Dream lied in his bed alone the same night.

He knew George needed space, a little alone time to talk to other relatives on the phone and think by himself.

Although it hurt to not have George in his arms, he knew he would just see him again in the morning.

The next day, Dream woke up to his phone exploding. His body shot up from under the covers, quick to grab his phone.

Annie

Bro what the hell?

Hello?

Answer me :(

You're a terrible person for this

HELLOOOO

He glared harshly. This woman really wouldn't get the hint. He began typing but didn't know what to say.

His response ended up being, "sorry, I was on a vacation thing with a couple of friends. If you will meet with me later at the same park, I'll explain what's going on rn."

Annie

Okay fine. Park, 1 hour

He went over to his closet and pulled on a green hoodie, followed by his shoes.

He trudged downstairs, peeking over the railing to see a tired George slouched on the island stool. He was picking at his soggy cereal.

"Hey!" Dream called, running all the way downstairs and over to George.

He wrapped his arms around George from behind, planting a small kiss on his cheek.

"How're you this morning?"

George shrugged, spinning his body around in the stool and gripping his hands onto Dreams waist.

"Not so good. I didn't get to sleep in your bed."

Dream let out a small chuckle, tucking some of George's hair behind his ear.

"You're the one that mentioned sleeping alone in the first place, Georgie."

"Yeah but I didn't think you'd agree.."

"You're an idiot."

"I'm your idiot. Right?" He teased.

Dream squeezed his lips together, grinning. "If you want to be."

It was just now that George noticed Dream was dressed.

"Where are you going?" He asked, letting his hands fall off Dreams waist as he hopped off the stool.

"This is going to sound really weird, but I'm going to see Annie."

George's face froze.

"Why?"

Dream shrugged. "I'm going to tell her we can't hangout anymore."

George bit the inside of his cheek. "Why can't you just call her or something? You don't have to leave.."

"I have to, George. She genuinely thought I was into her."

"Were you talking to her at the beach house, too?"

"What? No I-"

"At the beach," George interrupted, "I saw your phone. She was texting you."

"Yeah, she was. But I never responded."

George turned away from Dream and opened the cupboard.

"What, do you not trust me?"

"I trust you, Clay."

"It's not sounding like it."

George blinked multiple times, and turned around again.

"I just don't trust her."

Dream furrowed his eyebrows, with a concerned look on his face.

"I'll be back soon."

———

He slouched down onto the picnic blanket, where Annie was sitting on her knees peacefully reading.

Her hair was down this time. She was wearing a dress with purple flowers all over it.

She glanced up from her book.

"Hello, Clay. I didnt actually expect you to turn up after you have been ignoring me so much throughout these days."

She bookmarked, then set her book by the picnic basket.

He took a deep breath. "I apologize, Annie. I didn't mean to upset anyone. I should've said something sooner."

She scoffed. "Yeah. You should've. You practically led me on."

He shook his head in embarrassment.

"I thought you kinda.. got the hint."

Her eyebrows shot up.

"What?"

"I'm gay."

Her lips parted as she scratched the back of her neck. Her cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment.

"If you're.. gay. Then why did you agree on going on a date with me in the first place?"

"Because I was confused. You didn't deserve that."

He noticed how her eyes almost started to water as she unzipped her backpack and started piling all her things into it quickly.

"Annie-"

"Don't ever speak to me again, Clay. Block my number as a matter of fact. I can't believe I fell for you."

She hurried away, almost in a jog.

Dream just stared down at the picnic blanket she had forgotten. He had never felt like such a shitty person.

———

George patiently watched the clock, Sapnap talking about who knows what in the background as he munched on some popcorn.

"George? Are you even listening?"

George quickly made eye contact with Sapnap.

"What?"

Sapnap glared, reaching for the remote and shutting off the tv.

"You actually think he's gonna do something with Annie?"

"I just.. don't want to end up like my dad. Being cheated on, or hurt. I trust Clay with my life yet I'm so scared."

Sapnap set his popcorn on the coffee table, folding his hands together.

"How can Clay cheat on you if you guys aren't even together?"

George tapped his hand against his own thigh.

"Or have you still not talked about it.." he mumbled.

"Are you suggesting I talk to him?"

"Of course I am. He clearly wants to talk about it, yeah? Friends don't kiss. Well, most don't."

"What the hell Nick."

They couldn't help but start laughing as keys jangled into the door.

A flustered Dream wobbled in, slamming the door behind him.

"Hey, dude, how'd it go?" Sapnap asked, reaching for the bowl of popcorn again.

"She.. wasn't happy."

"Like I'd think."

Dream walked past the two and into the kitchen, swinging open the fridge.

Sapnap eyed George, intentionally telling him to go speak with him.