Cara was back in reality, sitting at her usual desk in the classroom. The mundane noise of chatter and the rhythmic tapping of pens on paper filled the air around her, but her mind remained far away. It was just a dream, she repeated to herself, her eyes unfocused as she stared at the blank notebook in front of her. A dream isn’t real. She clung to the mantra, trying to calm the rapid beats of her heart. She had to move on. She couldn’t let herself keep obsessing over it. She had to believe it was nothing more than a figment of her imagination, an illusion created by her mind. And yet, despite her reassurances, the image of the man from her dream still lingered, vivid and unsettling.
At lunch, she sat in her usual spot in the cafeteria, absentmindedly stirring her food. The noise around her felt muffled, her thoughts scattered. That’s when Jean slid into the seat across from her, snapping her out of her reverie.
“Hey, dear! What’s up?” Jean greeted her with a bright smile, not noticing the weight of the world pressing down on her friend’s shoulders.
“It’s still the same... but not exactly. I met the face of the man in my dream yesterday. I've never seen him in real life, but his face felt familiar. He told me in the dream that he was the boy I met when I was younger. And unbelievably, he grew up in my dream.” Cara shared, trying to keep the unease from her voice.
Jean’s response was immediate: “I think you’re crazy.”
Cara frowned. “No, I’m not. Think about it. I thought you were supposed to be a genius. How can you not get it?”
Jean raised an eyebrow. “Wait, let me guess. You think you’re going to find the man from your dream here, in reality, because he looks familiar? Are you out of your mind?”
“I’m serious!” Cara insisted, but her frustration softened as Jean continued.
“I get it now. You’re thinking he must have existed in your childhood. But if that's the case, why don’t you remember anything about him in your waking life?” Jean paused, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. “Let’s analyze it. You need to piece together the fragments from your dream. Maybe there’s something in your memory that’s been lost...”
Cara stared at her friend. Jean was right; throughout her life, she had been haunted by the face of that boy. She never thought to search for him until now, when his image had grown into that of a man. But could it really be him? What if her mind simply invented this person? And why couldn't she remember anything about meeting him in real life?
Before she could voice her confusion, Jean seemed to read her thoughts.
“You’re not thinking what I think you’re thinking, are you? Cara, your childhood was perfectly normal. Mom always looked out for you,” Jean said, her voice turning serious. “So, I don’t know why you’re fixating on the idea that this boy in your dream was someone real.”
Cara’s suspicion grew. Was Jean hiding something? She studied her best friend’s face, but Jean quickly averted her gaze. Cara had questions, but for now, she decided not to ask.
Jean’s voice broke through her thoughts. “You should forget this, Cara. It’ll drive you crazy if you keep insisting that the boy in your dream actually existed.”
Cara hesitated. Her mother and Jean had always told her the same thing: the boy in her dream must have been someone she’d encountered in her childhood. But now, Jean was backing away from the puzzle they’d both been trying to solve. Why was Jean suddenly so reluctant to help? Something felt off, but Cara couldn't pinpoint what.
That night, her mind replayed the conversation with Jean. She was left with one question: If the boy in her dream was real, why couldn't she remember meeting him?
As the evening wore on, Cara collapsed onto the couch, trying to relax after the chaos of school.
Later that night, in her dream...
"Hey, Cara! You're here again. Want to play with me, like old times? Do you remember this?" A man greeted her as he sat on a seesaw in a familiar playground.
Cara told herself she was no longer a child, but seeing this grown man playing in the same way they had when they were young felt oddly nostalgic. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to join him. She walked over and sat on the other side.
He grinned at her, and she felt her cheeks flush. With a playful motion, he pushed the seesaw down, and Cara couldn’t help but feel a rush of happiness. The wind kissed her cheeks, and for a moment, the stress of her waking life seemed to fade.
"Are you happy?" he asked, eyes gleaming. "Before you leave, I have something for you."
Cara raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"It’s a secret. You’ll know soon enough," he replied, a mysterious smile tugging at his lips.
“Can I ask you something... personal?” Cara hesitated, a sudden feeling of vulnerability washing over her.
"Go ahead." He responded, as casually as ever.
"Where do you live? Do you have a family? It’s unfair, you know. I don’t even know your name."
He tilted his head thoughtfully. “Everyone has a family. As for me, I live in this world. Life... it’s unpredictable, you know? I’ll tell you my name when you remember me.”
Her heart raced. “What do you mean by that?”
He shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Life is full of mysteries. You’ll figure it out."
“Stop making me feel like a psycho,” she muttered under her breath. “If you won’t tell me your name, I’ll just give you one.”
He chuckled softly. “Call me whatever you want. I don’t mind.”
She gazed into his eyes, desperate for answers, but they only deepened her confusion. What was he hiding? What did he mean?
"Next time, I'll have a name for you," she said, standing up. She wanted to leave him with something, but as she turned to go, she felt the weight of his words linger.
And just as she was about to walk away... he kissed her.
