Kate and Mike were already sitting at the poker table as came into the kitchen. Taking our seats, Mike began dealing.
Hours flew by and it came down to me and Drew. Eventually we decided it was a draw, though we were both very competitive and neither of us wanted to give up.
Mike suggested we each put ten dollars in to make the game more exciting. Digging into our pockets and purses to donate, a loud thump from outside attracted our attention. A sound like the bass from a car stereo, but it stopped in front of the house. Mike went to the window, looking out.
He looked back at us and smiled, then opened the door for whoever was interrupting our game. A tall platinum blond girl walked in.
I became self-conscious. She was beautiful. Skin tanned, as if she had just returned from some far away island. Bright blue eyes and the perfect body.
Behind her, stood Chris. My stomach knotted. What was he doing with her? I felt myself sinking into my seat, hands clinging to it. He threw his arm around her, as if she was a trophy and began greeting everyone.
I tried to hide. Everyone greeted them.
“Jasmine!” Drew yelled picking her up twirling her around.
I had no clue who this was and why my boyfriend's arm was around her.
He found me quickly and smiled. Came towards me with open arms.
I shot him a glare and he shook his head, his lips tightened. He reached back, grabbed the blonde and introduced us, “Faith this is Jasmine. Jasmine, my girlfriend Faith.”
She smiled her pearly whites and I had to shield my eyes, returning the smile. ”Nice to meet you,” I said.
Glancing at Chris, she looked back at me. “Chris has not shut up about you since he picked me up from the airport,” she said, laughing.
I wondered who she was to him, faked a smile and acted like I was checking my phone for a missed call.
Chris put his arms around me from behind and whispered in my ear, “She’s my cousin.”
My breath came back to me, instantly relieved. “No one compares to you,” he whispered again.
I turned around and rolled my eyes, gently slapped his arm and he chuckled. “I thought you were going to jump out of your seat and kill everyone in the room” he laughed.
I held my fist up, shaking it at him. “Just you,” I said smirking.
He bit his bottom lip, leaned into me and pulled my face closer to his. He put his lips to mine. I melted in my seat, no longer cross with him.
I was in his world of easy persuasion. Losing myself in his kiss, Drew interrupted with the clearing of his throat followed by a comment. “Okay guys, go get a room.”
In the dark room again, I knew someone inhabited the room with me. Hearing his hypnotic voice, I couldn't make out the words. An unknown language sounded. The man's voice summoned. Engulfing me, the sound vibrated within my veins. My heart thundered in my chest. Blood slowly climbed into my throat causing me to sit up. It spewed from my mouth in a gush.
Bright green eyes drew closer to me. His lips suddenly on mine. Pressing his tongue to my lower lip, licking the warm flow. I touched my tongue to his unconcerned. Kissing, he gently laid me down on the bed. Our clothes tossed away, our bodies entwined. As he entered me I woke.
Gasping for air, I clawed at a constriction around my throat, found nothing there, but still felt deprived of air. Dazed, I moved into the kitchen for a glass of water, gulped the sweet liquid urgently, as if starved for the stuff. I stood there, as the images of my dream overcame me. Glancing down at the glass I gripped, I noticed my hand shaking and placed the glass in the sink and tried ridding myself of the flashbacks. Still half asleep, I stumbled back to my room and climbed into bed. I tossed and turned the rest of the night thinking about the man in my dream. The feelings of lust wouldn't depart.
Chapter Twelve
Faith
For weeks I thought about the dream man, his voice haunted me. My body yearned for him. The thought of his body on top of mine excited me. I wanted to see him again.
When it came to Chris I did not have those feelings of lust. It worried me.
I had not seen Chris in weeks. When he tried to get together I told him I was sick. I pretty much pushed everyone away after the dream. I overheard my mom talking with Chris one night on the phone telling him that I had a nightmare, which resulted in me being distant from everyone.
I hoped he would not give up on me. I needed a little more time to understand what I was feeling before being alone with him again. I was scared the feelings of lust I had would result in me making a bad decision to go all the way with Chris. I was also afraid the desires were only for the mystery man in my dream, if acted out with Chris it would be deceptive on my part.
After weeks of trying to avoid him, in and out of school, I was finally ready to be alone with Chris. I decided to let him pick me up. I knew he wanted to hold me again from the way he spoke on the phone.
Picking me up from my house, we drove to a restaurant in Fayetteville. Shogun, was a Japanese restaurant structured in glass. Walking in, the host showed us to our table upstairs, overlooking the city. “I think this is the nicest restaurant I’ve been in,” I whispered.
He smiled taking my hand. “I’m glad you're feeling better,” he said, looking at me.
I nodded. “Me too.”
I did miss him. Missed his hand on mine. I missed talking to my friend everyday, and the comfort he gave me.
We ordered our food and admired the view until it arrived. I tried to eat slowly trying not to over eat.
Chris cut into his steak, put it in his mouth and I watched as he repeated the process. I felt my body respond, focusing on his lips.
I saw my dream man's face again.
“You okay?” Chris asked.
