"W-wh-what?..." I spluttered. Going red.

He smiled sheepishly and teleported the book back in my bag.

"Would you?" He asked me.

"I-i... I... I guess so... Sure..." I spluttered going all red in the face and moving my wings around me a little.

He smiled. "Would you say... Tomorrow?... Anytime. Just text me when you're ready and I'll meet you and teleport you there. Nothin fancy Jes how you like it."

I was awestruck and... Well... Kind of confused...

"OK... I guess... Tomorrow..."

He held my hand and shifted beside me silently. I felt a little awkward and at the same time different. It was strange and different.

"So we're teleporting back? Or flying?"

"Let's get back before you throw me into the sky again."

We were in a daze. Teleported somewhere else.

When I opened my eyes, we were at a house.

Pepper was there taking to my parents and cooking with Scipes. I saw Marco's small tuft of hair somewhere and his cute laugh. Cyber was also talking to my parents and so were Lacer, Lacier, Geist, and Heda.

I opened the door and Mom sighed.

"Pepper said you two disappeared." She mumbled.

"We just went and had some fun." I said a little truthfully.

I realized I was holding Sam's hand and pretended it was just to drag him in

"Hey Sam! Come on! Les get in eh?"

He went in and let go of my hand. I smiled.

"Who's house is this actually?..." I asked Sam.

"Ours." Sam replied.

"Wait what?..."

"It's temporary. We're going to be moved somewhere else soon. They're making a whole town just for Hearthians. And a school. The place is magic."

"Could I see?..." I asked him.

He teleported a paper in my hand. It was amazing... The land was large and full of hills and a small stream somewhere. They planned to make it a little rustic and enchanting but still with a twist of modern life.

"You lucky things. Wish I could go with you... Sadly, I am the protector but I can't protect where I'm supposed to be needed." I sighed.

He patted my back and pointed to the couch. I nodded and smiled.

Cyber sat in the middle of us. She just squeezed in for no reason.

"Welcome back dearie!!! How are you today?" She asked her mettalic voice annoying me to the extreme.

"Eh. It's good." I shrugged. How does Pepper handle your business?..."

"Expertly! She's manager of the fashion department!!! She also has great ideas, a socialite... Perfect for the job. I might just give her another raise!" She said.

I nodded. At least things went well for them.

"Heat!!!" Marco hugged me. I pulled him up my lap.

"Hey big guy!!! Thanks for the supplies all the way. Hom dya learn from Scipes the ol warrior eh?" I asked him ruffling his hair.

"I'm great!!! She says I'm better with a bow and arrow and a grapple than a sword or a spear! And when I'm old enough, she'll make me a weapon!!!" I could see his enthusiasm and the glitter in his eyes. Obviously loves Scipes.

"I had one made for me too."

He smiled and hugged me. "Go on and play and have your fun!" I said.

He jumped off my lap and ran somewhere. Cute kid.

I stood up and visited Pepper in the Kitchen. Scipes was telling Marco what ingredients to get and the utensil and Pepper and Scipes did what they had to do.

"Shy did you invite my parents here?..." I asked Pepper leaning on a wall.

"I wanted to have a little chat with them on..." She hesitated.

"On?..." I asked annoyed.

"Moving with us when the Hearthian Department is done. They're building a place for Hearthians."

I smiled. "I am the protector. They'll have to agree."

***

"I'm sorry Heather dear but, no." Mom said not meeting my eyes.

"What?!" I exclaimed.

"I'm sorry Pepper and your friends, but she cannot accompany you."

"Why not?" I asked her.

"We'll have the department finished within this month. Hearthians are fast workers and magic makes it easy so she won't have to wait long." Pepper said.

"We can't afford our child getting hurt! Again! She was out for weeks! She grew wings and has armor and a sword!" My mom said.

"Now, now, darling. Calm down." My dad said trying to comfort my mom.

"I have an important role in Hearthian history! The protector!"

"Would you please reconsider?..." Pepper asked scaredly but smiling slightly.

"Find. Someone. Else!" My mom argued but controlled herself.

I was sitting beside Pepper and Sam. I held bothe their hands under the table and crossed my fingers while I was. I felt them do the same thing.

"There is no other way sadly. Sàrda is old and is in no condition to fight. There is a new enemy, and she needs to fight them." Scipes said calmly but I could feel her anger rising.

"Who may I ask is Sàrda?..." Dad asked.

"He's an old wise wizard. But he's falling behind and is weakening." Pepper said. "Age is an enemy."

Mom and Dad both nodded but I stayed silently and let go of their hands and had a bite of chicken.

"Heather! What are you going to say about this?" Mom asked somewhat outraged.

"I want to transfer! I can learn to live. And hey, I get a lot of privileges." I said teasingly and smugly.

Sam elbowed me a little and smiled. I smiled back.

