9 The dream

Alice's pov:

I get the keys out of my bag and go to my house.

I didn't have time to clean it, so it literally looks like garbage.

I quickly change into something comfortable and go to the kitchen to make something simple for myself.

I want to visit dad, I didn't see him for hours now, but I know he won't be happy if I go now. He always tells me to go home and live like a normal student, but how can I do that when he is in that situation? When he needs me? How can I act as if nothing happened at all?

I have been really stressed out because I have to lie to him, and I never lied to him. It has been tough these days, but I don't want to give up.

For the first time in my life, I want to fight for something else than art, and I am happy. I am really content that I choose to stay by his side.

I know he feels guilty. I can see it whenever I am with him, and it hurts me, but I can't give up. I have to fight for him and our life so later I can look back and have nothing to regret.

I will go and visit him tomorrow and go to Mia too. I have missed her a lot, and with that thought, I go to dreamland.

*dream*

Hah! You can't catch me! I stick my tongue out while saying that.

"Are you sure about that? What will you give me if I do?" says the boy.

I will give you my favourite toy. My Pixar toy!

First, catch me, though!

The boy runs as fast as he can and caught up with Alice and grabs her arm. Alice stops running because she was surprised that he actually catch her.

"See! I told you that I would catch you! Now you have to give me your toy." he says at her.

Ugh, Okay. You win! Alice says while putting her shoulders down and pouting, hoping he won't take her toy.

"Okay, you can have it, but next time I win, I will take it," he says to her, knowing that she was too cute.

The boy shakes his head when Alice gave him a hug knowing that he wasn't going to take her toy anyway. He knows that she really loves that toy.

*End dream*

Alice wakes up while smiling.

I had a dream about him again. I wonder when I will see him again.

I really miss him a lot, and I always ponder how he is doing.

When will I get to see him again? Does he still remember me? Does he still have the contract, and is he going to break his promise?

I have so many questions, but I know that only he will be able to answer them.

He was my best friend when I was five.

The first time I saw him was when I and my family moved into their neighbourhood.

First, it was super hard to talk to him. He would shut me down whenever I tried to become friends with him, but in the last, he gave up because I would always annoy him.

Alice smiles.

Having him in my life made me forget about the fact that I was sad that we moved.

I wouldn't get to see my friends again, and I was mad about it. But when I met him, it felt like I just clicked with him, and I had a little crush on him too since he was literally soo handsome.

No one can resist that.

After he left me and moved, we never spoke or met.

I never got a boyfriend either.

Many boys did confess their love to me, but I just didn't like anyone, so I always rejected every boy that would do that.

It has been 20 years, and I still remember him like it was yesterday.

I promised myself to wait for him. Even if that means I have to wait for my whole life.

Mia always tells me that he will never come since we were little when we made the contract and the promise, but I trust that he will come one day.

Having that in my thoughts, I make myself ready to go to dad.

After a while, I arrive at the hospital and go straight to his room.

Good morning, Dad. I say while kissing him on his forehead.

How are you feeling?

"Good morning, my love.

No, I am not feeling any pain, but what are doing here? Don't you have class in the morning?"

No, I changed my timetables for university so that I have time to come to visit you. That way, I can take my time to take care of you. I smile at him.

"You know you really don't have to do that. I am doing much better, and the nurse takes such good care of me, so you don't have to change anything for me." He says while giving me a worried look.

Dad, it is okay. It not like I am skipping class. I am just going a little bit later. That is it really, so you don't have to worry about me. Okay?

Will you promise me that?

"I will."

I brought some food so we will eat first and then we will go outside.

What do you think about that?

"Okay, the garden of this hospital is super beautiful, and the air is really nice and fresh."

Ok, that is a deal then but first, let's eat together. I am starving, and I think you are too, Alice says, and they both laugh.

I tell dad that I have to leave for my lessons in the afternoon, but I actually have to go to work.

The manager just called me and told me to fill in for someone else.

Of course, I said yes because I really need the money.

Bye dad, Maybe I will come back later.

Love you! I say while leaving.

"Love you too. Take care and look after yourself." says dad

Don't worry about me. I am not a little child anymore.

I open my car door and ride as fast as I can to work.

If I come too late, he will probably get mad, and I can't get that.

Arriving at the building, I see Nathan throwing out the garbage.

I get out of my car and say Hi.

"Hey Alice, what are you doing here?" he asks me

The manager called me and told me to fall in for someone else.

What? You didn't know? I thought he told you.

"No, I didn't know, but I like that you are here anyway. I am not really friends with the other people."

What? I thought you were quite popular around here.

"What made you think that?" he asks me.

Well. You are handsome, sweet and you are kind to everyone.

Look how many girls are staring at you.

"You think that... I am handsome?"

Of course, you are. Don't tell me that you never knew? I say in a teasing way.

"No, It just feels nice to hear that from you. Anyways aren't you going to get ready? The manager will get mad if he sees you like this"

Yeah, I will go now. I will see you later, and Alice goes off waving at him.

I go inside, and the manager is walking towards me.

SHIT! I am in big trouble.

"You are here faster than I thought you would be," he says while looking at me.

Oh really? Thank you.

"I gave your uniform to Samantha. Go to her and get your uniform and begin working."

What? Do I need to wear a uniform?

"Yes, it is in the contract. Didn't you read it?"

Not really. I didn't see it as a big deal, so I just signed it.

"That is none of my business. I told you to read it first before signing."

Yeah, it is my own fault.

Where can I find Samantha?

"She is in the changing room. Just walk and turn left, and then you will see the sign."

Great! Thank you, sir. Have a nice day.

I walk as he instructed me and see the changing room.

I open the door, and I see a girl there.

Are you Samantha?

"Yes, that is my name. Are you Alice?" she says, and why do I feel like she already doesn't like me?

Yeah, I am Alice.

"Then, here is your uniform, and that is your locker. You have to wear it whenever you are working. If you have any questions, UGHHH, why do I even care? The manager forced me to do this. I didn't even agree to it!" she says while giving me a dirty look and walks past me.

What the hell is wrong with her? Did I do something?

I pick up my uniform and put them on.

Why is this dress so short, and why is it so tight?

Am I supposed to wear this?

How can I?

While I was trying to put my dress down a little, which was NOT working at all, I see Nathan walking towards me.

"Is everything all right? Why is your dress so short?" he asks me

I don't know why. Samantha gave them to me.

I look towards where she was, and I see her smirking at me.

What? Did she do this on purpose?