I could fix the tree, but it was harder to kick Wyatt out. It's my home, damn it.

He finally left, and I ran to fix the tree the second he did. My grandmother's robe was gone, but the tree was fixable.

Strange how yet another thing from my world just disappeared like that…It didn't go flying, right? I don't think the wind could have picked it up like that. I searched but couldn't find it.

For the first time in a long time, I made dinner for Grandpa Evans' and Baby Sonja. I'd been lazily pulling out meals, and Grandpa Evans still resolutely said nothing about it, even with the recovery of his words.

I think he simply didn't care, or it was due to him just being a creation of my family's magic to get along with me… I'd distanced myself after my Grandma told me the truth about it all and hadn't done much to fix it. The finality that I would have to lose him was at war with the fact that he was made by magic.

Everything hurt.

I watched them eat and took enjoyment from it. I cleaned the dishes and went to my room to lie down. Nibs strangely followed me and laid down beside me. "Do I smell like Wyatt?" I said absently to the pup that grew.

Nibs sighed but said nothing as I hugged him close.

"I don't understand where it all went wrong, Nips…why can't I make things go right?" My greed must have been my curse.

I passed out somehow but feverishly. I woke up alone with a pulsating forehead. The lack of sleep, eating, and exertion of my powers must have finally caught up to me because my head was fuzzy and uncooperative.

"How inconvenient." I moaned, too weakened to flail on my bed in agony.

Wait, was this inconvenient? I tried to sit up, and the pulsing pain made it a challenge. I didn't have a thermometer in my space; I'll get on that if I remember after this, but I had to have a fever, right? I could probably make it worse…it would be a more painful way to die, but maybe I deserved that. Maybe this is why my body broke down to give me this out.

I managed to shuffle to the kitchen to grab the thermometer. It was high, and my laughter of joy became an annoying cough.

The fridge was full of food so Grandpa Evans could feed himself and the baby…I tried not to think further about certain implications as I shuffled out the door into the forest. I could lay in fish ponds in the back, but Wyatt said he was coming back today to check on me. He would find me too soon.

I needed to go further into the forest, where I would only be found once it was too late.

My errant pace turned into a frantic race against time at this thought. The thick trees grew more dense as I urged them all to grow and block the path of whoever got in my way.

No one would see me. I'd like to finish it this time. I ran until I couldn't, then pushed myself some more. Finally, I made it to Widow's Creek. The creek emptied into a lake. Part of that lake reached out to sea, but that wasn't important. What was important was how cold the creek could be. Green's Mountain was massive, and the Unruly Forest was a mini country with mountains. I could climb up where the elevation was cold and die slowly, freezing to death.

It was slow going as I made my way up, following an all too familiar trail. I blacked out a few times as my brain and body gave out, but I finally reached a high enough peak that the chilly air bit through my fever.

My shivers were becoming more pronounced, and I felt wetness gathering in my eyes. This was painful. I shouldn't cry because it needed to be done, but this was the worst.

I lay on my side as I stared up at the sky. The sun was finally rising, and the dark, unfeeling night was banished by an array of light and color. It was beautiful.

My thoughts became more disorganized as I found random things coming to mind.

I would miss baby Sonja's squeaks and the quiet smiles Grandpa Evans rarely dolled out. Images of my friends dance around in my head and clashed with what could have been our future.

I couldn't feel the rays of the morning sun, but it was strangely symbolic that the hottest entity in the galaxy was sending me off. Soon, I'd be…

A figure popped into being and floated in front of my eyes. I blinked furiously, trying to make sure I was still coherent. It's too soon to be hallucinating, right?

How else would I see Adam in front of me?

I closed my eyes hard and then reopened them a heartbeat later. He wasn't there. I closed my eyes again to handle the crushing weight of angst as everything went black.

I woke up in bed with my head uneven and my memory loose. Was that a dream? I closed my eyes and passed out again.

A cool hand was on my cheek, and I grabbed it, shamelessly rubbing my face as I leeched the comfortable temperature from its skin.

Wait, whose hand was this? I peeked from under my eyelashes and saw no one. I blinked rapidly and then turned my cheek to discover the hand was gone. Just how high was my temperature?! I pulled out some ice from my space and sucked on it furiously. If I kept losing my brain like this, I might just pop.

