THE VALLEY OF STARS

Chapter 1

"For to see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing."

The Magician's Nephew

"Are you sure you have everything?"

"Yes, I've checked three times already."

"Do you have your toiletries bag?"

"Yes."

"Suitcase?"

"Mhm."

"Helmet? Gloves? Phone? Bottle?"

"Yes, yup, check, yep. Can I go now?"

Ms. Spetto shifted from her right foot to her left anxiously, eyeing the young woman in front of her. If only Layla were here; little Lucy wasn't quite little anymore– she was on her way to becoming an adult. Despite her father's forceful teachings and him possibly handing his company over to her, Lucy was determined to carve and forge her own future, not have it chosen for her. That's why she would be leaving for the academy in the first place.

Ms. Spetto quickly gave the girl another head to toe look, scanning for anything that might be missing. A light bulb sparked above her head. "Your journal! Do you have your journal?"

"Yes I do," Lucy sighed, pushing back the urge to roll her eyes. She patted her saddlebag for emphasis, shrugging her shoulders. "I have everything I need– Spetto, seriously, I need to go before I miss my bus!" She explained, though not unkindly.

She could understand where the maid was coming from. Ms. Spetto was more like family than her bastard father, the only one to actually give a crap about her and raised her as much as she could after her mother's passing. She wasn't replacing Layla– she was more of an aunt than anything.

That said, that didn't make her anxiety any less annoying. And Lucy thought she was the one supposed to be nervous!

"I'm sorry," Ms. Spetto quickly apologized, a quivering smile played on her lips. "It's just, you'll be gone for all of summer and.. you've never left the estate for so long before. I can't help but worry."

Lucy's gaze softened considerably. "It's okay," She soothed with her own smile. "I know it's nerve-wracking for the both of us, but I have to do this. My father can't keep me cooped up in here for all eternity."

"I know, I know," Ms. Spetto nodded in agreement and fidgeted. Suddenly, much to Lucy's panic, her eyes began to water.

"A-ah! Spetto please don't cry!" Lucy pleaded, dropping her suitcase in favour of waving her hands wildly. "I promise I'll call you everyday! And whenever I have the time I'll come down to visit an–!"

Ms. Spetto cut her off with an amused chuckle and wiped her eyes, sniffing rather loudly. "Oh dear, no," She shook her head with a teary-eyed fond smile. "I'm not sad– these are happy tears. I'm happy for you."

Lucy paused and faltered, "Huh?"

"All your life you've always wanted to explore the world beyond these golden gates and walls, and now you finally have the chance," The maid said, "You never broke under your father– despite how desperately he tried. You strove for independence and wanted to make your own path, something that Jude didn't want. You went against all of your father's rules and orders for the one thing you wanted: and now you have it. Your freedom," The tears came back up. "And.. and I-I'm just so happy for you– Layla would be so proud of you."

"Spetto.." Lucy whispered, her own eyes glassy and shimmering. Oh god, she couldn't be crying too! "I.. thank you, I really needed to hear that." She pushed her saddlebag out of the way and leaned forward to embrace Ms. Spetto, her shaky arms coming to wrap around the lady's shoulders.

They stayed like that for a couple of minutes, basking in each others warm hold, reluctant to pull away. It was not very likely Lucy would be getting the chance to visit the estate during her time away, but the thought still counted. All they could do was savour the moment, for that would probably the last of them for the next few months.

Finally, it was Ms. Spetto who pulled back, though not before gently and fondly patting Lucy's cheek. The blonde girl gave the maid a firm squeeze of her forearms one last time before taking a step back.

"I guess.. this is it," Lucy sighed, fiddling with the leather strapped over her chest and shoulder that supported her bag. Ms. Spetto took a calming breath and looked up her. "I suppose it is." She smiled. She understood Lucy's hesitance, despite how eager she had been earlier to run off to the bus stop.

"Didn't you say that your bus was arriving around ten thirty?" Ms. Spetto asked, biting back a chuckle when she saw the girl's panicked expression. "Don't tell me.." Lucy trailed off in a murmur, going frigid. "Spetto.. what time is it?"

"Ten twenty-four, my dear."

"Aah crap!" Lucy hissed, scrambling for her suitcase. Her ankles and knees knocked against each other as she bent down to pick up the handle. She straightened back to her full height and quickly patted her pockets to make sure she had everything she needed. Ms. Spetto watched in amusement as the teenager ran a hand through her hair in hopes of smoothing it down before giving up with a grumpy pout.

However, that changed when she turned wide-eyed to Ms. Spetto and rushed out, "I'm really sorry I have to cut this short but I need to go!" She said, hopping from foot to foot as she slowly inched away from the door.

Ms. Spetto waved her off with a dismissive wave of her hand and smiled. "Run along now," She reassured, grinning. "We don't want you missing your bus now, do we?"

Lucy gave a grateful smile and leaned down to place a quick kiss on the maid's cheek before bolting down the highway to the golden gates that encircled their land. As she was about the run past them, Lucy paused and turned around, placing a hand on the cool bars and shouting, "I'll call you as soon as I get there!" She promised.

"Every day I'm gonna be expecting news and updates, missy!" Ms. Spetto called back, a watery smile on her lips as she watched Lucy giggle and nod before finally disappearing from view.

And then it was only her.

Ms. Spetto's smile slowly fell from her face as every minute passed, staring blankly at the gates. Eventually, she turned back inside the mansion that seemed far too empty now and closed the door shut with a click.

She bit her bottom lip and wandered down the hallway, her only thought bubbling through her mind:

Jude should've been there too.