The boy lay sick all day again, able to do nothing in the hospital bed. The doctors had done everything that was in their power, and yet still his health declined. When night came and the boy could fall asleep he was grateful for the release that it gave him, even if he did die a horrible death at the end. He closed his eyes and immediately fell asleep, opening his eyes to the gates of the garden.

It seemed that while he declined, everything in the garden flourished. The roses were darker, fuller; the grass was greener and swaying; every the brook burbled happier. The boy walked quickly to the swing, where he and the girl had decided a long time ago to meet. He saw her there, sitting on the swing. He came up behind her and pushed gently, waking her from a daydream as the swing started to move. She smiled, something she didn’t do unless he was there, and while he was there it never faded.

“Hi.” His breath tickled her ear as she came backwards and he gave her another push.

“Hello yourself,” she replied, smirking.

“What adventure are we having today? A stroll through the deadly woods? A walk through the poisonous greenhouse? A swim in the venomous lake?” He smirked right back.

“I thought we could stay right here,” the girl murmured, stopping the swing and leaning against his chest, “And avoid the horrible death experiences.” She stood up and spread a blanket that sat next to a tree out in the grass. The she laid out on it, looking up at the sky.

The boy joined her, and together they watched the clouds go by, although these were purple, not your average white. They pointed out shapes, and laughed to each other as they got sillier and sillier.

“I think you win,” The girl choked out in between gasps.

“Do I now? And what’s my prize?” The boy smiled innocently at her, leaning up to look down at her. Her blondish hair was spread out in a halo around her, cheeks flushed pink, eyes bright with held in snickers.

The girl cocked her head, deep in thinking, “I’m not sure…this world doesn’t have much to offer in terms of a prize.”

The boy smirked, “I know of one thing.” The girl looked at him questioningly as he gathered his courage and kissed her. It was soft, sweet, innocent; and quick as well. When he pulled away her cheeks were burning, and he smiled down at her.

“Wha…what was that for?” She whispered, looking down.

“I wanted to…have wanted to.” He used a hand to lift her 

chin, “should I not have?”

The girl blushed deeper “I…I didn’t mind.”

With that, the boy smiled “You have feelings for me?”

She nodded, “And you for me?” He nodded, then leaned down to kiss her again.

It was full of passion this time, of untold love. But the world started fading away, like at the end of the boy’s dreams.

“No!” He shouted, and they both tried to grab each other so as not to be pulled away. But it was too late. The world faded to nothing, just blackness.

This time, the boy did not wake up to his room, or the hospital room. He did not wake at all.