Beautiful Dream (21 page)

“What time is it?” She yawns.

I roll over; the clock illuminated the otherwise pitch-black room. “9:30.” I rub my eyes, reaching for the lamp on the nightstand.

“Wow,” she sighs, sitting up, and I don’t want her to go.

“You’re not going to leave, are you?”

“I didn’t want to assume,” she blushes.

“Assume,” I turn back towards her.

“Okay,” she bites her lip. “Let me just text my Mom and tell her I’m staying at a friends.”

“A friends?” I inquire. “Who is this
friend
?”

“He’s wonderful,” her eyes widen. “Dark, thick hair, gorgeous blue eyes,” she sighs.

“Sounds like he’s extremely good-looking,” I tease.

“He’s devilishly handsome.”

“Oh, well now I’m just plain jealous of the guy!” I kiss her. “Can your
friend
interest you in ordering a pizza? Perhaps one with half ziti on it?”

I start to stand, and she grabs my leg before I get too far.

“Yes,” her eyes ignite. “Afterwards.”

“Afterwards?” I question, suddenly feeling the warmth of her mouth around my dick.

~*~*~*~*~

The past few weeks have been the most amazing weeks of my life. Aside from Brittney no longer being a threat, Luci and I have been spending all our time outside of school together. I really couldn’t have hoped for anything better.

Most days she comes home with me, and on the mornings after she sleeps over, Gracie meets up with her at my place and they ride to school together. Then, I follow soon after.

Today is one of those random half-days, and as soon as Luci leaves my apartment, I pack up my briefcase before running back into the bedroom, almost forgetting my tie.

I can’t help my smile, seeing the unmade bed and her clothes on the floor. I love having so much of her here. In fact, I’d be lying if I weren’t a little sad that I’m not going to see her this weekend.

Luci doesn’t have to stay for the half-day of meetings, and even though the schools play opens to the public tonight, she already saw it during hours. Her friend Ren is in the city for some workshop, so she’s going to meet her for the weekend. Coincidentally, I’m also going to the city later, only, I’ll be there for Matt’s bachelor party.

I get to school and set graded labs on my desk. Half-days are more annoying than anything because the periods are so short that I never get enough accomplished. One of the district-wide meetings today is to rule on the idea of alternating morning and afternoon sessions, so we get more done. Alternatively, since the periods will be normal length, half of the classes risk being behind until the next half-day. It’ll be an interesting vote, and I’m leading the proceedings.

The morning passes quickly, and I’m sad I don’t get to see Luci before she leaves.

I pop in to a few of the different meetings, checking in on things, before heading to my own.

The vote to try the new schedule wins, and really, I’m just glad everyone came to a consensus so quickly. We actually get out early, and I return to find an unusually empty apartment, since Luci isn’t around. I debate going for a run, but end up cleaning out a few draws instead, hoping it’ll give her more room to keep clothes for when she stays over.

Afterwards, I pack up my car so I can head straight to the city as soon as the schools play ends. I, unlike Luci, didn’t get the chance to see it during hours, and of course Deb and Gracie would never let me live it down if I miss it.

I buy my ticket and grab a snack in support of the school’s band, spotting Luci’s parents as they walk in.

“Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham?” I smile.

“Mr. Harrington,” Luci’s Mom smiles. “How’s Gracie doing in class?”

As soon as I meet her eye it dawns on me, just by the way she’s looking at me, that she has no idea about Luci and I being together.

Luci hasn’t been worried about the people at school; she’s being secretive because of her parents.
She hasn’t said a damn thing to them about us.

“She’s doing very well,” I hide my shock and disappointment. “Both of them are wonderful ladies.”

“That’s right! I’m sure you’ve seen Luci around now that she’s student teaching here!”

The length these girls must have gone through in order to keep the scandalous rumor that rocked the district away from their parents stuns me.

“Yeah, I’ve seen her around a lot actually,” I respond, before excusing myself. I’m upset and angry that Luci hasn’t told them, and I walk outside to call her, but she doesn’t answer.

Chapter 17

-Luci-

The train arrives at Penn Station and screeches to a halt. I grab my bag and rush off as fast as I can.

I was so excited when Ren called last week to tell me about the workshop she’s doing in the city this weekend.

“Luci!!” I hear my name as soon as I step onto the platform. Ren rushes up to me, nearly knocking me down with a hug, and my duffel falls to the ground.

“It’s been too long!”

“Come!” She takes my hand, and I grab my bag as we break into a giddy run. “We can drop your stuff off at my hotel and then grab food. I’m so excited you’re here!”

“Me too!” I squeal. “How’s school?”

“Good!” She says as we lock elbows. “It sounds like you don’t miss it at all.”

“I don’t,” I sigh.

“So I take it you and lover boy are doing well?” We stop at a cross walk, waiting for the light to change.

“Lover boy?” I laugh, and she shrugs. “Things are going well,” I sigh. “Great, actually. Except a few minor setbacks.”

“Like that Brittney bitch?”

“Yeah. She’s actually been okay lately. Ever since they kissed, ugh! I don’t know exactly what he said to her, but I guess it worked.”

“You guys are so hot and heavy!” She bumps her shoulder into mine.

“Very,” I sigh.

“This is it,” she says as we arrive at the hotel.

“Wow! This is where they’re putting you up?”

“I know, right!” She smiles wide.

“Ren!” A man voice calls, and we both turn around. He walks up and kisses her on both cheeks.

“Dan, this is my best friend, Luci. Luci, this is Dan. He’s also in the workshop.

“Hi,” Dan and I briefly shake hands, before he starts talking to Ren.

“Dan is also in the workshop,
and
the guy you’re currently sleeping with,” I accuse.

“Ugh, am I that obvious?” She cringes, watching him walk away.

