There was a deep silence between us, a sipence that was might have been awakward for me but for her it was the warmest silence ever. Eri's eyes had widened in disbelief as she saw Dream standing there saying what he said. She had to blink a few times to make sure he was real, that this wasn't another cruel trick her mind had conjured up. The tears that still clung to her lashes blurred her vision, but through them, she could see the genuine concern in his eyes — something she hadn't seen in a long time.
"N-no, it's not that…" she stammered, wiping her face with the sleeve of her black shirt. "I'm just… surprised.... I didn't think anyone would actually come."
Her voice cracked at the end, and she quickly tried to cover it with a shaky laugh. Dream shifted awkwardly, not sure whether to smile or apologize.
Eri's gaze darted past him toward the street, half-expecting to see shadows hiding behind him — the same girls from earlier, waiting to laugh again. But the road was empty. Quiet. Just the soft glow of the streetlight and Dream's hesitant smile.
For a brief second, her chest ached — not from sadness, but something else. Something she hadnt felt for a long time. Maybe relief .Maybe disbelief.
"Can I… come in?" Dream asked softly, almost unsure if he had the right to.
Eri blinked, realizing she had been standing in the doorway this whole time, blocking him from entering.
"O–oh… yeah. Sorry."
She stepped aside, letting him in.
As he crossed the threshold, Eri happy, extremely happy that someone had come to her party but then she noticed, she noticed her house at which her heart twisted with embarrassment mixed with panic. Her small house wasn't exactly welcoming. The floorboards creaked, the wallpaper was peeling, and the air smelled faintly of candle wax and dust. On the table sat the cheap store bought cake, surrounded by a few paper plates and the flickering remains of a cheap candle.
She lowered her red and saddened face as she said. "I'm sorry, it's a bit… messy in here."
She didn't want to show his guest her embarrased and sad self, so she remained silent after that. She feared any explanation would only lead to more questions, and that would lead only to pity or her becoming a laughing stock.
But as she looked at Dream, she saw him look around but he didn't say anything. Instead, he smiled — not the polite kind people wear to hide judgment, but a small, genuine one, as his eyes shined with excitement.
"Wow you have a house all to yourself, I gotta say that's like the Dream of every middle class student". Then Dream's expression changed from excitement to embarrassment,"Forgot everyone I don't even have a room to myself ,I have to share a room with my stupid little sis", Dream sighed as he said that ,his arms crossed in comedic sadness.
At what Dream saud her eyes widened again in surprise,awe, and surprise again since this was after a lon- forget that this might have been tge first time someone said something nice about her living situation. As Eri processed what Dream said a warm smile unnoticed by her crept onto her face "Thank you", a warm sound a happy sound a friendly sound that thank you carried all that.
Dream returned her a smile. While going to sit down he noticed a small, slightly torn teddy bear as she asked her 'oh a teddy bear is this yours". As Eri heard me asking about Mr snuggles she was about to grow protective of it like always since everyone made fun of her only friend. Before she could say anything Dream said "It pretty cute I have gotta say that like look at his face", he said that wiping a single tear from his face like he was looking at the cutest thing in the world, while Eri just stood there thinking what kind of creature am I, why am I constantly saying nice things about things everyone else used to laugh at her for. Eri let this kindness fade quicker than the previous one getting used to Dream's kind self as she told him in a soft happy voice like she was talking about her most favourite thing in the world "He is..... is Mr snuggles my best friend", she smiled towards me as she said "He's been for as long as I can remember this was my first present from my parents".
The memories of her childhood came rushing back to her, a small girl living in a huge mice house playing with her parents her bear. It was Eris childhood,though tainted by the loss of her parents still held a special place in her heart. Mr. Snuggles was always there for her through all her hardships all her lonely times and all her hopes and Dream's. He was a silent listener her best friend, a reminder for her of her happy past with her parents.
As Dream heard her talk about her friend intently he smiled warmly. Eri then gestured him to sit on the chair while she gets him some snacks. At her gesture Dream sat down which made Eri feel a comfort and acceptamce she missed.
