walking to the exist.
"Ohh. I hope I didn't hurt your ego." Moon said as he elbowed Mark, a signal for them to leave too.
They laughed and followed Luke out.
Eric couldn't help but think of how privileged he was to have friends like these. They were more like brothers to him than his friends. He was glad they had lightened his mood.
Just then, he remembered his dream.
"I'll have to find some answers." He thought before continuing where he left off - laughing at Luke.