Cara’s breath caught in her throat as she suddenly woke up, heart pounding. The kiss was vivid, unforgettable, and the sensation still lingered on her lips.
Vince walked toward the corner of the cafeteria, his mind racing. He suddenly remembered the journal he had given Will before leaving for his adoptive parents' home. He stood up and left the table with Cara to confirm some things, his mind still piecing together the thoughts that had surfaced while reminiscing about his time with her.Vince sat down across from Will, ready to bring up the journal, but before he could say anything, Will started speaking with his usual cunning expression. "You really can't get over Cara, can you?" Will said, a sarcastic grin spreading across his face. He knocked Vince lightly on the shoulder, his tone sharper than before. "I thought you remembered those days. What happened? I thought you wanted to protect her, just like I warned you.""You're right. Cara is my medicine, and she’ll always be my support, even after I heal," Vince replied, clearly firing back at Will’s jabs. "But that’s not the real reason I came here. I need to ask you something about the
“Professor, may I speak with you for a moment?” Vince asked, his voice tinged with unease. His mind was a whirlwind of restless thoughts as he walked toward Cara’s closest friend and most trusted confidante. He felt an overwhelming urge to learn more about Cara—specifically, the fears she had kept buried, the ones she had yet to share with him. His need to understand her was growing, and he hoped that her closest friend could provide insight into the things Cara had yet to reveal. “What’s this about? Is this regarding Cara?” she asked, her tone almost knowing. She motioned for him to follow her toward the counseling room, as though she anticipated his question before he even spoke it. Vince, feeling a mix of apprehension and curiosity, followed her quietly, sensing that whatever she would say would leave him with more questions than answers. Once they were seated in the quiet of the room, Vince didn’t waste any time. He asked, his voice steady but filled with urgency, “Can you tell m
"I have something to confess," he said, a playful grin tugging at his lips as he sat across from her. The morning sunlight poured through the window, casting a warm, golden glow over the hidden room. He felt a sense of lightness, almost as if a weight had been lifted from him. It was as though he'd been holding onto something for far too long, and now, finally, he was ready to let it go. Today, he was ready to be with Cara without any lingering hesitation."Yeah? Well, you still owe me the full story from the start. I’m curious," she replied, her voice soft but tinged with a hint of playful expectation. She always had that air of innocence about her, the kind that made him want to protect her, but today, he had a feeling she’d be seeing a different side of him.He leaned back against the headboard, his eyes glinting with a mischievous spark. "Do you remember the guy who gave you that iced coffee?" he asked, watching her reaction closely.She smiled, a light laugh escaping her lips as s
"Mom, I need to tell you something. Vince and I… we like each other. I’m saying this not to ask for your approval, but because I don’t want to lie to you anymore. I’m sorry if you’re disappointed in me, but I’m old enough to make my own decisions. I remembered my past, and Vince and I talked about everything. He understands, even about his parents. I’ve already been punished for my mistakes, and I’ve been forgiven. I don’t want to blame myself for something I wasn’t responsible for, just because I was too young to understand.”She didn’t know if this was the right time to reveal her relationship with Vince to her mom, but her mom’s ears were sharp, and she was too late to stop herself from saying it. Cara’s best friend excused herself and left early, clearly trying to avoid the impending interrogation that she knew would come. She had been helpful, but now Cara was alone with her mother, who was already suspicious of what she had been doing."But I don’t want you to be hurt in the end,
"Cara, I have an idea for you to get Vince to spend time with you alone and leave him after. I know just the place," Will suggested, his voice filled with a mischievous tone."How do we get there? Do you want to come with us? I’m not sure I can leave Vince alone. He’s my friend, after all," Cara hesitated, her concern for Vince growing."Look over there, see that big cave? If you can get Vince to go there with you, you can play as much as you want. He might even want to be left alone afterward. I won’t be able to come with you, but I can give you directions. You’re a smart girl, I’m sure you’ll find your way back here easily."Will’s plot was clear, and Vince already knew it. At any moment, he anticipated Cara would approach him, unwittingly carrying out Will’s deceitful plan. He quickly turned away, hoping to remain unseen as he overheard their conversation.Minutes later, Cara’s light footsteps echoed through the space, and she came running toward him, wearing her cute little sandals
“I don’t want this to end,” she whispered in her mind as Vince paused for a moment. But before she could process her thoughts, she pulled him back in, her body moving like a wild tigress drawn to the allure of their intense connection. Everything they were doing felt so foreign, so new, and yet, there was an undeniable pull. This was more than just passion; it was a storm brewing inside her, a beautiful disaster unleashed all at once. Her emotions surged and swirled within her, and with a quiet whisper against his ear, she uttered, “Oh please, punish me.”She was giving herself up to him completely, offering herself as the release for their shared chaos. Their emotions were raw and unfiltered, finally allowing them to surrender to the overwhelming desire and pain of the past. In each other’s embrace, they found the balm for the wounds they had carried with them for so long. It was as though the years of anguish had led to this moment, where their bodies and souls could finally heal.Fo