Dream Date

Chapter 7

Elle emerged from the water, drawing in a deep breath as she surfaced. The warmth of the water enveloped her, and she could feel the gentle caress of the sun on her back. With a rhythmic motion, she kicked her feet, keeping herself above the surface of the crystal-clear water, revealing a mesmerizing display of vibrant corals adorning the ocean floor. A kaleidoscope of colorful fish darted and weaved beneath her, adding to the enchanting underwater scene. Suddenly, a figure materialized beside her – the man from her dreams. Elle gazed at him, her voice tinged with realization. "You're here," she said. "I'm dreaming."

He wiped the water from his face, his wet hair clinging to his head. "You remember me?"

"Yes," Elle gasped. "I've been waiting for you."

"So we need to jump off a cliff every time now?" he chuckled.

"I hope not." Elle spun in the water and propelled herself towards the shore. As she waded through the water, the sensation of solid ground beneath her feet brought a sense of tangible reality. The soft, powdery sand felt remarkably real, almost surreal to Elle. Her eyes swept across the beach, taking in the sight of palm trees swaying gently in the breeze, reeds rustling, and two towels laid out side by side under a colorful sunshade. Elle made her way toward the shore, eager to explore this vivid dreamscape.

"We were just in your house... It was your ex-boyfriend?" the man remarked as he settled onto one of the towels. He remained clad in his jeans and t-shirt, taking a moment to remove his shoes and then his socks.

"Ex-fiance, and that was a few weeks ago," Elle replied, running her hand through her hair. Her gaze drifted over the beach before she settled onto the other towel. "I have... I have delved deeply into the topic of lucid dreams. I'm determined to uncover who you are."

"Well, I'd say it or write down my name to make it easier, but it won't work," the man said with a soft smile. "But maybe I can dance it," he joked.

Elle laughed. "I can just give you a name." She giggled, placing a finger to her lips. Her eyes squinted mischievously as she looked at the man. "Wilfred."

"Wilfred?" he laughed. Elle noticed how straight and perfect his teeth were and how his eyes sparkled with amusement. "Of all the names in the world, you think my name is Wilfred, yes?"

"Ferdinand?"

The man continued to chuckle and shook his head. "You're something else. But I've known that since you told me about your dishwasher."

Now it was Elle's turn to laugh, though she felt her cheeks flush slightly. "Hey, everyone has their quirks, okay? I live alone, who cares?" Suddenly, she began to tremble. Her wet clothes clung coldly to her body, and despite the sunshine and warm air, the shadow of the sunshade and the gentle breeze made her feel chilly. "Do you have any... secret secrets?"

"Secret secrets?" The man grinned. Suddenly, his expression shifted, his eyes scanning over her body before meeting hers again. "How did you do that?" he asked, his mouth slightly agape.

Elle furrowed her brow and glanced down at herself. Her wet clothes had vanished, replaced by her favorite summer dress – dark red with white polka dots. It was a cherished find from a thrift store, a garment she had worn every summer for years. "I... I don't know... I just... thought of it?" she stammered, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Fascinating. I've never had dreams like that."

"No, you're running around in other people's dreams," Elle fired back, closing her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, the man was wearing different clothes – a pair of dark blue jeans and a light blue button-up. Elle couldn't help but notice how good the new attire looked on him.