Page 55 of Poetry of Flowers

“Sweet dreams, Autumn.”

I’d just close my eyes for a little bit until the boys come back with the pizza.

* * *

My stomach hurt.As I opened my eyes, I needed a minute to realize that I wasn’t home in my bed. Instead, I was next to my cousin, who snored softly under the covers.

Next to us, Kayden and Theo were both asleep, Theo on the top bunk and Kayden on the bottom one. Oh no, I didn’t want to fall asleep because I was so hungry. Today was so stressful, I didn’t even eat anything for lunch.

I got up to look for food and found two pizza cartons next to Kayden’s bed.

Pizza peperoni with olives and salami. Half was missing. It was cold but delicious.

I should start treating my body better. No more hunger and thirst from today on.

“Mmh,” Kayden grunted in his sleep and kicked off his comforter.

Had I woken him?

I finished my slice as quietly as I could.

He kept groaning, but he didn’t sleep talk.

I tiptoed to Kayden’s bed and kneeled beside him. He was sweating, and his shirt stuck to his skin.

I knew the signs; he was having a nightmare. When I had nightmares, I wished my guardian angel would end this pain. Well, I wasn’t his guardian angel, but I wouldn’t let him suffer from his own imagination either.

My fingertips gently brushed over his cheek bone.

Kayden leaned into my touch, and he barely opened his eyes.

“Tillie, my Fleur” he breathed. “My beautiful Fleur. I miss you.” His hand cupped mine on his cheek.

“I’m right here,” I whispered, but he shook his head sleepily. “I miss you, flower. I want you to bloom again. Yes, I’ll make you bloom again.” His eyes closed again before they opened. It seemed like this was the first time he had slept in days, and the tiredness wouldn’t let him go.

“I’m right here,” I told him again, leaning down to kiss his cheek when he moved his mouth up to meet mine.

His lips were soft even when they just touched mine, like a leaf flying by and brushing my skin.

His other hand made its way into my hair, but I shook my head as I pulled back.

“Kayden…”

“Shh, it’s only a dream. I can love you in my dreams,” he slurred, his green eyes blinking slowly before they closed again, and his hands went limp.

“I love you, Fleur,” he mumbled, so quietly it was hard to hear, but I knew this wasn’t a dream as surreal as it seemed.

This. Is. Not. A. Dream.

But he would never say that, this had to be a cruel joke of my imagination because I was so hungry or because I had inhaled the drugs from my cousin's clothes.

Slowly, I stood up and walked over to my bed. From under the covers, I looked over at my best friend sleeping peacefully.

Right, best friend.

I was just hallucinating.

Tomorrow, all of this would be nothing but a dream.

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