" Stop playing around! Gray!" I yelled at the ball of fur that kept hopping around the room as if it was seeing it for the first time. Finally, I managed to corner it on my desk.
" Time to go to bed, Gray," I said pointing at the decorated Dream box that was placed on the small table next to my bed.
Gray kept looking at me with cold eyes and I ran short of patience. I tried to catch it but the Dream jumped up on my head and slipped into one of my drawers. " Just stop and let's go to bed!"
I said when I opened the drawer and I blinked twice when I saw that the agitated grey ball stopped of its own accord and kept looking at an open notebook. I was surprised that the Dream that was causing me some pain to keep calm for a while finally halted. Just what could be there in the notebook?
I took it and flipped the pages before a small smile appeared on my face. " That's funny, I completely forgot about it..."
The notebook contained a story that I started writing years ago but stopped when I lost interest in everything when I couldn't find a Dream and my friends left me. Most likely because I had no one to read my story anymore when my friends left me behind, so I abandoned it.
I looked at the curious Dream next to me that kept staring at the notebook. " I see, then let's make a deal. You go to bed, then I will read the story for you."
The Dream wasted no time as it jumped into the Dream box. I settled back on my bed and I started reading. " Once upon a time, eight gods ruled the world..."...
***
Well, the one who said time flies by was right after all. It has been half a year since I got Gray. Our school year is about to end and a lot of us are getting ready to leave the village and start exploring the world and search for their future.
It was the day of our final test, the test was over, the papers were collected and we were allowed to discuss among ourselves. Everyone turned to their friends and formed their usual groups, talking about the exams, their grades, and whether they did well during the school year or not. As I couldn't care the least about that, I took out the old notebook that was in my bag and started writing away. Images and events flowed into my mind as I kept moving the pen on the white paper. I didn't raise my head until the teacher called for me from my side. " What are you doing, Yume?"
I was surprised and immediately snapped my head towards her. She didn't wait for my explanation and immediately leaned forward to read what I was writing. " Huh, this sounds like a good story, I didn't know you could write?" She asked.
" Well, I started writing lately, though the first part was written long ago but I didn't finish it. And now that my Dream won't go to bed unless I read to it, so I have to finish it." I explained.
Hannah walked next to us and took a peek at the notebook. " But it sounds interesting, can I read it sometime soon?"
I merely nodded and I can swear my cheeks were on fire. The teacher then spoke. " If you don't mind, I shall take it today then. It's a teacher's job to know about what my students like and write."
I nodded at her too before handing her the notebook. She thanked me before her attention suddenly was shifted to Amy who barged out of the classroom.
Before we even had the time to react, the bell rang and the other students went out.
Our teacher was about to go after Amy when Hannah stopped her. " I will check on her miss. It's the Class president's job to make sure everyone is alright."
The teacher sighed and nodded at her. Hannah reached for her bag and Dream box before walking to the door. On the way, she told me to go ahead and not wait for her and we split when we got out of the class...
***
Amy...
" what should I do now!?" I exclaimed in fear as I kept watching the pink dream trembling. I can't let it die. This is his Dream. The Dream that my father worked so hard to get for my older brother, and that after he died, my father entrusted me with. It's literally the only Dream our humble family could afford. "No no no no no! Please don't! Don't die on me!"
I wanted to cry, I was torn. It was then that Hannah walked to me and took the seat next to me in the school's yard.
" I know about it." She began. " Your Dream is sick, isn't it?"
" Why do you care, huh?" I raised my voice at her, hoping that she would leave me alone. But she didn't. She kept looking at the trembling Dream.
" Don't torture it like that. If I learned something from my experience with Dreams, is that when you try to hold back your feelings, they get hurt more and die in the most slow and painful way. So let out what you want to say. Be honest with your feelings."
My lips shook. Why should she be so kind to me? And most of all why now from all the times? I finally broke down, covering my face with my hands and crying in pain. " My little brother is dying! I want to help! I don't want to lose another brother!"
I reached for my eyes to wipe the tears that stormed out but I couldn't stop them. " Although I want to keep my older brother's Dream, but I want to help my younger brother too! The worst is that we can't get another Dream! I can't get a red Dream to save my brother who was hospitalized for half a year!"
" Wait, then that day..."
" It was the day he fell sick and they took him to the hospital!" I kept sobbing and yelling while Hannah was gently rubbing circles on my back.
" Then why don't we exchange fates?" My eyes snapped open at that and I looked at her. " I can take that Dream of yours and take care of it, and you can take mine. Won't that be fair?"
" But you..."
" My father won't notice it, don't worry. You can have it, the red Dream that you need to save your brother."
I didn't know how to react, for an instant. Hannah seemed like an angel sent from heaven to me. I hugged her while still crying. " Thank you..."...