Dream Frequency: Dream Girl, #2

By S.J. Lomas

Christine would never have considered herself new recruit material for a secret U.S. agency. Until recently, she's just been an ordinary girl graduating from high school and wondering if a friendship with Gabriel, a mysterious coworker, would grow into something romantic. When Christine's fascination with Gabriel leads to her discovery of dreamworlds, she learns that she's anything but ordinary. Christine and Gabriel must choose their allegiances and face corruption, conspiracy, and the complexities of love in order to save themselves and everyone who matters to them - or die trying.

This thrilling conclusion to Dream Girl can also be read on its own as a complete novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: 8N Publishing
• Release date: Jun 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386922964

S.J. Lomas

S.J. Lomas is a cheerful Michigan girl who writes strange, and somewhat dark, young adult fiction. She loves books so much that she not only writes them, but she became a librarian and a book reviewer. Her to-be-read pile is large enough to last several lifetimes, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. Keep up with S.J. on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, or her newsletter. If you’ve finished the book, please let other readers know what you thought by leaving a brief review on your favorite retailer site. Your time spent sharing your opinion is greatly appreciated!

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S.J. Lomas

Dream Frequency

First published by 8N Publishing, LLC 2021

Copyright © 2021 by S.J. Lomas

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

S.J. Lomas asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

Third edition

Cover art by Purpose on Paper

This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

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To Paul McGlynn,

the best literature professor, supporter, and friend a person could hope for.

I miss you.

Acknowledgement

Writing a novel seems like a solitary endeavor, but it takes so many wonderful people to create a finished book. Without the inspiration, support, and encouragement from the following people, this book would not exist.

First and foremost, Jeff, Patty, and Ted for not begrudging me the time and energy it takes to write and revise a book. Thanks for picking up the slack and celebrating the victories. I love you guys most of all!

Mom and Dad, for always supporting my dreams. You’re always in my corner and I wouldn’t be here, with my second novel, without you.

Ava Jae, your incredible editorial eye helped me craft this into a much better manuscript. I’ll always think ‘and what does that look like’ whenever I’m writing.

Monica R. Sholar, thank you for your insightful plot notes and for your willingness to say, No way! and You can do better. You were right, and I love you for it. I also owe you for this excellent title. You’re a super star!

Maggie Kelly, a million thank yous for your mad proofreading skills, which keeps the world from seeing my embarrassing mistakes. Your thoughtful comments about the plot and characters were invaluable as well. #TeamLeo!

Once upon a time, several brave souls offered me the use of their names to populate the agency. It was so fun to name characters after you and I hope you enjoy them, no matter how big or small their parts – Lisa Lamm Aikins, Kristi Askew, Renée Buchanan, Tony Castelletto, Rich Chase, John Connon, Jeff Fream, Kirstie Furner-Goldfinch, Molly Guerriero, Jeri Hiscock, Eileen Massarello, Ian Baskerville-McMullen, Anne Nelson, Tracy Paris, and Kenneth Rinesmith. You’re good sports and great friends.

Jody Lamb, you answered my desperate plea for help and fixed that mess of words I sent you. You’re a lifesaver!

Jay Asher, I met you at a crucial point in the life of Dream Girl. Your enthusiastic and encouraging critique of that early draft has turned into a duology. Thank you for your kindness to a newbie. It made a huge difference.

Renée Buchanan, Christie T., and Elizabelle, you may not realize it, but your enthusiasm for these characters kept me writing this sequel. When it was agonizing to keep going, I imagined you waiting to read it and pressed on. This is definitely for you.

1

Christine

Everything can change in one summer. One day, it stretches out before you like a lazy, yawning cat. The next day, the claws come out and tear away the veil separating you from the lies you’ve grown up believing. And that’s the hard part. You can’t un-see the truth. You can either embrace it or limp along your fractured excuse of a life. It’s a no-brainer on paper. Not so much when it’s your own life.

For the past nine months, I’d done a fair job getting through each day of senior year in a new school. In a new state, even. But after I’d met Gabriel and Leo last summer, they were all I could think about. And not just them, but the dreamworld they’d pulled me into. It’s not the sort of thing you can forget. I was due to join them in Wyoming in a few more weeks. All I had left to do was smile my way through the last hoops of high school and continue lying to my best friends who expected me to start college with them in the fall. Then I’d finally be free to join Leo and Gabriel in a secret government agency and slip into the night without a trace. Even though I’d talked to Leo about it endlessly, the plan still felt like something that’d happen to someone else. Like how you know you’re going to die someday, but at the same time you don’t totally believe it.

