In my Dreams by Courtney Barnes (each kindness read aloud .txt) 📖

must have been the reason I didn’t mind so much when I was assigned to the concession stand. It didn’t even bother me when a whiny little girl sneezed on my hand, or that a four year old boy knocked a container of popcorn all over me. Although, I was thankful to take my break…until Zack walked in.

I sat at the far table, enjoying my diet coke and dill pickle chips, when he and a few other people I work with came in talking about one of the movies that was playing.

“Hey Sarah,” Zack said, plunking down in the chair next to mine.

“Hey,” I answered, leaning back in my seat, balancing my pop can on my knee.

“What time are you off?”

It was hard to hear him, Jack and Chloe were arguing behind us about what movie they were going to watch when their shift was over.

I swallowed the chip I had just stuffed in my mouth. “Seven o’clock.”

He smiled. “Me two, do you want to stay and watch a movie with me.”

Oh god, did he mean like a date? “Oh, sorry I have plans tonight.” I tried to look disappointed. There was a moment of uncomfortable silence, until he started talking about the film he wanted to see.

I glanced at the old, dusty white clock on the back wall, and stood up to leave. My break was over.

“Maybe some other time.” I heard him say just as I was about to step out the door. I was so close. I cursed myself for not walking out sooner, or making up an excuse.

“Sure,” I said with a wave. I left the break room feeling uncomfortable with what had happened.

Around five thirty, I received a text from Lucas that said: “Finished work, have news on Logan. See u @ 7:30.” What did that mean, news on Logan? Great, that was going to drive me crazy until I saw him.

At seven o’clock, I signed out and headed outside. The lot was empty since the movies were still running, and while walking toward my car, I dropped my keys. Bending down to pick them up, I could still hear footsteps, even though I was no longer walking. I stood up and spun around. “Hello?” I yelled, when I didn’t see anyone around. I listened for an answer, or something that told me someone was just making their way to their car, but the parking lot was silent. The only sounds were in the distance. I took another step, and stopped quickly. Again I heard the footsteps. “Hello is anyone there?” I repeated, my voice wavered a little. Nothing. A shiver ran down my spine as I started running to my car, now the sounds of heavy footfalls echoed behind me.

Yanking my door open, I stumbled inside, sliding the key into the ignition. Once the engine roared to life, I stepped on the gas, and drove away as fast as I could.

Through the rear-view mirror, I saw a hooded figure standing where my car had been parked, staring after me. Fear overwhelmed me as I drove. Someone had followed me last week and now this? Why was this happening, and who was that?

I glanced down at my hands, and saw that they were shaking. I needed time to calm down, so I pulled into the corner store near my house. I couldn’t let my family or Lucas see me like this. Taking a few deep breaths, I slid a CD into the stereo, hoping to take my mind off the hooded man. I sat for a while singing my favorite song, thankful no one I knew saw me sitting in an empty corner store by myself, singing along to the radio. They would think I was nuts.

When I finally calmed down enough, I was a few minutes late to meet Lucas.

I drove fast to my house to try to beat him, but when I pulled up to the driveway, his car was already there, parked out front. Crap. How was I going to explain why I was late? I glanced in the mirror to see if it was obvious that I was shaken up. My face was a bit pale, but as long as no one looked too close, I could slip upstairs and splash water on my face.

“Hey,” I said stepping into the living room where my parents and Lucas were talking. Lucas turned around smiling. When he saw my face, his expression changed to concern.

“I’m sorry I’m late. Work was busy, and it took awhile to get away,” I lied.

Lucas didn’t appear convinced. His eyes were still clouded with worry. “That’s okay, I haven’t been here long.”

“We’re planning a guitar hero competition for later tonight. Lucas thinks he can beat me,” my dad was grinning as he stood leaning against our couch with his arms folded in front of him.

“Oh…okay. I’ll be right back. I’m going to go change.”

My parents went into the kitchen while Lucas followed me to the stairs. He grabbed my arm before I could start up the steps. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just feel bad that I’m late.”

With his brow furrowed, he hesitantly let go of my arm.

“I won’t be long,” I said, trying to reassure him with a pasted on smile. I rushed up the stairs, feeling guilty for lying.

