Her Dream

With the hot sun bearing down, I stood a few steps behind Glint, waiting to see how this cowgirl would mount her steed. I'd intervene if needed.

Glint's expression flowed between confident then nervous, before relenting with an awkward laugh.

"Ummm, so I just stick my boot on that metal strap down there, right?"

"Left foot first," I said.

"Right. Okay." After a deep breath she held the reins tight before lifting her boot. The pointed sole slid into an opening, grazing textured steel. But she'd raised her leg high enough to look strained.

"If you need more balance, just grab Monkey's mane. It doesn't hurt him."

"I-It's fine. I got this." With a puffing face, her arm tried hugging the saddle to haul herself up. Little by little she wormed higher. But her leg kept failing to conquer Monkey's back; and she slid down again. "Huff, huff, huff . . ."

"Good try." There wasn't much else to do besides offer support. "Want that mounting block we mentioned?"

"No. I'm gonna try again."

"You sure?"

"Hyup!" She slung her leg up once more. "W-Woah! Look! I'm almost up now!"

Eh? I didn't know where to look—her denim jeans were stretched so tight against her butt it looked painful. And some of her midriff had begun peeking beneath her flannel, teasing at porcelain skin.

"Ummm, Chance?" she turned towards me, blushing. "Would you mind giving me a push?"

"P-Push?" I stammered, trying to look away. "I mean, I could. Do you mind if I grab your sides?"

Then, her face froze. Realization hit about the vulnerable position she was hanging in. She was like a koala clinging to the side of a horse much bigger than her; someone so light that Monkey hardly acknowledged her apart from neighing.

Glint's eyes darted around as if computing responses to my question. But all she could do was give a little nod. "Okay, just hurry."

"R-Right!" I ran and stood right behind her. It was the closest I'd been since clutching Glint in my arms last night—not even twenty-four hours ago. We were still just strangers getting to know each other. But already it felt like we'd been friends forever.

Don't be weird about it. Gently, I clasped her thin waist. Even through the coarse cowgirl flannel, I felt her sides quiver as I shoved her up towards the saddle.

"Woah! Woah!" She righted herself fast, sitting tall with a smile. "Oh! I'm finally up here! Yay!"

"Huff, huff. . . Glad you're happy." I limped away to see how things looked.

Monkey Dee was none the wiser of the cheerful girl that'd mounted him. He just let loose some neighs before blinking.

"This is so brilliant!" Glint adjusted her hat as she admired the desert landscape around her. Faint calls from birds she'd never encountered, and breezes weaving through her golden hair, likely hinted this was a new world in more ways than one.

I let her continue enjoying the moment while I grabbed Monkey's rope. Our actual fun would start now.

"Ready for a little ride?" I asked her behind me.

"Yeah! Should I do anything?"

"Oh, let me check things first." I turned around to inspect Glint's posture and technique. "Hold those reins between both hands; like you're holding two coffee mugs at once."

She finessed her fingers into concoctions that had no clue what to do, until getting it right by accident. "Like this?"

"Yeah. And don't sit so stiff. Relax so you won't jolt when he moves."

Monkey Dee neighed in agreement.

"Okay. Ummm, is this fine?" Her shoulders slouched to a comedic degree. I gestured to straighten herself and keep her boots in the stirrups, before I began tugging Monkey's rope. And all three of us moved.

Hooves clanged against arid ground in slow, steady rhythm. I was leading Monkey—controlling him—while Glint enjoyed the ride of a lifetime.

"How's it going back there?" I said.

"A-Amazing! I've always wanted to ride a horse like this!"

"We're taking things easy for now. Maybe another day we'll get to trotting."

"Mm!"

Our slow ride around the paddock continued. We were touring alongside iron-pipe fencing that radiated trace heat. But every time I looked behind, Glint wore the brightest smile like she didn't mind harsh conditions.

"So what part of California are you from?" I asked her. It was something else she'd kept secret.