It hurt to move, and pulling out something from the space only made me feel worse. Of course, it wasn't as bad as the realization that I couldn't rely on Grandpa Evans to come take care of me. The only one he seemed to care about right now was Sonja. I get it… she's a baby, so I shouldn't feel hurt, but laying in bed with my brain was bound to spell trouble for my mental well-being.

This sucked.

I fell back asleep, drifting in and out, aware of a cool hand and even an ice pack periodically placed on me. My eyes were too heavy, and my body too tired to look.

"Why isn't your fever breaking?" A familiar voice said.

Adam's voice. I opened my eyes to see him peering down at me. He looked the most frazzled I'd ever seen. He was wearing black silky pajamas, and his hair was mussed.

"Adam?" I said, expecting this dream to end as quickly as the rest had.

He dropped the ice packs when I spoke, but his gaze never wavered from me. I didn't hear them hit the ground, and part of my heart cracked at the realization that this, too, really was a dream. Regardless if it was a dream or not he was here!

"I'm sorry," I said as yet another round of shameful tears started gathering in my eyes. At least I can still dream of Adam.

"No. I should be the one to apologize. I…I…” Adam said, but he couldn't seem to finish his sentence. He dragged a hand through his hair, and his expression became pained. "Forgive me. I had the timing of everything all wrong."

I coughed as I tried to laugh. Adam wrong? How was that possible? "How could you be wrong? I'm just glad you're alive." I held a hand out to him, and he grabbed it tightly. His cool, firm grasp reminded me of the hand that had aided me before.

"Wendy, don't try to hurt yourself anymore," Adam said, and his grip on my hand tightened. "Don't try to leave this world again."

I gaped at him and tried to shake my hand loose, but he didn't let go. Dream Adam knew too much!

"Promise me, Wendy," Adam said, and I attempted to look away from the force in his gaze.

"I can't promise that, Dream Adam," I said, closing my eyes and trying to slip into a fresh dream.

"If you leave this world, I'll find you again," Adam said. I felt the bed dip from his weight as he sat and then laid down next to me. I was soon wrapped in his arms, and I took a moment to marvel at how real and silky his pajamas felt on my skin. It was less fun a few seconds later when my heated skin no longer had a refreshing, smooth place to put leech comfort from.

"You're too unguarded," Adam said above my head, and I blinked, wondering why this felt so real for a dream.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

He pulled away to cup my cheek, but I couldn't see his expression. Everything was growing hazier, and my brain was beginning to pound harder. It shouldn't hurt this bad in a dream, right? I was too dizzy to feel connected, but my eyes shouldn't have difficulty staying open either.

"What if I said this wasn't a dream?" Adam said his voice was so soft and gentle I almost missed it over the pounding in my chest.

This was definitely the best dream ever. I squeezed Adam with what strength I had. Emotions bubbled up in my chest, and something I hadn't wanted to identify but knew it was there grew too strong to ignore.

I love Adam. Not just because he was my first friend. I like liked him. It was more than a crush, but we were too young for anything deeper... right? I pulled away to look into his dark brown eyes. Nope.

I fell in love with a boy from a fictional world. What a cliche I turned out to be.

As a reader, I often felt pangs of the heart and enjoyed the wild climax of a story that pushed characters together, but this was too much. I was the ultimate cliche of a reader! But it didn't feel too bad. Dream Adam was rubbing my back and taking care of me again.

It was alright for me to have these feelings for Adam, though. He wasn't a vital or crucial character in this world, but Adam was essential to me, and that's all that mattered. I could take him. As long as I was here, there was no stopping the possibility of something more. I could feel the inferno grow in my heart as understanding replaced all the uncertainty that filled my recent days. My actions made sense, and the things I wanted to avoid thinking about were for a reason.

I was sent this dream for a reason, just like all the other times when I learned of something. Maybe this, too, would come true, and Adam would come back and soothe away my fever. He was fine.

"Dream Adam, don't fall in love with someone else," I said. My flimsy hesitation was being banished by my selfishness. I don't want to share him with anyone. I'm a greedy person. I want you to just be mine, Adam. Just mine.

"That could never happen. I'm already yours." Dream Adam said, and I could feel a stupid grin split my face. Even in a dream, Adam spoiled me. He used his cool fingers to wipe away the tears that hadn't cleared from my eyes.

