“You sure you don’t want to stay up late, watch another episode of big cats in the wild, and rot your teeth with popcorn?” Lavender kissed Lily’s forehead. “It was your first day of school! I reckon that deserves some kind of reward.”

“I’m okay.” Lily answered. She was neatly snuggled under her blanket, her hands resting on her stomach.

“Leave her alone Lav, we should be happy to have such a good kid.” Eric winked at Lily who gave a small smile in return.

“I know, but...” Lavender puffed her cheeks out, “You can be more selfish darling.”

“Come on, let the girl sleep. I’m popping another bag of popcorn unless you stop me.” Eric said, “Goodnight, love.”

Lavender brushed a hair from Lily’s face.

“Good night darling.” Lavender got up and headed for the door, switching the light off.

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“Good night.” Lily called. Little popping sounds came from the kitchen.

“Don’t you dare eat anymore popcorn old man!” Lavender called as she shut Lily’s bedroom door.

Lily lay looking up at the glow-in-the-dark stars on her ceiling. It was a nice green light, lighting up the dark room. Part of her felt antsy just lying there, anxious to go to sleep. To go back to Moon after so long. Lily was afraid she’d shut her eyes, Moon lingering in her thoughts, and the same dream, the one that for months had been popping up for everyone, appearing once more. It was only a few words in that short dream: We’re sorry but the dream you’re thinking of doesn’t exist. She began to think about how lonely Riley must have felt over the summer, unable to venture into the magical dream world provided as well as no one to talk to. Was it her fault Riley ended up sick? Was it because she left? Lily felt a pit in her stomach just thinking about Riley feeling abandoned. It would be fine now though. She would go into Moon and find Riley her happy self once again. They’d make up and Riley would come to school. Everything would go back to how it was.

With that thought repeating in Lily’s mind like a lullaby she drifted off to sleep.

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