Lotte’s memories jolted in her head, throwing her into a scenery she would never get used to. It was a dark and gloomy place. Rivers of muddy water and burgundy sand that was more akin to ash. 

Enormous columns of stone sprouted right off the ground and disappeared into the starry sky that Lotte couldn’t get enough to gaze at, no matter how much time went by.

The carpet of stars wasn’t real though; it was but a ceiling which appeared as high as the real sky. 

She didn’t realise it at first, but after the starry mist passed it became clear with all the hanging stalactites. 

Sitting on her knees, Lotte’s head would tilt every so often to her right where a vast staircase and seven stone gates led right up to the ceiling of the stars. She guessed that it was a way outside this cavern, but she never felt tempted to investigate it further. 

It seemed so simple to remain seated, waiting for nothing and just admiring the artificial night sky. 

Then a tall female figure came into her sight, taller than any person she knew. She was at least five metres tall and was approaching Lotte with a careful gait.

Lotte’s eyes lingered on the woman’s graceful figure, the unblemished dark skin and ancient robe coloured in the same burgundy hue as the sand and stones around them. A set of golden jewellery on her wrists and neck adorned her body, finishing it up with a golden crown twisting and intertwining on her head. 

A pair of downcast wings flapped from her back and with her set of owl-like feet, she gently whirled up the sand when she walked. One young female gazelle snuggled to her dark legs. On her other side was another gorgeous young woman with a stone tablet in hand with unnaturally golden hair and brass skin. She was roughly half the size of her mistress but still taller than Lotte. 

Not trying to gawk any further, Lotte pushed herself up from her position out of courtesy and awe for the giant woman. She watched as the queen’s long and wavy dark hair flowed over her collarbone and extended a hand towards Lotte. 

A simple smile on her face, so beautiful and caring, like a mother greeting a lost child. 

Amidst this entirely inhospitable place, she was like a gloomy star. The only source of light one could feel drawn to in this desolate and inhospitable place.

Before she could introduce herself, Lotte awoke from her trance. 

A seemingly never-ending dream being put on hold. Shaken awake by one particular voice, belonging to a very important person in her life. 

“Wake up sleepyhead, or you’ll sleep through the whole break.” 

An obvious smile formed on Lotte’s face, which was quickly covered by the paperback that she previously tried to read. Her silvery eyes glanced over to Liara, her best friend; and the only person who could make her heart and stomach flutter. 

“Who are you calling sleepyhead? I’m honestly not in the mood to go to our club activities today.” Lotte tried to nestle herself back to the warm earth and dancing grass beneath her, where the shade of the tree was covering them. “It’s so much today and I feel comfortable right where I am.” 

“But we’ve got archery today,” Liara protested, pulling her knees up to her chest. “Don’t you like archery?” 

“I do,” confirmed Lotte, “but we also had track this morning. Tomorrow we have swimming classes and then pole fighting.” Liara sat down next to Lotte, swiping away some loose grass from their uniforms, but Lotte was still frowning at her. “Do I also need to remind you about the ethics and religion mock exams at the end of this week?” 

“Ok, yeah, I see your point,” Liara admitted, looking over to the archery field nearby. “But we could go there early. I know how much you dislike changing in front of everyone.” 

“I- I don’t hate it- I mean,” Lotte’s mind was in a daze as she mumbled into her book. She was simply uncomfortable about it. She felt as if they would peep at her every time her gaze fell on them. 

Liara was eventually able to convince her; Lotte could only resist for so long. 

“Let me fix your hair; come to the mirror,” Liara said as she took care of her friend’s smooth, midnight blue hair, which flowed down like waves and stopped right between Lotte’s shoulder blades. 

She almost looked identical to her mother with their hair and light brown skin but was taller than her by at least a head, courtesy of her father’s genes which she inherited alongside his stormy grey eyes.

“And done! I believe it’s one of my finest works, don’t you agree?” Liara put her hands on her hips, admiring the very messy bun. Lotte didn’t complain. She liked it the way Liara did it. 

“Now help me with mine.” Liara twirled around her heel, facing away from Lotte. She was always the smaller one of them, even during puberty. Lotte’s hands glided over Liara’s bare neck, fixing her short brown hair as quickly as she could. There was enough time to make it properly but not enough for Lotte to endure it.

She was unable to hide her red face afterwards. 

To everyone, they were like best friends, but for Lotte, it was different. She always wished for more. However, she also knew it wouldn’t be allowed, nor did she know how Liara would react or feel about it.

Would she accept her for who she was? Would she reject her? The possibilities and insecurities made Lotte stiffen up. Losing her best friend was the worst possible scenario, and she didn’t know whether she could take it or not.