A Daydream Away

Alex’s POV

“Aw! You guys would be so cute together!” Cassadee squealed as I finished the story. Rian had to bring her a long since she had come over to his house before I’d called him over, not that I minded. Cass was awesome.
“Yeah, dude. I think you should just go for it.” Zack said, flipping through a comic book that was on my floor.
“Like hell I’m going to go for it. No way man. He’s straight, remember?” I sighed, strumming my guitar restlessly. I did this when I had to focus, somehow the gentle sounds of the strings made my head stop spinning. It was probably why I was so into music.
“Hey, you said you finished that song you were writing. You gotta play it for us.” Rian said, nodding towards the guitar.
Was it really today that I had spoken those words? It seemed like ages ago that I’d passed out in the middle of the lunch room.
“Fine.” I said, tuning my guitar and situating it better on my lap. I coughed, trying to stall as long as possible. I was comfortable with these people, but I still felt awkward singing in front of them.
I strummed the first note of the song and after the short beginning cords, I began to sing.
“I wish you could see your face right now
'Cause you're grinning like a fool
And we're sitting on your kitchen floor
On a Tuesday afternoon
It doesn't matter when we get back
To doing what we do
'Cause right now could last forever
Just as long as I'm with you

You're just a daydream away
I wouldn't know what to say if I had you
And I'll keep you a daydream away
Just watch from a safe place
So I never have to lose

We would go out on the weekend
To escape our busy lives
And we'd laugh at all the douche-bag guys
Chasing down their desperate wives
I would drink a little too much
You would offer me a ride
And I would offer you a t-shirt
And you'd stay another night

But you're just a daydream away
I wouldn't know what to say if I had you
And I'll keep you a daydream away
Just watch from a safe place
So I never have to lose

We never stood a chance out there
Shooting love in real-time
So we'll take it over ice tonight
With a little salt
And a little lime

You're just a daydream away
I wouldn't know what to say if I had you
And I'll keep you a daydream away
Just watch from a safe place
So I never have to lose

You're just a daydream away
I wouldn't know what to say if I had you.”


I looked up after finally finishing the song, staring into the eyes of my friends. They all had looks of awe on their faces, and seemed to be trying to find just the right words to say.
“Dude, I knew you could write, but that was fucking amazing.” Rian said, leaning over to clap me on the shoulder.
Zack and Cass simply nodded in silent agreement, and I felt a warm blush come to my cheeks.
“Thanks, guys.” I said, nodding back at them.
“You should sing that to him.” Cass said.
I burst out laughing. “There is no way in hell that I am going to sing that to him. No fucking way.” I laughed out. For some reason, I found the concept of playing anything to the taller boy hilarious, especially a song that’s written about him.
“Well don’t tell him you wrote it for him. Just say it’s a song that you wrote.” She said, as if that solution was completely obvious and would solve everything.
“I don’t know Cass. I’m not really even his friend, I just helped him out once.”
Right as I spoke, my phone vibrated, letting me know I had a text. I checked the ID, seeing that it was a number I hadn’t put into my phone yet.
I slid the lock open, reading the text.
I stared at my phone for a few seconds before dropping my phone on the ground and sucking in a breath, a feeling of utter disbelief running through my veins.
“What is it?” Zack asked, popping up and scooting himself over to my side.
“I- I just- look” I said, sliding over my phone so he could read the text that was lighting up the screen.
‘Hey, Alex! It’s Jack. I got your number from a friend and I just wanted to say thanks again for helping me out today. Also, do you want to hang out this weekend? My parents are leaving all weekend and my brother is going to be at his friends. What do you think?’
“Dude! He totally digs you!” Zack said, passing the phone over to Rian and Cass, who both were as stunned at the text as I was.
I grabbed my phone to text him back and ask him when and what we were doing, then panicked, asking Cass how long I should wait to reply.
“Well, do you want to be friendly, flirty, or pretend not to be interested but go anyway?”
“Flirty” said Zack, at the same time as I, who said
“Friendly” and then Rian, who simultaneously said
“Pretend”
“Okay…” Cass said, drawing out the ‘ay’. “Well just text back in 5 minutes, saying that you don’t think you have any plans, but you’ll get back to him later. That way you add an air of mystery. And then, after dinner, text him and say that yes you can go and you just can’t wait. That way you have all three.”
I did as I was told, texting when I was supposed to and saying what Cass had told me to say.
They left about an hour before my mom came home, which was right about 6pm.
My mom was really cool. I told her just about everything, and she accepted me for me. I was lucky that I had a mom who accepted the way I lived and loved, and I couldn’t thank her enough for that. My dad on the other hand…
“Hey, honey! How are you feeling? I am so, so sorry I couldn’t come get you today. I feel absolutely awful about that. I’ll make it up for you. Do you want to go out for pizza?” She asked, hugging me quickly before taking off her coat.
“It’s fine, mom. My day actually went really well. But pizza doesn’t sound too bad at all.” I laughed, leaning against my kitchen counter.
“What happened to make your day so good? Did Jack wear something breath-taking again today?” She questioned jokingly.
“Actually…” I started, making her eyes widen. “Well, he kind of came over after school today.”
“Did you use a condom?” she said, her tone completely serious “because I mean I have read some articles about men getting pregnant and stuff, and I don’t want you on teen dads or whatever that show is called.”
We stared each other down for a few good seconds before we simultaneously burst out laughing.
“Mom! We didn’t… I didn’t… no!” I shouted, clutching my stomach from laughing so hard.
“No you didn’t have sex or no you didn’t use a condom?” My mom asked.
We were left there in the kitchen floor, laughing until tears leaked out of our eyes. It was a perfect night. Pizza, laughter, good music on repeat, and dreams filled with the scent of Jack Barakat.
The only way life could get any better was if I could be snuggled in his arms and kissing him in the moonlight.
That wish was just a daydream away.

Notes