"I've never been in love before and haven't liked someone as much as you," I said. My words felt strange on my tongue, but they were true. I loved my Grandma, but she wasn't as available or warm to me. Gus was an ass, and my parents were gone. Book crushes didn't count as tangible connections. This was different; Adam was a unique presence in my life.

"I feel the same. I'm glad I found you again." Dream Adam said.

Again? What did that mean? This was a dream; if it was prophetic, it could happen when he returned. Which told me that Adam was safe.

"Don't let Wyatt touch you so casually," Adam said abruptly, and I blinked at the tone shift.

Monkey boy Wyatt? What did he have to do with this? "It's just Wyatt, and he's in love with Lucia," I said. Wyatt had to be. He always wanted to be with her and picked on me for being with her more since I met her. Lucas had the excuse that she was his twin, but what did Wyatt have?

"What if it was you he liked?" Adam said.

I blanched at the very notion of such a thing. "It's impossible," I said as I shut my eyes and laid my head on Dream Adam's chest. It was very comfortable, given the coolness of the silk had returned. I rubbed my head, trying to find the most comfortable spot. It had to be cool and feel just right.

"Wendy?" Adam said, drawing my attention to him.

"Hmmm?" I managed to get out of my mouth. This dream was rather long.

"Drink this." He said before pulling me away from him. I attempted to lock on, but my weak arms were once again a hassle.

Dream Adam held out a funny-looking cup with some funny-looking liquid. "Oh, no thanks," I said, turning my face away.

As if he was expecting this, I didn't entirely turn my head away before my cheeks were gripped and my mouth was forced open. The bitter medicine went down, and I could feel my mind reject it even as my body seemed to embrace it by swallowing.

"Take care of yourself until I come to get you," Adam said, and I giggled at the forceful conviction in his voice. He really was too mature for his age. Laughing caused coughing to erupt, and Adam rubbed my back as I worked it out.

"What trouble could I find myself in when I'm sick?" I said when I finally stopped coughing.

Adam's laugh felt funny on my head as I felt it from his chest, "With you, anything is possible." Adam said, and it didn't sound like he was joking.

I woke up, and it was bright outside my window, and there wasn't a trace of Adam in my room. I looked at the pillow he had laid on, but there was no indent, just my drool and hair.

What a good dream, nonetheless. I lay on my bed, lost in thought.

My happiness was pierced by a resurgence of negative thinking. What if it was just a fever dream? If it wasn't a prophetic dream, I had no idea if Adam would get better and return.

Sonja's happy cries drew my attention. I attempted to gather my courage to get out of bed. After I visited with my grandmother, I tried to distance myself from her and Grandpa Evans. If I left this world like Wendy, they would disappear.

I rolled over to groan into my pillow. This adventure was turning into a heavy story filled with consequences no matter what I did. I told Dream Adam I couldn't promise I wouldn't try hurting myself. Maybe I should go along with that, though, until I knew for sure he was okay.

"Hey, if you're awake, get out of bed." A brisque voice said, startling me out of my self-condemnation.

I'd recognize that squeaky voice that was trying to deepen. Wyatt. I lifted my head to peek and saw he was in my doorway. If I didn't get up to let him in the house, he must have helped himself. I scowled at him.

Dream Adam's words echoed in my head, and I tried to gaze at Wyatt with fresh eyes. I never really paid attention to Wyatt's appearance before. He was lanky and had growing muscles but looked like any other annoying teen boy in Green's Mountain. His blonde hair was a mess, per usual, the short stubs sticking out like a porcupine. His bright, clear blue eyes shined through the dirty face that never seemed clean. His expression looked annoyed, and his lips were snarky as he stared back at me. Nowhere did I see an expression of being in love at all. Wyatt looked like a frustrated brother getting his little sister up.

Dream Adam was worrying for nothing.

"Why do you look so weird?" Wyatt said, and I covered my face. I must have started grinning while recalling that dream.

"I had a good dream," I said, flopping deeper into my bed.

"Come get breakfast," Wyatt said. Just like that, he was gone, and my door closed.

I got up, not because he told me to, but because I was hungry and I got dressed. I felt so good today…did I dream of being sick? My throat was dry, but there wasn't a sign that I was ill. That's weird but definitely points towards it being a prophetic dream that Adam would return to me.

The funk of everything brought a dark cloud over my head as I joined everyone. It turns out Grandpa Evans, Sonja, and Wyatt were at the table. The table was laden with food I recognized as about to go bad from the fridge.

