I Will Wait For You

I wake up the next morning, in a sort of daze. I swing my legs around the bed, and place my feet on the floor, standing up. I stretch out, and walk over to gaze at myself in the mirror. Nothing seems out of the ordinary, but I can't shake this off feeling that I'm having. It must've been that terrible dream I had last night.

They say if you die in a dream, you die in real life... but I don't think I died. I just drifted away.

I'm not dead. I'm very much alive. How else would I be standing here right now?


Maybe I'm a ghost. HA.

I shower, and throw on some clothes and makeup, before heading to my car. I get in, and the radio immediately starts blasting Pearl Jam’s “Last Kiss.” I turn down the radio, wondering why I left it up that high in the first place and, also, if I’m deaf now because of it. I pull out of my drive, and head to work.

As I walk in to the office building, I can’t help but feel like everyone’s attention is on me. My boss is the first to come up, and greet me.

“Are you alright, Lakyn?” She asks, while we walk, together, toward my office.

“I’m fine. Why?”

“You just don’t look like you’re feeling very well, is all… but, if you say everything is fine, it must be.” She says, and turns on her heel, leaving me alone.

Well, that was odd. As if I wasn’t feeling weird enough already.

--

“Lakyn?”

I jolt upright at my desk, and look around. I can’t believe I just feel asleep at work. Never have I ever fallen asleep at work, until today. What in the Hell is wrong with me? I could’ve sworn someone had said my name… that is why I woke up… isn’t it? No one is in my office, though.

“Lakyn?” My boss, Janice, suddenly appears in my doorway, and I practically jump out of my chair. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It’s fine.” I feign a smile.

“I really think you should go home, Lakyn. You just don’t look very well. I think you need some rest.”

“I’ve only been here two hours.”

“I know, but I just think maybe you should take the rest of the day off. Get some sleep, and refresh yourself.”

“I promise you, I’m fine.”

“Lakyn, I insist. Don’t worry about things here, I’ll get it taken care of. Today is Friday, correct?”

“Yes…?” I answer, questioningly.

“Okay, good. I’ll see you back in the office on Monday, okay?”

“Well… I guess…if you insist?” I question.

“Yes, I insist. I’ll have Trina file it under paid time off, so you don’t have to worry about not being paid for the time you aren’t here.”

“Thank you.” I smile at her. I’m glad I’m not the only who notices how off I am today.

“It’s no problem.” Janice smiles. She walks away, and I gather my things.

As I leave the office, this terrible feeling overwhelms me. I feel like I shouldn’t get in my car, like something bad is going to happen. I worry that my dream is going to come true, even though Alexa isn’t with me. I get into my car, though my gut is screaming at me not to. I start it up, but I’m suddenly feeling light headed. I lay my head back on the seat, and close my eyes, just for a moment.

I wake up to my phone ringing in my lap.

“Hello?” I answer, sounding a little groggy.

“Lakyn?” Alexa asks, from the other end.

“Hey, Lex.”

“You sound like you just woke up.”

“Well, I sort of… did.”

“It’s eleven thirty, why would you be sleeping? Aren’t you at work?”

“I’m in the parking lot at work… Janice told me to go home for the day, because I look like I need rest.”

“Is everything okay?”

“I guess. I feel different today. I can’t describe it.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. I don’t know what’s going on with me. I fell asleep at work, and then again in my car, before I even left the parking lot.”

“Maybe you should see the doctor, something doesn’t sound right.”

“No… I’m sure I’m fine. It’s probably just that I didn’t get enough sleep last night. I had this terrible dream, and it probably had me tossing and turning.”

“Oh. Well, how about we go out later? You can tell me about your dream over some drinks?”

“I don’t know, I might fall asleep, and wake up with my head in a fishbowl, or something.” She laughs.

“Go home, take a nap, and then we’ll go out later on… say around eight?”

“Okay, okay, you convinced me.”

“Well it didn’t take much.”

