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

Derrick and Emma are going to get together.” I leaned over to turn the radio station.

“It’s about time. Who made the first move?” She slapped my hand away and turned it back to her easy listening station.

“I did.” She raised one eyebrow but didn’t say anything. “I got tired of all the flirting and the glances when the other one wasn’t looking. Plus I think Derrick didn’t make a move because he didn’t want me to feel uncomfortable. I had to work Friday, so I suggested they go to a movie without me. Since it was my idea, I’m obviously okay with it.”

She smiled. “Pretty smooth, I’m impressed.”

“Yeah, Derrick basically jumped at the idea, and offered to pick her up.”

“Good I’m glad, they’ll finally be happy. I saw all those looks they gave each other.”

I laughed. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure the only ones that didn’t see it, were Derrick and Emma.”

We pulled into the busy parking lot. My mom found a spot at the back of the lot. On Saturday’s, the Mall was always busy, and today was no different. We weaved through the rows of cars, passing shoppers with their arms full of plastic bags.

Once we were inside, we headed straight to the jewelry store. I picked out a really cool ring, it was silver, and the design was a rose, with black accent. I couldn’t wait to wear it. I looked at a few necklaces and saw a really nice one. It was white gold with a diamond star pendent. “Mom come here, you have to buy this. It would look amazing on you.” I held it up for her. She put down a watch she was admiring, and walked over to me.

“You're right honey, its perfect.”

Now that we were set with jewelry, we moved onto clothing.

My mom saw some nice shirts in a store window that she said would look awesome on me, and when I tried them on, I had to agree. I bought the shirts, and we each bought a dress.

All of that shopping made us hungry, so we headed for a restaurant I had never been to before. It was kind of fancy, more my mom’s style than mine. She was paying though, so I didn’t argue.

The hostess looked familiar. She was about my age, maybe younger, with light blonde hair, pretty blue eyes and freckles. I thought she went to my school, but I didn’t know her name. We followed her to a table by the window where there was a lovely view of the mall parking lot.

After we were seated, we talked a little. Mom was relating some gossip about a teacher. And of course, she wouldn’t tell me who.

The waiter approached from behind me, when I heard his voice, I looked up. “Good afternoon, here are your menus,” he stopped speaking when he noticed me. “Oh hi, are you following me?” asked a very surprised Lucas.

I was just as shocked as he was. “No, I had no idea you worked here, my mom brought me.”

“I guess we have more to learn about each other.” His eyes held mine; his voice was full of meaning. He continued to hold my gaze for a few seconds, and then appeared embarrassed as he remembered my mother sitting beside me. “Oh god, um… would you like some drinks while you look at the menu?”

My mother was smiling, and smirking at me. “Sure, I’ll have a glass of white wine. Sarah what do you want?”

I blinked at her, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. “I’ll have a coke.”

He nodded and walked away.

I started to sip my water to quench my dry throat and read the menu, refusing to look at my mom.

“Someone has a crush on you,” she said in a singsong voice, not looking up from her menu.

“Don’t start.” The last thing I wanted was to talk about Lucas, and have him walk up behind me.

“Don’t start what? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her face took on a look of pure innocence. Yeah right. “Wasn’t that Lucas Tate, he looks better without his glasses, don’t you think?”

“Mother, be quiet, if he hears you, I will kill you,” I whispered. “So anyway,” I said louder, trying to change the subject. “Emma called my cell phone while you were trying on dresses. She said she had a great time last night and that Derrick held her hand during the movie. Isn’t that cool?” I didn’t wait for her answer. I just continued to rattle on. “What are you going to order? I think I’m going to have the club wrap, and a tossed salad.”

“You’re babbling, you only babble when you’re embarrassed. Wow, your face is really red.” She was starting to irritate me, so I scowled at her. “And I’m done, I won’t tease you any more,” she said grinning. I heard her whisper something that sounded like this is so much fun.

I looked up at her, about to tell her to be quiet when I noticed that when she smiled like that, she was really pretty. I have often thought she was, with her long wavy dark blonde hair and her bright blue eyes, but when she smiled, her dimples came out, and her face brightened. I hoped I looked half as good as she did when I was her age. In spite of the fact that she was having fun at my expense, I smiled at her.

