Dream Girl (SHARPii and Josu_T)

[Josu_T]

Eric McNiel walked out of the office building to his car. It was the middle of the summer and he was busy working at a decent job, trying to make some money. It wasn't where he saw his career, but he was qualified and it made enough to support his life. He got to his car and stepped inside. On the drive home he thought about his life.

He felt he was an average guy. He had intelligence above 100, but felt that it wasn't too important. He was fit, broad shouldered, but was by no means a very muscular man. He maintained his brown hair in a short style. He did think his blue eyes were a nice feature. His lightly tanned skin was clear of most blemishes and he shaved each day, not liking how his face looked with a beard or moustache. He felt his life in general was average. Average job, average apartment, decent car, decent life.

His love life was what was a little below average. He'd only had a couple of girlfriends before. The relationships lasted a while, but ended for one reason or another. Now he was single and had been for over a year. He didn't mind too much. He didn't need a woman in his life. He didn't have anyone in mind for a relationship. He was just focused on setting up his future. Eventually that would involve a family, but he was in no hurry.

He got home and made himself dinner. He ate it in front of the TV, watching a variety of different shows. He answered some emails, spoke to a couple of friends, and set up a card game with friends for a few days later. As the evening wore on he got tired and went to bed. He showered, got ready, set his alarm, and slipped under the covers. It wasn't too long before he was asleep.

 

[Malicious Lullaby]

Astoria Wheaton had always been this kind of strange girl. As a child, she had been a major outcast because of how different she was and when she got older, it seemed to get worse because not so many people were accepting. No one liked to know. It's not like she'd do it for a bad reason, but merely good. Still, no one wanted to believe or wanted to know. Could she really blame them?

Growing up, with a friend or two and the love of her parents, Astoria never asked for more, or wanted more. Some people didn’t even have that and she did, regardless of her difference. It was enough for her. Never did she yearn for that acceptance in school because she knew who she was. She didn’t have to hold out for some special boy, hoping he’d look her way. Her heart was never into it then. There were more important things. She had a fine childhood and an even better adolescent and teen life. Sure, with her difference, it didn’t make it easy but it’s not like it wasn’t possible.

One day, on her way home from her part-time job at a music store, Astoria’s steps ceased slowly and her eyes gazed upon the most handsome man she could have possibly seen. While she never paid mind to the fact she never had a boyfriend during high school and she still pay mind to it now, this was her very first crush. It’s like she was an alien who never really experienced the things that teens would in high school nowadays, instead only experiencing them now in college. Better late than never, right? So from then on, everyday after her job, she’d walk home the exact same route to just catch a thirty second to a minute look at him. Looking from afar was enough for she was too terrified to talk to him. Aside from her father and her three brothers, she never talked to boys much, and with a boy that made her feel the way she did, it was impossible!

That night, the red haired girl changed into a pair of boxer shorts with a tank top and tied her messy hair into a messy bun. She removed her eye make up and put face cream on to keep the smoothness and nourish her skin. Moving to the window, she placed her hand on it. The moon shined through her room, casting its evening glow throughout her entire room; a natural light. Her almond shaped brown eyes closed slowly and her mind raced to find his. Slowly, she sat down on the ledge in front of her window, her hand coming from the window to resting on her cheek, her elbow anchoring on the pane. Finding that one mind, the very mind that could make her heart beat so fast, she held onto it enough to be able to enter into it. He was asleep; perfect. It wasn’t obsession or infatuation. If she couldn’t be the girl of his dreams, the most she could be was his dream girl. Whether he thought she was real or not didn’t matter. She needed some time before she had the courage and strength to ever truly talk to him.