"Where's Lucia?" I said, looking around for her. I went for the biscuits and butter first.

"She didn't come," Wyatt said as he sat down and started piling food onto his plate. I stopped buttering my biscuits at this.

I made a face, so then why did Wyatt come over? He couldn't be that worried about me trying to off myself?

Again, Dream Adam's words came to haunt me, and I made a face. No, it couldn't be that serious. Lucia would probably come over later today, and Lucas was too.

My butter knife was yanked out of my hands, and when I looked up to protest, Wyatt had already started using my butter on his biscuit.

"When is she coming over then?" I said, biting my tongue. I shouldn't start a fight yet. I opted instead to take over feeding Sonja, who was grinning at me with her mouth open like a baby bird.

"She's not coming over today. She's at Mary's with Lucas." Wyatt said before stuffing the buttered biscuit into his mouth. Why was he so freaking casual?

"Ah ah!" Sonja made noises, and I used that as an excuse to feed her and avoid looking at Wyatt.

"I've already taken care of the livestock," Wyatt said. A jolt of guilt made me sit up at that. I hadn't neglected them but had certainly stopped putting in the care I used to on the property.

"Thanks, Wyatt," I said. I know that Lucas mostly came over for the cats most days, but Wyatt and him were helpful.

Breakfast passed quietly, and Grandpa Evans took Sonja to where a little inflatable pool had been set up. Summer had arrived during my mental gymnastics. I watched them for a moment.

I never thought I would see Grandpa Evans smiling and playing with water toys. Sonja was quite the water baby. Her chubby arms flapped around as she giggled. Nips loved water apparently and had opted to jump in the pool and serve as a life watchdog. It was strange to see him abandon Wyatt, but maybe the appeal of Monkey Boy had finally worn off.

Sonja hit all her milestones without her reckless mother, who abandoned her. I scoffed at the memory of Sunny, who blew in and out of our lives with zero care for the damage she had wrecked.

I turned to go inside. I needed to spend time reading today. This melodramatic tension was killing my joy, and a good book would make it all better. I was on the stairs headed upstairs when Wyatt interceded me.

He grabbed my arm, and I turned to scowl at him. "What?" I said all but a snarl.

"Where are you going?" Wyatt said. His eyes were bright, but his expression was solemn.

"To my library," I said. Did he think I was going to the attic and thus the roof again? Not with him here.

I shoved him off me and ran up the stairs to my library. Unsurprisingly, he accompanied me. I wanted to be mean and shoo him off. In fact, I should because this was Wyatt we were talking about. Strangely, having him here gave me comfort in case Gavin came again. He was taller than Adam, older, more robust, annoying, and somehow strangely dependable. I kept Dream Adam's words in mind and put distance between us.

This is why after I found a book instead of just relaxing in the library; I ran to my room. All the while ignoring Wyatt's watchful gaze.

However, I was safe in my room and closed my door with pride. Privacy was a girl's best friend.

Instead of being able to sit comfortably on my bed, however, the lemon trees caught my eye. They had bloomed. I didn't see buds last night, but this could be another thing I had neglected to pay attention to. I leaned forward to sniff the blooms and appreciate them.

I should trim them up a bit and prepare for incoming fresh lemons. I pulled out my garden shears and hummed as I got to work.

What should I make for Adam while I waited for him to come…if I tried the phone, would he answer today?

The shears toddled in my hands as I bit my lip. "Adam," I said his name, knowing there would be no response. I needed to see him in real life to be sure he was okay.

The shears were snatched from my hands again, and I saw a glowering Wyatt.

"What are you doing?" I said, reaching for them back. Wait, I was starting to sense a pattern. "Did you think I was going to harm myself with that?" Or the butter knife?

Wyatt simply looked at me, and I gawked. "I love myself too much to do something like that!" I said, my hands going to my hips.

Wyatt simply held the shears away from me, and overcome with frustration, I did the one thing I seemed to do best, took it out on him. I charged, and the two of us tussled. The shears were tossed to the side, so it was all physical.

"You're too much!" I said, trying to pin him and get my revenge. He said something muffled that I couldn't understand, and I managed to get his powerful ears covered as I had him by the head.

I was just about to pin him for good when I stupidly slipped off and hit my own head on the wood floor. I groaned, but it wasn't Wyatt who aided me, but Adam.