Little Lanete

Little Graceful One

I never thought I could be something beautiful. Beautiful like the mermaids and fairies. I am far too delicate and far too small the be something magical like an angel or even a ghost.

I'm like a butterfly or water dancer at best. My darkened skin helping to hide me into the soil or murky waters.

My friends are beautiful. They have beautiful hair. The softest of browns to whitest of whites. Some even colors that are indescribable. Smooth skin that helps them glide effortlessly through the pure air.

I miss them. Miss them more than I could miss anyone. I would rather see them than breath. Which is a statement my mother did not enjoy hearing. They call to me. Through the birds and the flowers. Beckoning me back. I don't quite understand why me. But I enjoy the beautiful misconception.

"Maggie, I need you come here. "
Mother calls my name. Breaking me from my thoughts, of the place I need to be.
"Yes? " I ask.
"Your teacher called. Parent teacher conferences are this week and you were the only one who didn't turn a paper in I was suppose to sign. "
"Did you two of a nice chat ? She is a rather nice lady. "
"That's besides the point dear, can you go grab the paper. After you can go play outside. "

I run down to my room to grab the paper. I haven't been allowed to go outside because it had been raining.

"Here it is. All you need to do is sign here." I could barely hand her the paper fast enough.
"Go put it in your backpack than you can go outside. "
"Thank you. See you later !" I run back to my room placing the paper on my school bag.

Before I leave I grab all the things I need. A notebook that's nearly full. A pen that I believe is older than me. The map I made of the woods. And my glass mirror that is rather dirty. I place them all in my bag before running outside.

My house is surrounded by woods. Tall trees that will always be a lot taller than me. The tall trees block out most of the sun. Keeping everything a muggy green. A color that has since become my favorite.

Inside the woods are many paths. But only one leads to Fairish. A name that must not be spoken out loud for I swore my life on its secrecy. Where all the beauty and magic lies to rest. A world made up of only the beauty of life. A place where colors come to life and sounds have houses. The only place I've ever felt at home.

I wished to live there. I wished on the spiderweb with seven drops of morning dew. But then the green turned a scary dark and the people said no. My friends. My beautiful friends told me no. They said it is not safe but I guess they didn't know it was the safest place. Different than the rest of the world. Perhaps they just can't understand.

I'm greeted like always by Fern. A beautiful boy with oddly green eyes. A color you never thought you could see. It can both pierce your soul and warm your spirits. What an odd mix.

"Lanete! You've returned. We were starting to worry you would never come back. Didn't you get our calls? Elizabeth said she waited on every light post trying to talk to you."
They do not call me Maggie here. They call me Lanete. A much more beautiful name than Maggie. It means little graceful one.
"Hello, fern. I've missed you. I got Elizabeth's calls. I just wasn't allowed to play outside. Mother said it was too rainy and too muddy. Maybe if you just had a word with her she would know it's okay for me to be here?"
"Lanete, do not speak of that again. It's not safe for us out there. The others would not want to hear you talking like this. Especially after being so worried from your absence."
"I'm sorry. I've missed you all too. "
"How old are you now?"
"Oh, fern. I've barely been gone a week. I'm still eleven. "
"It appears you have always been eleven."
"That's not true I was once nine. But perhaps eleven is my forever. And I'll never make it back to twelve. "
"Are you wishing to die?"
"I am not wishing to die. I am wishing to be in a place where I do not age. Where I can be free of time and united with peace."
"You seem more older than eleven."
"Maybe I've been alive before. I could of made it 107. If you made it to 107, don't you think you would always stay rather old?"
"You are much to wise for me. Go and find he others. They are more in hearth of the forest. I would accompany you but my roots are very firmly planted this time of year. "
I look down at fern. His leaves are much more dense and much more green than usual. The rain has been good for him.
"I'll see you before I head home. Goodbye fern. "
"Stay safe our young Lanete. "

I head further into the woods. Everything looking more green. I hope to see Ambrosia before I have to head home. But I know I need to thank Elizabeth for calling to me first.

The forest isn't magical. Perhaps it's just the people. Yet the forest is the only place I can fly. If you would even call it flying. More or less gliding.

My feet slowly lift from the dampened ground. My body leaning more forward. Flying itself is remarkable but the way it feels to fly is unimaginable. Your stomach feeling the like you are dropping from the tallest part of a roller coaster. Yet you have no desire to scream. Your mind leads the way instead of your feet. It's much faster than walking.

I find the clearing. Elizabeth and many others are all here.
"Lanete! We've missed you." One of the young roses says.
"I've missed you guys too. I'm glad to be back. It's so beautiful out today."
"Oh, Lanete. You look lovely. I'm glad to see you back. Shall I grab your clothes?" Elizabeth asks.
"Thank you, yes please."

I follow Elizabeth into the house. It seems quite strange to see a beautiful house in the middle of a forest but the house is magnificent. Beyond the most beautiful thing you've ever seen.

"Here lovely, go get changed. The Tulips are making dinner in an hour and everyone is expected to show. "
"Thank you Elizabeth." I grab the clothes and head to change.

Here you dress to fit your magic and to be with nature. I get to wear a beautiful white lace dress that hangs long in the back. Barely and inch off the ground when I fly.

I abandon my clothes and leave my bag. For the first time in a week I can breath again. Without choosing which I rather do.