Lucas came back with our drinks and took our order. He didn’t say anything other than what he had to.

It didn’t take long for him to return with our lunch.

“How was the movie last night Lucas?” I asked him as he placed my lunch in front of me.

He looked relieved that I broke the tension. “It was really good, I love action movies, have you seen it yet?”

“No, I don’t go to the movies that much. I like to stay away from work, when I don’t have to be there.” Feeling restless, I started jiggling the silverware. My mother frowned at me as my knife and spoon clanged together noisily.

He nodded. “That makes sense. Do you work tonight?”

“This afternoon at one o’clock, right after we’re done here.”

“Yeah, but she only works until seven,” my mom added, after taking a sip of her wine. Could she be more obvious? “So Lucas; how’s your mother? I haven’t seen her in awhile.”

“She’s good, she and my father just got back from a small vacation.”

“That’s great, where did they go?”

“New York, but just for a long weekend.”

My mother smiled at him. “Oh that sound’s nice, I would love to go and see a play. Did they get to see one on their trip?”

“Yeah but I don’t remember which one though. I’m not really into plays.”

“I love them. Sarah we should go to one some day, what do you think?” My mother peered at me over the flowered centerpiece.

“Sure mom, sounds fun,” I mumbled, leaning my elbow on the table with my hand resting on my forehead, wanting her to shut up and let Lucas leave.

He grinned. “Well enjoy your meals,” he said before walking away, and heading to another table.

“You have good taste. I like him better than his brother. He’s never in my office.”

I groaned, god this was so horrible. “Let’s eat.” I started to stuff my face to discourage conversation.

When we were finished, my mom paid, leaving a generous tip. I waved to Lucas, and practically ran out of the restaurant.

“You do realize I’m never going out to eat with you again,” I said as I walked quickly ahead of her through the mall. I could hear her laughing behind me.

I dropped my mom off at home, and then drove to work. It was a nice, warm sunny day. But since I had to be indoors for the next six hours the weather was wasted on me.

I was selling tickets today with a new guy named Zack, he started last week. He was friendly and good-looking with light brown hair and brown eyes. He went to a different high school, one that was closer to where he lived.

As we worked, we chatted, and when I found out we were the same age, we compared notes on the kids in our schools; it helped to pass the time.

At home during dinner, my father and brother teased me about the boy my mom said had a crush on me. Oh, she was really going to pay. “Mom, he doesn’t like me, just last week he wouldn’t even talk to me. When he did, he was rude.” I scraped the last of the spaghetti off of my plate.

“Well I guess he changed his mind. I can tell when someone’s interested, and it wasn’t just coming from him.” She grinned at me over her wine glass.

“Okay, that’s enough Maggie. She’ll never talk to you, if you keep teasing her,” my dad said, smiling at me with a wink. I stood up and walked into the kitchen to put my dish away. I came back into the dining room and stood next to my mom.

“Fine, I’m sorry Sarah. I won’t tease you anymore, today anyway.” She laughed.

“Mother!” I started to protest, but she cut me off.

“I’m kidding. I’ll try not to bug you. I promise.” She gave me a hug; I had learned along time ago there was no point in fighting it because she’d just hold on tighter.

“Fine, as long as you’re really going to stop,” I said when she finally released me from her grip. “Emma’s going to stay the night, okay?”

I heard them yell it was fine as I headed up the stairs and into my room. I turned on my stereo to listen to my favorite CD and grabbed the book I was reading. After about an hour, I was really getting into the plot.

Emma came in and interrupted me. She was carrying a bag of dill pickle chips, my favorite, and two cokes. “Should we watch a movie then gossip the rest of the night, or head straight to the gossiping?” She dropped the chips on the bed in front of me and handed me my soda.

I smiled. “Gossip, definitely.”

We ate junk food and talked all night, I had a blast. This was one of the parts of our friendship we couldn’t include Derrick in; he was too much of a guy for this. Emma went into detail about her night with Derrick. They hadn’t kissed yet,