I closed my eyes tightly and opened them trying to get my mind back on the here and now. “I’m fine,” I said, putting a piece of chicken in my mouth and chewing.
He chuckled under his breath shaking his head and continued to tease me as he ate.
We drove to a look out point above the city, where a huge cross attached to a solid piece of concrete stood towering. Lights winked into existence as darkness fell, looking like a string of tiny stars.
The mood was set and Chris leaned over pulling me close to him. He put his arm around me and we just looked over the city.
My body started to tingle, like that feeling was coming back. I wanted him to kiss me but he seemed lost in thought.
Impatient, I straddled myself over him and pressed my lips to his. Surprised, he flinched at my sudden attack. I kissed him harder, grabbing the back of his head with my hand.
He responded willingly, his body responding to mine, but moments later he began tensing up. He grabbed my arms to restrain me. “We need to stop,” he said.
I was taken back because that was usually my line. “I know this isn’t how you’d want your first time. In a cramped up truck and all.”
He was trying to find an excuse. I looked at him and started to kiss him again. “I want you right now,” I said.
My body had caught fire and I couldn’t take it anymore. “I’m ready,” I whispered. I thought he was going to cave in, as he pressed his body closer to mine. After awhile of intense making out, he slowed his pace.
“I’m not,” He mumbled.
Shocked, I lay back against his steering wheel looking at him, wondering why he wouldn’t take me. He put his hands around my waist lifting me off him, and sat me back on the seat. “I want to wait for you,” he said, eyes cast downward.
I sighed and leaned my head on his shoulder. “I was ready,” I whispered.
He glanced at me, “Not yet…” Turning the key in the ignition, we headed home.
Dropping me off, Chris drove away quickly. I could hear Mom snoring as I entered my room. I climbed into bed curling up in my blanket and dreamed about the man again. We lay on a hardwood floor in a bright room surrounded by books. Starring at each other, our hands touched. A feeling of love consumed me. He kiss
ed my lips and said, “I love you.”
Waking to the real world, my heart caved in, the separation unbearable. I ran to the bathroom and got sick.
An overwhelming sense of loss consumed me. I couldn't shake it off. I returned to bed, unable to function.
Chris kept calling. I couldn't force myself to answer. Looking at the screen I saw there were eight missed calls. I ignored them and decided to take a nap. Waking up hours later, I checked my phone. I decided to reply with a text message since Chris harassed me all day. Replying to one of the messages, I told him I thought it would be best to set a date for us to be intimate. He agreed and finally left me alone.
I cooked Mom dinner that night. After, we ate and sat down and watched a movie. I was thinking of asking her opinion about Chris and my confusion.
Deep in thought mom glanced over and asked if I was okay. I looked at her and figured this time was a better than any.
“Mom, I need to talk to you about something”
She paused the movie and positioned her body towards mine. “Okay honey…”
Hesitating for a moment, I plunged forward. “I like Chris a lot mom, but he’s already telling me he loves me. I don’t think I feel the same way. I know I want him around all the time and I like kissing him, but I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel.” She smiled. “Faith, when your in love with someone you just know it. You feel like you can't live without that person, and there’s no questioning it”
“So, if I’m not in love with someone” I hated saying these words to her. “Should I not have sex with them even though I want to?”
“I can't tell you who to sleep with Faith but I can tell you it’s better when you're in love with that person. If you feel like your ready to make that commitment then do it. But don’t rush it, you have plenty of time for all that. You're still young.”
I nodded, “Thanks Mom.” She smiled and cupped her hand over mine. Later, I went to my room to do homework I needed to finish before I went back to school the next day. Afterward, I decided to call him and tell him my decision.
“Faith,” he answered.
“Yeah, I’m here,” I said. “So my decision… is for valentines day. Maybe we can go somewhere nice.”
Silently he breathed deeply into the phone.
“Is that okay?” I asked.
“Perfect,” he said.
I had about eight months to prepare. We talked on the phone until I could keep my eyes open no longer. We said goodbye and hung up.
A month came and went and It seemed as if one day ran into another. I was in a fugue. The dreams came more frequently, and despite knowing it was unhealthy, I wanted to remain there with my dream man.
After a dream if I saw Chris, and we were alone, I would throw myself at him. He continued to remind me about the day we had planned, and it was getting more difficult for him to refuse me.
Poor Chris. I felt guilty, toying with his emotions. Apart of me knew something was wrong. As if this dream had triggered some crazy part of my primitive mind and overwhelmed that rational being I knew I was. I knew the dreams were beginning to cause problems in my real life. But still, i didn't want Him to disappear.
At school the next day, we all sat outside to eat. Chris made fun of Drew about the date he had with his cousin Jasmine. He told him Jasmine has a foot fetish and he better make sure his feet are nicely cleaned before picking her up. Everyone laughed about it.
Unsmiling and distant Kate seemed distracted. I sat next to her, “Are you okay?” I asked.
“Mike was supposed to go with me to London next week but he canceled. Said his dad needs him for a job or something.” I patted her on the back trying to make her feel better.
