Page 47 of See You in Your Dreams

“Jesus, Dylan. There’s got to be over a hundred pages here.” He pauses on an overview of lucid dreaming and looks up, scrutinizing my face. “I can see the bags under your eyes. How much did you sleep last night?”

I shrug, feeling self-conscious. “I wanted to be thorough. You never know what hidden bit of info might be the key.”

“The key to what?”

“To figuring out how to control your power.”

Ash stills, the rustling pages falling silent. “I already told you, I don’twantto control it. I want to pretend it doesn’t exist.”

“But just think of all the good you could do!” I gesture at the packet in his lap. “You have an incredible gift, Ash. Those pages are full of examples, both fictitious and not. Here, let me show you.”

I reach for the folder, but before I can grab it, Ash shifts away from me on the bench. He slams the folder shut and tosses it on the ground in front of us, sending papers flying.

“What the hell, Ash?” I demand, scrambling to retrieve the scattered pages.

He crosses his arms tightly over his chest and leans back against the edge of the table. “Look, I get that this is new and exciting for you, and I appreciate your enthusiasm to help. ButI’ve been dealing with thismy entire life. So please, trust me when I tell you that this power isn’t a gift—it’s a fucking curse. All it’s ever done is hurt the people I love, and no matter what those pages say, I want nothing to do with it. Okay?”

I clutch the folder of research, unspoken questions filling my head. Picturing the lifeless woman in the bed from Ash’s vision, I tamp them down. “Okay.”

Ash is right—he’s the one who’s been living with this ability, not me. It’s not my place to dredge up his traumatic past. Still, I can’t help but think that ignoring his power is shortsighted at best. Like it or not, he can influence other people’s dreams, and pretending it doesn’t exist won’t just magically make it go away. Saturday night offers prove enough of that.

I hold out the folder to him. “At least, promise me you’ll read through all this. Even if you have no intention of using your power, it can’t hurt to know more about it.”

Ash stiffens before releasing a heavy sigh. I beam at him when he reluctantly grabs the folder and shoves it in his backpack. “Fine, whatever. If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll do it.”

We settle back onto the picnic table and dig into our lunches. Ash pulls out his sketchbook to start drawing the building across the street while he eats. I snuggle against his side and prop my head on his shoulder, watching him work. It feels just like the way things used to be between us…with the addition of considerably more physical contact.

I’m so engrossed in Ash’s sketch that I don’t notice the approaching group until they’re practically on top of us. A cracking twig alerts me, and I look up, my eyes widening.

“You seem surprised to see us,” Cat says, wearing a sharp smile that reminds me of the screaming band logo on her t-shirt. “Though I can’t imagine why. As if we wouldn’t come to check out our friend’s newboyfriend.”

Ash tenses beside me. I reach over without thinking and rest a reassuring hand on his leg. That seems to mollify him somewhat, and he relaxes a hair.

Behind Cat, Alexis shoots me an apologetic look. “Sorry for just dropping in like this. We can come back if you two would rather be alone.”

I glance at Ash, who shrugs.So, I guess this is happening, then.I should’ve expected as much after the very public spectacle Ash and I had made in the hall. Better to do this now in person instead of being interrogated later via text…though I’m sure there’ll be plenty ofthattoo regardless.

Swallowing, I gesture between them. “Ash, these are my friends Cat, Alexis, and Robbie. Everyone, this is Ash.”

A chorus of greetings follows my pronouncement as my friends settle in on the other side of the picnic table.

“What’s that you’re drawing?” Alexis asks politely.

“A building,” Ash grunts. I nudge him, and he adds, “I like to sketch what I see around me. It helps keep me grounded.”

Alexis smiles. “That’s exactly how volunteering is for me. It’s nice to feel more connected to other people and to the world around you.”

“Screw that,” Cat says, shaking her head. “I’ll take a concert any day. Screaming guitars and pounding drums are the ultimate connector.”

Ash nods toward Cat’s shirt. “You been to a Death Puppy show before?”

Cat’s eyes go wide as saucers. Internally, I groan.Here we go.

“You know Death Puppy?” she exclaims excitedly.

He shrugs. “Saw a show of theirs once back in Bridgeport. I like a few of their songs like ‘Hounds of War’ and ‘Hell Knell.’ But I usually prefer more symphonic metal. You know, bands like the Brigade or Aeterniax.”

“Oh, come on!” Cat scoffs. “How can you like Aeterniax more than Death Puppy? All their songs sound exactly alike with the same four chords on repeat. And don’t even get me started on their lyrics! EvenIcould write a better chorus than ‘Dragonrider Rising.’”