Ava jolted awake, sweaty with tear stained cheeks. She had been crying over something, but she couldn't recall what. She groaned, prepared for another tedious day. Growing up in the city was tough, especially with parents in the midst of a divorce and a lab report due first thing in the morning. 

As Ava stepped out the door, dreading the day ahead, she was greeted by the fragrant scent of roses. It was nothing like the smoky San Francisco air she was accustomed to. Even more out of place were the vibrant cottages, adorned with freshly cut lawns and white picket fences. 

"How do you do?" A man tipped his hat at Ava, striding down the cobblestone with a bounce in his step.

Ava was bewildered at the overly chipper citizen. She cautiously made her way through town and did a double take at a sign with lights spelling out, "WELCOME TO SAN FRANCISCO!"

This certainly was not San Francisco.

Or at least not the San Francisco Ava was used to. It was all so quaint, unlike the crowded, overcast city she lived in. 

Suddenly, a gleaming brick building appeared out of thin air. Ava found herself in the middle of the lively hoard of students, unsure how she got there. A chime sounded and the kids dispersed, leaving Ava alone in the entrance. Eager to exit the space, she scrambled into the nearest classroom. Rows of smiling faces turned to look at her, almost unsettlingly. 

"Ava!" A pleasant, middle aged woman puttered up to her, "I was just looking for you. Here's your paper!"

She handed Ava a packet, marked with an A plus. Ava tried to give the paper back, certain any grade above a C plus couldn't be hers. However, before she could catch the teacher's attention, a group of students pulled her in. 

"Ava! You're finally here!" A girl exclaimed, tackling Ava in an embrace. She recognized it was Liv, Ava's best and only friend. At least one thing was the same in the version of life. 

"Are you okay?" Liv was looking at Ava, who must've been noticeably disoriented. She opened her mouth to respond, but it was impossible to hear her over the chatter. "Let's go outside," Liv said, pulling Ava towards the door. Ava complied, stepping out into a quiet patio that overlooked the village.

"What's wrong? You don't seem like yourself," Liv commented.

"I-I don't know. I just don't get what's going on," Ava responded.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean this isn't my life. I don't get good grades, I don't live in a pretty little house. It's so nice here," Ava explained, "But something just feels off."

"Like what?" Liv asked, "Everything here is perfect!"

"Exactly, it's too perfect."

"Well then why don't you wake up?"

"What are you talking about?" Ava's eyebrows scrunched as Liv giggled at her confusion.

"You're dreaming, silly. Nothing in the real world could ever be this perfect. Pinch yourself, you'll see," Liv replied.

"But what if I don't want to," Ava's voice trailed off as she fidgeted with her sleeve. "There's just so much to deal with and here it's like everything is...bearable."

Liv gave a sympathetic smile. "I know things are difficult, but you can't solve your problems by hiding," she reasoned. "Sure, if you stay in this dream state, it'll be easier. But there's so much you haven't experienced. So much that's waiting for you. You just have to make it through the tricky parts. I promise, it'll be worth it."

"I just...I don't want to leave this."

"Well of course you don't! No one wants to wake from a good dream," Liv laughed. "But that's all it is, a dream. And one day, after you've lived a while, the dream will become your reality. That's the fun part of life."

Ava mulled this over, the weight of her situation settling upon her. Her parent's separation, her failing grades, the difficulties of navigating social norms. All of those obstacles would disappear if she stayed in her mind's warped version of San Francisco. Yet, she still wasn't happy. None of this was real, not the dainty little gardens or the A pluses. If she remained in the state of denial, would she ever be truly happy? Or would it just be some illusion of joy, built upon an imaginary version of life? 

"I think I want to wake up," Ava replied at last.

She scanned her surroundings one last time, hoping to memorize the picturesque village with its charming folks and vibrant greenery. She would see this place again, she knew it. It could take five years, maybe twenty. But this was her dream, and she wouldn't stop until it came to fruition.

"I'm ready," Ava declared confidently. 

She gave her arm a pinch. She woke up.