Even though his work was supposed to be done at night, Sandy ended up visiting Maya again the next day. He went to her window and saw her at her desk doing her homework or something. Her roommate was there reading a textbook so he decided to wait.

"Maya, will you stop wasting time drawing?" Ernestine frowned. "You should be studying for that test."

"I was studying Ernestine, I'm just taking a break." Maya retorted good-naturedly.

"Ugh, I just don't understand you." Ernestine shook her head. "You still read children's books, you spend nearly all your time daydreaming, and you'd rather play with kids then do your work."

"I don't understand you either, you don't even know how to have fun." Maya frowned. "There."

She taped the drawing to the wall. Sandy was a bit startled: it was of him!

"What is that supposed to be?" Ernestine looked at the drawing with confusion.

"You mean who, and he's the sandman." Maya replied. "I had a dream about him last night. Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and even the Tooth Fairy were in it too."

"Seriously? You're still into those myths?" Ernestine scoffed

"Myths? Hey, no one has ever proven that they're not real so how can you be sure that they aren't?" Maya retorted, this time not good-naturedly.

"Because the idea of them is ridiculous. Flying reindeer, a guy made out of sand, a little fairy who collects teeth for no reason, a bunny who delivers eggs when rabbits don't even lay eggs." Ernestine sighed. "I just don't know who came up with those dumb stories."

"They're not dumb!" Maya frowned. "They're fun and comfort you when you feel bad."

"*Hm*, if I need comforting I'll get a cat." Ernestine shrugged. "I'm going to go check the mail."

After she left Sandy tapped the window. Maya brightened instantly.

"Sandy, boy am I glad to see you." Maya opened the window and took the screen off.

Sandy flew in and she replaced the screen.

"It's nice to have someone I can actually talk to." Maya sighed. "No one understands me."

Sandy made an image of three people, one male and one female and one child. Maya looked even sadder and she sat down on her bed.

"My parents died in a car accident when I was a little girl." She said quietly, shedding a tear. "And I was never adopted. The orphanage pays for my education here, which means that I don't have a say in what classes I get."

Sandy now was sad too. He sat down next to her, kinda, and put an arm around her shoulder. She hugged him.

Ernestine then walked in.

"Maya...what are you doing?" She stared.

"Hugging my friend Sandy." Maya said before remembering that only those who believed in Sandy could see him.

"Oh no...not another imaginary friend." Ernestine groaned. "First that stupid alicorn and now...what kind of creature is Sandy anyway?"

"He's the sandman." Maya decided to just be honest even though Ernestine would never believe.

"Seriously? Well considering you love to daydream so much I guess I can't be surprised." Ernestine sighed before tossing Maya an envelope. "Here, we got our list of classes for next semester."

"Oh joy." Maya said dryly as she opened the envelope. "Economics? Trigonometry? Oh no! I'm sick and tired of these boring classes."

"Boring? They're useful. Besides, they'll help us get really good jobs in the future." Ernestine frowned.

"But they don't relate to the kind of job I want." Maya protested.

"Which is what?"

"Something to do with kids, like working at a children's bookstore. Or maybe starting my own orphanage."

"Maya, you really should grow up." Ernestine shook her head.

"And become like you? No thanks." Maya retorted.

"Hey!" Ernestine glared, insulted. "One of these days you'll learn your lesson, even if it takes you becoming homeless while I have a high-class job to do it."

Maya just turned away, hiding her tears.

"Oh shoot, I'm going to be late for my next class." Ernestine then saw the time. "You have a class soon too so get your act together and start acting like an adult. Which you are, you're twenty-two for crying out loud. Grow up or fail. Your choice."

She left.

Maya, who was still sad about her parents, collapsed onto her bed and cried. Sandy rubbed her back comfortingly. He then snapped his fingers, getting her attention.

"What is it?" She asked, still sniffling a little.

Sandy made an image of the two of them playing in a park.

"Really? But what about my next class?" Maya was surprised that he'd suggest her ditching class.

Sandy made an image of her and of a smiley face.

"Oh don't get me wrong, I'm grateful that you want to cheer me up." Maya wiped her eyes. "I was just a bit surprised that's all."

Sandy nodded understandingly, and went over to the door and opened it. He gestured for her to follow.

"Well, my next class is calculus, which I hate." Maya frowned. "I am falling behind a little...I mean I am smart but if I get bored I automatically start daydreaming. Did a lot when I was a kid and now it's a habit I can't break... Oh what the heck? Missing one class isn't going to cause me to automatically fail. Let's go."

Sandy smiled. Maya got on her winter clothes and followed him outside. They then headed for a park with her driving and him flying nearby.

Once they got to the park they saw that they were pretty much alone. Obviously the kids were still in school.

"Good, we have the place to ourselves." Maya smiled. "I haven't played in a park in years, this is going to be great."

They went into the park and played. The played on the swings and slides, and also made some snow sculptures and had a snowball fight. They ended up collapsing on a park bench laughing...well Sandy looked like he was laughing but you couldn't hear it.

"Thank you Sandy, this is the most fun I've had in years. In fact...it's the most fun I've had since my parents died." Maya was now suddenly sad again; Sandy looked disappointed. "Oh don't worry, you made me feel better. It's just...I can't think of my parents without becoming sad again. They were the only ones before you who understood me and...I still really miss them."

Sandy made a huge building and a question mark above his head.

"The orphanage was awful." Maya sighed; she then told him about her life in the orphanage.

Sandy was furious, he couldn't believe such a place existed.

"It's an old-fashioned orphanage, that's why it's so strict. Plus the headmistress doesn't know anything about fun." Maya shrugged. "Don't feel bad for me, I'm just glad to be out of there. I'm just worried about the kids who are there now."

Sandy was a bit stunned, she responded as if she knew that he was thinking sympathetic and angry thoughts about her being in that kind of orphanage.

"Thank you Sandy, I had a lot of fun." Maya smiled. "But I'd better get back now, it's almost dinnertime."

Sandy nodded and formed an eye and a question mark.

"Of course we'll see each other again." Maya smiled. "In fact we'll be seeing each other a lot if you can balance visiting me with your work. When I'm not in class I'm normally reading or drawing but I'd rather play outside with you."

Sandy smiled and waved.

"See you later!" Maya waved back as she headed for her car.

When Maya got back she saw an angry Ernestine in the eating section of the dorm.

"What's this I hear about you ditching classes?" Ernestine demanded.

"I had enough with the boring classes and I decided to have some fun." Maya cooly replied. "I was out playing."

"With your imaginary friend no doubt. How many times to I have to tell you Maya: grow up!" Ernestine snapped before leaving to get her food.

Maya pouted and got her food. She then sat alone and ate in silence.