She took a second to respond, as if wondering how much should be revealed. Though she shook away those worries. "I'm from Los Angeles. Not far from here, I think?"

"Ah, yeah. That's just down the hill; cool to know your Earth has an LA too."

"Ummm, I was born in Britain though. But my family moved here to America when I was young."

"That'd explain your accent, haha."

"G-Gosh," she giggled. "So maybe it's true then—there's nothing much different about our worlds, besides your mirrors being special?"

"Guess so. You mentioned using "cars" for traveling on your Earth though?"

"There's planes and trains and boats too."

Aeroplanes? "Maybe history diverges when it involves transportation then. We built our culture around mirrors taking us everywhere; that one aspect probably changes more things than we imagine."

Glint put a finger to her chin to think. "Did this world have Route 66?"

"Route 66? Yeah, why?"

"Huh." She looked surprised. "Just odd that this Earth uses mirrors to get around, but still built the original highways where I'm from."

"Well, we've invented cars; we call them 'automobiles' here. But they're mostly a recreation thing. Or for emergencies."

"Like fire trucks?"

"Exactly. Can't squeeze something that big through a mirror usually, haha."

Monkey Dee stayed on his best behavior. The old horse kept chugging along as I led him around his paddock. Wide open spaces were boring but good for training novices.

Then another wind whipped Glint's face before she laughed it off. "Sure is windy up here."

"Careful not to fall," I said. "Beginners normally wear helmets."

"Aren't those more for bicycles?"

"Especially for bicycles. Besides mirrors, most people get around via bike. Everyone rides bikes."

There was a long silence while I waited for her response. My head turned to peek at Glint staring off towards nothing, almost blushing. Then she finally beamed an embarrassed glance.

"I-I kinda can't ride bicycles . . ."

"Huh?" I blurted. "How old are you?"

"Seventeen," she mumbled.

"Oh. Same age as me then. Funny."

I was tempted to ask more—about her family life, hobbies—but it felt too soon for that. I'd lean towards teasing her if needed instead.

Monkey Dee behind me jolted a little, as if encouraging Glint to speak.

"I just haven't gotten many chances to learn," she said, holding the reins steady. "We didn't even own any bikes."

"Makes sense. Your world mostly got around with cars, right?"

"Mm."

But as I tugged Monkey along, a cool idea hatched in my head. "Actually, if you want, I wouldn't mind teaching you how to ride a bike sometime."

"Really? You don't gotta go that far for me."

"Don't worry, it'll be fun."

Another short pause. Out of the corner of my eye, I could tell from her face something was bothering her.

"I was wondering if I could ask another favor," she said.

"Hmmm? What's up?"

As her mouth opened, she stopped herself and glanced away. "L-Let's just finish things with Monkey here first."

"Oh, sure. No problem." Wonder what that was all about. "Wanna pick up the pace though?"

"Pace?"

I grasped Monkey's rope tight before smirking. "We can't canter yet, but are you up for a little trot?"

Glint nodded. "Yeah! Let's do it."

"Hold on tight then."

With both hands she clasped the horn at the front of the saddle, bracing herself. "Ready when you are."

Monkey Dee beside me let loose some excited neighs. He didn't get exercise often because my sister would rather fatten him; though he understood what the slow grating of sand under my boots meant.

I'm still kinda exhausted from exploring Central Park yesterday. Whatever. Cowboy boots weren't made for running. But I was willing to give them a chance as I breathed in and gave the lead rope a firm pull.

Then I broke into a jog.

"H-Hey, woah!" Glint cheered. She bobbed up and down on Monkey's back while he trotted along behind me.

Powerful hooves pounded the ground. It was a challenge to keep him from passing me, but he'd been trained for careful restraint even mid-gait.

"Bounce with the motions," I told Glint. "You'll jolt less that way."

"O-O-Okay!" She relaxed herself and accepted Monkey's momentum. Up and down, her bottom smacked the saddle repeatedly. A firm grip on the horn kept her balanced. And in just a minute she'd mastered a technique that took me weeks.

