Once Upon A Dream

You looked to be several years older than you are the night I'm writing this. Mid-twenties, perhaps. Your hair was tied back, which not only added to the general aura of age, but threw me off because it is seldom worn as such. 

You stood to the left of a large fireplace-- a hearth, I suppose. One of those colonial era, brick and mortar, big black kettle type deals. The rest of the room was empty save for us. You repeatedly accused me, almost teasing me, insisting that my relationship with Her was obviously a deep rooted one. You said that she and I were adorable together, and if there was ever an award judging that fact, we would place first. 

I denied it all. In fact, you were a fool for having said so. 

But my words had no apparent effect, for you still insisted that we were so evident in our affection, that not only was it clear to each party, but it was clear to everyone watching. That last part I legitimately refused, but the each party bit I knew to be correct. The eyes of two people locked in mutuality are fully transparent to each other. This I have always known. 

Finally, after denying your accusations again and again, I decided to leave. So with a closing "I don't know what you're talking about", I spun on my heel and exited the room.  A short hallway and a single doorway brought me to her. My eyes fell first to her hands, for they were subtly extended in search for mine. As we touched, I felt everything you claimed of me come rushing forward, as if I had been suppressing it until now. 

What was most strange, however...is that she was you. 

It was some kind of Tyler Durden trick. Except, of course, instead of implanting a self-destructive ideology of social revival and anarchy, you exposed my love for you by making yourself another girl in my mind. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you did. Fact is, we were obvious to each other, and I'm sure I would've admitted it by myself soon enough. But there was an odd moment when I realized that you had always been her; that perhaps everyone knew of my care; that my past affections were gone; and finally, that I was in love with my best friend. I was in love with the one who convinced me I was in love with you. Who, incidentally, was also you. Now can I not only heed your advice and speak on practical terms, but I am allowed to grin stupidly every time you glance in my direction. I can finally relax.

...And then I woke up.