Thorra ran a brush through her long silky black hair. With one swipe of a makeup brush, two perfect red spots appeared on her cheeks. A few flicks of her wrist and her eyelashes were darker, making her dark brown eyes show up. She dug through her clothes, looking for something decent to wear. Still in her pajamas with the words, "Love my grammie," on them, she would have looked funny going to the last day of school like that. 

The last day of school. 

It just didn't seem fair to Thorra. She was sixteen and would graduate next year, if her parents didn't push her to do so over the summer. And she dreaded leaving school because that was where she got to see Sherylyn every day. And next year Lyn would be gone, off to a school in her distrcit. No, Thorra would have to wear something amazing to make this day special. 

"Thorra!" Rebecca called from downstiars. "Time to go!" 

Thorra yelped and dug furiously, coming up with a wrinkled shirt from about four years ago. She grabbed a tank top and a skirt, quickly pulling the three items on. Sure the shirt was a little small, but the tank top took care of that. The skirt was a little long, almost touching the ground. But she liked those sort of mis-matched outfits. 

"Thorra!" Rebecca yelled again. "Now! You don't want to be late!" 

Rebecca was right. Thorra didn't want to be late. She slipped on some brown ballet shoes and skampered down the stiars, pausing long enough to grab a banana off the kitchen table. 

Reid was already at the door, munching on some freshly baked bread spread with butter and raspberry preserves. He looked at Thorra as if to say, Yeah, I was down here on time to actually get something good.

"Hurry," Rebecca urged, practically pushing her children out the door. "Thorra, could you walk by any chance?" 

"Why?" Thorra whined, biting into her fruit. 

"Because, I can't drop you and Reid both off a your schools and still get to work on time!" 

Behind their mother's back, Reid stuck his tongue out at Thorra. 

"Mom," Thorra protested, "Reid is eleven. He can walk!" 

"He's a baby, Thorra. And you're not." 

"He'll be in middle school next year." 

"I'm still very little, mommy," Reid piped up in a sorrowful voice, giving his mother puppy eyes. Rebecca gave her youngest a tight hug. 

"You see Thorra? He's just a baby!" 

Thorra pursed her lips. "Fine." She couldn't win this one. Anyway, they has wased five mintes arguing. She was going to be late if she didn't hurry. Hoisting her back pack over her shoulder, Thorra took of running. 

****************************************************

Sherylyn scanned the crowd of students for any familiar faces. She saw them and her heart leapt up into her throat. 

"Sam!" Sherylyn called, waving her arms over her head. 

Sam raked his eyes over everyone, greeting Sherylyn with a grin when he saw her. Emma was only a few feet behind him, writing something in a thick notebook. She moseyed up behind Sam, shutting the notebook and sticking it into her bag. 

"Hi, Lyn!" Sam greeted her, giving a high-five. 

Emma looked like she was going to cry, and gave Sherlyn a long hug. 

"Does everyone have the stuff for our project?" Sherylyn asked, getting right to busniess. 

Sam nodded, pulling out a folder from behind his back. "I typed up all the reports." 

"Good," Sherylyn replied, nodding. "I finished making the poster." 

Emma pursed her lips. "I have the tape recording." 

Mentally, Sherylyn checked off her list of things to do today. Make sure everyone has their part of the project ready. Done. 

"I'm so sad you're leaving!" A voice came from behind Sherylyn. She turned to face Amanda, a girl in most of her classes. Amanda was a year older than Sherylyn, held back once in first grade. She wore thick blue glasses which she was pushing up on her nose. Her attire was somewhat old-fashioned, wearing plaid shirts and sweaters. 

"Thanks Amanda," Sherylyn said, giving the girl a one-armed hug. "I can give you my email. I'd love to stay in touch." 

Amanda was already nodding. She scribbled down something on a peice of paper and handed it to Sherylyn. "My phone and email," she explained. "Just call me later and I'll take down your email." Amanda paused. "Right now I have to get to class." 

Sherylyn noticed Emma shooting Amanda a sly look. Amanda stiffly nodded and walked away, crouched over. Sherylyn opened her mouth to ask Emma what was wrong, by Sam was already leading her away. 