Those seemingly endless months of senior year were quickly becoming vague memories. I was living the last days of Christine Davies, ordinary person. Before I knew it, I’d be Agent Davies of the United States Agency of Dreamwork. How in the world was this my life?

I pulled my little blue Focus into the driveway of our new Texas house. I’d never thought of it as home, even though I’d been there for nine months. What’s nine months compared to eighteen years? I had no fond memories here. It was a just a segue to my new life.

I popped the trunk and grabbed an armload of the groceries my mom had sent me out to get. She didn’t usually have me do the shopping, but it was a nice distraction from my impending recruitment.

I fumbled with my keys to get the front door unlocked, but Mom pulled the door open before I had a chance.

There you are! She had an unusually large grin on her face.

Uh, yeah, I answered. I went shopping for you, remember?

Yes, yes. I remember. The Olympic-sized smile didn’t leave her face.

Were we supposed to go out to dinner or something? Why was she so happy? Am I missing something?

No. She reached into the bag I was carrying and produced a package of chips. Here. Why don’t you put these down in the basement pantry?

I’ve got more in the car—

She took the bag from me and thrust the chips into my hands instead. I’ll unload the trunk. Just take these downstairs, please.

Okay… Something weird was definitely going on. I swear, Mom giggled as she bounced out the front door, still holding the bag I’d just brought in. It was probably better to stop asking questions and just take the chips to the pantry. I opened the door to the basement and flicked on the lights.

SURPRISE! hollered a group of people gathered at the bottom of the stairs. I dropped the chips, but luckily I staggered backward with the shock instead of tumbling down the stairs. Once their faces registered and my fight or flight impulse eased, I screamed and ran down to hug them.

Everyone I cared about most was there. Tiffany, Daria, Marcel, and Javier. Even Leo. Once I made it down the stairs, we were just a tangle of arms and laughter.

Oh my God, I finally said, taking everyone in for the first time since last summer. What’s going on? How did you get here?

Daria smiled. It was your parents’ idea. They called and offered to fly us down to celebrate your graduation.

I can’t believe this! I turned to Leo and caught his eye. Blue eyes I hadn’t seen in person for too long.

Tiffany giggled and shoved me toward Leo. We’ll give you long-distance lovers a moment to say hi.

I couldn’t help but blush at the strong word Tiffany had used. She’d always had a flair for drama, but geez! Tiffany and Daria both gave me sly smiles as they headed to the couch with their boyfriends. Leo and I had covered Gabriel’s sudden disappearance/recruitment into the dream agency by saying we’d started dating. It was easy enough to feign a long-distance relationship but it’d be another to play this game in front of my best friends. Regardless, I was so happy to see him again that I savored our hug, inhaling his fabric softener and coffee scent.

How did you— I whispered but he cut me off.

Your parents got my number from your phone. They insisted I come, not that it was a hard sell. He pulled away and we just took each other in for a moment. We’d kept in touch with phone calls, but it’s so different to look into someone’s eyes.

Tiffany coughed. You can kiss her. No one’s looking.

Daria punched her in the arm, but they both laughed.

Just don’t take forever, Tiffany continued. We’ve got a lot to talk about.

I could feel the blush creeping up my neck. Only daring to meet Leo’s eyes through the curtain of my bangs, his color was rising too. Tiffany was in the background, her hands over her face, fingers spread wide so she could see everything.

My heart beat like machine-gun fire. Leo and I stared at each other, conscious of the audience behind us. His eyes were a mosaic of questions and carefully guarded thoughts. A tendril of blond hair had escaped from his ponytail and rested on the side of his face. I reached up and smoothed it behind his ear. He didn’t move a muscle, like he wasn’t used to following someone else’s lead.

Okay, c’mon you two, Daria interrupted. I’m dying to tell you something.

Tension broken, we turned to the rest of the group and they squeezed together to make room for us on the couch. With three couples and one couch, basically the girls had to sit on the guys’ laps. There was no way to avoid getting close to Leo, not that I wanted to, but it would have been nice to talk first.

I perched on Leo’s lap next to everyone else. As we snuggled into our spot, I glanced at how the others were arranged. Marcel and Tiffany were all smashed together like they were trying to occupy one body. Javier wrapped his arms tight around Daria’s waist. Daria had her hands folded over Javier’s, her left hand was carefully perched on top. Her left hand with a gorgeous ring on it. Her left hand with a gorgeous ring on that finger.

