With those comforting words, Juno hung up and sighed. “I can’t kiss him without his consent, and I can’t just ask him for a kiss.”
“Why not?” I asked, sitting up, laughing when both men jumped in fright. “Sorry I startled you.” I wasn’t really sorry, more eager to see if this was still a dream or not.
Before I could ask if I was, in fact, dreaming, sleepiness came over me in a rush and then the world turned black.
I woke up in my bed, or I rather jumped up, looking around for Juno, hoping he was near. Had it been a dream? Fuck, that had felt so real! I was immensely disappointed. I wanted Juno to kiss me. I’d been so desperate that Dream Me had given away that I wasn’t sleeping anymore. What a wonderful dream, weird, but wonderful. I remembered every detail, like how his father had sounded, about them not being from this world, and then his friend who was with him in the dorm room. I hadn’t seen his friend before, and that wasn’t normal for dreams. Had it truly happened? I would need to ask Juno.
I rushed out of bed and looked at the time. It was six in the morning, giving me plenty of time to get dressed and head to work on time. Had I truly slept the day away? I’d had a date planned with Juno! Had I forgotten? Or was everything that happened real? But what had happened between then and now?
Looking at my phone I found no texts from Juno which was weird, right? We had plans so he would’ve definitely texted me to ask where I was and what we were doing. This seemed like proof enough that last night was real. But why did I then not remember anything else? I needed to find Juno straight after work.
Earl was impressed with yet another early arrival. I preened internally at finally being a good employee as I started my work day, letting everything that had happened move into the back of my mind as I made coffee and greeted our regulars.
I left work, feeling determined and eager to see Juno. Hayley’s laugh reached me from across the street, momentarily taking my mind off him. She was walking with Wren, sending him looks of utter devotion and happiness. It made me smile to see her so happy. She was so into him she didn’t even look my way, and I didn’t bother waving or disturbing them, just continued on my way.
My phone started buzzing in my pocket, so I eagerly pulled it out, only to see my mother was the one calling me. I sighed and answered. I could chat a bit before I found Juno.
“Hi, honey!” she greeted me. “Dinner tonight? And make sure to bring Hayley this time.” Was she here? I looked around the street, waiting to find my mother somewhere watching Hayley with another man. When I knew she wasn’t lurking in the shadows, I sighed out loud.
“Can’t do that Mom.”
“Oh, then tomorrow?”
“Hayley and I broke up.” I figured it would be best just to get it out there, rip the bandage off or whatever.
“Are you yanking my stocking right now?”
Eww.“What does that even mean?!” I exclaimed, already done with the conversation.
“I can’t believe you would let a perfectly nice girl like Hayley get away. Do you know how hard finding a girl like that is nowadays?Oh, she broke up with you. Isthatit? I told you those “ideas” of yours were a waste of time! And now she dumped you, hon.”Wow, my mom truly thought little of me.
“It was a mutual decision,” I explained as calmly as I could.
“Sure, it was, hon,” she replied with a condescending tone. I rolled my eyes, truly contemplating breaking up with my mother too.
“So, she won’t be joining us for dinner anymore,” I added, moving the conversation along as I neared campus.
“You’re not even gonna fight for her?” My mom sounded like she was clutching her heart dramatically.
“Why would I? We both wanted to break up,” I reminded her.
“Yes, you said that. I just don’t think it’s the best option for you. Sure, Hayley could find another guy easily, but not many good girls would like to date a guy who spends hours in the library, forgetting their partners needs and wastes his time on ‘ideas’.” I was furious now. This was my life. Why was she acting like she cared about me? This wasn’t caring, this was about control. She liked Hayley and needed her back in the family, no matter what I wanted. No matter what I said.
“She already has. Great guy by the way,” I sassed, regretting it immediately. Now it would take ages for the phone call to end.
“Did you just sass me?” she asked with deathly calm. I knew now was the time to retreat, to apologize and take my words back, but then I spotted Juno walking out with the guy from yesterday, and how his eyes brightened when he spotted me, his lips pulling into a beaming smile as he made his way over to me.
I found myself hanging up on my mom, no longer caring about being a good son, as I smiled back at Juno.
“Hi,” Juno said, smiling big enough to show just how perfectly white his teeth were.
“Hi,” I sighed dreamily, feeling like I could breathe again.
“Ready for our date tonight?” he asked casually.
What?“Um, wasn’t it yesterday?” I asked confused.
He blinked and then shook his head. “No, I’m sure it was today.” Was he trying to act like yesterday hadn’t happened? I knew it had, I recognized his friend who had sneaked off when Juno spotted me.