Setting the place, a water fountain appeared in his dream. Crystal clear water pouring and dancing, a soft mist to be felt by anyone who sat close enough on the ledge. There, on the very ledge sat Astoria. Her red hair tied up in that same messy bun as was in the reality and she wore the same clothes like in reality. Stranger things happened in dreams. The sky was clear and blue, a light cool breeze coming down and hitting against her frame so gently, pushing her hair out of her delicate features. A large oak tree came into the picture in the corner, casting a subtle shade over where she sat, leaves slowly falling like rose petals in a flower dance. It was a real beautiful sight and it was all in his dream. To make herself appear in the most desirable way. This is what she had to do. For now…

 

[Josu_T]

Eric drifted off to sleep and was soon dreaming. In his dream he was at work. His boss was very upset with everyone. No one could do anything right and it was early in the morning. Eric focused and did all he could. When he was done his task he presented it to the boss. The boss loved it so much that he got happier. Everyone was given an early and long lunch.

Eric left the building and went for a walk. He would go through the park to reach his favorite lunch spot. He crossed the street and got onto the proper path. As he walked he enjoyed the scenery. It was the perfect day. He got nearer the fountain and that was when he saw her. An absolutely beautiful woman. She sat on the edge of the fountain. He wasn't sure why she was there, but she had stopped him in his tracks.

He stared at her for a minute before realising what he was doing. He blushed and immediately looked away. He hoped she hadn't noticed. He started to walk again, going past her, trying to subtly get a better look at her once he was closer. She was gorgeous. Her hair was a lovely shade of red, her eyes brown eyes were stunning. Her skin looked soft and smooth. Every aspect of her surprised him with how perfect it seemed. As he left the park he took one last look back at her and sighed. He had to be dreaming, no one that beautiful could actually exist.

A moment later he woke. He sat up and sighed. He thought of the woman in his dream. He couldn't think of where he had seen her before, and had no idea how he had created her in his mind. He decided not to worry about it and went back to sleep, drifting back into dream land. This time he dreamed of being back at school.

 

[Malicious Lullaby]

There, she could feel his presence; able to feel someone's eyes on her. Bringing her knees to her chest, she looked over her shoulder and back at him, her eyes touching upon his with the most sincere look. It was perfect. He saw her and it seemed it was a good thing. Her eyes never left his frame, turning her neck to the other side when he started to walk on by. That was all it took for the first meet. One look to stop a man in his tracks and he’d be sold. Something she learned from Memoirs of a Geisha and it was a true and proven fact.

In reality, her eyes opened and she smiled softly. Her head touched the glass of the window before she got up and moved to her bed, gliding onto it and laying on her stomach. Someday soon, she’d have the courage to meet him in person. Until then, meeting him in his dreams was well enough.

As she slept, her mind could not stay off of him. As she slept, her mind traveled into his mind, planting herself in his dreams once again, in his school setting. This time, she was dressed in a different outfit, not like the one she was wearing to bed. It was a simple mini skirt with a plaid design and underneath she wore stockings. On top, she wore a tank top with a black cropped jacket and her hair was untied, lying over her right shoulder. She walked the halls, books held to her chest. Soon though, she stopped when she saw him. Her eyes never left his, once again.

 

[Josu_T]

Eric found himself outside class. He spotted a friend and went over to talk to them. It was his favorite class and he had many friends. The lecture had yet to start and he was busy talking with his friends. He looked around the hall and that was when his eyes met a sight he hadn't expected. It was a girl he had never seen before, but he thought he knew he from somewhere. Of course, in his dream he didn't remember the previous dream.

His eyes never left her. His friends continued talking, but he didn't hear them. He didn't even realise he was staring. She wore some very nice clothes, they made her look better. When a friend punched him in the shoulder he snapped out of it. "Oh, uh, sorry guys. I got a little distracted."

They went into class and he checked to see if the girl went in as well. He watched her take a seat and stared at her. He hoped she didn't notice. His friends definitely did. They bugged him about it. Once he snapped out of it again he woke up. He took a deep breath and thought about how she had appeared again. He got himself a drink, then went back to sleep. The rest of the night was without any dreams that he could remember, but she had appeared in those as well.

