Chapter Ten - Saturday Night

When Gina got to school the next day. The vague images of her nightmare were already beginning to dissipate. With the haunting of her mind, which happened every morning had become a forgotten memory, Gina went back to being excited about the coming weekend.

When she saw Mark for the first time, he had a painful look on his face. When she accidentally touched him on the shoulder that was hurt, he let out a verbal cry of agony.

“What’s wrong?” Gina asked Mark very concerned, you better not cancel on me, kind of way.

“I had a hunting accident.” Mark began, “One of the other hunters didn’t notice me and I accidentally got an arrow in the shoulder. Gina’s face winched with pain.

“That had to have hurt, why are you not at home or something?” Gina asked.

“It’s not the end of the world.” Mark offered as an explanation, “time heals all wounds.”

“Wow. I am super impressed.” Gina replied, “Are you going to be okay for Saturday? I know I’m being selfish for wanting you there but if you’re not up to it, I suppose I could wait a bit longer.” Gina didn’t want to wait a bit longer, but she also didn’t want to come off as cold and uncaring.

“I’ll be there.” Mark assured, “I promise. It will take more than a little hunting accident to keep me away from you.”

“Are you sure?” Gina asked, “It’s okay if we have to do it another time.” It really wasn’t okay if they had to do it another time and Mark was aware of that fact but that wasn’t the reason he was going through with it. He had made plans with Carla and if he had to crawl on his deathbed he wasn’t going to let Carla down.

“Don’t worry.” Mark, trying against to assure Gina, “I will be there.”

“Okay” Gina conceded, “but only if you’re sure.” Gina leans in and gives Mark a kiss and then heads off to class.

“Hunting accident?” Carla says from behind him, “That’s the explanation you’re going with.”

“She bought it.” Mark replied without turning around.

“What really happened to you?” Carla asked.

“The dreams are changing. I was wearing armor in my dream and then I wasn’t. Gina shot an arrow at the Wizard, and I stepped in front of it. If I had my armor on it would have harmlessly deflected off it. When I woke up, I was in pain as if I had been hit by an arrow. There’s one other thing, I wizard knows that Gina and I are boyfriend/girlfriend in the dream.”

“That’s not possible. Are you saying that you are having the same dream that Gina has every night and that the dream is somehow real?” Carla demands.

“I don’t know. It sure seemed real.” Mark replied.

“She didn’t have a bow and arrow; she didn’t have anything when I brought her to the wizard. She must have learned how to control her dream.” Carla says, “and if she can control the dream, she might be able to figure out how to keep us all from coming here.”

Saturday night came. Gina was super excited. She was a bit concerned about Mark’s injury, but she didn’t let that get her down. When she arrived at Carla’s house, Carla’s parents had taken a leave of absence which meant that they had the house all to themselves.

“Calm down, the boys will be here soon.” Carla said.

“I just can’t wait.” Gina said excitedly. It seemed like Gina had been waiting her entire life for a romantic night like this and she didn’t want anything to spoil it. The truth was Gina’s expectations were so high that there was no way that Mark could meet them all. Magical romantic nights only happened in the books that Gina was so fond of reading. They didn’t happen in a brutal reality.

After what seemed like forever, the boys arrived. Mark was expected. The boy who had the injured leg was not. As soon as he arrived, Gina excused herself and Carla to talk privately in another room.

“You invited him?” Gina exclaimed. She wasn’t sure why this boy being here bothered her, but it did. There was something about him that she recognized but she couldn’t put her finger on it. The young boy just made her feel uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong? You don’t like him, do you?” Carla said.

“No, of course not!” Gina shot back.

“Then, what’s the problem?” Carla demanded.

“I don’t know. He just makes me feel uncomfortable. That’s all.” Gina explained.

“Give him a chance, he’s a good guy.” Carla insisted.

“Okay, I’ll only do it because you’re my best friend.” Gina said with a smile.

While Gina and Carla were having their private conversation away from earshot of the boys, the boys were having their own private conversation.

“Look, I know you like Gina.” Mark said.

“No, I don’t” the young man replied.

“Of course you do. I can see it every time you look at her.” Mark insisted.

“Even if I did, she’s your girl. Stealing someone else’s girlfriend is not cool.” The young man shot back.

“She’s not going to be for long.” Mark confided.

“What do you mean?” The young man asked.

“I’m breaking up with her tonight.” Mark announced.

“You’re what?!?!?” The young man replied confused.

“I’m breaking up with her and then you can make your move” Mark insisted.

“I’m not going to make a move on someone that has just been broken up with.” The young man was disgusted at this turn of events.

“Okay, I’m going to level with you. Gina’s been cursed.” Mark explained.

“What are you talking about?” The young man answered.

“I know it sounds crazy but it’s true. Curses are real and Gina has been cursed. The only way to break the curse is with true love’s kiss.” Mark insisted.

“You mean like in fairy tale?” The young man asked, still confused.

“Yeah, like in a fairy tale. I’ll break up with her, you swoop in a give her a kiss and the curse will be broken. It’s for her own good.” Mark explained.

“That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.” The young man shot back, “If you really wanted to set me up with her, there are less crazy ways to do it. Besides, why can’t you break the curse.”

“Because I’m not her true love, you are.” Mark explained. There was a noise coming from the other room. The girls were coming back.

Mark said quietly so only the young man could hear him, “I’m breaking up with her tonight and you better come through.”