"I'll catch up with you later!" Emma called, going the opposite direction Sam and Sherylyn were. 

"What's going on?" Sherylyn demanded, putting her hands on her hips. "Everyone's acting all weird." 

"Nothing," Sam promised. The first bell rang. "C'mon, let's get to homeroom." 

Sherylyn could do nothing but follow. 

*********************************************

 

Starlight was flying. She closed her eyes and felt the good of the wind on her face. Everything felt fresh. She had managed to escape when Spideruby came into her room. 

If there was one thing she had wanted, it was to say goodbye to Whitestorm. Oh, how she despised him so. But a feeling she got when she saw him, the way his ice-blue eyes shined, that made her love him. And that memory, she had wanted to let him finish but she could not. She could not. SHE COULD NOT! To marry a mere guard-no! But even to love a mere guard-no! 

She hadn’t realized it, but she was flying to his boarding room. She paused before the door, and then knocked. If the humans trapped her, or worse, she would at least want to say goodbye. 

“Hello?” He answered, his brittle hair pushed across her face in strange ways. He had been sleeping. She felt embarrassed now. 

“Oh…” 

His face brightened. “Starlight! What brings you here?” 

She paused, unsure of what to do. “If I told you a secret, would you promise not to tell anyone?" 

He looked at her strangely. “What do you mean?” 

“I need to say something.” She walked past him and sat down on the floor, crossing her legs in the same second. 

He sat down next to her and timidly reached for her hand. 

Starlight hesitated, but let him take it anyway. 

“What, my dear?” 

She smiled at him. “First, do you remember Winter Solstice?” 

Whitestorm looked down, a pink flush coating his cheeks. “Of course.” 

She pulled his hand on hers and looked down. “What were those three words?” 

He blinked. “What do you mean?” 

“Well, if you let me know, I’ll tell you.” 

He smiled to her face. “I-“ 

“Wait…” she paused. 

“What?” 

“You know the consequences of what you’re about to say.” 

“I know. And I will be honored to have such feelings.” 

“Would I?” 

He leaned to her and dropped his hands. “You tell me.” 

Starlight felt so afraid. She was about to cry again, like that night. 

“Yes.” 

Whitestorm looked away. “I love you.” 

She paused, knowing she had to say the words. 

“I love…you.” 

There was a rush of wind, sweet as fresh sugar. Her fingers reached for his and they interlocked.

“Tell me about it,” he said, breathless with the rush of wind going through both of them.  

She blinked her eyes, sure that her every secret was safe with him. “I’m running away. I want you to come with me and help me.  And we’re going to warn the humans.” 

Whitestorm’s eyes grew big. “And I will accompany you.” 

“Only because of this curse?” 

“Because I love you so.” 

They lifted in flight. This was much like marriage for a fairy, except so much stronger. This meant they would be forever, They were not Starlight and Whitestorm anymore. They were a whole. Fairy love was the most powerful thing in their world. 

