When I got home, the television's flickering light was coming through the front windows; that'd be Dahlia. She hadn't shown any interest in getting to know humans in real life, but she happily passed the time watching their silly reality shows.

I decided to skip the house and walked around to the backyard. Finding a spot in the sun, I sat on the grass and removed my boots and socks. The human's preoccupation with covering every bit of themselves was a little much for me. I took off my shirt and wadded it up to rest under my head like a pillow.

Closing my eyes, I relaxed as I soaked up the last of the day's sunlight. I was so comfortable spread out on the warm earth, feeling the soft grass beneath me. I didn't care that I was being watched.

Then he spoke, "Are you planning on sleeping there? That would be unusual for a human, you know. They usually like to sleep indoors, on a bed."

I sighed, "Are you explaining normal human behavior to me while perched in a tree, Tate?"

He laughed and dropped down, landing lightly on his bare feet beside me, "I guess that makes us both odd humans."

I smiled up at him, "Maybe that's because we're not human."

"I know, but it's fun to pretend. They're so interesting."

When I didn't respond, Tate stretched out beside me on the grass, both of us looking up at the clouds. "What's wrong, my friend? No luck with your human girl?"

"She let me walk with her again. She's wonderful. I've never felt another like her."

"Then why do you look troubled?"

"It's her emotions. I can't see her feelings for me clearly; she seems to enjoy our time together, but she's so nervous. I already like her very much.

"When I told her about my parents, and she touched my skin, the depth of her emotion took my breath away," I thought about her small hand on my arm. "To care so much for someone she's only just met...she's truly beautiful."

"You haven't gotten to the confusing bit yet."

I chuckled, realizing I'd been lost in thoughts of her. "One time today, it seemed like she was avoiding me, but the next two times I saw her, she was happy to see me."

Tate shook his head, "That is strange, but she's an odd girl. I told you she fell asleep during push-ups."

"I don't think most people like them. Why is that odd?"

He looked at me with condescension, "On my hikes, if a woman doesn't want to do push-ups, she doesn't nap; she watches me do them." He gave me a wink and gestured to his long toned body, "Can you blame them?"

I smiled, "Tate, you have what people here call a big head."

"I don't have a big head, " he said with a mock offense, "it's perfectly proportioned, as is the rest of my body. I'm concerned about her eyesight."

When I cracked up, he said, "That's better. You were too serious. I don't know why she was avoiding you, but I think the nervous feeling is obvious."

"Really?"

"She likes you too," he shrugged. "Humans don't seem to be very good at expressing their feelings, and you haven't known each other long. You may be able to feel her emotions and intent and question her in dreams, but she has to learn about you the normal way; that takes time."

I realized he could be right. "You know, you can be very perceptive when you want to be."

"Please, let's not let that get around. I prefer my break wings first, ask questions later, reputation."

He gave me a little punch to the ribs, and even though he was joking, it hurt. I could hold my own in a fight, but I was glad we were always on the same side.

While I rubbed the sore spot, he said, "It's true that she's shown an interest in you, and I know you care for her, but where can this go? Is it really worth the trouble?"

At my annoyed glance, he put his hand up, "Don't get me wrong, she's very pretty, but so are many fae, and you know you won't be allowed to stay here."

"She's beautiful, but that's not what drew me to her. That first morning, when she fell, she was embarrassed; Mark immediately felt protective of her. Their bond is powerful.

"Later, when I saw and felt her defend him, she was amazing. So small, but so strong, and all of her anger was surrounded by love. She only wanted to protect her friend. There was nothing she was trying to gain." I closed my eyes, remembering the feeling, "Even her anger is beautiful."

Tate chuckled at the idea of beautiful anger, but he kept quiet. He knew how emotions affected me and that it could be hard to deal with sometimes.

"After everything the Queen said about humans being selfish, I was surprised to see a connection as strong as theirs. Jolie, Mark, and Clara have a friendship that's rooted in love."

"That's nice. Everyone should be so lucky," he squeezed my shoulder. "You know I loathe to agree with the Queen, but she's right. You have incredible gifts. Are you ready to give them up?"

"If she hadn't changed the laws, I wouldn't have to choose. I could love a human, be with her forever, and still be fae. She would be allowed in our world, and I could travel back and forth; however, I need to."

I knew Tate agreed that what she was doing was wrong. He regularly visited the humans before she closed the crossings and made a law that you had to gain permission from her first.

Throwing my hands up in annoyance, I said, "Shrinking the connection between our worlds after thousands of years makes no sense. I don't understand her hatred. If Queen Ember hadn't died here, she never would've been allowed to make these changes. Too many of us still love the human world.

"I don't know where this can go. I just know that when I'm near Jolie, I want more.  Maybe if I told the Queen, she'd let me stay."

Tate chuckled, "You must be thinking of a different Queen, one who concerns herself with other's wants or needs." He shook his head, "You're the closest thing I have to family. I'm with you no matter what, but please be careful. All of us here may not feel that way, protect yourself, protect your thoughts."

"You're right. I'll keep my feelings from Dahlia and Fawn for now."

