Note: This character is a college student. Also, no vivid sexual scenes will be described in this story.
Part I:
I blinked confusedly as I really began to wake up. What in the world was that dream coming from? I rolled over on my side, tucking my blanket tighter around my back and shoulder in the process. Inwardly my mind was spinning.
It was a good dream. Actually, it was heavenly. I never wanted to wake up. I had been dreaming that this man I met on the street knew me, I knew him, and in front of anyone and everyone I launched myself into his embrace (and I have never met anyone I cared about that much to show physical affection to in front of anybody). He held me and said he missed me, and I missed him. I have never felt such deep emotions for anyone—not even my own mother. I had shout his name, "Elmo", when I had seen him. He had incredulously said my name, "Natasha" before I had even looked up to notice who had called me.
Aside from a stupid puppet, who could possibly be named Elmo? Traditionally, the name is very honorable. "Protector" sounds much better than "puppet character" any day.
I had felt protected... loved, wanted, missed, and happy. I can't remember a time I was that happy.
Behind me a squeaky yawn is heard. Then a swiping motion on my hair as my dog Esquivo helps remind me that he needs to go out to pee.
"Alright, alright!" I playfully grind out as he wags his tail. I stretch and step out of the warm covers, the ones I know I won't get to see again until late tonight.
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The hallway filled as students poured out of their just released classrooms. I sat on the floor, finishing a written outline before I'd be able to get home and get it printed. I struggled to concentrate at the task at hand. It wasn't the students milling past, as always, but it was that dream. With that Elmo guy. Whoever he was, I wanted to see him—if he was real. I'd always had realistic dreams, but this one stood above the others. Normally I could control little parts of my dreams, make a person say this, have them order a latte or something. Elmo had his own identity. He called my name in my dream. I didn't see him before he saw me. He said he missed me before I said I missed him. It felt like there was a history I should know about.
Maybe he was my Guardian Angel, or something.
By now I had given up on the outline. My backpack was zipped closed with all my supplies inside. I wait as the rest of the students cleared out before I got to my customary seat I inhabit every class period.
The day carried on like usual. Nothing amazing. Nothing sporadic. Just a day in the week, that was to eventually polish off a month, and before you knew it, it would be another year.
Friends were people I didn't have. Unless you count Esquivo. He was my only living friend that I knew really well. I could chat with people. I could consider them a good acquaintance. But beyond that I didn't have friendships that could not be dropped within a day's notice. I had a life that I could pretty much walk away from and never look back at. Nearly everything in my life was a 'filler'. Aside from Esquivo, I had nothing important that needed me around.
While it sounds sad, it certainly is freeing. Every day I was thankful that I didn't have children of my own crawling all over me. Or have some sort of average responsibility I didn't want; like being married to some terrible person I didn't even like. I was sure to be glad for the little things. However, that song by Chuck Wichs says it all, "When You're Single".
Though Esquivo was considered a friend, he wasn't the talking kind. He couldn't say any words that would ease my soul when I was discomforted or hurt. He just barked at me if he wanted to go out to walk, jog, or pee, or see if I'd be foolish enough to let him outside without a lead on. Esquivo is a husky mix who only has a few things on his mind; running around being a high mark on his list.
I wanted that soul mate friend. The type of person you could be yourself around without being uncomfortable. Someone who didn't treat me badly because they thought it was okay to do. Or think I was stupid because my sense of humor was different than there's. A true friend.
Clearly I hadn't found one yet. If they even exist. If one did for me, it was probably Elmo. Later while I was walking with Esquivo, I realized that there is no way Elmo was real—because there would be no acquaintance part of the friendship, or whatever there was between us. Not only would he stand out because of his name alone, but his voice would register with me--that, and his kindness. I would recognize him instantly. And nobody just walks into their soul mate friend like that. At least, not that I had ever heard of.