She glanced over at me smiling like she was going to jump up and shout something.
“Faith please go with me. I have this extra ticket and I still want to go. Please,” she begged.
I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to go but I had school and my mom and…. Chris. I shook my head, “Uh I don’t know if that’s a good idea right now,” I said.
“Come on Faith, this will be a huge favor. Really. I don’t want to go alone.”
“I don't know.” I said hesitatingly.
“If you could come with me I'll pay for everything. We’ll have fun.”
I have always wanted to go to Europe, and it did sound exciting. “Okay, I'll go but on one condition,” I said.
“Yes?!”
“You will help me do all my homework when we get back.”
She jumped up and hugged me tightly.
“Okay don’t break me,” I mumbled.
Chris glanced over, curious.
Kate ran over to him, jumping up and down. He put his arms out looking at me shaking his head. “Did I miss something?” he asked over her excited chatter.
“Faith just agreed to go to London with me next week!”
He visibly paled. “Ohh”
“Oh come on. You can live without her for three days. We will be back before you know it!”
After Kate had left Chris came and sat down next to me.
“So, your really going?” He asked sadly.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I?”
He nodded. “True. You're right. Why wouldn’t you?” He said sarcastically.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I belched back. “I’m sorry… I’m just jealous is all. Three days alone with you, what I‘d give to be in her shoes right now. Go have fun. You deserve it.” He said, forcing a smile. I pulled his face to mine and kissed him softly. “Thank you,” I said.
“Just don’t fall in love and run off with some English guy,” he smirked. I pinched his thigh as hard as I could, making him yelp.
Mom was excited for me when she heard about the trip. She began packing my things, until I told her I had another week. At dinner we sat in the living room and played scrabble between bites.
My phone began ringing from the other room. I ran to get it hoping it was Kate, so I could ask her about what kind of clothes to pack.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Hey babe,” It was Chris.
“Hey, what’s up?” I asked.
“Well, I was wondering if you would go to dinner with me tomorrow night. I'll take you to your favorite restaurant.”
“Sure,” I replied. I heard a sound outside of my window. Walking over I looked through my blinds.
There he was talking on his cell phone.
“What are you doing out there perv?” I asked.
He laughed. I went to the window and opened it.
“My moms awake,” I said.
“I know, I just wanted to surprise you.”
I climbed out and we sat outside and talked for awhile. He expressed his concerns about me going to London without a chaperone. I explained to him that when we arrived we would be staying with Kate's sister. The subject was dropped after easing his concerns.
Chris took me to my favorite restaurant, Shogun. He was acting more anxious then usual, he pulled a black box from his jacket pocket. He Smiled, “This is a promise ring, I want you to wear it to symbolize our commitment to each other. I will always be faithful to only you” He placed the ring on my finger.
I didn't know how to respond. I was surprised. “Thank you, its beautiful,” I said.
“Also I wanted to tell you something Faith.”
“What is it?” I asked curious.
“I'm also a virgin. I was raised to wait until I found someone I loved and respected before being intimate. I found that someone.”
“Really?”
Chris took my hand into his. “Yes. I'm excited to see what the future holds for us. I love you” He said.
I squeezed his hand, “I love you too.”
That was the first time telling him I loved him. The timing was perfect. I knew Chris would make me happy and I was excited about the prospect of a future with him. But, I also realized I now had to get rid of my dream man forever.
Chapter Thirteen
Faith
It was time to go and I was ready. I would be a little sad leaving my mom and Chris behind but it was only three days. We were going to stay with Kate's sister and her roommate. I kissed Mom goodbye and hugged her tight.
“I love you,” I told her. She kissed my head and pushed me towards Chris’s truck.
“Go have fun” she said.
Chris wanted to take us to the airport. Anything to get more time with me. We drove in silence. I knew it would be harder to say goodbye to him as he watched me walk to the gate. Not wanting this brief separation to deprive me of a good time, I brushed away my emotions. Making certain to show my excitement and hiding my anxiety. Me and Chris stood there before we got to the security check. Embracing, he pulled me tighter and buried his face in my neck.
“Don’t worry, ill be back soon,” I promised.
He kissed me and let me go. Turning away without a word, he walked out. I figured he was choked up or something and didn’t want to cry in front of me. I felt a little bad for this, but I was not going to let it get me down. I had to put him out of my head for this trip, so I could enjoy myself without feeling guilty.
On the plane I dreamed about the man again. More vivid then before, his face became recognizable. His appearance left me breathless. As I ran my hands through his dark hair and Stared into his green eyes I was overwhelmed by his presence. He took my hand and lead me passed a garden to a medieval castle. Communicating only with his mind, no words uttered, he told me not to be frightened by his family. Telling me they will not harm me.
His family greeted us as we went inside. There were many people about as if it was a party. We danced and drank red wine. They also only communicated through their minds. After the festivities, he took me to another room, that only we occupied. Taking my hand he gently kissed it and starred deeply into my eyes. “I love you Faith. I'm proud to call you my wife” I gasped and woke up.
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