The next few days changed everything. 

First, we had to write the letters the kids could pass out. We did ways to sneak food into prison, ways to avoid the harpies or goblins as well as a section about Sora.  

We weren’t sure how many people would believe it, but I had faith. They had to know that Sora was real and that he would fight for them, even if I wasn’t sure he would. Every little spark counts. 

Then, we gathered the children. 

Arin was an apprentice at Ixon which meant we had more eyes at the school. Ixon was known for speaking out and was trusted, but they didn’t know about her. 

Tristen had a baby brother that wanted to help, Tamar was fifteen and could help Pearl at school. Sebastian and Laura had a son who was eager to help, little eight-year-old Matias. More and more people talked to their families and had siblings or children that could help. 

Sure, we were all anxious about them talking too loudly or saying the wrong thing. There were rules, no names or locations until an adult checks the person out and they were to only talk to humans. Right now, they were the only race that was fighting back and the only ones we could trust. 

Progress was slow, but it was progress. The kids would come running back all excited about a friend who wants to know or an adult or is curious. And we were lucky, in just four days we had ten people say they wanted to support us. 

I couldn’t believe it. 

Yesterday I had finally convinced Arwen to sneak me out, and life had changed for these people. There were whispers, people talking about the angel sent to save them. They were smiling, and there was actually a bit of excitement. 

Of course, said angel wasn’t really saving anyone right now.  

Since putting the plan into effect, I had spent every day outside Sora’s room being the best annoying sister I could be. I told him about the plan, the new recruits, about the new prisoners, and the news, and I didn’t shut up. 

I needed to talk to him and by Mista’s hand, he was going to talk to me too! 

“Today it was a man named Cesar, Pearl wanted to talk to his family right away. Sometimes, they are happy to be supported while other times they blame us. Though, Pearl says no one has hurt her yet.” 

“The one good thing about this is that children aren’t targeted. Punishments are done at home unless it’s bad enough for a court. Though, with the biased court in place, they probably wouldn’t have any problem sending a kid to Brighster.” 

“And yet, you just send a whole bunch of mini rebels out there with no protection.” 

Sora talked to me! 

Oh, he had a point. 

“Well, yeah. But Pearl can punch someone and Matias would kick anyone just for fun; kid thinks it’s so funny.” 

Silence followed and my heart grew heavy. I guess I could just try again tomorrow. 

Then, the curtain moved and Sora stood in front of me. 

His hair was messy, he had bags under his eyes and he looked tired, but I didn’t care. I leaped at him, holding tightly around his waist. 

“You aren’t allowed to ignore me anymore.” 

He just laughed as he gently played with my braids.  

“I’m sorry, but it isn’t really my fault-” 

“I know!” I flew up, looking at him to convince him I really did feel bad. “I’ve thought a lot about what you said and you’re right. I’ve done a lot without you and I will include you more.” 

“You say this after you write about me in the paper.” 

Heh, I did do that. 

“But I need to apologize as well. We are friends and you are absolutely allowed to have other friends. I’m sorry I got jealous, I’ve had you to myself for too long and it’s new to me.” 

I couldn’t help it, I hugged him once more. My cheeks were starting to hurt, but it didn’t matter. Sora and I were finally talking to each other, I hated fighting with him. When we were children, it would never last this long but even that was painful. 

“I don’t know how to share either, I guess we can learn together.” 

“Great, now go talk to Arwen.” He gently pushed me and I had no idea why. 

“You literally just got upset about that, why-” 

He threw up his arms and leaned on the doorway. “Because he keeps whining about it! Oh, I want to read books but she says no. I want to take her upstairs but she’s tired. I want to eat lunch but she isn’t hungry. I swear, everything he says is about you and I can’t take it anymore, it’s so annoying.” 

I let out a snort at the idea and shook my head.  

“He does not, he barely talks to me.” 

“And that’s my problem.” He straightened himself and began to push me down the hall. “Go. Find. Him! If he comes back whining about how he’s worried about you, I will fly back to Kirham myself.” 

I didn’t fight him; I really had wanted to talk to Arwen again. I’ve been missing out on books because of this. 

“Fine, but we eat dinner together.” 

“Anything, I don’t care, just sort this out with him.” 

I flew on my own, making it to the library in a flash. 

“We need to make sure Yasmin reads this, I bet she would be interested in gnome culture.” 

I stayed in the doorway, totally spying on Arwen, Dominic, and Sebastion. 

“If you say her name one more time, I will hit you.” 

“Just hit him anyways, it would be funny.” 

Sure enough, Dominic leaned over the table to smack Arwen’s head. 

“Skym! What was that for!” 

“Do you even realize what you’ve been doing for over a week?” 

Arwen buried his face in the book and I had to cover my mouth. Getting caught would ruin the fun.  

“Nah, he has no idea. You weren’t even this bad with Sherri. You just said she was hot and that was it.” 

“Well, I didn’t really like her. We had fun, had a baby, and split. You, on the other hand, didn’t feel anything but love for the ‘precious creation that is Laura!’ Someone would say the word Laura and I would hit them.” 

“Please,” Arwen interrupted the two and dropped his book. “I really am reading.” 

“Reading for Yasmin!”  

Both boys spoke in a high voice and Arwen began to hit them with the book. Soon it was an all-out fight, each with their own book, hitting someone else’s arms or torso. Time for my entrance. 

“So this is what you’ve been doing every day?” 

Arwen’s book fell to the floor with a thud as Dominic and Sebastion backed away.  

“H-hey there Yasmin!” 

He picked up the book as the others ran out, each saying a quick goodbye.  

“Sorry about interrupting, but I was curious about this library.” I flew in, admiring the shelves carved out of the rock. 

“No worries, they were just bothering me. And Sora?” 

I gathered the books that interested me and passed them to Arwen as he followed behind me. “We talked it out, it’s been a big change for both of us.” 

When I passed the next book, Arwen was smiling at me. The twinkle in his eyes had my cheeks warming, but I kept reading the book titles.  

Friends, that’s all we could be. Friends who talked and hung out together and that was it. Friends didn’t get weird warm feelings or want to kiss and cuddle or anything like that. 

Just friends. 

Still, it was an amazing afternoon with my friend Arwen.  

We had gathered stacks and stacks of books to read. There was only one table and it was full. Some looked new while other books were falling apart; each with their own story. Breathing in the dusty smell, I couldn't help but smile. 

Libraries felt like home. 

As we read, we often interrupted the other; a little bit of information, something we thought was cool or a misspelling that was funny. I read about everything, the family history of the dragons, the communication of the banshees, dancing rituals for satyrs, and even the art of the angels. 

Everything was going perfect, until a small creature fell through the rock and landed on my lap, causing me to shriek.