“NO!”
Sweat covered his forehead, as his chest rose and fell violently.
His heartbeat was pounding quickly.
The dream, that melody, that girl.
He took a deep breath and forced himself to sit upright.
“It’s just a dream, it’s just a dream,” he muttered.
His fingers shook slightly as he poured himself a glass of water, to calm his nerves down.
One glass.
The coldness of the water helped him a little bit.
As he wiped his lips out of his habit, his eyes unconsciously drifted to the old wooden shelf beside his bed.
His father’s warm smile in that photoframe, denied the fact that he had left them.
Dean stared at the picture for a long time.
His eyes slowly reddened.
“Why did you leave us, Dad?” he whispered, “Why?…”
His voice cracked.
A tear rolled down his cheek.
People around him said to his family, that time will heal everything.
But, they were wrong.
The house still felt emptier.
His mother’s smile still carried a pain.
Ellie was still pretending to be stronger than she was.
And Dean, he still couldn’t figure out why his father had chosen to leave without saying goodbye.
He clenched his fists, “I miss you.”
The room fell silent.
He stood up and put the photoframe upside down.
The amount of bulky thoughts in his mind, snatched all his sleep, he checked time on his phone.
It was 4 am now.
He scrolled his university’s website to check out the news on the student’s tab.
Freshers’ Night!
Join us this Friday at 7 PM for music, games, performances, and an unforgettable evening under the stars.
Annual Art Exhibition
All students are invited to showcase their artwork.
Submissions close this Friday.
A notification popped up on his screen from the Student’s chatroom.
University Chatroom (143 unread messages)
Kloe: BROOO!
Freshers’ Night is finally here!
June: Forget the festival.
Have you guys seen the new girl from the Music Department?
Ray: Dude, she is ridiculously pretty.
Kloe: Pretty?
She asked me for directions yesterday and I forgot my own existence.
June: Delulu pro max!
An image popped up in the chat.
Dean glanced at the blurred preview before scoffing, “A bunch of idiots.”
Without even opening it, he tossed his phone onto the bed.
Dean stretched lazily and started making his to-do list for the day.
Right now, he had more important things to do than fooling around in some random chats.
After some time, Dean stepped out of the bathroom, a towel simply laying over his head.
The moment Ellie saw him, she froze dramatically.
Then she rubbed her eyes.
“Am I still dreaming?”
Dean frowned.
“The great King woke up early, took a shower and is actually getting ready before noon?” She gasped and placed a hand over her chest.
Dean rolled his eyes, and threw the wet towel straight at her face.
“YOU IDIOT! IT’S WET!”
Their mother, who had been preparing breakfast, couldn’t stop laughing.
“Both of you, stop now.”
“He is practically bullying me!”
Dean scoffed, “You are twenty-five now, grow up.”
Ellie grabbed a cushion.
“Say that again!”
Dean immediately ran at the back of his mother.
“TWENTY-FIVE!”
“Dean! Both of you, quietly sit down and have your breakfast,” Their mother warned.
The siblings exchanged a glare before reluctantly taking their seats, for a while, only the clinking of spoons filled the room.
After a sip of hot coffee, Dean casually said, “I’ll be home late today.”
His mother looked up, “Why?”
“Firstly I have to submit my thesis paper to Professor Kote, than I have an appointment with Ms. Decca.”
Ellie smiled gently but didn’t tease him this time.
“And after that?” she asked.
“Joey is dragging me to buy clothes for Freshers’ Night.”
Ellie immediately clasped her hands together, “Oh, this is amazing.” She quickly grabbed her phone, and sent Dean money, “Have some good time, maybe you’ll finally stop being single.”
Dean choked on his drink, while his mother burst out laughing.
“Ellie.”
Ellie started packing up her stuff, after finishing her breakfast.
As she was walking downstairs, she shouted, “If someone wants a ride to their college, they should be down in 5 minutes!”
“Fuck!” Dean started gulping down his food fast.
His mother sighed helplessly, “She is just kidding, slow down, Dee.”
Dean rushed to his room quickly, picked up his things and rushed down.
Meanwhile, Ellie was sitting inside her car, one hand resting on the steering wheel, while the other, scrolling her phone.
Dean opened the passenger door and got in.
Ellie started the engine.
The car slowly pulled out onto the busy morning road.
For a few minutes, neither of them spoke.
The music played softly in the background.
“So…”
Dean immediately became cautious, “What?”
“Need any help for Freshers’ Night?”
Dean sighed, “Thank you, but a huge NO!”
Ellie grinned, “Come on bro, it’s about you meeting a cute girl.”
Dean groaned loudly, “Can you just drive the car instead of trying to give me some matchmaking tips.”
Ellie burst out laughing.
A few minutes later, she parked her car near the entrance.
Dean stepped out of the car.
The university campus was bustling with students.
Freshers’ Night banners hung across the pathways, and groups of students gathered everywhere, excitedly discussing the upcoming event.
Dean adjusted the strap of his backpack and started walking towards the main building.
His steps suddenly froze.
A girl stood beneath a maple tree.
Long black hair cascading down her waist.
That figure, it was similar to—
“…Dream?” without releasing, Dean whispered.
The girl slowly began to walk away.
Dean started following her.
It couldn’t be possible, yet every part of him screamed, it’s her.
Dean quickened his pace.
Just as he was about to call out, “Hey—”
A pile of books crashed onto the ground.
“Ouch!” Dean staggered backward.
“You blind idiot!” Joey shouted from the floor.
Dean blinked.
Joey sprawled on the ground beside an overturned book cart surrounded by dozens of scattered books.
“Were you daydreaming?” Joey groaned, “Now help me.”
Dean helped him stand up and put the books back in the cart.
He was glancing at the place where he lost her.
Joey followed his gaze, and smirked.
“Music Department Girl?”