First, a semi-quick explanation.

I am 16 years old. My best guy friend (we'll call him... Riley) and I recently admitted to having feelings for each other, and we're trying to figure out how to navigate the minefield of a relationship. He's not my boyfriend, and we haven't gone on any dates, but we're getting there, slowly.

We've both been hurt tremendously in the past. We're both hesitant to start a new relationship, but we feel that this time could be different; we both have been through the ringer with our exes. He's 14 months younger than me, but he's the most mature, nicest guy I've met. He has really made me feel beautiful for the time since.... a long time. He's just as insecure as I am, if not more.

We're both virgins and agree that sex isn't something you do for fun. Your virginity is a gift for that one person you're meant to spend your life with. He's funny and smart, and he seems almost perfect for me. But I've been in more than one situation where this guy seems almsot too good to be true. And he was. Once, a guy dated me on a bet he could get in my pants in 3 weeks. He was unsuccessful, but I really really liked him. My self-image made a dive-bomb after that incident. Riley was the one who I called every night and cried to. He's been there for me, when nobody else cared. Likewise, I've been his only support system when things went on with him.

The fact that we know so much about each other gives us the oppurtunity to make this the best thing that ever happened to us. But it also gives us the oppurtunity to hurt each other more than we've ever been hurt before.

That's barely scratching the tip of what's going on and what has already happened with us, but I think that's sufficient to get us through the dream, which I'll explain now.

We were going for a walk through the woods at night. It was cold and snowing, and he gave me his jacket and took my hand. We talked about whatever we usually do. I was truly happy. My stomach was going crazy with butterflies. We came upon a bench. It was absolutely beautiful, old English style, black, but no snow on it. Something told me we should keep walking, but we sat down anyway. He wrapped me in his arms, and we continued talking about nothing and everything.

I glanced around, and there was a thick fog surrounding us. I looked over at him, my sense of unease growing. He took my hand again and said we should get out of there. I wholeheartedly agreed. We got up and started running towards home, but the fog was so thick, I couldn't see anything, including him. His hand slipped out of mine, and I was alone. He called my name, but it seemed to come from every side. I couldn't tell where he was. I tried to yell for him, but my voice wouldn't work. A hand grabbed my shoulder, and I started to turn to see who it was, but before I completely turned to see the face, I woke up.

That was about 3:30 this morning. I had to calm down to prevent myself from crying. Once I fell back asleep, I had a dream semi-similar to the previous one.

I couldn't see anything. It was black. I was in a bedroom. I don't know how I knew this, I couldn't see a thing. I kept calling out for Riley. Nobody answered. I called out once more and started crying. And then, he was there right beside me, holding my hand and cradling me in his arms. He told me it would be okay, and that he would get me out of that room if it was the last thing he ever did. And then he closed his eyes and started to lean in to kiss me, and I woke up before he could.

I think the fog in the first dream represents your fear of the unknown. At first, being with Riley is perfect, but then the fog surrounds you and he disappears.

I think that you have concerns about Riley because of the way you have been treated by other guys in the past. There may be a part of you that is worried that when your relationship changes he will change and become more like one of your previous boyfriends. That could be why you don't know who grabbed you, because you think you don't really know who Riley is.

With the second dream, it seems like the room represents the bad things in your past, and you want your relationship with Riley to help you overcome your past.

In my opinion, from the way you've described him, Riley sounds perfect. Everyone changes in life, so there is no guarantee that you will both be right for each other forever, but I do think that you have the potential for a great relationship.

I hope you do return to post again. I'd like to read your response to Marcia's. I also think the snow represented purity. The black bench you both encounter is like a contrast to it. What does this bench remind you of? Are you a church goer? Are you struggling in your relationships out of a moral code handed down by a church?