~Little Tooth~

Chapter 9:

Nightlight

-...-

Baby Tooth carefully listened to Jackson as he spoke.

"I think for lunch today I'd like to go out and walk around the city." He smiled, sitting on the bed across from her.

"For lunch?" Baby Tooth asked.

"You know what i've never had before?" Jackson asked her.

Baby Tooth shook her head no.

"I've never had sushi!" He grinned. "There are a few sushi places here and I want to go to one for lunch."

Baby Tooth smiled. She's heard of sushi, but has never had it herself. It'd be nice to try it some time, especially now that she's a human. She could get away with eating more things then she could as a tiny bird. Besides, she never really had to eat much as a bird.

"I saved up enough money to bring someone with me, so of course i'm going to ask you to come." Jackson rolled his eyes.

Well, she should have seen that coming. Jackson wouldn't go on his own, and Baby Tooth was the closest person here to him. Baby Tooth felt special.

"So, you want to come with me, right?" Jackson asked with a smiled.

"Of course!" Baby Tooth nodded her head.

Jackson looked over to see the clock on the wall on the other side of the room. He turned back to Baby Tooth.

"We'll leave in an hour or so, k?"

"Okay!"

"Hey, Mrs. Hamilton!"

Mrs. Hamilton stopped walking down the hallway and turned to see Jackson and Baby Tooth. She smiled, happy to see them.

"Yes, Jackson?" She asked with pleasure.

"Is It alright if Baby Tooth and I go out for a walk in to city?" Jackson asked. "I plan to have lunch while we're out there."

"Sure!" Mrs. Hamilton nodded her head. "But be back by 2 O'clock. Alright?"

"Alright! Thank you!"

Jackson and Baby Tooth walked passed the lady and towards the front door of the Orphanage. Jackson grinned, putting his hands in his pockets and looking at Baby Tooth.

"If you ever want anything, you go to Mrs. Hamilton first." He said. "She's extremely nice and trusts us more then the others. She's even willing to get in trouble for us, but she's important here so it's not like her co-workers stay mad at her."

"It's a good thing though..." Jackson sighed. "She's very quite and depends on others most of the time. She'd probably quit if they ever stayed mad at her for a long period of time. She'd feel too guilty."

Baby Tooth frowned. "I like Mrs. Hamilton."

"Everyone does." Jackson chuckled. "Now come on before Mrs. Overland sees us and tells us we can't leave."

"Yes!"

The two walked out the front doors of the building, the sun and cold air beating down on them. But their had thick jackets and were prepared. It felt so good to be outside, and you could already hear the sound of kids playing in a park a block away. Baby Tooth reached for Jackson's hand as he lead them towards the city full of shops and places to eat.

"So today is the last day of the year." Jackson smiled, his breath being visible in the air. "Happy New Year's."

"Happy New Year's!" Baby Tooth smiled back.

"Tonight we're all going down town to watch the fireworks, which will be pretty awesome."

Baby Tooth looked confused. "Fireworks?"

Jackson looked surprised. "You don't know what those are?"

"I've heard of them...I don't remember ever seeing any." Baby Tooth explained.

"Well then you'll be in for a treat. These people make the best firework shows that I've ever seen. They way they reflect off the water in the river is amazing." Jackson sighed. "Some say they are even better then Disney World's."

"Disney World?" Baby Tooth asked.

"You know about Disney channel, right? It's been played on the TV for Aster and the others every morning." Jackson began.

"Yes." Baby Tooth nodded.

"Well there is a theme park down in Florida." Jackson smiled peacefully. "Mrs. Overland says I've been there before. I don't remember, but then again I don't remember much before the age of 5."

"Hm?" Baby Tooth wanted to know more.

"Hm? Oh, well, Mrs. Overland says when she took me in when I was just turning 5, that she had looked a bit into my family history. She found a journal within what was left of my home, of which told stories and had many pictures. She said some of the pictures were taken when I was 3 years old with my family at the Disney World theme park."