"You're doing great!" I said.

"B-Brilliant! Incredible! Ahaha!"

Our fun beneath the hot sun continued. I was sweating, panting, but enjoying every moment. Even drained from running, just hearing Glint laugh and seeing her bright grin was all the fuel I needed.

Who knew that what I wanted most was another light in my life.

*

The sky melded into pink hues.

Before we knew it, hours had passed and the day came to an end. We'd returned Monkey back to his stall who seemed just as exhausted as me. Glint left him refilled buckets of water after hand-feeding him carrots—the top treat.

Our remaining afternoon was just me giving a barn tour until there wasn't much remaining to see.

"So how'd your first day of rural life go?" I asked Glint as we left the barn.

"I like it," she smiled wide. "It's a different culture, but I could get used to it."

"Actually, ummm . . ." Why does it feel like I'm confessing? "I'm gonna be home for the next three months until I start college. You could probably stay here at least that long if you need."

"Oh! That's so much time! Thank you!"

"It's nothing, haha. But do you mind if I ask something?"

"Hmm? What?"

I didn't know how to word it—not without sounding creepy. I'd seem almost infatuated after just meeting her yesterday, or plain clingy. Though the details would be pertinent for us both.

As I closed the paddock gate, Glint waited for me with a cautious expression, like she knew what I wanted to ask.

Then I looked her in the eye. "We don't mind if you stay here—doesn't matter how long really. But what will you do after you leave? Where will you go?"

It was the million dollar question. And she knew it.

Glint peered down at her cowgirl boots, fidgeting. "I honestly don't know. I'll figure something out though."

"No. I'm serious. This world—it might feel familiar—but it's more authoritarian than you can imagine. Not knowing where to sleep would be the least of your problems if they're legitimately manhunting you."

"Maybe I'll find a shelter. They shouldn't know my face after all."

"Would that make you happy? Is living in a shelter or under some bridge why you came this way?"

No reply. But she looked hurt.

I didn't regret it.

"You're not in your world anymore," I continued. "You don't know anyone except me and Fate. So—I guess I'm just trying to say that if you ever need anything, you can always come back here. You can rely on us."

Still no reply. Glint's sapphire eyes stared off towards the sky, almost like she wanted to fly away.

It wasn't my intention to scare her. "Sorry. Maybe I'm being overbearing."

"No, I understand," she sighed, holding her arm. "It's just that—I can't explain everything yet. Someone told me not to say much about how I got here. So that's why I'm being vague about stuff."

Someone? "Well, it's enough knowing where you're from. Let's head back?"

"You're not mad at me?"

"No reason, haha. We're just talking."

Her face brightened before nodding. "Mm! I kinda need to use the bathroom anyway, hehe."

We journeyed back across the Mojave Desert that was our backyard. A full moon had begun glimmering in dusk skies above. Being far from major cities meant nights were always beautiful.

As I slid open our patio door, wafting scents from the earlier meal greeted us. It was a soothing, fillet breeze that reminded me of—

"Actually, go ahead and use the bathroom," I told Glint while I washed my hands in our kitchen. "I gotta cook Fate dinner before she gets home."

"Okay! Be right back." And she scurried upstairs, boots clonking.

Huh. She cheered up pretty fast. A minute passed. Two. I'd donned my apron again as I fired up our stove. There wasn't much else to do now besides wait and listen to the thudding upstairs. Is Glint changing? Maybe I'll cook something quick for her too.

But then socks stomping down the stairs rang. Someone ran downstairs and darted into my kitchen.

"Hmm?" I said.

"Huff, huff . . ." Panting Glint was standing by the table. She'd changed into a pink tank top that laid bare her slender shoulders with hints of cleavage. And her long hair that went down to her waist could just touch the rim of pajama pants.

"I-Is something wrong?" I said, spatula in hand.