In the morning he woke and made himself breakfast. He went about his routine, but couldn't stop thinking of the two dreams he could remember. That girl hadn't been the focus of them, but she just seemed so real. She was so beautiful that he had done what he had never done before. He had stared at her. He eventually decided that they had just been dreams and that he shouldn't worry, but he had a feeling that the image of her would be with him the rest of the day.

It was with him all day. At work he caught himself day dreaming about her on three different occasions. He wondered if any girl like her could exist in the real world. He highly doubted it. Each time he caught himself he forced himself to focus and get back to work. At lunch he couldn't halp but look around the park, at the fountain, to see if maybe she was real. He didn't see her though. By the end of the day he decided he needed to get his mind off of her. They had just been dreams. She wasn't real and he had probably just made her up in his head.

 

[Malicious Lullaby]

Walking into the classroom, her eyes didn’t leave his, and once she sat down, even if she was sitting in front of him, she still wanted to see him. She’d look back so often, always finding him looking at her. It was so real. Maybe if he did see her in real life, he could actually feel however it is he feels right then, in the dream.

For the night, she appeared in as many of his dreams as she possibly could, hoping he’d remember enough of them to remember her. By the time morning came, she was so exhausted. Yes, she had been asleep but it was a working sleep because while asleep, she had to keep herself embedded in his mind, in his dreams and it was a daunting task. That morning, she got up and started walking to the bathroom, trying to rub the sleep and tiredness out of her eyes. She had classes and her job. It’d be a long day when all she longed was to be in his dreams again. Perhaps this time, she could do more than just appear and stare.

After getting ready for classes, wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a tank top with a cropped jacket, she tied her hair up in a low to the side ponytail and went on, walking to the university. Since she lived in the city and her job and the university was all there and walking distance, it saved her trouble of a car and gas money. Walking was faster what with all the traffic. By the time she got to her first class, her mind was focused on him. She didn’t even know his name, but her mind couldn’t shake him out. It really wasn’t obsession or anything like that but that simple thing when a girl likes any guy for the first time. First crushes were always so major.

Before she knew it, classes were done and soon she was off to her job. She had to make sure she left at the precise time. On her way home, she’d see him coming home. She knew where he lived, because when she would walk by, she would see him, all because she didn’t live far from where he lived. Rather close, actually; close enough to be able to get in contact with his mind. Leaving work, she started walking home, the same route she always took just so she could catch a real thirty second to a minute glimpse of him, even if he never noticed her. Just to see him was enough hope for her that someday…

 

[Josu_T]

Eric was walking to his car and attempting to get the girl out of his head. He couldn't do things properly if he continued daydreaming about an imaginary girl. He focused on sports, and how his favorite team was doing. He tried analyzing their chances of winning the leage championships. As he was about to turn a corner he glanced over and thought he saw the girl from his dreams. It was only a split second before she was out of sight, but it had looked so much like her. He was suddenly thinking about if she could be real.

He got to his car and sat inside it. Could she have really been there? Was she real? Maybe he had just imagined her there. That was possible, right? Yeah, he had just imagined seeing her there. He decided that was the case and started to drive home. When he got back to his place he tried to get back into his routine. He made himself dinner and ate it alone.

As the evening wore on he started to succeed in getting the unknown girl out of his mind. He was able to think of other things and really relax. He got ready for bed and made sure his alarm was set. He hoped he would have a good resful sleep. The next day was friday and he had some work he really needed to get done. He slid under his covers and slowly drifted off to sleep, once again entering the realm of dreams.

 

[Malicious Lullaby]

Astoria saw him, having walked home just in time to see him. There he was, the handsome man that filled her heart and dreams with hope, just as she could fill his dreams with pictures of her. It seemed as if he saw her, which made he walk away even faster, not wanting him to recognize her. He’d think her a freak if he found out. Perhaps that was another reason why she was so hesitant to actually approach him. Usually it didn’t bother her if people who found out thought she was a freak. They didn’t matter much to her but he mattered so much. He couldn’t find out, ever.

Arriving home, she made herself dinner and watched some of her favorite shows, as well as doing her homework. When she finished, it was pretty late and she wanted nothing more to sleep. Sleep in his dreams.