"Where is this book?" Baby Tooth asked, seeing as though it sounded like he'd never laid eyes on it.

Jackson looked at her. "I've seen it before, but I refuse to look at it. I don't want to have those memories come back and hurt me. I want to only think about my family here, in Little Apple."

"So, why do you know this then?" Baby Tooth looked rather confused.

"I got a bit jealous once when I was seven and Norm was nine. Norm was talking about his old family and I felt upset that I didn't know anything. So I asked Mrs. Overland about it and that's all she told me. I've been to Disney land." Jackson chuckled. "She was so happy that I finally asked."

"Hm." Baby Tooth giggled.

"Oh, look!"

Jackson and Baby Tooth both looked in front of them to see a very busy street in the City. Baby Tooth could see tons of people, some with children walking right behind them. She noticed that they had reached the shopping district of the city, full of shops and places to eat! The two walked across a street, looking both ways before crossing. As they stepped onto the side walk, passing shoe stores and toy shops and fashion places. This was all so amazing to Baby Tooth, since she'd never seen a place so crowded.

"Okay, so the sushi place should be just a block away, but we may need to cross the street again." Jackson pointed out.

The two walked down the sidewalk, Baby Tooth gazing at all the places they passed. Everything was cool looking. Jackson pulled her along, and they crossed the street without a problem. In no time, they had reached the sushi place.

"Sakura." Jackson told Baby Tooth. "It's a pretty decent place, so i've heard. Once I pay for with my earnings."

As they stood, waiting to be seated, Baby Tooth sniffed the air. Her stomach growled and her mouth watered. It didn't take long for a girl, probably 18 years old, to walk up to them.

"Welcome to Sakura! Party of two, is that correct?" She asked.

"Unless you see another person with us, that is correct." Jackson smiled.

"Alright!" The lady chuckled. "follow me, please."

Jackson and Baby Tooth were seated at a booth, not too far from the back. Baby Tooth sat across from Jackson so she could see him better. The girl placed down menus and smiled.

"Can I start you off with some drinks?" She asked.

"Coca-cola!" Jackson smiled.

"Any you, miss?" The girl turned to Baby Tooth.

Baby Tooth thought a moment. Water was just about all she knew...But hold on! Mr. Time had given her tea once.

"Tea!"

"Sweet, Unsweet, or green tea?" She was asked.

Baby Tooth paused...she didn't know how to answer. Jackson noticed her confusion and turned to the lady.

"How about Sweet?"

"Alright! Sweet Tea and a coke."

The lady walked off, leaving the two alone. Baby Tooth was left to stare at the menu, not really knowing what all to think about it. She knew was it was, but the names of food...What was Udon? What was ramen?

"So, I think we can get their California roll, salmon roll, and..."

Jackson paused for Baby Tooth to suggest something. She looked down the list of rolls, randomly putting her finger to one.

"Rain-bow-roll." Baby said aloud.

"Hmm." Jackson looked down his menu. "That one does not have a description. It's a mystery sushi, then!"

Not long after that, the lady came back with their drinks. Jackson went ahead and ordered, then taking a huge sip out of his drink.

"I haven't has coca-cola in a long time." Jackson smiled, feeling amazing.

Baby Tooth smiled, then took a sip of her own drink. It was extremely sweet. And tasted NOTHING like Mr. Time's tea. It wasn't bad, she liked it, but how much sugar was in this exactly? Jackson laughed at her surprised face.

"Southerners make their tea extra sweet. I'm pretty sure whatever tea you've had before wasn't sweet tea thought. Their are hundreds of thousands of different kinds of tea." Jackson said.

Baby Tooth stopped drinking her tea. She was reminded of her mother, knowing that the sugar in the tea was unhealthy for the teeth! She decided she could only allow herself a few sips here and there, or else her teeth might rot.

"Would you like some water then?" Jackson chuckled. "We can ask for some water too."

"Y-yes, please." Baby Tooth smiled.

