A World As Your Oyster

By Beetlebomb

Have you ever had one of those dreams where you could impress someone by flying, and all you really needed to do was just focus really hard? Or maybe in your dream you could move things with your mind if you were just in the right state of mind? Well, what if you woke up one morning, and that feeling never left you? This is where our story begins... with Todd, a regular boy in high school at the fresh young age of 17.

"Com'mon Todd! Get your ass out of bed! You're gonna' miss the damn bus again!"

Todd jumped in his bed, getting abruptly awakened by his mothers screeching voice.

"Alright, alright!!" "God damn..." he mumbled to himself as his heart rate returned to normal.

The effects of being so suddenly awakened still held the fresh images of his cut-off'ed dream. Damn, he thought to himself... it was a good dream too.

He groggily stumbled his way into the bathroom, leaning on all the walls as he made his way in.

A few minutes in the shower and the 'Hell Bitch' was banging at the door again.

"Hurry up! You're going to waste all the hot water!"

Being already bombarded with so many orders by his mom left him in a state of immunity. He gave her no response.

The bus ride to school fell into his normal daily routine.

He would take the first few steps up into the bus, and peer down the lanes of seats to see which were available. There was always that shred of hope that maybe the girl of his dreams, Claire McKenzie, would be there with a open seat next to her and beckon him over to sit next to her, but that was all a dream.

When his eyes surveyed the sea of broccoli green bus seats, the first thing to throw off that distasteful color from his field of vision was Claire's sparkling blond hair and her big blue eyes-- which was staring right at him. From across the bus she glanced at him and smiled. He quickly returned a crooked smile of his own, but it was immediately destroyed when Ben, the school bully shoved Todd away.

Ben sat his bulky frame down next to Claire and draped his hand over her shoulder.

"Hey there, Babe. Ya' miss me?"

Claire's reaction wasn't of disgust towards Ben, but it also wasn't one of joy. She generally didn't mind Ben's presence, especially not on such a beautiful day as this.

Todd sat himself down a couple seats behind them and listened intently.

Claire began, "Maybe!" Her voice flirted slightly. "Did you guys win the game last week?"

"With flying colors Babe! You should have seen it! I swear I saw a one of the guys on the other team crying after the game from getting such a hard beating."

It was obvious that Ben was trying so hard to impress Claire.

So, hey, Claire, listen." He cleared his throat "I was wondering. Would j'you like to, like, ya' know, go out with me this friday or something? I mean, only if you wanted to, or, ya' know."

Todd watched in delight as Ben stumbled over all his words.

Although Todd was laughing, he wished with all his might that he had just as much guts as Ben to speak to such an amazing girl as Claire. He continued watching as Claire was about to answer him.

"Uhmmm..."

Oh god, here it comes, Todd thought! He closed his eyes and crossed his fingers,

"Please god, no. Don't let that stupid bully Ben get with Claire! I swear I was going to ask her out myself...eventually!" He pleaded in his head.

"Well, maybe another time, Ben. I'm kinda' busy on Friday."

"Oh, ok. Well, ummm, maybe another time then." Ben's defeated expression made Claire nod in agreement, but she was not going to let herself get into that type of situation again where he would ask her.