***************************************   James knew he'd be late. He hated to admit it. After everything he had put Sherylyn through, he made one measly promise and couldn't keep it. His secretary, Donna, was typing up some file stuff for him and he had to wait until it was sent to his computer before he could go.    "There James," Donna said in a high-pitched voice. She flipped her blonde hair and smiled.    "Uh...okay." James hurried across the desk but wasn't gone before he saw Donna's frown. He knew Donna liked him and she didn't know about Ashten. He felt bad because he was leading her on. But oh well, that couldn't be helped.    Just now he caught sight of Ashten's short crop of hair. Soon he could see her face. She was grinning. Wearing a bright blue top and black slacks, she looked perfect. Well, better than Donna anyway. He had trouble thinking of girlfriends or wives as beautiful because he has lost Alice. Her beauty had been amazing. But her personality is what made her so wonderful. And she was gone.    James quickly secured the files and shut his computer down. Ashten was waiting for him outside the office windows. She gave him a quick hug and a lopsided smile.    "What's wrong?" He asked, concerned. She usually wasn't this forced in personality.    "Nothing," Ashten said, as they walked hand in hand out to his car.    James smiled. "Then why are you looking so anxious?"    Ashten sighed. "James, we're going to be late."    "I know." He opened his car door for Ashten.    She helped herself inside. There was a silence as they buckled seat bekts and he started the car.    "I feel bad about being late," Ashten continued. "What if she decides she doesn't like me?"    James looked at her warmly. "Everyone loves you, Ashten. You have that sort of personality."    She blushed. "Thank you, James."    There was another silence. Driving drove James insane! Up the highway, down the hills...   "And I really like her too. That's why."    James's attention snapped back to Ashten. "I'm glad."    "You are?"    "Yeah." James faced forward. "She already had a mother who didn't."    ************************************** Sam struggled to lift Emma up onto the school's cafeteria table. Or, at least, lift her to the top of his shoulders why he stood on the cafeteria table.    "You weigh a ton!" Sam complained good-naturedly.    Emma smirked and let herself go limp for a moment, making holding her up a struggle.    "Ouch! I'm sorry!" He said quickly. Emma straightened up.    "Thank you. Now, stand up."    Shakily, Sam stood, Emma's legs around his neck. It was a bit uncomfortable, but it would have to do.    "HELLO ABURN MIDDLE SCHOOL!" Emma screeched. Almost instantly, the kids quieted. They faced Emma and Sam. Emma took a deep breath. "Today is an exciting day with school ending and summer starting, but it's a sad day too." Sam nodded, or at least, attempted a nod. It was sort of difficult to do at the moment.    "Today, we lose one of our students. Today, we lose this studen't care, love, and amazing character. We lose this student's wonderful ideas and good heart. Today, we lose our best friend." Emma's voice cracked and she looked down. "My best friend."    Sam wiped his hand across his face. He couldn't let tears flow. Not yet.    Sherylyn let out a choked "thank you" before rushing to embrace her two wonderful friends. She wouldn't lose their friendship, but she would lose something greater. She would lose a part of herself.    Kids began to clap and several shouted "I'll miss you!" Emma unearthed the notebook from her bag. Upon opening it, Sherylyn discovered each page was filled with notes from her classmates. The first one was in Emma's scrawl. Sam watched as she hastily read her friends, and moved onto his. He could remeber his every word.    Lyn. Well, Dear Lyn. But this isn't a letter. This is sort of goodbye, for now, I mean. And I wanted to say being friends for a long time has been awesome. Ten years hanging out with you and knowing each other since we were three? I wouldn't give it back for anything. Not even for the world. And this sounds really mushy but I don't know who'd I be without you. You're amazing, Lyn, and someone no girl could ever replace. Not even a gazzilionair. OKay, maybe then. Nope, not even then. haha. And I really care about you and I--think you're great. Be safe. Have fun. 
Lo...I mean, your friend, Sam   Sherylyn gaped. "Sam-"    Before she could say anything, Sam hugged her. Hard. Then he let go. Sherylyn was crying.    People surrounded her, giving more hugs and gifts. By the time the lunch bell rang, it was time to put on their presentations about mythical creatures. Sherylyn rushed to the gym, Emma at her side. Sam lagged behind long enough to gather his things. A peice of paper had been wedged into his book about ocean life. He pulled it out. Only three words stared up at him.    You too, Sam.   *****************************************************   Emma joyously repeated her presentation for about the fifteenth time that day. They had set up Sherylyn's poster, the reports, and her recording on the table. The recording held Emma asking people whether they believed in faires or not and why. All the answeres were no. Their hypothosis: faries didn't exist!    