• Small feet pricked the surface of the water and pulled back quicker than it came as if the water would lash out at her. As she stepped back out onto the earth she unclenched her fists and let her pant legs fall where they may. The stars had come out to play hours ago, patiently waiting for her to come out as well. Every night as she looked out her window they called out; "Can you play tonight?" and she would answer; "Yes, yes I can." in her quietest voice. She would hop out of bed and tip toe past her parent's room--careful not to knock over her mother's favorite vase--and almost run out the front door.

    "I'm here, I'm here!" She would call out with a small voice--and the stars answered back. "We see you, come up and play!" The little girl pursed her lips and rubbed her chin. Never before had the stars asked her to come up there with them--how was she to get up? With a gasp and and snap of her fingers she was off into the tallest tree in her yard. Her little hands grasped at the bark, only managing to tear little pieces off. Red in the face and tired the little girl laid down, looking up at the sky.

    "I'm sorry guys but I can't..." The little girl sobbed.
    "Why of course you can this is a," Her vision started to fade to black, voices echoed and her perfect reality melted before her.
    "Honey, wake up. It's seven-thirty, you don't want to be late for school now do you?" Blue eyes fluttered open, darting from left to right. A barely audible 'huh?' came from the little girl's lips as her mother picked her up and unwrapped her from the cold emerald sheets.
    "You must have had quite the dream. Your father and I heard you last night."