“Kind of,” I laugh.

“But back to you,” Ren presses the elevator button, and we step inside.

“I practically stay at his apartment all the time.”

“Are your parents suspicious?”

“Very,” I admit. “Although…”

“What?”

“He’s always gets these texts and missed calls from these other girls, and especially after the whole Brittney thing, I hate them
all
.”

“Really?” She scrunches her face. “That’s annoying, are you worried?”

“He never answers them. In fact, I don’t think he even notices them,” I shake my head. “I only do because he leaves his phone out, and I happen to see when it lights up, which is like all the time.”

“Have you asked him about it?”

Ren slides her hotel key into the door and we head inside.

“No,” I sigh. “What good could possibly come of it?”

“Do you not trust him? I mean this is a limited opinion based on the couple of times I’ve met him, but that man is
into
you!”

“I know, and I do,” I pause. “But I can still be wary and cautious. Sometimes love makes us blind. We ignore the bad and focus only on the good, and I’m
very blind
to everything when it comes to him.”

“That’s extremely profound for someone who is as lovesick as you are,” she laughs. “But seriously, if there’s one thing I know, because I’ve seen it with my own eyes, is that the love that both of you have doesn’t seem to fade.”

“I’m just jealous of these other girls, even though I have no reason to be,” I roll my eyes. “I see their names and I don’t even want to know about them. I don’t even want to think about it,” I shudder. “He can hurt me like no one else can.”

“That’s usually what happens,” Ren sighs. “Love sucks.”

“It’s weird,” I laugh. “We’ve only been back together a short time, and I’m already in so deep. I know it’s silly.”

“It’s not,” Ren places a hand on my shoulder. “It’s not like you don’t know each other. You were together for a while, and all you did during your time apart was pine for him.”

“Yeah, I guess,” my voice trails off.

“Speaking of school… You have to tell me more about this Brittney bitch,” her eyes widen, amused. “I think I want to put a character like her in the screenplay for my final writing class.”

“Okay,” I roll my eyes. “Over lunch, I’m starving.”

“Wait,” she stops me. “I have a better idea!”

I look at her expectantly.

“Let’s order room service! It’s on the theater company!”

It’s getting late, and Ren and I are two glasses of wine in, laughing hysterically at nothing, when there’s a knock at the door.

“You get it,” Ren falls over laughing.

I unlock the door and open it wide.

“Dan!” I say loudly, warning Ren.

“Hey, Dan!” She shouts.

I move aside to let him in, before grabbing another scoop of ice cream.

Dan ends up staying, and we decide to watch a movie. Thirty minutes later, we still can’t seem to pick one.

Never argue movies with a theater major, let alone two.

Dan pauses our debate to go to the bathroom, and I take the opportunity, turning towards Ren.

“You know, I can go,” I whisper.

“No, of course not!”

“Renata,” I give her a serious look.

“Lucinda,” she answers, before pausing, and I give her another look.

“You really wouldn’t mind?” She starts to cave. “You took the train all the way here!”

“It’s not like it’s that far,” I stand. “And I still had a great time hanging out with you.”

“It’s late though, will you be okay? You really don’t have to go,” she pauses. “It’s just, after this week he’s going back to LA.”

“I’ll be fine,
Mom
,” I joke.

“Yeah you probably just want to see lover boy anyway,” she laughs.

“Lover boy,” I roll my eyes. “Is busy at a bachelor weekend with his soon-to-be brother in-law.”

“Ugh those are so gross!” She recoils.

“I know,” I nod my agreement, before pausing. “You know, I think Dan is waiting for you in the bathroom,” I laugh.

“I think so too,” she blushes, making a face.

“Tell him I said it was nice to meet him.”

We say our goodbyes, and soon I’m heading back down to the lobby.

I tighten the scarf around my neck, bracing myself for the outside cold. I fish out my phone, attempting to pull up a train schedule, hoping their still running at this late hour, when I notice I have a missed call from Josh. It’s from hours ago, and I can’t believe I didn’t hear my phone.

I can’t seem to pull up the schedule I need, so I start to call Gracie, but realize it’s a lost cause, since she’s probably still at the after party. My parents wouldn’t be able to find a train schedule if it hit them in the face, and Josh is most likely well into his party now.

By the time I reach 7
th
avenue, I’m still unable to pull up a timetable. I end up calling Josh. He
did
call me earlier, so it would be more like I’m merely calling him back. I just don’t want him to think I’m checking up on him.
Ugh.

“Hey!” He sounds excited to hear from me. That’s good.

“I’m so sorry to bother you!”

“I was actually just about to call you… again,” he laughs. “I was getting worried. How’s it going?”

There’s noise and music in the background, and his party sounds extremely wild. I try not to let my imagination wander too far.

“Good,” I sigh. “Did you by any chance bring your computer with you, or have one nearby?”

“Oddly,” he laughs. “That’s not the most random thing I’ve been asked today. But no, I didn’t. Why?”

“Crap. I need to find train times.”

“Train times?” His voice grows concerned. “I thought you were sleeping at Ren’s hotel with her tonight?”

“Well, I ended up not, so I’m gonna just go home, but I don’t know if trains are still running. I didn’t realize how late it is when I left.”

“Why don’t you come here?”

“Isn’t it sort of a guys thing?” I hesitate.

“We’re supposed to be having fun, that’s what this weekend is about, and there’s no fun to be had if you’re with me.”

“Well…”

“Come on,” he coaxes.

“Okay,” I agree.

“Well that didn’t take a lot of persuading,” he laughs.

“In case you haven’t noticed,” I smile. “You don’t ever really have to convince me to see you.”

“I
have
noticed that.”

I laugh as he gives me the name of the hotel, and he stays on the phone with me until I get there, giving me instructions on how to get up to the penthouse.