Jacquie bolted out of her dream with a fear that spun coldly down her spine. Her heart was going a million miles a second. She tried to calm herself down by thinking it wasn't real.

It's okay. It hasn't happened yet.

At the same time, another voice said, That doesn't mean it won't happen. We must do everything to prevent this.

A ripple of even worse situations ran through Jacquie's head, and they were not making her feel better.

She tiptoed over her friends' sleeping bodies to the balcony of the spire. She gasped slightly as she gazed at the multitudes of stars sparkling against the night sky. Two moons glowed dimly, one a pale orange and the other was more like Earth's moon, Maria.

She then began to sing melodic tunes to the night sky.

Sometimes, when she was alone and worried, she sang. Some songs had words, others didn't. This time, she just sang random melodies to the sky. She had only sung once in front of her family, and they said that she was amazing. Her mother specifically said that her voice was like honey pouring into soft, golden notes.

When Jacquie decided she was done, she sat down in silence.

"That was amazing."

Jacquie's heart nearly jumped into her throat. She saw Kyran standing in front of her. She swore he hadn't been there a moment ago. She was terrified that she had sung in front Kyran, a near stranger.

"Thanks," her voice managed to squeak. Jacquie tried to walk away, but Kyran stopped her.

"Don't leave."

Jacquie froze in place. Mustering all the courage she had left, she turned to him and asked, "What is it?"

"Does anyone else know that you can sing?" he asked.

"No," she sighed. "Just my family… and you now."

Kyran sat down and patted the spot next to him.

Oh cheese balls, what have I done?

She reluctantly sat next to him. "Why don't you sing in front of more people like that?" he asked. "You're… incredible at it."

Jacquie blushed.

She said, "I guess I'm scared of people judging me. Watching and waiting to hear me. What if they don't like me?"

"Anyone would be an idiot to not like you," Kyran said.

Jacquie's ears pricked up in surprise at what he said. Kyran face turned a deep shade of red and stammered, "I—I meant your voice! Anyone would be an idiot to hate your v-voice."

"It's okay," she said. "I know what you meant."

"I really don't think you do."

"No, I do," Jacquie insisted.

Kyran looked at her awkwardly for a moment and said, "Thanks. For telling me."

Jacquie was glad that it was over, but she had something on her mind. "Can I ask you something?"

"I knew you didn't understand. I—"

"It's not that, Kyran," Jacquie said. "What were you doing out here in the first place?"

"I… was looking at the stars," he said.

"Why?"

Kyran was silent for an entire minute, and Jacquie thought he wasn't going to answer.

"I was looking for… my parents' stars," he said.

Jacquie was confused.

"I know, I know," he said. "You wouldn't understand.

Jacquie looked straight into Kyran's aquamarine eyes and said, "I will understand. Trust me."

Kyran looked back into her eyes for a moment, then turned to look at the stars.

"When I was little, my parents told me that when they died, they would turn into stars and that they would stay there until I went to join them. Until then, they would be watching me next to that moon." He pointed at the orange one. "They died when I was only 5."

He chuckled, "It's funny, though. You remind me of her… so much."

Jacquie was amazed. "I do?"

"Yeah. You're the most caring, kindest, selfless person I've met." He laughed again and said, "And I've only known you for a few weeks, too! You even have her eyes."

"I do?" Jacquie said. It seemed like that was the only thing she could say.

"Yeah. Huge, emerald eyes that look like they could straight into anyone's soul."

Kyran stared at her silently for a long time.

Then Kyran leaned in toward Jacquie and he cried on her shoulders. Jacquie only took a moment's hesitation before wrapping her arms around him.