--

As seven forty-five rolls around, I get in my car, and head to the bar to meet Alexa.

“Hey, you sexy bitch.” Alexa greets me, as I walk up to the bar, and take a seat next to her.

“Hello, gorgeous.” I greet her back.

“Oh, stop, I’m blushing.” She smiles. “How are you feeling now? Any better? Did you take a nap?”

“Yes, Mother, I took a nap. I feel a little better, still off, but better. Thanks for being so concerned.”

“Sorry, I’m just worried about you. You’re my best friend, Lake, I don’t want anything to happen to you. Plus, I don’t know anyone else in Huntington Beach yet, so if something did happen to you, I’d be all alone.”

“Gee, thanks. I feel loved.”

“You know I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She wraps an arm around my shoulders, side-hugging me. This whole show earns some weird looks from the male bartender.

“What? Can’t a girl hug her girlfriend?”

“Y-yeah. Sorry.” He says, and turns away.

“You make us sound like lesbians.” I laugh.

“Eh… Just let him think whatever he wants.” She smirks. She looks back at the bartender, and clears her throat, getting his attention. “Can we get some drinks, please?”

“Sure.” He walks over to us. “What can I get for you?”

“I’ll take a rum and coke.” She looks at me. “What do you want?”

“I’ll have a strawberry daiquiri.”

“I guess that makes me the male in the relationship.” Alexa laughs at my drink choice, and I can tell the bartender feels uncomfortable. He walks away to get the drinks, and I playfully slap Alexa on the shoulder. “What?” She asks, innocently.

“You’re totally making the bartender uncomfortable.” I laugh.

“So…”

“You’re such a…” At that moment, the bartender brings back the drinks. Alexa and I both reach for our money, to pay him.

“No…” He holds up a hand to us. “Compliments of the gentlemen at the end of the bar.” Alexa and I both glance toward the end of the bar.

“Wow.” Alexa whispers, waving at them. “I think it just got a little hotter in here.”

“Should I tell them that you’re…” The bartender starts to say, after a moment of silence, but pauses. He clears his throat, and starts to continue. “Not interested?” He chooses his words carefully.

“What are you insinuating?” Alexa looks at him, a smile playing on her lips, but she’s trying to play aloof.

“I umm… I just thought…”

“We really aren’t lesbians, if that’s what you’re thinking.” I speak up.

“Dammit! We totally had him going, Lake, why’d you ruin it?”

“I’m not going to lead this guy into believing we’re lesbians. I’m very much straight. I love men. LOVE MEN.” I enunciate the last two words, while looking at the bartender. Alexa laughs, and the bartender just stares at me, like I’m crazy.

“That’s good to know.” I hear a voice behind me, and I turn around. I have to look up, not only because I’m sitting, but because this man is tall, at least compared to my five foot four self. I meet his gaze, and I can’t help but notice his dimples, as he smiles down at me. “I’m Matt, the guy who bought the drinks.”

“Matt, it’s so nice to meet you! I’m Alexa. Thank you so much for the drinks.” Matt turns his smile to her.

“You’re very welcome.” Ugh. He’s probably so used to girls just throwing themselves at him, which Alexa is probably dying to do right now. I can’t say he isn’t attractive, but I’m not just going to let some guy buy me a drink, and think he can take me home later on. I’m not going to be that kind of girl.

“Nice to meet you.” I say, bluntly, and turn my attention back to the bar.

“I’m sorry.” Alexa says to Matt, as she elbows me in my side, earning a grunt from me. “My friend isn’t being very nice right now.”

“It’s okay. I’ll leave you alone. I just thought I’d introduce myself.” Blah blah blah.

“Excuse me, bartender?” I say. “Can I order a different drink? I think I’m going to need something much stronger.”

Notes

Sorry it took so long for me to update, I wanted to the other day, but the site was being dumb.
Hope you all like!
Let me know what ya think in the comments! Rate&subscribe if you wish! :)
-Jacq