As she was about to cut the cake, Dream quickly grabbed her hand "Why are you cutting the cake you didn't even blow the candles neither did we sing the happy birthday song". at his sudden worry for her things she never even cared about she felt extremely happy but also sad at how much time had passed since she celebrated herself a proper birthday that she even forgot the basics."Thank you for reminding me Dream let's do that". "Well dont think me blow the cake already"
He said that with a wide grin after which he quickly arranged the candles and made her sit infront of the chair surprising her at how excited Dream was,"So are you ready eri", he asked her as tye soft glow of the candle light brightened her face slightly as she smiled a, a teary smile but a happy teary smile "1,2 and 3 !!!", she blew the candle sparking her a birthday that she knew she will truly remember..... because at that moment Dream started singing...
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY T-", before he could continue singing she covered her face with her hands her face was red it was almost like she heard the sound a tye most vilest creature from the depths of hell, a screek of the void that us. Dream asked her "Why did you cover my mouth was I singing that badly", then suddenly she answered in a nervous and awkward tone "we-well..... because it was to sacred of a voice to be used so loosely", after she said that there a long silence between them....
Breaking the silence was Dreams wide smile as he said "Oh is that so thank you Eri", she sighed a heavy sigh after which she giggled for a reason Dream didn't know but he also giggled because a laugh truly is contagious.
After all that Eri and Dream ate the cake's and snacks she bought but.... Eri didn't know what to do after that her face grew red by the minute as she didn't think this far as the air grew denser and denser with awkwardness
While Eri was lost in her thoughts suddenly a hand reached out to her ,it was Dream's "Would you like to dance with me mademoiselle", at his sudden gesture of asking for a dance she grew more embarrased but then she placed her hand on his. then she told him while looking down "I don't have a speaker sorry", her voice was low and shy but suddenly she was pulled from her chair towards Dream "who needs a speaker to dance you only need the excitement", at his kind words she grew also felt at ease.
They danced and danced for who knows how long but for Eri that time passed away like nothing. Each of there stepsmade the old wooden floor creak but both of them payed it a bo thought, for her she hadnt felt this excited ,happy and full of energy in a long time but with Dream she felt full of these emotions which she was thankful of.
Suddenly the clock on her wall rang as it was 12o'clock already "Oh my it has already gotten pretty late u hope you can forgive me mademoiselle but I must end over dance", he pulled his hands back. His words saddened her, she hadnt felt this happy in a long time she wanted him to stay but she knew she couldn't ask his so much so she also pulled her hands back. "Thank you Dream this was thebest birthday ever", at hr genuine happiness and the cuteness that cuteness that flowed out of her made Dream feel happy but also a strange emotion he knee what it was and he was embarrased about that.
As he was leaving suddenly he jolted as he turned "Oh I almost forgot to gave you this", he pulled out a small box with a blue ribbon "this is my gift open it Eri", as he gave her the box she was shocked flabbergasted almost that someone would buy her a gift, her a gift !!! God was the world about to end she thought to herself. As she opened the box she saw it was a necklace a necklace with dove engraved on it as she looked up at Dream she saw he was also holding up a necklace with a dove on it "now be both have matching necklace this officially makes us friend right", that God dawn bright smile of Dream melted her heart as she finally gave in to her tears.
As her tears flowed continously as she wiped them with her hoodie, she was comforted by him who still had a warm smile on his face, as her tears finally stooped she smiled at him her eye liner flowing everywhere beneath her eye but behind that gothic and dark exterior there was a lonely girl, a lonely girl who made New friend "Thank you,.... thank you Dream I hope I will be a good friend".
She pressed that necklace to her chest making sure to cherish it for the rest of her life
As Dream opened the door Eri mustered up her courage and asked him "Why... why did you come... you know how they treat me... so why did you come to my party Dream", she asked him with a scared expression ready to accept any answer but he turned slightly "Hmmm" He put his finger under his chin emphasizing the fact that he was thinking "well... because I saw a girls invitation in my locker, a invitation that seemed like it had a lot of work was put behind it. I would totally look like a jerk to myself if I didn't accept that beautiful letter..... and I am glad I accepted it", at his kind words she couldn't say anything but smile
"Happy Birthday Eri".
He left just like he came, like a dream between her world filled with nightmares