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So I do what I do best. I avoid answering her directly and change the subject.
"What are you doing awake? What time is it?"
"Almost six o'clock. I have to meet with my professor this morning and wanted to review the course syllabus beforehand.”
Of course she did. I'm honestly surprised she doesn't have it memorized already. Classes start in a few days. It's our last official weekend before the grind begins again. My course load is heavy, per usual, and my adviser wants to meet with me next week. His email didn't sit well with me. There was something about it that caused the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end.
Not in a good way.
"I guess I could get up too." Tossing the covers back, I slip out of bed, my legs feeling unsteady as they carry me toward my waiting roommate.
"Coffee's ready," she states as I follow her into our common area.
It's not much, but it's home. I'd rather live in an apartment, and I could if I wanted to, but Alexis can’t, and I don't want to abandon her. Plus, the dorms aren't all that bad, as long as you don't eat at the cafeteria for every meal. The library is close, I don't have to search for parking every day, and if I have a break in my schedule, I can come home and relax.
Still, I plan on talking to Alexis about living off-campus for our senior year. We're already the only juniors in our building. Not that I really care what other people think. I just feel like it would be fun for us to have our own space. A bathroom meant for two people to share instead of twenty. And a kitchen we can cook more than microwave popcorn and pizza pockets in.
"I knew there was a reason I loved living with you," I confess as I pour myself a mug.
"You mean besides the fact I don't bitch you out when you scream bloody murder in the middle of the night?" she jokes.
"It's not the middle of the night," I counter, taking a sip and burning my tongue.
"Are you sure you're okay, Piper? There is a flush in your cheeks, and you're acting evasive."
Alexis knows me better than anyone else. I should have expected her to call me on my bullshit lies. Not that I've ever been a good liar. I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve, but after the last few months, I've gotten better at hiding my emotions. Especially from Alexis.
"I'm fine. Swear. Just rattled from the dream, that's all." Turning my back to where she's seated on our tiny love seat, I head back toward the safety of my room. "I'll be fine," I call over my shoulder as I shut the door behind me.
There's a confidence in my voice that surprises me.
Will I be okay?
Will these damn dreams ever end?
Will he ever show his face, my mystery man?
Do I even want to know who he is?
I've sworn off men and dating. Relationships fail. People get hurt. Lives are shattered.
Why bother?
Why put in the effort if the road only leads to heartache?
Not for everyone. There are happy couples. Finn and Willow are the first who come to mind.
And their relationship wasn't easy. They had to fight their feelings. Then they fought to be together.
I'm still surprised Max didn't punch Finn when he found out. I guess there's still time. Maybe it hasn't set in yet.
Willow and Finn give me hope. That one day I might find someone who makes me want to believe in love again. Someday.
Knowing who the man in my dream is won't change how I feel right now. I'm not looking for a relationship. I'm not even looking to get laid. If anything, finding out who my mystery man is would only complicate my life.
And I don't need complicated. I have enough on my plate.
Walking up the Palmers’driveway, a sense of dread washes over me. The last time I was here was for Mr. Palmer's wake. I felt the same heaviness in my chest that day as I do right now.
