Only In My Dreams

Sleeping with an Empty Shell

  I walked down the opposite side of the hill and walked towards the little cottage that we had built on the island so we could stay longer. It was my mother's idea. She loved this island so much. I walked into the front living room and sat on the bed in the corner. I sighed as I kicked off my shoes and laid my head down. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

[LACEY'S POV]

  I was in a ball room. I knew that for sure.

  The orchestra played waltzing music and I frowned. I wanted to dance, but I didn't know how to waltz. I also had no partner. Someone tapped my shoulder and a pretty woman with curly brown hair and familiar dark eyes looked at me. She smiled. Her gown was a sparkling, iridescent silver and interwoven in her hair were silver threads and a crescent moon necklace hung around her neck.

  "Are you Lacey?" she asked, her voice smooth like velvet.

  "Yes, I am," I replied, wary. "Who are you?"

  "My name is Lori, and it's a pleasure to meet you," she said, her eyes lighting up.

  I couldn't help but smile back at her. She seemed nice and I wondered if she was real, also. A little girl weaved through the crowd and came to a stop at Lori's side. Lori grabbed the little girl's hand and her soft gaze turned to her. The girl looked at me in wonder. Her eyes were a light brown, with a couple flecks of gold here and there. She held a bear by the arm in her hand. She had the same brown hair as her mother and her dress was white, almost like a nightgown. She smiled at me also.

  "Hi! I'm Nora," she said, her voice excited.

  "Hello, Nora. I'm Lacey," I replied, smiling at her.

  She giggled. "I know. You're pretty."

  "Thank you, you're very pretty yourself."

  She giggled again. "Mommy, do we have to go?" she asked Lori, looking up at her. "I like Lacey."

  "Yes, Dearest, I'm afraid so. Valerie shouldn't be able to distract them much longer," Lori said with a wistful sigh. She looked at me. She held out her hand. In it was my comb. I felt my eyes widen in shock and she reached behind my head. I felt her delicate fingers place the comb in my hair, as lovingly as a mother would for her daughter. She gave me a gentle smile. They started to fade, like a shimmering veil was being placed over them. I frowned. They were leaving, but where?

  "Wait," I said, feebly.

  "Lacey," Lori said. "Take care of Ben. He needs someone to support him."

  Lori was gone before I could reply. Nora gave a small wave and a smile that only a kid can give. For some reason, I felt like I should be crying. Like I just lost my own family. These weird feelings were starting to confuse me. My heart couldn't take any more of this. I looked back at the dancers and sighed, wondering if I was ever going to have a partner. I looked down at myself, wondering for the first time what I was wearing.

  The gold gown hovered just above the floor and sparkled in the light. I lifted up the skirt and saw the golden heels That would normally be killing my feet by now. I looked at my arms at the single charm braclet that dangled off my wrist. It looked familiar, though I didn't know why. I frowned slightly as I touched a hand to my neck. A locket dangled lovingly from it, and I fingered it, trying to get it open, but I couldn't open it, so I let it fall. I looked at the window in front of me, my reflection showed a princess in my clothing with my comb and perfectly spiraled hair. My eyes widened and so did the princess. I then realized that it was me standing there and I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. Was it even possible to look like this?