Changing for bed, wearing a pair of pajama bottoms and a tank top again, her hair was tied up in a messy ponytail and she lay down, closing her eyes and let her mind locate his. When she did, she entered into his dreams and set a setting to that of the same school setting as that one dream before. It picked up right where it was. She sitting in class and she looked back, seeing him. The teacher announced partners for a project that they’d be doing on the human body. The students had to trace each other’s body. Of course it was all boy girl pairings so that they would learn about different kinds of bodies and since it was a dream after all, it lucked out that there was an even amount of boys and girls.

Her name was called out. “Astoria Wheaton and Eric McNiel.” And she went on to give the other partnering assignments. Once they were allowed to find their partners and regroup, she got up and looked around for him. She saw everyone else partnering up and soon it was just her and her dream guy. Walking to him, she managed a gentle smile. “Eric?”

 

[Josu_T]

Eric was back in class. His favorite class. He quickly spotted the girl again and smiled. This time he remembered her, remembered seeing her before. She was still stunning. He smiled and then heard what was happening. He hoped he would be paired with a friend. He didn't want anything awkward. He had no such luck. He was paired with a name he had never heard before.

He got up and searched for the girl who was to be his partner. To his surprise he didn't have to look long. The new girl was right there in front of him, asking if he was Eric. It seemed she was Astoria. He stood there speechless for a moment. Then he snapped out of it and nodded. "Uh, yeah, I'm Eric. You must be Astoria. Nice name." He smiled at her nervously.

They went and found a spot where they could do the task. He was a little worried about how he would react to being so close to her. His heart rate was already raising. She lay down and he took a pencil. He started to trace her. He looked down at her and got a very good, very close look at her body. She was very attractive. He couldn't avoid his body's reaction. He could barely keep himself under control. His lines got a little shakey near the end, but he was soon done. His breaths were a little shallow, his mind focused on avoiding a bulge forming in his pants. He let her get up, took the sheet of paper away, then laid down on a sheet of paper to allow her a chance to trace him. He just hoped she didn't look too closely and notice the unaviodable bump.

 

[Malicious Lullaby]

“Thanks.” She said with a somewhat star struck smile. It was him! Right before her and they were talking to each other. They’d be working together in this dream and it would be perfect. To finally be near him like this, it was almost as if it was real. She could almost really feel him.

Lying down on the paper, she soon felt her heart beating so fast. Her eyes stayed on him, watching to the best she could his movements and such as he traced her body. Her eyes scanned over his face, his hair, his very and every handsome feature and then began to scope his body. Fantasizing what was underneath, what it looked like and what it would take to behold it. When he was done, she stood up slowly and then watched him lie down. She noticed something and it made her blush; trying her hardest not to act like she noticed it or let him think she noticed it. Moving onto her knees, she started to trace him. “So…” She began, trying to find a way to strike up a conversation. “We could have study sessions to be able to work on this project. I think it’d be best to work together so we don’t make each other look ugly.” She laughed slightly, scooting next to him and leaned over to trace the other side of him.

Being in such close proximities with him made her heart beat so fast and her stomach flip. It had to be a dream, of course. This wouldn’t happen in reality. Not to her at least. What a dream…

 

[Josu_T]

Much to Eric's relief, Astoria didn't seem to notice what was happening to his body. He was able to get himself under control as she started to trace his body. He just avoided looking at her too much. She started discussing how they should do the project. At first all he was able to do was nod his head. Then she said they didn't want to make eachother look ugly. He smiled and spoke softly, not necessarly meant for her to hear. "It would be pretty hard to make you look ugly."

When she finished tracing him he got up. He was completely unsure of what to say to her. He almost felt like throwing up he was so nervous. Then the class time was over. He quickly gathered his tracing of her and left. That was when the dream ended. It shifted to something completely different. It was a place he didn't know, didn't recognise. He was with a group of people that he seemed to know, but who he had never actually met in the real world. Still, in his dream they were his friends.

