He sighs. “It’s my fear inside me. I don’t know why, but I’ve always had these visions. Ever since I met you.”
“So, why are you crying, Vincent?”
He takes a deep breath and gives me a knowing look.
“You still think I’m going to leave you. Why can’t you trust me? What have I done to make you not trust me?”
He wavers. “Nothing.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“The visions cloud my mind. I-I can’t explain it right now.”
“Why?” Why is he hesitant and fumbling over his words? “What’s wrong?”
“I’m not ready to talk about it.”
Okay, I can respect that, especially if it’s as crazy as me sharing dreams with another man. “Fine. Then tell me what do I have to do to prove to you that I’m not leaving you? I can’t be with you if all I’m having to do is prove my commitment to you. I’m here to stay.”
“It’s my subconscious. My mind is crazy because of my mom and with all the stupid Casper stuff. I trust you,” he says but I can tell he’s still holding back. I know he’s scared, but after we talked about it, I hoped he would be done with this. “I’m not an easy person to love. I know that. I’m sorry I’m so fucked up, but I love you Megan. You are everything to me.” He steps closer and cups my chin. “It feels like we’ve known each other forever. I need you. I would crumble apart if I didn’t have you. I’m so sorry for scaring you and I promise I’ll tell you soon.”
I can’t help but soften at his words and the pleading look in his eyes. It’s intense, but I love Vincent and I have no intention of letting him go. I brush my knuckles on his cheek and he closes his eyes. I pull him closer and kiss him, softly. “You have to trust me,” I whisper and kiss his forehead.
He nods. “It’s just hard for me. But I promise in due time, I will.”
“Okay.” I know I should beat it out of him, but I can’t. I have my own secrets that I’m not ready to delve right into either. Still, this whole thing is bizarre.
On my way home, I can’t help but feel a little weirded out that Vincent admitted to producing visions. Like in my dreams. I can’t get over how my life is so similar to my dreams. There’s no way the dreams could be true. There’s no way any of this is connected.
Then it hits me. Like I’ve been punched right in the chest. In my dreams, I left Vincent for Casper. Can Vincent see my dreams when we kiss? That’s the only thing I can think of that makes any sense. Sort of. Maybe he can read my mind or take images from my mind. Maybe that’s why he’s so scared and so jealous of Casper.
I shake my head and sigh. This is the most ridiculous thing. Ever.
I have to talk to someone. Not Casper. Not Vincent. I have to tell Cherry, because I’m losing my mind and I need some kind of sanity in my life. And normalcy.
I call Cherry on my way home and ask for a girl’s night tomorrow. She agrees. I’m on the verge of ugly crying, but I hang up and pull into my driveway. I sit for a moment thinking I will feel better once I tell Cherry everything. All of it. Maybe it will loosen some of the weight off my shoulders. But I’m scared of her reaction. What if I lose my best friend because thinks I need to be locked up in a looney bin?
I let out a long sigh and go inside.
When I fall asleep, my dreams are rather tame, which is fine by me. Life at the palace goes on as normal, except I still search for the Jewel. I have no luck. I am almost sure someone actually buried it. Or threw it into the sea. Vincent busies himself with organizing the masquerade and I even find a dress. I miss Florence even more. And when I cry, Vincent holds me thinking I’m weeping only for Florence, but I also weep for Casper. My one true love who was murdered.
Chapter Forty-Two
The sun is shining, and the skies are blue with little wispy clouds here and there. It’s a beautiful Friday and I’m excited to spend some time with Cherry. Even though we’re shopping for my prom dress, I’m not sure I’ll even wear it to prom with the way mine and Vincent’s relationship has gone.
I’ve managed to ignore Casper all week since the first day I saw him, but his eyes are still focused on me in class. I don’t want to admit it, but I do miss him. It was so easy to be around him. So natural.
I’m in English, the last class of the day, and I’m counting down the minutes until I can leave this hellhole. Vincent was right. Eventually, my ornery feelings toward school would return.
“For our last project,” Mr. Burress says. “I’m going to let you partner up, but I’m going to assign your partner. Clare, you’ll team up with Demi.” He continues to go down the list and he gets to my name. “Megan, you and Casper will team up since you two did an excellent job on the last project.”
I can’t move and my heart is pounding. Why is this happening? I can’t work with him again. How am I going to explain this to Vincent? He’ll never believe that Mr. Burress put us together twice, which he didn’t, but that’s what Vincent thinks. I hold my head in my hands and I hear Casper plop down in the desk next to me.
He sighs. “Your boyfriend gonna be okay with this? Or are
