Love Is Worth It All

        The alarm buzzed and she jerked in her bed, annoyance flooding through her groggy head after the rude awakening. It seemed that every night that brought some form of a decent dream was abruptly interrupted, making her feel more and more violent towards the accursed alarm clock. But today was somehow different; she actually remembered her dream. After getting over her surge of anger, she replayed the dream in her mind, the pictures and events playing over and over again. Being the analytical person she was, she wondered if dreams still had meanings these days, whether there was a reason she dreamed what she did. She was actually surprised that she had even liked the dream considering it took place a school, a place she was glad to be rid of every day at 3:30. But the true significance of the dream had more to do with what took place, not where it took place.
         After a shower and breakfast she headed to school, knowing very well that she would be early. She wanted to walk the same halls where her dream took place, attempting to comprehend the deeper meaning she knew in her heart was there. She felt silly opening the doors of the school, reliving every footstep of the dream in her mind. Her dream was incessantly pounding inside her like the steady heart beat of someone she knew – yet didn’t know – calling to her from beyond her own world. Directly to the left as she walked in the door, near the first few lockers, there had been a guy and a girl stalling her from going to first period for some unknown reason, the clock on the wall at first flashing 7:10, but then speeding ahead in a blink and screaming 8:28, sending fear of being late through the minds of all the people who had suddenly appeared in the hallway, most of them a long way from their destination.
         The two people slowly vanished into a mist, leaving only the scent of confusion as she dissolved back into her own reality. The hall was empty for a moment but then a flash of light blinded her and when she could see again, the hall was filled with the hustle and bustle of people rushing to get to class. She saw the two people to the left of the door again, knowing somehow she was free to leave them and continue on her adventure through her virtual dream which allowed her to live in it but not of it.
         As she walked along the hall a ways and made a right onto an adjoining hallway, she lost sight of the people and could no longer hear their voices and the sound of their footsteps. Her own heartbeat echoed in her mind, staying on beat with the already sounding drum of someone else’s. She blinked, everything moving in slow motion, and when her eyes were once again exposed from under their black shields, she saw people but heard nothing except the constant pounding in her ears. She then heard the echo of her footsteps – muffled as they were – underneath the beating of the two hearts and the echoes of her every breath. No one could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she trekked along the passageway. No one could hear what she heard. No one saw as she did. She was living a dream.
         She blinked and was alone, the pounding hurting her ears as shivers danced up and down her spine. When her eyes opened again she saw before her a girl progressively leaping into the arms of a tall, handsome guy who had been walking towards her, the world moving so slow it seemed almost still. His green eyes danced with joy as he smiled down at the girl in his arms, unknown emotions rushing through their observer’s mind as she watched their cute, innocent display of affection.  She blinked again and could then hear the muffled rumble of the people lining the halls, their morning song very familiar to her ears. She then realized that the girl was not just someone random, but her! Out of surprise, she blinked, making sure she was really seeing this, but as she did, the picture changed – rewound even – because the girl had disappeared and the guy was just rounding the corner at the opposite end of the hall. After actually realizing who the guy was before her, she became overjoyed over seeing one she held so dear. Then she too, like the other girl, hurled herself towards him, throwing her arms around his neck while the purest joy seeped from every pore in her body. She was lifted high not only emotionally, but physically as well. As she hugged him he’d picked her up and spun her around, holding on so tightly she felt like he’d never let go. The sweetest of smiles found her lips as he set her lightly down on her feet, staring into her dark brown eyes with such tenderness she couldn’t help but melt.
         Then, realizing this was a vision and she had questions as to the purpose of it, she asked the phantom before her how he had come to be there. His response included something about fall break from college, but his words were muffled as he too dissolved into the air around her, the pounding of their hearts still beating in unison. As he faded, she reached out to him, hoping – praying – he wasn’t truly leaving. But as tears filled her eyes and she blinked, causing them to gently cascade down her cheek, the fading phantom before her responded by lifting his hand to wipe the tears away, whispering in her soul to wait for him… wait for him… wait for him…
         As she slowly came to, she was once again alone in the hallway. No people, no noise, no slow motion, and no more of him. He was gone, yes, but his final words stuck with her, “Wait for me.” She touched her cheek with her hand, remembering his strong hand wiping away her sorrow. She would wait for him. Maybe this was it. Maybe the dream was a message to her from some other dimension, somehow showing her that it’s worth it.
         It’s worth being late over.
         It’s worth being sad over.
         It’s worth being stressed over.          
         It’s worth being worried about.
         It’s worth the pain.
         It’s worth the wait.
         Love.
         Love is worth it all.