The group went into a bar and hung out. They spent time talking and telling jokes. Eventually some went to dance and that left Eric alone. He went over to the bar to get himself a drink. He stood by the bar and enjoyed his drink while watching the group of people dancing.

 

[Malicious Lullaby]

Perhaps she caught what he said, very faintly but didn’t press it. When she was done, she stood as well and gathered her outline of him and her books and left, thus ending that dream. Her mind never left his. It followed wherever to the next dream and onwards.

While he was at the bar, she was there, among those dancing. Right now, she was dancing with one of his friends, nothing too far out. Just enough to come to his forefront and make him see her. She wasn’t scantily clad. But it was appealing, her floral stockings and mini dress. It all accentuated her figure well. Her hair was untied, in its naturally curly splendor and she walked over to him, taking him by the hand and pulled him out to dance. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her body pressed to his, dancing with him to the fast paced music. Her face was close to his, her eyes looking into his and her hot breath not a gap away. Just mere centimeters from a fateful kiss. One kiss.

Closing her eyes, she allowed there to be no gap between them and kissed him with full depth and passion, not holding back at all. It was as if she was really there, as if all this was real. If only it was.

 

[Josu_T]

Eric looked out at the dance floor and he spotted her, dancing with one of his friends. He felt jealous that a friend could be dancing with such an attractive woman. Then she surprised him. She left his friend and walked toward him. He almost forgot to breathe. She took his hand and he followed her as if on auto-pilot. When they got to the dance floor he placed his hands on her hips lightly.

Eric danced there with this strange woman. He didn't know her, but he definitely felt as if he had met her before. She held his attention very well. Not just because she was dancing with him. He looked into her eyes, admiring them and just enjoying the dance. Their bodies moved together. Their faces were nearly touching. Then, suddenly, they were touching. She kissed him. It was amazing. She was kissing him with passion. He got lost in the feeling and returned her kiss with just as much passion. It was absolutely perfect.

As their lips parted he took a deep breath. The next moment he was awake. He sat up and tried to catch his breath. His heart was pounding. It had just been a dream, but that kiss had felt so real, so wonderful. He raised his hand and touched his mouth. He could still feel her lips pressed against his. He could still imagine her body against his. After a few minutes he got up and drank some water. He sat back on the edge of his bed. There was no way he could sleep again. Not after that. He sat up wondering if his imagination could really come up with something like that. Where had this all come from?

 

[Malicious Lullaby]

That next morning, later in the morning, a young woman went to a nice café, the same one that happened to be his favorite, though she did not know that; of course, she didn’t know him. Walking inside, she smiled gently. “Hi, I have a job interview.” She spoke softly, her voice as silky smooth as Astoria. In fact, she resembled her quite a lot, though not in an exact way. Same red hair, same curvaceous figure but completely different. Anyone who didn’t know Astoria well would know that this girl wasn’t her. Still, an easy trick for someone who knew nothing of the dreams and what went on in them.

“Sure, I’ll go let our manager know. What is your name?”
“Astrid Wellington.” She said softly.
Nodding, the young lady who was a host there, went to inform the manager.

As she waited, adjusting the strap of her bag over her shoulder, her mind mulled through everything she knew about job interviews. She wore a white button down with a pair of black skinny jeans and her hair was tied in a neat ponytail, her bangs precisely over her forehead in an orderly fashion. She was very proper, very well kept, nothing like Astoria. But they did look alike enough. As the manager came out, her interview started and soon enough, she was working there as a server. After sorting out through the paperwork and officially starting, she was changed into uniform and because she had prior serving experience, she needed not to be trained. If she had some difficulties like inputting orders and such, she would get help, but as far as everything else was concerned, she got the hang of it well enough.


Astoria woke up that morning, tired and exhausted but boy did she feel the full weight of that dream. That kiss it felt so real; even his lips still lingering on hers and it was so amazing. She couldn’t wait for later that night when they both would be asleep to enter his dream, taking it to the next level. Make him realize just what he’s been without. “Oh please, don’t get in way over your head Astoria. You’re not that great of a catch for a guy like him. A guy like him needs a real woman, not a freak!” She spoke out loud, psyching herself out enough to refrain from ever actually talking to him.