I pointed at her hand as my mouth dropped open. Is that—

Everyone except Leo and me laughed. It is! Daria exclaimed.

Oh my God, you guys! Congratulations! Eyeing her diamond, I felt like I’d been farther than 1,400 miles from my friends.

I would have called you but I knew we’d be coming here and I thought it’d be better to tell you in person.

Tiffany nudged her. Tell her how it happened.

Daria and Javier smiled at each other for a second before Daria launched into the details that I couldn’t wait to hear.

Well, she began, Javier had a poetry reading two weeks ago. Tiffany and Marcel came along. I didn’t know it, but Javier had invited my parents and sister. For his reading, he did a love poem he’d secretly written for me, which was also a proposal. I was so shocked, I didn’t even know it was real until he pulled a ring out of his pocket and knelt next to the microphone. Finally, my sister appeared from the back of the coffee shop and pulled me up. I said yes and he got a standing ovation.

"We got an ovation, baby, Javier corrected. Nobody moved until she said yes."

Javier, that’s so romantic! Well done! I said.

He smiled. Thanks. I just figured there was power in numbers. If I had an audience in on it, it’d be easier to nail her down.

Daria rolled her eyes and they both laughed.

Anyway, I wanted to tell you in person because I’d like to ask you to be a bridesmaid. We don’t have a date yet, but it won’t be until after I graduate. I’ll be getting my degree in December, so probably next summer or fall.

The news cut straight into my heart. There was no way I could be a bridesmaid for Daria. I’d be training at the agency, a place that takes over the lives of its members. I’d be leaving anytime after my big graduation party. For good. There’s no way I’d be through training by then—but I couldn’t explain that either. Instead, I leaned over and hugged her tight, pressing my face into her shoulder.

I’d be honored. I forced the words out of my constricting throat.

Tiffany leaned in and hugged us too. We’re going to be the most beautiful bridal party ever.

Daria laughed. I’m so glad I could finally tell you. Now you can help me rein in Tiffany’s wild ideas.

Ha! said Tiffany. You can’t handle my ideas.

I wanted to keep my face buried in Daria’s shoulder forever, breathing in the scent of her coconut shea butter lotion. She smelled like summer. Like all the lost summers that lay ahead of me.

I had to pull myself together. Worlds imploded in my mind but I couldn’t let anyone know. Everything was normal. No, not normal—joyful. Tiffany and I were done with high school. Daria was getting married. This was the most hopeful time of our lives. Our futures were full of possibilities and dreams. Dreams. Ha! My future was full of dreams, all right. But not the kind anyone else could imagine.

I slowly pulled out of the embrace of the girls who were supposed to be my best friends in the world. Friends that I shouldn’t keep huge secrets from. I swallowed the lump in my throat. Who else is in the bridal party?

Daria was positively glowing. My sister, Javier’s two sisters, and my friend, Monica, from psychology classes.

It was a bit of a relief that there were five others. Not that they could cover for my absence, but at least she’d still have a good-sized group. Thank goodness I wouldn’t have to pretend for long. She’d know I was out long before she had to make all the preparations, but my heart felt like a wrung-out washcloth. I wanted to see her wedding so badly. Why did this have to happen now?

Leo squeezed my knee, the only appropriate thing he could squeeze given our seating arrangement. I put my hand on his and laced our fingers. Maybe I could draw the strength I needed from him. With this news out there now, the visit with my best friends was going to be harder than I could have imagined. The only person who knew was Leo. He’d been the keeper of my deepest secrets since last summer. He was the only one I could talk to, but I wished he didn’t know this new twist. It’s one thing to give up something; it’s another to have someone you care about know what you’re sacrificing.

It’s going to be gorgeous! Tiffany gushed. Can you imagine all this in a wedding dress? She waved her hand over Daria, indicating her head-to-toe beauty. She may, in fact, have gotten more beautiful since I’d last seen her. Always effortlessly lovely, Daria was killing it in a knee-length sundress, showing off her toned legs and arms. Her brown eyes twinkled with the comfortable joy of a newly engaged woman. Her black hair was cropped for the summer, playful and gorgeous at the same time. Dressed in a bridal gown, she’d easily pass for royalty. I desperately wanted to see it.