"Favor! I gotta ask that favor! I can't wait anymore!"

"What favor?"

She stepped closer with a pleading expression. "Please, Chance. There's something you have to do for me."

I could feel my heart pounding as her eagerness forced me back into the counter. She walked close enough to almost be under my nose, gazing straight up at me with eyes begging for attention.

Glint's short height meant I couldn't sidestep her, or even wanted to. I was paralyzed under the spell of her sweet breath that was near enough to smell.

"Wh-What going on?" I asked again.

Eyes glimmering like snow globes on a winter night became resolute as she finally spoke.

"My dream," she said. "Please. I've always wanted to see the world. To go everywhere, be anywhere, see everything I've always wanted—that's the whole reason I came all this way! To this dimension where mirrors could be a door to anywhere!"

The saucepan boiling water beside us helped mask my hammering heart. Glint was close enough to almost kiss, but as if realizing our closeness, she backed away though remained focused.

I turned off the stove. "So you wanna travel around?"

"Mm! Doesn't matter where. Paris, Venice, Tokyo, New York—anyplace, as long as I've never been there before."

She doesn't know . . . I paused to gather my thoughts. It was strange she seemed glad about popping into a stranger's house yesterday, but now things made sense. Notwithstanding all the questions she'd been asking as well. Glint was more than an outsider; she was a hungry tourist thirsty for sightseeing.

Though who knew if I could grant her wish.

"Listen," I said. "I'm not sure what you knew before coming here, but seeing the world isn't exactly easy."

"Why not? Can't mirrors go everywhere?"

"They can. You need passports to travel almost anywhere though."

"That's no different from where I'm from then."

Her passionate insistence reflected in her eyes that were unblinking with resolve. It was a new side of her, from the shy girl who'd once hidden behind newspapers or under hoodies. Though it wasn't a side I wouldn't mind learning more about.

"There's other stuff we gotta consider," I said while scratching my head. "For starters, traveling abroad means—"

A ringtone of chirping birds blared. My phone was vibrating as I pulled it out and answered.

"Hello?"

"Little brother, little brother, let me innnnn," Fate cooed in a playful voice. "Hewwo!"

"Should I unlock our mirror, sis?"

"Planks. I'll be home in like five minutes. Did you take care of Monkey Dee?"

"Yeah. Me and Glint played around with him today, haha."

"Oh! How is Glint doing anyway?"

You're on speakerphone. Please don't say anything cringe. "G-Glint's right here. We were just talking about stuff."

"Have you made her your girlfriend yet?"

I'll kill you! My eyes drifted towards Glint standing awkwardly away. Her earlier confidence had waned into sheepishness as she fidgeted her fingers, waiting for an answer.

"Sh-She's not like you that likes hopping from boyfriend to boyfriend."

"Geez! I've already told you I just like exploring my options. A girl has gotta settle down with someone one day."

"You're almost thirty."

No response. But I knew she didn't take well to mentioning her age.

"We'll have a little chat when I get back." Then Fate hung up.

The kitchen became quiet. I didn't know how to break the silence—but I'd already forgotten about Fate's antics. The real issue now was addressing Glint's desire we were just discussing.

Tired, I sighed and glimpsed towards her. "If you want me to show you the world, I don't mind."

"R-Really? You'd do that for me?"

"Sure. But we gotta prepare some things first."

"Like what?"

A quick check of my watch showed it was getting late. "We'll talk more about stuff tomorrow. Do you want something to eat?"

She shook her head before yawning. "I'm fine. Don't worry about feeding me that often."

"There's always cereal or snacks in the pantry if I'm not around."

"Thanks, hehe."

I turned on the stove again and went to unlock our mirror in the living room. Fate would be home soon but—

"Chance?"

"Hmm?" I looked behind towards the staircase.

Step by step, Glint came back down the stairs. Even in faint light I could make out the smile on her face.

"Let's have fun tomorrow too, k'?"