“Oh well…” Getting ready for class, she put on a pair of floral stockings and a black mini dress, kind of similar to the one she actually wore in the dream but less provocative and went on to her classes for the day.

 

[Josu_T]

In the morning Eric woke, having fallen asleep for a short while. He couldn't stop thinking of the kiss in his dream. He went about his morning on auto-pilot, barely noticing what he was doing. Even as he drove to work he thought of it. He barely missed getting into an accident twice. After the second near miss he was able to regain a little control of his thought processes.

Work went by fairly quickly and he was able to avoid daydreaming too much. Still, it was difficult. At lunch time he left to go to his favorite restaurant. He crossed the park and caught himself staring at the fountain, as if willing his dream girl to appear there. Of course she didn't, but he wished she had. He stepped into the restaurant and got his regular table.

His normal server came and took his order. He liked the place because it had very reasonable prices for some good food. He could afford lunch out during the week. As he looked up from the table he spotted a new waitress dealing with the other half of the restaurant. He couldn't believe it. She looked very much like the girl from his dreams. Was it her? Could she be real, and working right there? He suddenly wasn't sure what to think. He ate his meal and occasionally glanced at the girl doing her job. He was too nervous to say anything to her at the moment. When he was finished his meal he paid and left, taking one last look at the girl through the window.

The rest of his day went by quickly. He really wondered if the girl in the restaurant was the one from his dreams. He decided that the next day he would go talk to her. He had to know for sure. If she was his dream girl then she could be the one for him to spend his life with. He didn't want to miss out on that.

His evening went by very well. It was a friday afternoon and the day for his card game with friends. By the end of the evening he had doubled his money. He returned home happily. He went to bed and once again drifted into dreams. This time he was again in the park. Astoria was there, but not the real Astoria. It was an imagined version. She sat there on the fountain as he passed by her, then sat on a bench. He looked over at her and smiled.

 

[Malicious Lullaby]

Astrid was busy with her work and made sure to pay attention to her tables and guests, rather than dawdle on other guests that weren’t in her section. However, if they weren’t in her section but needed some assistance if their actual server was unavailable to them for the moment, of course she’d help. In that time, she managed to see a very handsome man and when she wasn’t too busy, she noticed him looking at her often. A connection, perhaps for he was very handsome.

At the end of her day, she headed on home to her apartment. It wasn’t close to his at all but kind of in the opposite direction, though not too far away. She was extremely tired from her day because the night time rush swamped her and since she was working full time, she worked all day. Exhausted, she collapsed onto her bed, falling asleep.


Astoria continued her usual routine; classes then work then the always fateful very short glance of him in the flesh. Oh that night was going to be something special for the both of them, she could feel it. As night came around and the tiredness and sleep started to overcome her, she lay down for bed, instantly falling asleep. Her mind searched for his and entered into his dream, but the scene was already set. In fact, she was already there. It was odd at first but then she realized. This was truly his dream and he was dreaming of her. She smiled softly. He was thinking of her. Perhaps that was all that was needed.

Tomorrow, she’d confront him, during the passing by on the way home. Talk to him. Meet him, officially. Perhaps she had the strength because he was dreaming of her. It was enough to give her the hope of success. That was all she needed on her side.

 

[Josu_T]

Eric slept very well, dreaming many things, each including his dream girl. On a couple of occasions he kissed her, but none of them were even close to the one from the night before. He didn't realise it, but it was because it wasn't the real Astoria. His imagined version of her was not quite the same as the real thing. When he woke in the morning he was happy, but not quite as much as he had been the past couple of days. He went through his routine and got ready for his day. He was determined to talk to the girl at the cafe.