Daria shook her head. Can you talk some sense into this girl? She’s gotten even more carried away without you. We need the balance back.

I’m not sure about the rest of what you said, but the balance part is definitely right, Tiffany agreed. Both of them smiled at me, their eyes full of the adventures we were meant to share together. What if they saw the hollowness in mine?

I jumped up. I’ll get us some drinks. I hoped I didn’t sound as awkward to my friends as I did to myself.

Let me help you. Leo stood behind me.

Tiffany and Daria exchanged glances but I wasn’t in any state to decode their meaning. I had to get away.

Sure, I said and bounded up the stairs.

Unfortunately, things weren’t much better there. Mom and Dad were hovering around.

Surprise! they said when they saw me.

Yeah, for sure, I said. Leo came up after me.

We thought you’d enjoy some time with your friends before your graduation party, Dad explained.

I nodded. Thanks. It’s really great. I’m totally shocked.

Mom and Dad exchanged self-satisfied smiles as I breezed past them. I just needed to get away from them all for a minute.

I charged up to my bedroom, Leo right behind me. As soon as we got into the room, he closed the door and drew me into a hug. My face pressed into his neck, I couldn’t help but cry.

I didn’t know it would be this hard! I sobbed.

I know, he said softly, but you don’t have to go. You can be in the wedding. You’re not locked into anything.

I nodded into his neck. I knew that, but that made it worse. The only thing trapping me was myself. I’d told Gabriel I’d see him again at the agency. I’d been preparing with Leo all this time. Wonderful Leo. Wrapped in his strong arms, crying into him, I couldn’t imagine saying goodbye to him. So much had been left unsaid since last summer, I couldn’t abandon Gabriel without any explanation. But how could I not stand with Daria on her wedding day? How could I not go to college with Tiffany like we’d always planned? There were too many people on opposite sides that I loved. I couldn’t walk away from any of them. But I had to. I had to decide.

You’re never going to lose me, you know, Leo said quietly, as if he knew what I was thinking.

I pulled away to look at his face.

His blue eyes swam in insecurity. This wasn’t a side of him I’d seen before.

He relaxed his arms and took my hands instead.

We’ve been through too much. You said it before; we make a good team. I’m not going to take you away from a normal life, but I can’t let you go either.

But I know too much, I said, about the agency.

Leo shook his head. It doesn’t matter. I’ll get around it.

I don’t want to get you in trouble.

Don’t worry about me, he said. You have to do what you really want to. If you stay here, and you want me around, I will be.

My heart was pounding. So much was riding on my decision. No matter what I picked, people would be disappointed. He was right. I had to do what I wanted. I had to live with myself forever. Only I could decide what regrets I’d be willing to live with.

I looked into Leo’s eyes. I don’t know what to do yet, but I know I want you around.

So many emotions swam through his eyes, which were usually so carefully composed.

We can work with that. He glanced around my room and reached over to my nightstand, where I kept a box of tissues. He pulled one out and used it to dry my tears. Before I could say anything, there was a knock on my door.

Everything okay? What are you doing up here? Mom asked.

I took the tissue from Leo’s hand and quickly wiped the remaining tears from my cheeks.

Uh, yeah. Everything’s good, I called back. Just wanted to grab an old yearbook.

Can I come in? she asked.

Leo took a step back.

Sure, I said, wishing I had a yearbook in my hand.

She opened the door and stepped in, assessing the scene before her quickly. I don’t know what conclusion she came to, but she smiled sadly.

I know you haven’t seen each other in a long time, but you have guests downstairs waiting for you. I’ll bring down some snacks for everyone. Okay?

Daria and Javier got engaged, I blurted out, my eyes filling with tears again.

What? Right now? she asked.

A couple weeks ago, I said, but she just told me. She wants me and Tiffany to be bridesmaids.

Mom’s mouth fell open as the shock of it hit her. While she took in the news, I did my best to clear my conflicting emotions from my face.

That’s wonderful news! she finally said. You and Tiffany will make beautiful bridesmaids. Then it was her turn to get misty eyes.

You girls have been such good friends to each other. Sometimes I can’t believe how grown up you are. Where did my baby girl go?

Oh God. I couldn’t handle my own issues and deal with Mom getting all sentimental too. She didn’t know where I’d gone, what if I did go to the agency with Leo? Would it be too much for her and my dad? My throat constricted and my chest developed an uncomfortable tightness.

