Chapter 3 Kai “That can’t be!” He laughed. I had just explained Stella’s existence to my brother, Otis— I regretted it. He didn’t believe me, naturally. “I—” I stopped myself. “Forget it.” But really, it somehow inwardly offended me. Otis turned around, but I could still hear him. “You should know better…” I concluded that telling anyone my ‘secret’ was a bad idea. I sent myself to my room and grabbed a pencil and paper, though I had no aim to draw anything and ended up with some half-bad sketches in the end. That was when I felt someone tap me on the shoulder from behind. “I was there the whole time.” Stella whispered. “Don’t listen to them,” she added. I began to cry a bit. “I— I know…” I sobbed. Stella smiled. “There’s something that I can do, for now at least.” I tried to stop crying. “What?” I asked. “Remember, I’m a fragment of imagination— I’m supposedly here to guide you. I sent myself to reality to find someone… that someone is you.” I looked at her, trying to understand. I nodded. “I’m so glad I met you,” I whispered. “I’m so lonely…” I admitted. Stella frowned. “You have me,” she said, looking away. “And that’s it.” I replied. Stella told me she wanted to take me somewhere. “How? I asked. “Imaginary people and creatures have the ability to control your dreams, but we need to apply ourselves as your guide first. I’m going to go home and do that. I may not come back for a couple days, but I will come back.” I nodded. “No need to worry, nothing can happen to me.” Stella explained that I’d know she was back when I had the dream. “It’s the only way you can really visit my world.” I understood how difficult not seeing Stella would be. “I’ll miss you.” stella When Kai slept that night, I left. Well, not right away. I was madly in love, after learning Kai’s story. I sighed and realized I hadn’t touched anything I packed. It had only been two nights and a day. I went home, hoping to tell Liz the news. She was surprised when I returned. “Ithinkiminlove,” I said hurriedly, regretting every word, wishing none of it ended up this way. “What?” Liz asked. “I… I found someone I wanted to guide,” I said, paraphrasing the whole thing so it seemed innocent. Liz smiled. “Well, that’s good news! So, what exactly happened?” Clearly, she was burning with curiosity. “So his name is Kai,” I began. “He actually was able to see me.” Liz should know what I was talking about, and she did. “You’re in luck, are you just here to confirm?” she asked. “Yeah,” I replied. “Though I am going to take Kai here by night once I’m officially guiding him. But you know what that means— I’ll be leaving here for good soon.” That was the moment I realized I would have to get Liz into reality, or choose between her and my accidental love. “I really do need to come with you,” Liz said. I left my and Liz’s dormitory to go to Mr. Carin’s house to tell him I was heading off— he monitors the population of the sky island, which was strangely large at the time. Then I explained that I needed to take him here. He smiled and nodded. I left again the next morning.
