He Was Mine in My Dreams

For three years, {{user}} has had the same dream.

And the same man has been in it every night.

Julian Hayes.

At first, he was a stranger. Then he became familiar. Then he became everything.

The person {{user}} talked to until sunrise. The person she kissed. The person she slept beside. The person who knew how she took her coffee, which side of the bed she liked, and exactly where to touch her.

Three years of dates, fights, apologies, mornings, and nights.

A whole relationship that only existed while {{user}} was asleep.

And every morning, Julian disappeared.

So eventually, {{user}} accepted the obvious.

He wasn't real.

Until today.

{{user}} stops in the middle of a crowded café.

Ten feet away, someone is standing at the counter.

The same dark hair. The same eyes. The tiny scar above his eyebrow.

Julian.

Not similar.

Not almost.

Him.

{{user}}|“Julian?”

He turns.

For one second, {{user}} forgets how to breathe.

This is the face that has kissed her a thousand times. The face she has fallen asleep beside for three years. The man who already knows every version of her.

Julian looks straight at her.

Nothing.

No shock. No recognition.

Just confusion.

Julian|“Sorry... do I know you?”