It was February of 2017, and Sophie was laying on her back under Rachel's bed. The fairies' toy castle home that they lived in had been moved to under the bed, because Rachel's mom had gotten tired of it sitting out. So the fairies' house had been moved. Sophie didn't much like it. It was dark under there, and being a light fairy, she didn't like dark. She had been under there for months now. It was hard to keep track of the days, because it was always dark.
"Breeze, want to have a race?" asked Sophie halfheartedly.
In the darkness, Sophie heard noises as Breeze repositioned herself. "Nah," came Breeze's voice. "It's too dark under here anyway."
"Okay," Sophie replied. "I'll just sleep some more."
Of all the fairies that lived at Rachel's house, Sophie had taken the move of her home the hardest. Instead of flying and having fun, all of the fairies mostly just would lie around, drifting in and out of sleep. They were all listless. What was the point of doing anything when it was always dark and every day was the same?
Sophie was just falling back asleep when a bright light shined in her face. Sophie opened her eyes wide. It was light! Maybe she would be able to get out of this horrible place!
She saw a large hand groping around. It grabbed some of her friends, then put them down. Then it grabbed her. It pulled her out from under the bed!
Sophie looked into Rachel's huge face. She was out from under the bed! A wide grin broke out on Sophia's face.
"Sh," whispered Rachel. Then she put Sophie in her jacket pocket. Sophie was elated. If Rachel had on her jacket, then that meant they were going outside!
Sophie listened from inside the pocket. She heard clomping of feet, and then the sound of locks being unlocked. Then Rachel pulled her out of the pocket, and she was outside!
The fairy flew around excitedly. It was quite warm, and the sunlight was hitting her face. Sophie was so glad to see sunlight again. She flew back over to her human friend.
"It's really warm out," remarked Rachel.
Sophie nodded. She flew over to the fairy house. Rachel had just put it back in place. It had been sticking out of the ground at a funny angle all winter. The light fairy landed on the roof of the fairy house and lay down on her back. The sunlight hit her face and body. It warmed her, and she could feel herself getting more energy. Sunshine was her favorite type of light, and it made her feel all warm and bright inside. She bent the light at different angles while she lay there, happy that she had light to bend.
"I'm so sorry you had to go under the bed for so long," Rachel said. "I knew you would have trouble, with it being so dark."
Sophie nodded vigorously.
Rachel scooped Sophie up and gave her a big hug. Sophie smiled. Rachel did care about her after all.
Rachel walked over to the sledding hill that was made of plywood. Sophie followed. The blonde fairy's wings fluttered beautifully as she flew to her human friend.
Rachel picked a blade of dry grass and made a headband for Sophie. Sophie was amazed at how the human's fingers could tie a knot so delicately in a blade of grass. Rachel had learned many things from her fairy friends.
The little fairy flew around the yard, did a front flip, and landed on her feet. Rachel clapped. "You're almost as good as Breeze!" said the girl.
Sophie beamed. That was a high compliment.
"I wish I could have taken you all outside, but you're the one who I knew would be having the hardest time under there," Rachel said.
Sophie nodded. She was glad that the human had chosen her to go outside.
"My family is moving soon," Rachel said. "It will be better for you all there, I promise."
Sophie was startled. She hadn't known Rachel's family was going to move! She was glad Rachel was going to take her and her friends along. She would miss Rachel terribly if the human left without them.
"Do you think the fairies could be delivering spring?" asked Rachel.
Sophie shook her head. Even though it was very warm out, the fairies would not deliver spring so early.
"Well, I guess it's just a really warm day," Rachel said.
Sophie nodded.
Rachel and Sophie had a good time together outside. Rachel talked to Sophie, and Sophie listened, sometimes nodding. She wished that humans could understand fairies, but the way Rachel talked to her, Sophie knew that Rachel could tell what she meant, even without words.
Soon, Rachel stood up and said, "I think we need to go in now."
"NO!" Sophie jingled, flying the other way. The thought of being under that bed was unbearable.
Rachel caught her by the wing. "I know you don't want to go back there, but I have to go inside."
Sophie tried to get away. She could not go back there!
Rachel held her firmly. "I would leave you out here, but I don't want you to get hurt. The dogs could come out."
Sophie nodded. She was terrified of the dogs, but she still didn't want to go back under the bed.
"I'm so sorry that you have to live there," Rachel said. "But I will take you back outside, I promise, if not tomorrow, then maybe the next day. I'm really sorry."
Sophie nodded. She let Rachel carry her back into the house.
"You can tell your friends about it," Rachel said.
Sophie flew reluctantly under the bed. She would tell her friends about the wonderful day. And the promise of a better home after Rachel moved was sweet in her mind. Sophie was beginning to think that it wasn't going to be so bad after all.