What A Dream Wants

The snow fell down softly, pillowing down like angels feathers from the heavens. Like pieces of clouds falling from the sky, the ground was coated in blank white.

Frost crept up his window, reminding him of the time. It was the end of the year, the beginning of another.

And so he decided to sleep.

…

The doors were knocked heavily by someone. But who could it be? He was dorm alone. Everyone else went home for the holidays, except those who didn't have a home. Like him. Everyone had their plans, expect those who didn't have friends. Like him.

He sighed, as the knocking continued.

"Hey Steven open the door." A voice shouted from the other side of the door. "You're friends are here."

Oh wait, he forgot about Lucas and Olivia. He could have went to visit them.

"Steven, open the door."

No, it was too late for regrets now.

"Damn it, open the door, Steven." The person shouted again.

"Hey maybe he's sleeping?" Another voice suggested.

He must have been hallucinating. Who could it be? He pulled the blanket over his eyes, as he waited for an happier dream.

"This is why you don't have friends." The guy shouted again.

Why did this dream feel like reality? Why did it hurt him with all the pathetic insecurities of the real world? Perhaps it was a nightmare, tormenting him with things he didn't want to be reminded of.

His stomach growled. Oh, he should get something to eat. He got up from his bed.

His phone started ringing.

"Hello, who is it?" Steven asked.

"OPEN THE DOOR."

He opened the door.

Standing outside was Mayo and Zero. Zero was pouting and Mayo had a bright smile on her face.

"Hi, happy holidays." Steven greeted them.

"Hey, we're going to the city nearby." Mayo cheerfully informed him. "Wanna come with us?"

"Sure." Steven replied "How come you aren't going anywhere for the holidays?"

"Uh... " Mayo thought for a second. "Oh, I don't have a family to go back to, anymore."

"Same." Steven said. "That's all right." He looked to Zero. "Hey, what about you, Zero? What about your family?"

"They're busy." Zero curtly told Steven,

"Oh, okay, I'll get ready, and then I'll go." Steven told them.

He closed the door and got changed.

. . .

The surrounding trees were covered in blankets of snow. The snow formed pillows on the hills. The world had entered a deep sleep. Only the sound of the north wind could be heard through the brushing of trees. Everything was still.

The silence was disturbed by the whooshing by of three figures, which disappeared as quickly as they came.

"Why couldn't we just have taken the bus?" Steven asked. Trees were flying backwards as they leapt forwards. Everything was but a blur.

"C'mon, this is faster." Zero replied.

Steven's stomach growled.

"I'm hungry." He protested.

Zero ignored him.

Finally, they arrived to a cliff side. Over the frozen river, it was there:

Covered in colors, lights, and city noises, the city was a melting pot of festivities. While everything was in a tranquil dream, it was awake and kicking. While the trees were rooted to the ground, the buildings tried to reach the skies, touching and disappearing into the clouds.

"Okay cool, now let's jump off the cliff!" Mayo told them.

They jumped off.

. . .

The city streets were crowded with people and coated with brown snow at the edges. The snow didn't have much time to make a home before it was stepped on by many, busy to get somewhere, anywhere, or everywhere. White salt filled the streets, burning through the snow. There were nice puddles of slosh, easily mistaken as trifling, but would quickly overwhelm anyone with the potholes in which they formed.

"Wow, the city sure is a nice place." Mayo beamed, her eyes forming stars as she looked around at the shops and all sorts of towers and places.

Steven did not socks were soaking, because he stepped into one of the many wonderful potholes. This city truly was a melting pot. Speaking of pots, he was quite hungry, so he did what anyone would do under such circ.u.mstances.

With fast technical skill, he pulled out various apps and determining all the various requirements, price, statistics, locations, and other variables, he created a chart labeling the paths they should take to optimize sightseeing and food tasting.

Finally, after a few seconds, he showed it to Mayo and Zero then pointed at the cafe a few steps away.

"Um…" Mayo said, "ok."

Zero knew nothing he said would change anything, so he went in the cafe.

Inside the bakery, the smell of many pastries and other delicacies filled the air. Christmas cookies were on the counter, yule log cakes on display, christmas puddings waiting to be eaten, and the sweet smell of hot chocolate enticed them to take a seat.

"Wow... everything smells so good!" Mayo exclaimed. "Uh, I can't choose." She shrugged. "I'll go find a seat for us...."

She rushed off in the busy cafe to find a seat for three.

Steven's eyes flashed, and within seconds, with a blur of his hands, he grabbed the ideal christmas treats and stacked them neatly on top of his tray.

"Okay, done." He cheerfully replied.

They walked to the register.

"Happy holidays, is there anything-" the cashier asked, her words stumbled a bit, after seeing the amount of food they were buying."-is there anything you'd like to order?"

"Just these and three medium cups of hot chocolate." Steven answered.

The cashier proceeded to have a fun time scanning all the food.

"Okay, that'll be $52.69." The cashier answered.

"I'll treat you." Zero grumbled as Steven fumbled for his wallet. He took out this weird looking black card and swiped it in the card register.

The cashier looked at the card and then at Zero.

Zero glared.

The cashier looked away and handed Steven the receipt.

Shortly after, they were handed three cups of hot chocolate.

Steven looked for Mayo, before finding her at the corner of the cafe. He walked over and sat down.

Zero sat down without a word.

"Wow, I know the food looks good, let's eat." Steven told Mayo, and then proceeded to devour all the food.

The warm hot chocolate filled them up on a chilly winter day, and the food filled their stomach.

They were ready to have fun!