A man and a woman came walking up. Emma recognized James, Sherylyn's father. But this other lady she hadn't met befire today.    "Hi dad!" Sherylyn chirped. She had been worried her father wouldn't make it.    "Hey, Lyn!" James said, smiling. "I'm sorry we're late."    "That's okay!" Sherylyn smiled. The woman next to James handed over a little gift. "Maybe you could use this today? James told me you have friends so..." she trailed off and then grinned. "You can open it."    Sherylyn looked questioningly at her father but he just smiled. So she opened her gift to reveal three very little gagets. One was a pen that Sherylyn handed over to Sam. It had invisible ink, which was pretty cool. He smiled and thanked the girl who introduced herself as Ashten. Sherylyn got a bracelet with an S on a charm. Emma's item was a cute little bottle of nail polish. Purple with glitter. Her favorite.    "Thank you!" Emma exclaimed, cradling the bottle to her chest. "That was really nice of you."    Ashten shrugged. "It was the least I could do."    "I would love to see your presentation," James hinted, grabbing Ashten's hand.    "Oh!" Emma gasped. "Of course!" She hurried over to the tape recorded and pressed re-wind. Sam stepped forward and began.    "Mythical creatures are pretty simple to define; real or false. Some say they exist, other's don't. We're here today to tell you whether faries are actual living things, or just another entertaining story." He turned to Emma.    "Of course," she continued. "We needed to ask actual people what they thought. We couldn't hunt fairies down ourselves. We went to a grocery store and asked exiting customers their opinion." She pressed play.    An older woman's voice came over the speaker. "Fairies? Honey, when I was young, wizards existed." She chuckled. "But no. Fairies don't. It's pretty simple to see actually, at my ripe old age, I would have seen one myself by now."    A somewhat younger male voice came on. "Gosh, no. Of course not! That'd be really weird and not even possible. Magic doesn't exist."    A little boy's voice came over. He spoke a little loudly and caused some people to cringe. "Fairies are for little girls. They have cooties and stupid brains. So those dumb old fairies can't be real at all."    One more voice came on, a girl about Emma's age. "That's for babies."    Emma hit the stop button and smiled. "People don't think so."    Sherylyn nodded and took over. "Yes, Emma's right. People don't think so. If you look at this poster," she used a pencil to indicate the drawing of a fairy. "Fairies are described to be very small and shrunk. That's the number one impossible thing. Fairies posess powers. Well, no. Not at all. We don't. So fairies can't. And number three, they are very kind. Not all people are kind, so how could a mythical creature be? They are generally mean and michevious."    "So you  see," Sam ended. "Fairies aren't real! They can't be!"    Ashten and James clapped. Other people were ending their presentations too, and being clapped for. The princible Withcomb stood up and took a mic to announce the winner.    "Thank you all for coming today," he said in his big booming voice. "We're glad you could make it. It was hard for our judges to grade these and pick a winner, but they did. Third place goes to Raina Quin and Jody Knowes for their presentation, 'Whitches! Real or Made-up.'" There was clapping. Raina and Jody, two of Emma's friends, took their ribbon and went to sit down. "Second place," he continued, "goes to Bobby Truce and AJ Myers for 'Dragon Dules'" Emma blushed at the sight of handsome Bobby. They took their red ribbon and grinned. There was a "woot-woot" from the audience, which caused people to laugh. Once the commotion had died down, prinicible Withcomb looked excited. "And lastly, first place goes to...Shawna Airestole, Jimmy Reds, Carla Fisherston and Harley Rhodes for their presentation, 'Elves Existences!'" There was thundreous applause. Emma forced a smile. All their hard work hadn't paid off?   "And honorable mention," the princible said a few moments later. "They just picked it. Honorable mention is, 'Fairy Fact' by Samuel Morris, Emma Parker and Sherylyn Stevenson." There was polite applause. But Emma was filled with excitement. Awesome! No, they hadn't one, but honorable mention certainly wasn't bad!    *******************************************   Sherylyn was silent in the car ride home. Now she wouldn't be commuting to Aburn. Now she wouldn't get to see Emma and Sam. At least, not as much as sh usually did.    Up in her room, Sherylyn munched on a cookie while in the dining room Asten and James planned their wedding over coffee and fruit. Sherylyn wanted to talk to someone, but who? Who could she talk to at this late hour?    "No one," Sherylyn said aloud, hating the silence that greeted her. She raked over every occurence of the day. Sam's awkwardness. And what had L-O meant? Love? No, no way.    Sometime in her thinking, Sherylyn fell asleep.