Work went by as well as it could, but Eric was focused on lunch time. When his break came he walked quickly to the restaurant and asked for a different table, in the new girl's section. He took his seat and he waited for her to take his order. When she arrived he looked at her closely. She was defeinitely very much like the girl from his dreams. He smiled up at her and told her what he would have to eat. He took not of her name from her name tag. Astrid. Was that the name of the girl from his dream? He couldn't remember. It was certainly similar. He took that as a sign. It was her.

He ate his lunch and spoke with Astrid whenever she stopped by. He was already starting to like her. He didn't say too much, not wanting to cause her to lose her job because he distracted her. When the time came to pay his bill he decided to make a bold move. He got up from his seat and put the money on the table. He smiled at her. "Uh, I know this may sound strange. Unexpected. But, would you maybe like to hang out? Maybe this afternoon when you are done your shift?" He looked at her a little nervously and could barely believe the words that had come out of his mouth.

 

[Malicious Lullaby]

Astoria went to her work and she conversed with her coworkers, something she hardly did. She had built up confidence and believed in herself to not be afraid. Her difference would be her strength and if she wasn’t accepted because of it then it wouldn’t be the end of the world. There would be others who could see through it and see her, for who she really was.


Astrid worked, tending to her guests and giving them everything they needed. That day, that same handsome man she saw the day before was in her section. She was kind to him and more smiley because she wanted to be. For him.

Coming back with his food and anything else he needed, when he asked her that, it kind of caught her off guard but she was happy he asked. “Um…sure. I have a half day today so I get off at four, if you’d like to meet me here, then?” She asked. He was kind, so handsome and she would like to get to know him.

 

[Josu_T]

Eric smiled at Astrid as she said yes. He was very excited. "Sure, I'll be here when you finish work." He paused for a moment and then left. He was happy that he had been able to ask, then even happier she had said yes. He looked forward to getting to know her better. He went back to work and time flew by. He left just in time to get the the cafe by 4pm.

He arrived at the restaurant and waited outside for Astrid. When she joined him he gave a slight wave. They were soon walking through the park and toward a small coffee shop. It was along the same route that he took to get to his car after work, and at around the same time as well. The two started talking and laughing, enjoying eachother's company. Eric liked Astrid. She was a nice girl. There were a few things about her that he didn't like as much, but overall he thought she was good company. They arrived at the coffee shop and sat inside, continuing to talk and learn more about eachother.

 

[Malicious Lullaby]

On the way home from work, eager to see him, her body froze upon the sight she beheld, the woman with him. Her eyes widened and she clutched her bag tight to her, as if her nails were trying to pierce through the cotton. That girl…it was scary how similar she looked to Astoria but it infuriated her even more because that meant that Eric had no idea who she really was if he couldn’t tell that this girl wasn’t her. It angered her, hurt her, and it was driving her crazy. She had half a mind to walk up to him and kiss him like she did in the dream and then he’d know but she found she had no mobility in her legs. She really was frozen.


After work, Astrid waited for him to get her and when he did, she smiled and went with him. She was having a great time. They were laughing, talking and just having an overall awesome time. Sitting in the coffee joint, she sipped her latte. “So…why doesn’t a guy like you not have a girlfriend?” She had to ask. It was the question she was avoiding to ask the entire time but it was eating at her alive. He was so charming and even if he was a little nervous or shy, it seemed to suit him and didn’t turn against him into a flaw. It made him far more charming actually. He was incredibly handsome and she was having a great time and usually she took a while to warm up to any guy. With him, it was different.

 

[Josu_T]

Eric had a great time with Astrid. He hadn't even noticed Astoria across the street. He still had no idea that Astoria existed and he was becoming more and more convinced that Astrid was the girl from his dreams. He and Astrid were really getting to know eachother. Then Astrid asked why he didn't have a girl friend. He paused and thought about it for a moment, then answered. "I guess I have just been waiting to find the right girl. What about you? I'd expect a girl like you to have a number of guys after you."

Eric wondered if Astrid would be willing to actually be his girlfriend. He wasn't quite ready to ask her, but it was on his mind. If she was really the girl of his dreams then things would work out. He would end up with her, or so he hoped. He wasn't really sure how everything would go. He was pretty much just going with his gut.