The sushi was great, considering they had never had it before. Jackson chowed it all down while Baby Tooth actually tried to identify what was in it. Salmon roll had, well salmon. California roll had some greens, and the rainbow roll...she didn't know, but it was good too. A bit spicy on the tongue, but sushi was amazing none the less. Jackson paid the bill with what he had, and half an hour after getting there, they were ready to leave.

Jackson, seeing as though it wasn't even 1 yet, decided to walk around the streets with Baby Tooth. They walked into some of the stores, looking around at what was on sale. They walked into a toy store some time around 1:30. While Jackson looked at the comic books they had in one of the corners, Baby Tooth was gazing at the stuffed animals. They were all so adorable!

There were stuffed cats, stuffed dogs, stuffed elephants. Fluffy birds, fluffy pigs, and even characters from shoes she'd never heard of. She placed her hand on them, their fabric feeling so soft. She looked around, pushing past others to see what else there was. That's when she saw it.

"Ahh!" baby Tooth gasped in aw.

Baby Tooth pulled out a fairy plush. It's face was peaceful and content, a smile on it's face. It's eyes were ice blue, and it's skin color was pale. It's hair was blonde, almost white, shoulder length and with bangs. Her dress was white, but had hints of Purple, yellow, pink, blue, red, and green. On it's chest was a key. Or no, that was a necklace. On it's back were white, almost see-through wings. It was in perfect condition and almost professionally made. Baby Tooth wondered if this fairy was from a show, but there was no tag or anything that said so.

"What's this?"

Baby Tooth turned to see Jackson, whom had a comic book or two in his hands. "Oh wow, that's really pretty, Baby Tooth. Where'd you find it?"

Baby Tooth pointed to the place in the back of the shelf of plushies. Jackson politely took it and looked at it, then walked away, towards the cashier. Baby Tooth looked stunned, following him. What was he doing with the plushie?

"Excuse me, sir!" Jackson said to the man at the cashier. "How much is this? I can't find a price tag."

"Eh!?" Baby Tooth gasped. Jackson was really going to buy such a thing for her?! It looked so magnificent. It had to be over 30 dollars. It had to!

"Oh, that little thing." The cashier, an man maybe in his 40s or 50s, chuckled. "That's been in here for maybe 10 years. Tell ya what, I don't think I'll be able to find it's original price, but I'll sell it for $5."

"!" Baby Tooth watched in awe. 5 dollars!? Really!?

"Awesome." Jackson placed the comic books he had on the counter for the cashier to check out. "I'm ready to check out then."

"Hm, so good comics you picked out!" The cashier smiled, pressing some things into a register. "That'll be $11.50!"

Baby Tooth watched Jackson almost completely clear his wallet, placing down two fives and a one and two quarters on the counter. The man took it, placing it into the register, then giving Jackson his things, which were now in a plastic bag. Jackson turned to Baby Tooth.

"We're going to keep your fairy in the bag for now. I don't want anyone grabbing it from you and running off while we're still here."

Baby Tooth was still taking it all in that Jackson had bought the fairy for her, but she came to her senses and grinned. "T-THANK YOU!"

"You both have a nice day!" The cashier waved as they left.

"You too!" Jackson said as the door closed, the bell ringing as so.

"Ahh!" Baby Tooth gasped, the fire works reflecting the water in front of her, and even her own eyes. In her arms was the fairy Jackson bought her, which she named Nightlight because it's eyes, which were plastic, reflected the light shined around it. There were also little sparkles on it's dress that reflected light as well.

"Amazing, huh?" Jackson smiled, standing next to her.

The two, along with everyone else from Little Apple, stood next to the rails, older people like Jackson and Felix leaning on the rail, all looking at the sky and the water as the fireworks were shot into the air. They were loud, but beautiful. There were gasps and aws at the biggest ones and the ones that were shaped like things.

"Happy New year, Baby Tooth." Jackson smiled again, looking down at the younger girl.

"Happy New year, Jackson!" Baby Tooth grinned, looking up at the teen.

Baby Tooth turned back to look at the sky, hugging her plushie, Nightlight. She felt warm inside. She felt happy. She left special.