"No. That doesn't let me change my mind. I'm sorry but this decision is made."

I could feel my anger swell up but I just pushed my plate and sighed.

"I lost my appetite. See ya." I left the room ignoring the shouts of my mom. I slammed the door and left the house also slamming the door.

I stood outside until I heard footsteps. That was when I opened my wings and soared up and into the dark starry, aand slightly starry, sky. I heard car alarms go off annd lights flickering so I quickly escalated into the endless heights of clouds and stars.

I smiled feeling the wind rush against me. And when I looked around, it was a little brighter and the clouds were slowly turning from pinkish and orange, to black and silver and blue. I spread my wings majestically like how an eagle reveals their chests when they spread out their wings.

This... Was a paradise.

"This is awesome!!!" I shouted from up high. I loved it. But I couldn't survive up there for that long.

I shrugged it off and found that magic allows me to actually sit or walk on clouds. It was strange but amazing. I loved it. I rolled around like a soft cloud heaven. I remembered a cartoon show and remembered Steven in his own cloud Haven and how much he hated it out there in the real world only to find out he regrets it.

I could relate. But I don't want to go back down there. I looked down from the cloud I was on, I could see numerous lights and flickering lights but none of that could convince me to go down... Until I saw it...

It was beautiful. I could see the whole city from up here. I enjoyed the sights as the clouds slowly drifted away and I broke some off and poofed them.

The lights were everywhere... Some were Neon colored and pretty and I could see all the tall skyscrapers and all that. I dont want this night to end. But sadly, as all good things do, they end.

I grunted. I hated it. If I could have a repeat button, I could rewatch it over and over. My phone can't even capture something as good as this. The quality for my phone camera is in between. Not so bad and not that good either.

Sam can't even find me here. He isn't familiar with the sky.

But he's familiar with me. I tugged at my shirt and gulped. I hoped he wouldn't find me. I don't even know if he can walk on clouds for Pete's sake.

I felt my phone vibrate and checked the caller. It was my mom. I rolled my eyes and ignored it. I placed it back in my pocket and continued watching the view.

At least I was free up here. I just wish I could find some way to convince my parents.

Then, my phone vibrated again. I muttered and then checked the caller. It was Pepper.

I didn't dare answer. It would be rude to not reply or pick up but mom could snatch the phone when she knew I was on. I was tempted to throw it down and smash on the ground. But I wasn't willing to risk.

When I looked down, there were blue and red lights flashing in front of Pepper and Sam's house. It was probably the police. I sighed and flew down swiftly a few buildings away from the house and slowly walked to their house.

Mom and Dad rushed to me and squished me in a hug but didn't dare say anything. I stood still not daring to even move a mouth muscle. The red and blue lights were actually Sam and Pepper's eyes glowing. I cursed under my breath.

"Where did you go?!" Mom exclaimed.

"Geez, I just bought something and came back." I said.

Mom sighed. "Do you really want to go to the Hearthian Department?"

I could feel as if I was back up in the sky flying and screaming even if I was just standing there with my eyes trying to show her.

She nodded understanding. "You may. You are after all, half-hearthian... " she muttered and she rubbed her forehead.

I hugged Sam and Pepper. "Hey! Looks who's an official Hearthian!!!"

Pepper squealed and jumped up and down her hands showing a happy expression. Sam was just smiling and looking at me.

"But if you're going to stay in the Hearthian Department, you have to live with someone..." Mom said.

"I can take care of that."

***

Days turned into weeks and weeks created the new Haven. The Hearthian Department.

I was supposed to be living with Tamsin and her brother. And... Her brother's two kids...

I smiled. They were exactly my age. Fennick and Audrey... She didn't seem to be the Audrey I hated but she wasn't exactly friendly.

She seemed to love the colors green and red. Those were the colors she was wearing anyway.

So did her brother. They were really close. They were playing around and hugging each other. They're house in the area was the biggest.

Actually, the whole place looked exactly like Hearth except for the fact that the huge dark black room was never there. The red hallway was still there though.

And Snoeshore? It was exactly like it used to be. But we had a real sky this time. Not a magical world. And times and dates were the same. I smiled. The sun was setting. I was at Peppers and Sam's new house.

I was sitting on the roof as the sun set. I smiled. The wind rushed through my hair. Then, it was dark. Aurora's filled the sky.

I looked up. Life was always like this, here would be momwnts when you feel like it all has changed. But I'd always know one thing for sure. What was it? It wa that this wasn't the end, and would never be... It was always
just the beginning.

I felt someone push me I looked behind me and no one was there, I turned my head everywhere but didn't see anyone. I shrugged it off-

Then, there was a sharp pain in my head. I held my head and felt myself falling. I split into action, I flapped my wings which stabilized me but I still fell on my side. I clutched both my head and curled up into a ball. This was going to be a long night.