Secrets in the Sleeping

Her foot caught on a branch, and her body flew unforgivingly into the rocky ground. Despite the crash landing, Rose felt a laugh bubbling to the surface. Liam, breathing heavily from chasing her, attempted to ask Rose if she was okay, but the laughter burst forth. Rose, once again, had caused laughter to erupt from her clumsiness. Despite being a princess, her human qualities still shone bright. Liam, a prince himself, liked that about her.

Mia watched the banter of the two, longing filling her body. “It’s better that I’m alone. I’m just a disappointment anyway,” she forced a whisper to herself. A single tear trailed down her cheek, and she brushed it away abruptly, reminding herself she needed to act like a fairy. Composing herself, she flew back to the castle, wings flapping in a sad song; her mood matched the weather, as the rain begged to be released from the heavy clouds. When Mia returned to the castle, she noticed excitement bouncing from the expression of the other two fairies, Ivy and Ella. Mia composed herself, and forced a smile. Still, Mia felt her life waging war within her soul. How could she be expected to be overflowing with joy when all she felt was anger and brokenness? Jealousy raged through her body as she pictured Rose’s ever-happy expression.

Rose jumped as Mia unexpectedly flew into Rose’s room. The darkness lying in the fairy’s icy blue eyes pierced into Rose’s soul. Mia’s expression was dark as night, more hopeless than Rose had ever seen her. For the first time in her life, Rose felt a chill run through her bones as Mia’s glare drilled straight into her. Rose’s breath caught in her chest, and she demanded her lungs to continue working. “Mia, what’s going on with you?” Rose gasped.

“I just came to tell you that next week on your birthday, you’re going to fall asleep. Forever.”

Rose felt as though someone had ripped out her soul, thrashing it out of her body. “What? Mia, I don’t understand!” With a determined look shadowing her face, Mia flew away without giving even a glance back.

Liam could sense something was wrong. Rose and Liam had been practically inseparable since birth. Though they never had a romantic connection, Rose and Liam had always told each other everything; so why was she hiding her thoughts today?

All Rose could do was think. Think about how today was her last day breathing in the glorious sunshine. Think about how today was her last day laughing with Liam. She could feel Liam’s stare, peering into her thoughts.

“Sorry, Liam. I’m tired. I think I’ll go back home.” Liam wanted to console her, to talk about was wrong, but he let it go. They went their separate ways.

As soon as she returned to the castle, Rose’s legs felt heavy. Despite her attempts to fight off the exhaustion, black filled her vision and her body crashed into the floor.

When Rose awoke, she felt lost. Nothing around her shouted familiarity. Even her own body felt different, lighter and more foggy. As she was collecting her thoughts, a small hand gently squeezed her shoulder. Spinning around, Rose saw a tiny, familiar figure. “Mia?”

Liam rushed over to the castle, questions wracking his brain. He had to see her. His ragged breathing couldn’t compare to his yearning to see Rose, to make her come back to life. He burst into her room. Her eyes were peacefully closed as her slim figure lay unmoving on the bed. Strangely, she looked like she was in a pleasant dream. “No!”

In front of her, Rose watched the trees and flowers melt away, and a dark cabin filled the scene. Rose squinted at the cabin, puzzled. Then, there was a small fairy, resembling a young Mia in the cabin’s kitchen. An older boy fairy and two adult fairies were laughing with the small girl fairy, joy radiating from everyone’s face. Glancing over at the present Mia, Rose watched her expression harden. Realization dawned on Rose. This was Mia’s past. The picture blurred into tears streaming down little Mia’s face and her body shrieking in violent sobs. Rose moved her eyes across the small cabin and saw Mia’s whole family, besides her, laying in beds; they looked sickly, as if all the evil things of the world entered their bodies and showed no mercy. Their youthful, cheerful exteriors had faded into pale, frail figures. Tears brimmed on the edge of Rose’s eyes, threatening to pool down her cheeks. The disheartening picture told of Mia’s past and of a hurt Rose could never imagine. The pain of Mia’s childhood must choke her, constantly reminding her of past losses, Rose thought.

Liam sat there for hours, letting his heart thrash against his chest. His solemn, hard exterior melted as he gazed at Rose. She was even more beautiful than he remembered, her soft features perfectly complimenting her long, light curls. Suddenly, he couldn’t hold back his feelings anymore. He knew without a doubt that she had been his only love. Moving his face towards her, he laid a short yet passionate kiss on her lips.

Rose’s vision swayed in her groggy state; a dark figure was looming over her. She squinted, attempting to make her eyes focus on the strange shape in front of her. Rose gasped, sensing the familiarity of the figure’s body. A warm smile spread across his face as the fear diminished from his expression. “Liam?” Something inside of her emerged that threw out the confusion. Her heart was pounded in her chest, threatening to explode. The feeling was new, one she couldn’t quite place her finger on. His calloused hands moved carefully to her fragile face. Rose’s heart warmed at the movement. “I love you,” Liam spoke softly, loud enough for only the two of them to barely hear.

Mia flew into Rose’s room through the window as soon as Liam left. Rose glanced up at Mia, a surprised look filling her features. The words unspoken lingered in the space between them as they looked at one another. Finally, Rose spoke. “Mia…Mia I’m so sorry. I was too caught up in my own life to ever notice anyone around me. I can’t-”

Mia cut her off “Stop Rose. I needed to show you my past. Show you why I’m so broken and bitter, unlike all the other fairies.”

In one fluid motion Rose opened her arms, and Mia flew over; Rose enveloped her in a hug, like a mother would to a crying newborn. No more needed to be said. Mia finally had a new family.