It was six o’clock when the sun went away. The moon rose fully over the crystalline water, leaving its moonshine on the dock. The water was calm, surprisingly. Usually it was pounding the dock over and over again, refusing to cease. “How beautiful, Zac,” I said, taking his hand and leading him to the dock. The tide was high, the water lapping up to the edge of the wooden dock. The planks were cold under my bare feet, colder than the breezy night.
It was then when I noticed the picnic set up. A blanket was laid over the dock, two place settings and a flickering candle in the middle. There was a traditional picnic basket towards the side, waiting to be opened. I turned to Zac, my eyes wide.
“I try,” he told me.
“You’re very good at trying.” I looked over the scene. “Zac, how did you ever know this was my dream?”
“Because I know you.”
“It’s been a year since we’ve seen each other. And we broke up, Zac. Why are you being so nice and living out my dream?”
“I don’t want to be broken up anymore. This year’s tour is starting next week. I want you to come with us and I want you to be with me. I know you won’t go if you don’t have a common place to feel welcome. You won’t stay with the girls, just in case Amber is there.”
“Zac, I just don’t know if I want to go through that again. I’m finally clean, I don’t want to be in a situation were I’m exposed to that again.”
“You’ll be with me. I don’t do that anymore. I don’t even smoke anymore! It’s been a year, we’re all older and we’re a hell of a lot wiser. Some of the girls don’t even do drugs anymore. I stopped and they learned from that. Just, please, Nic. I need you.” He cupped my face in his hand. “I love you.”
I opened my eyes and sat up. I looked around. No dock, no night, no Zac. I ran my hands through my hair, pulling my knees to my chest. Oh damn, I dreamed the whole thing. My eyes flicked to the calendar. I had it marked, six days from today. The start of the tour. School had let out a few days beforehand, marking summer break. I was free to go. Darling was going. She even had a plane ticket for me, saying that if I wanted to join her, I could. If I weren't going, she’d take someone else.
Her and Isaac got married three months ago. They’ve got a home back in Tulsa. God knows why she ever agreed to go there, but she came down her to see me often. Isaac, actually, had toned down his attitude (basically he quit drugs all together) and was really a great person. I saw Zac at the wedding. We didn’t talk to each other at all. I really didn’t expect to, but I didn’t expect the avoidance.
I got out of bed as the phone rang. I figured it was probably for me. Darling always picked to call early in the morning and she always asked if I just woke up.
“Hello?” I grumbled.
“Did you just wake up?”
“No, Darling, I’ve been up for hours. It’s eight o’clock, of course I just woke up!” I told her, as I rubbed my eyes. “Why are you calling? More desperate attempts to get me to go on the tour?”
“Sort of. I’ll get it out of the way. Nic, you have to go. You just have to! It won’t be the same without you. And it’ll just prove to Amber that she beat you.”
“She didn’t beat me at anything!”
“Then you have to go to prove that to her. Show her you’re the better person by being there and beating her sorry ass.”
“Why is she even there? Why do they still allow her to come along?”
“I don’t know. I’m not the guys. She’s going. If she goes, you have to.”
“Alright. I’ll go. But if I don’t like it, it’s your own fault and I’ll make sure to make your life a living hell.”
“Great! Oh, by the way, there’s another girl coming along. Her name is Lauryn. She’s going on the plane with you. She’s real sweet, but she’s kind of an airhead. You’ll really like this girl. She’s nice. It’ll be great!”
“Yeah. Great.”