Thankfully, Leo can diffuse a situation.

Mrs. Davies, can I help you get those snacks ready?

Mom looked back and forth between Leo and me like she’d forgotten where we were for a minute. She squared her shoulders and put a pleasant smile on her face.

That’s very sweet of you, Leo, she said. Wonderful idea.

Leo moved to leave the room, giving Mom an opportunity to raise her eyebrows and tilt her head at me in an ‘I’m impressed with this one’ look.

Maybe I just desperately needed some comic relief, but her reaction made me laugh. There was definitely no debate over whether Leo was a good guy. That was one thing I didn’t have to agonize over.

Before I followed Leo down to help with the food, I grabbed my mom and pulled her close for a spontaneous hug.

Thanks for bringing everyone here, I said. It really is great to see them.

Mom wrapped her arms around me and pressed her cheek against mine. I breathed in the lovely scent of my mom: her favorite jasmine body lotion with an occasional whiff of her hair spray. They were smells that had made me feel comfortable and safe ever since I was a little girl. Whichever path I followed, I’d be going my own way. I breathed her in, hoping I’d remember just the way she smelled forever.

You’re so welcome, honey. We just want you to be happy.

Happy. I guessed I’d have to really think about that if I was going to make the right decision. But at the moment, I was content to hug my mom with our house full of the people I loved most.

2

Gabriel

Our standard-issue agency boots clomp down the empty white hallway to the training room as Zemma leads me for a final practice before the big day. It’s hard to believe this sterile place that’s been my home for nine months is about to become part of my past. If I pass tomorrow, I’ll be moving into the Jumper quarters with the rest of the team. If I fail, well…I haven’t really thought about that possibility.

Zemma scans us into the training room with her ID badge and types in her code on the keypad next to the door. It clicks and slides open, revealing the room I’ve spent the most time in. It’s like a small stainless steel operating room. Cold, sterile, and gray. But it doesn’t matter. We don’t spend time taking in the aesthetics. It’s just a place for our bodies to hang out while we do our real work.

Okay, Zemma turns to me, this is it. Is there anything specific you want to review today?

She’s been letting me take the reins more and more. It’s strange, but I actually feel pretty comfortable here. It’s getting a little easier every day to forget that certain members of this agency were hunting me. Now that they’re behind bars, where they belong, I’m getting a feel for everything. I glance around at the monitors, panels, keypads, and dials that line the wall—I know how to use every one of them. I’ve learned that the agency’s purpose is to monitor security threats and stop them, in the dreamworld, before they can do any damage in the real world. Our job is to prevent terrorist attacks, school shootings, assassination attempts, and any other horrible violent acts before they start.

Jumpers do the active duty. We meet the targets in the dreamworld and work to influence them or keep them suspended in the dream state until they can be apprehended. If we do our job right, no one dies, including the target. It’s like a futuristic conspiracy movie.

In training, of course, I’ve only been dealing with simulated targets, but after I pass my test, I’ll finally be going in with real threats. It gets my heart racing to think of it.

Even though I’m working toward the most dangerous and active position here, what I really want to do is what I’ve wanted to do every day since I got here: dial up Christine’s frequency and let her know I’m okay. Christine’s the kindest person I’ve ever met. I hate to think of her wasting time worrying about me. Of course, that assumes she still thinks about me at all. All sorts of things can happen in nine months. Like getting comfortable in a place I used to hate. Or spending every waking moment training with an incredible agent who now feels more like an extension of my self than a work partner.

I look at Zemma; she knows what I’m thinking. By now, there aren’t any secrets between us.

She smiles sadly. Sorry, Gabriel. We can’t contact anybody yet. Soon. You’re almost there.

I know that. But it doesn’t stop me from wanting it.

That officially off the table, I consider what we should go through before the final test. I don’t know. What do you think they’ll throw at me?

She considers the question. Hard to say. They’ve never had the chance to see what Gabriel Gray can do.

We stare at each other with partially narrowed eyes as we try to figure out the best thing to go over for our last practice.

Got it, she says and turns to the panels. Take your position, Recruit.

We have thirty seconds to get away from the controls and into the center of the training room before the frequency begins.

Frequencies are a strange thing. At this point, it’s hard to imagine I could ever have been so unaware of them. Now, I can feel it vibrating in my consciousness as soon as it begins.

I’ve learned to feel every shimmer of my own frequency. Everyone has their own distinct pattern,