I stretched my arms above my head and took a deep breath. I must have drifted off because Tate's voice startled me.

"Do you miss your real self here? The first time I came, I thought changing my appearance would be so uncomfortable, but it wasn't. I miss flying, but the trade-off is worth it. I love being around so many different kinds of people, and none of them want to see me fight. It's wonderful. What about you?"

I thought about it for a minute, "It is strange. I wonder what Jolie would think if she saw the real me? What would she think of my eyes?"

Tate snickered, "I think she'd be too distracted by your wings to notice your eyes. You could always test it out; you are the Dream Walker. She wouldn't have to know it's real."

It was an enticing idea; to get to see her reaction to the real me would be amazing. But I couldn't, "No, I won't be dream walking with her anymore. It was an invasion of privacy; she said things I know she wouldn't have, had she been awake."

"You are a better man than I, my friend. I would be getting the answers to everything I wanted to know, awake, or asleep."

"You think that, but I doubt it. If it were someone you thought you could love, you would want the information to be offered willingly, not taken without them understanding."

He hummed, "I guess we'll never know. I'd say me falling in love is about as likely as me suddenly getting the gift of dream walking." Shaking his head, he sighed, "I have no interest in being with someone who's attracted to me because of my fame, and that's all anyone cares about. I want to live a peaceful life and be done with all of that."

"You never know, maybe you were meant to find a human, so you needed to be here."

"It's a lovely thought, but I think I'll just go about my life the way I have for the last 124 years and not plan on it." Tate stood up, "Have a good night; I'm going for a run."

I thought about my friend long after he was gone; I hoped his love was here. He deserved to find someone. It would be perfect for it to happen in this world, away from all of the obligations he hated. He could lead hikes, make a game of flirting with women, and just be happy and peaceful.

Maybe I was a little selfish too. If I could find a way to stay, I'd want my best friend with me. We could grow old with the ones we love as humans do. We could live short but happy lives.

The next morning at school, I waited in the parking lot for Jolie. I couldn't wait to see her.

When she pulled in, Mark noticed me first. I saw him bump her with his elbow and nod in my direction. She looked over at me, and her face broke into the most beautiful smile. I felt the excitement coming off her; it made my heart soar.

I opened her car door for her. She was nervous but happy. Her cheeks were a lovely shade of pale pink that went along with her excitement.

She hopped out and said, "Good morning!" Well, actually, she yelled it. Yelling seemed to be something she did when she was nervous; it was adorable.

"Good morning, Jolie! I hope you don't mind me waiting. I didn't want to wait to see you."

I smiled to ease the nervous feeling she was giving off, but it seemed to worsen. She stared at me, motionless. I grinned, remembering what Tate said about her being nervous because she liked me; if I made her this nervous, she liked me a lot.

"I don't mind," she was still staring at me with wide eyes, and I knew I'd never wanted anything more than this girl.

Mark grinned, "Hi, Ash! You guys are adorable and everything, but we should probably head into school before we're late."

Jolie jumped at his words, "Sorry! Right, into the school."

As we walked, she let me take her hand. "May I walk you to your class?"

"Yeah, that'd be nice. I have to go to my locker first, though, and I don't want to make you late."

"It's no problem. I'm sure I have time."

Mark turned to walk the opposite way in the hall, "See you two later."

I leaned on the locker next to hers, waiting. She was so focused; she didn't blush the way she did when she knew I was looking.

Her hair and eyes were almost the same shade of golden brown. It was very becoming. The top of her head didn't reach my shoulder, but her legs were incredibly long. Looking at them covered in her jeans gave me another reason to be irritated with the human's focus on covering themselves.

A feeling of anger washed over me; looking around for the source, I found Samantha watching Jolie and saying something to the girl she was with. If it wasn't so noisy, I could've heard her, but there were too many people around. I didn't like the way she was looking at Jolie, though.

"Do you and Samantha get along?" I asked.

She swung her book bag onto her back and turned in time to see the look Samantha was giving her before she walked away. Jolie huffed and rolled her eyes, "No, we're not really friends."

"She looks angry."

She shrugged, "She thinks she's better than me, and I'm sure she heard that you were with us Friday night, now you're here with me. She might've seen you holding my hand. I'm sure she's pissed."

"I don't understand."

"You didn't have girls like that at your last school?"

At my blank look, she said, "She's beautiful and popular, and here you are, talking to me when you should be spending your time on her."

Shaking my head, I reached for her hand, "I have no interest in her. I'll spend my time on whomever I choose." Stopping just before the door to her class, I leaned toward her, "For as long as you'll let me, I want to spend my time with you."

She looked at me with her lips slightly parted. I wanted so badly to kiss her, but she didn't feel ready, and I didn't want our first kiss to be in the hallway. So instead, I lifted her hand and softly kissed her palm.

The small intake of breath and the happiness I could feel radiating from her told me I'd made the right choice. "I'll see you next period?"

It took her a second, but she slipped her hand from mine and nodded as she walked into class with a dazed look on her face.

What do you think of Ash's POV? Were some things cleared up a little?

Thank you for reading!!!