In my room, I changed into a jean skirt with black tights, red shirt and a short, black leather jacket. Lastly, I fluffed my hair, and reapplied my make up. I looked less shaken, and I hoped Lucas would no longer be concerned. How could he tell I was upset? We hadn’t known each other that long.

I met him downstairs, and we said our goodbye to my parents.

The night sky held a chill, which was normal for mid October. My jacket was thin, choosing it for looks, not warmth. I zipped it up and folded my arms in front of me.

“You look beautiful,” Lucas said as he leaned in for a kiss. That was all it took to make me forget the cold weather, and what happened earlier, flattery from my maybe boyfriend.

My cheeks flushed. “Thank you.”

He opened the car door for me, walked over to the driver’s side, and climbed in.

“So where are we going?” I asked, once we pulled away from my house.

“What do you think about the Chinese Dragon on Main Street?”

“I love it. They have the best Chinese food in town.”

“Yeah I know. I go there a lot, just don’t tell my parents.”

“Your secret’s safe with me. Why would they care though, they don’t sell Chinese food, do they?”

“No, but it’s still a restaurant. I eat there when I want something different.”

“Like I said, I won’t tell.” I was in a much better mood, being near him calmed me.

He pulled into the restaurant parking lot, turned off the car, and turned to me. “Are you going to tell me what was really wrong, when you got home from work?”

“I had a long day, that’s all. Now let’s go, I’m starving.” I smiled, hoping he wouldn’t push it any further. He must have believed me, because he opened his door, and climbed out. We held hands as we headed into the restaurant.

Once we were seated at a table, I asked him what he meant in the text he sent me.

“Logan lost his car for three weeks,” he said grinning.

“Oh no, is he mad?” And was he going to take it out on me?

“He wasn’t happy. He thinks one of us told my mom, so he tried to pick a fight with me. But I was in too good a mood last night, I just walked away.”

“Why were you in a good mood?”

“I kissed the prettiest girl in school.”

“Who, Sherry Summers? That Bitch!”

He laughed. “I said the prettiest, and that would be you!”

I was happy and embarrassed at the same time. I turned my head before my cheeks turned red.

When the waitress came to our table, we ordered two sodas, and a variety of dishes to share. “So how was work?” he asked taking a sip of his drink. The waitress had set it in front of him.

I took a sip of my diet coke before I answered. “Good, it was fairly steady, so it went fast enough. Oh, and Zack asked me out on a date.”

“What?” he asked wide eyed. “Who’s Zack?”

“A guy at work, he started about three weeks ago. He’s okay, a bit weird maybe.”

“Why do you say that?” He leaned back in his chair waiting for my answer.

I sighed, I hadn’t planned on explaining, but since I started, I had to finish. “Marcy Becker told me that on his first night working, he asked a lot of questions about me, even though we hadn’t met yet.”

“That is weird. Why would he do that?”

“Well my assistant manager mentioned my name, and Marcy said he looked like he recognized it.”

His hand that lay on the table, balled into a fist. I looked at him curiously, but he smiled, picked up his drink, and took a sip. His hand shook slightly. “Did you know him before?”

“No.” I glanced around the restaurant, hoping he would drop the subject.

The waitress came with our meal. The food smelled and looked delicious, I couldn’t wait to try it.

“What did you tell him about tonight when he asked you out?” he asked, his face took on a worried expression.

I waited until the waitress finished laying out our food before I spoke, “I told him that I had plans.” I filled my plate with my favorites: rice, chicken balls and chow mien.

Lucas chose ribs, chicken balls, spicy beef and orange chicken. Typical guy, all meat, and no vegetables.

“Didn’t you tell him that you had a boyfriend, so he doesn’t ask you again?”

I froze, holding my fork in mid air, about to take a bite. “Do I have a boyfriend? Is that what you are?” I was a little nervous to hear his answer.

“I hope so?” His sudden looked of uncertainty was sweet.

“Then, if he asks me out again, I’ll tell him that I can’t, because I’m dating a very sweet guy.” My cheeks reddened as I spoke the words.

He smiled that beautiful smile that made my knees go weak. “Good. Then I don’t have to punch him out.”

I laughed and began my meal. We ate silently, enjoying the food.