 

[Malicious Lullaby]

Astoria went home, saddened and completely enraged. This called for a stop in his mind that night. She needed to know exactly what he was thinking to go after a girl like that; so tightly wound with something up her ass. It was nothing like herself. This madness needed to come to an end.

Astrid smiled at him and nodded. "Pretty much the same for me. I've been with some guys but never lasted long enough to truly figure out if any of them was that special 'one.'" She explained. "It just wasn't meant to be." She shrugged, sipping her Latte. "But I believe that things happen for a reason. Like..." Dare she say it. "Us meeting." She blushed a little bit and looked down, staring at her drink. To think she actually said it but she couldn't stop herself. It seemed right to say it. Perhaps any one of them could have been thinking it too.

 

[Josu_T]

Eric smiled at Astrid. It seemed they were looking for the same thing. They both wanted to find the right person for them. Then she said something that surprised him a little. She looked nervous having said it. He gave a slight nod. "Yeah, it is definitely possible. We will see in time. I sure hope that there is a reason for us meeting though." They continued talking and eventually finished their drinks. Eric then escorted Astrid to her car. It wasn't much of a first date, but the purpose had been to get to know eachother. They exchanged phone numbers and Eric knew he would definitely consider asking her out again.

Eric waved goodbye to Astrid and then went to his car. He drove home happily and cooked his dinner. His evening went very well. He really wondered if Astrid could be the one from his dreams. She surely looked like it. It was all a little confusing. He wasn't completely sure what to think. It didn't matter too much at that point. When it came time for him to sleep he got ready as always and slid under the covers.

 

[Malicious Lullaby]

When the time came to leave, Astrid left, happily. She got his number and sure it may not have been a true first date but it was a really great way to get to know each other and see if there may be something. She would hope he would call. It was never her thing to call a guy, even if she had his number. She'd be expecting his call. Perhaps she was a little old fashioned that way.

Astoria had been dying for it to be night time. She couldn't even eat her dinner because she wanted to just sleep and go into his mind and find out what he was thinking. Confront him in the dream, point him away from that horrible clone of a girl.

Finally it was time and she got ready for bed before actually jumping into bed. Since her mind was so over exhausted from all this thinking, it was easy for her to fall asleep and eventually place herself into his dreams. It took place at the fountain, where they first locked eyes. She was wearing a tank top with shorts and her hair was tied up in a messy bun. It was actually the exact same thing she wore when they first locked eyes and she looked exactly the same. She'd never put her hair up into a tight ponytail or tight buns or anything that conformed to her scalp. That was a huge difference with her and Astrid and immediately gave a little insight to their personalities. She knew; she could read people very well without diving into their minds.

Hugging her knees to her chest, Astoria looked over at the water fountain watching the water pour from the small bowl to the larger bowl, the sound it made, the music it made with every other natural sound around the place. It was so calming. Felt like a park.

Hearing scuffing of feet, she saw him and she instantly hopped off the fountain and walked over to him. It was obviously a dream because she looked like she was coming from sleep time. Then again, she would actually come out of the house looking like that too. "Remember me?" She asked softly, fiddling with her hands in front of her. She was nervous. Somehow she'd have to make him remember this dream. It was pivotal.

 

[Josu_T]

Eric soon slid into his dreams. He found himself in the park again. He slowly walked along the path until he spotted the beautiful girl. He stopped and watched her. She got up and approached him. He felt a little nervous. She asked if he remembered her. He looked into her eyes. Up close she definitely didn't look like Astrid. She was clearly someone different, but he didn't really realise that at the moment. In his dream he didn't know Astrid.

He didn't say anything for a moment, but then he reached out and took her hand. "I think so. Yes, I remember you. We danced together once." He smiled at her and at the thought. He held her hand loosely. Her skin was nice and soft. His eyes looked at her closely, memorising her features. He felt calmer now that she was right there talking with him.