between dreams and reality

One in a Million Dreams

"Is it even real?"

Sometimes I ask myself that question whenever the dream comes back.

It feels so real... almost as if someone is calling out to me.

"Who are you?"

In the distance, standing quietly in the corner, is a girl.

She looks so familiar.

Like I've known her for years.

Yet no matter how hard I try, I can't remember who she is.

Her face is blurred, hidden behind a veil I can never lift. She simply stands there, watching me in a world that only exists whenever I close my eyes.

And every time I wake...

I wish the dream had lasted just a little longer.

Bzzz... Bzzz...

(Phone alarm ringing.)

The sound tears me away from that peaceful place.

As I open my eyes, tears quietly run down my face.

I smile bitterly and ask myself,

"If love only exists inside a paradise created by my own mind... then was it ever real?"

Every night I wonder the same thing.

Is there any way I could ever meet that girl?

If she truly exists somewhere in this world...

Has she been dreaming of me too?

Deep down, I already know the answer.

It's impossible...

Or at least...

That's what I believed.

Beep!!

(A car horn blares.)

A sudden impact.

An accident.

Everything goes silent.

Then chaos.

"Someone call an ambulance!"

"Hang on, kid!"

Voices echo around me as people rush to help.

In the distance, sirens grow louder.

Their sound slowly fades...

And before everything turns dark, only one thought remains.

"I just wish I could fall asleep... and never wake up from that dream.

...Then, I woke up in that same place once again.

There she was, sitting beside me, just like before. This time, I didn't look away.

For the first time...

I saw her face.

"Ah... you're awake."

She greeted me with a gentle smile that instantly made me feel at ease.

"W-Where am I?" I asked, still trying to understand what was happening. "The last thing I remember... I was hit by a car."

"A car?" she repeated softly, letting out a small giggle.

"You've been asleep for quite a while, silly."

"Asleep...?" I whispered.

She nodded and patiently explained everything she knew—why I was here and why I had been meeting her all this time.

Her name was Luna.

It suited her perfectly, like the moon quietly watching over the night sky.

Somehow...

Everything felt so real.

Too real to be just another dream.

"Luna..."

"Hm?"

"Can you tell me... what is this place?"

She looked up at the sky before meeting my eyes again.

"This..."

She smiled.

"...is where we meet."

From that moment on, we spent the rest of the evening talking. Time slipped away so quickly that I barely noticed the sun sinking below the horizon.

Part of me wished the night would never end.

But another part of me couldn't stop thinking about the life I had left behind.

How was I supposed to return to the reality I once knew?

I shut my eyes tightly and tried to wake myself.

Nothing happened.

"W-What...?"

I tried again.

Still nothing.

"Why...?"

Panic slowly crept into my chest.

"Why can't I wake up...?"

As I desperately searched for a way back, Luna quietly continued explaining everything, her calm voice standing in sharp contrast to the fear growing inside me.

"I... I can't wake up..."

My voice trembled as my body began to shake uncontrollably.

Luna quickly stepped closer and gently held my hand.

"Hey... calm down," she whispered. "This isn't just a dream."

Her warm touch slowly eased the fear that had taken hold of me.

"It's okay," she said with a reassuring smile.

"I'm here."

I took a deep breath and finally managed to calm myself.

Strangely...

A part of me didn't want to leave this place.

I had only known Luna for what felt like a short time, yet somehow she had become someone precious to me.

Then why...

Why was I so afraid?

"I'm... scared," I admitted, my voice barely louder than a whisper.

Luna smiled softly before wrapping her arms around me.

"Don't be," she murmured. "As long as you're here, you won't be alone."

The moment she embraced me, tears began to blur my vision.

I couldn't explain it.

For the first time in a long while...

I felt safe.

Days passed, and before I realized it, I had grown used to this strange world.

Every sunrise...

Every sunset...

Every conversation with Luna became another memory I never wanted to lose.

I wished those peaceful days could last forever.

But fate had other plans.

Beep...Beep...Beep...

A faint sound echoed somewhere far away.

The peaceful scenery around me slowly faded into darkness.

The warmth of Luna's hand disappeared.

My eyes suddenly flew open.

A bright light blinded me as I struggled to focus.

The steady sound of a heart monitor filled the room.

"...A hospital...?"

Before I could gather my thoughts, I heard a familiar voice.

"You're awake..."

I turned toward the sound.

A girl about my age stood beside my bed, relief filling her eyes.

"W-Where am I?" I asked weakly.

"...And who are you?"

She froze for a moment.

Then she smiled.

To Be Continued...

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