Author's Note; Here is the next chapter.

It was nearly early morning when the young girl heard something.

"Lily. Pssst, Lily."

Then she felt a shake.

"Wakey-wakey, young mage."

Lily sleepily said, "Barley, go back to sleep."

"There's something I wanna show you. But you gotta see it now."

"Not interested."

"Come on, please? I promise it's worth it."

Lily rose a little and tiredly looked at Barley who was full of excitement. Not to mention, dressed in his usual and casual attire. "You swear?"

"Oh, yeah."

"Cross your heart?"

He made the motion. "Cross my Quests of Yore heart."

"Okay…but just this once."

"Yes! You won't regret it."

"Why do I have a feeling I will?" she yawned.

"Come on. Get dressed and let's go."

"All right, all right, Mr. Hyperactive. Just give me a few minutes please."

"You got it," Barley said as he climbed down the attic.

"Normally, I love his enthusiasm but not at this time in the morning," Lily thought. She was a mix between an early bird and a night owl but since she turned in early last night, she felt like more sleep. Then decided she might have a nap later today to make up for it. She changed her purple pajamas to black flip flops, semi-tight and knee-length black denim shorts, and a neon yellow T-shirt. She tied a blue hoodie around her waist just in case it got cold. And she made sure her hair didn't look messy but cool and tidy. Barley was waiting for her by the front door.

"What took you so long?" he smiled teasingly.

"A lady uses her time sufficiently, you know," she smirked.

"Ha, ha. Come on," he opened the door and bowed to her, "Madam."

She giggled. "You are funny, Barley Lightfoot."

"I do what I do, Lily Smith."

They went outside and got into Guinevere II and were on the road.

"Please, you're keeping me in suspense here," Lily laughed. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see, O Curious One," he smirked.

A short while later, Barley stopped the van where they parked close to a huge and beautiful beach. Since it was still early morning, it looked darker.

"What's this?" she asked inquisitively.

"This...is New Mushroomton Beach. I call it, Safe Haven One."

"Cool. And I like your nickname for it. Beaches are one of my safe havens too."

"Oh, yeah? What other havens you got?"

"Quite a number. The cinema, arcade, library, the hammock at home."

"That's cool."

Both grinned at each other. Then Barley turned to face what was in front of them.

"It's coming! Come on!"

"Wait, Barley!"

He got out of the van before she did and walked to where the sand was. It was close to where Guinevere II was parked. Both of them stood quite close to each other. She turned to the older brother in a questioning manner while putting on her hoodie, leaving it unzipped. The wind sometimes blew on their faces gently and on their hair.

He noticed her glance. "Look," he said, pointing his finger at the distance. She obeyed him.

Then all of a sudden, the bright sun was slowly rising, like the Teletubby baby sun waking up to be ready for today.

Lily gasped in awe. She loves sunrises and sunsets but has never seen a sunrise like this before. It was just absolutely breath-taking and gorgeous to behold for anyone's eyes. She couldn't stop staring away from it like it was hypnotizing her to not look away. "Wow…"

"I know, right?" he said, not looking away from it either.

"This is perhaps one of the most beautiful sunrises I've ever witnessed."

Then she gently felt his hand and fingers intertwining with hers. Once again, she felt that bolt of electricity as they held hands. He secretly felt the same thing.

She faced him. "Thank you."

All he could do was smile at her reply before they looked again at the majestic natural wonder for a few minutes more.

"Well, you ready to head back home?"

"No. Just a little longer, please?"

"Told ya you would like it," he said proudly.

She let go of his hand and sat down on the sand. "Yeah, okay. I admit it," Lily laughed.

He also sat down, still close to her.

"Barley?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you again for this. It's been a long while since I've had the opportunity to go to a beach and enjoy its views."

He smiled widely. "You're welcome."

While switching to looking at the sunrise and Lily at certain points, the older teen returned to his thoughts on what was currently going on in terms of matters of the heart. He began to realize these feelings must have happened and grown bigger since the day he and Lily went on their "quest" when she touched his hand out of sympathy. "I like her a lot, but what if she doesn't feel the same way and it ruins our friendship? Oh, man. I don't think that's a risk I wanna take. Now I sound like The Manticore but in reverse. And I wish I knew how she feels about me," He sighed inaudibly to himself, wondering what to do about it.

"Since the day we went on our quest, it feels like my feelings for Barley have grown. Then there were those moments after that where we have been having more fun, and the dancing last night…Now, he's constantly in my head. Oh my gosh! I really like him! But what if he only sees me as a friend? And I don't wanna lose our friendship. I wish I knew what to do about it, and how he feels about me," Lily said in her head followed by a silent sigh.

I should have known better
Than to let you go alone
It's times like these
I can't make it on my own
Wasted days, and sleepless nights
An' I can't wait to see you again

I find I spend my time
Waiting on your call
How can I tell you, babe
My back's against the wall
I need you by my side
To tell me it's alright
'Cause I don't think I can take anymore

Is this love that I'm feeling
Is this the love that I've been searching for
Is this love or am I dreaming
This must be love
'Cause it's really got a hold on me
A hold on me

I can't stop the feeling
I've been this way before
But, with you I've found the key
To open any door
I can feel my love for you
Growing stronger day by day
An' I can't wait to see you again
So I can hold you in my arms

Is this love that I'm feeling
Is this the love that I've been searching for
Is this love or am I dreaming
This must be love
'Cause it's really got a hold on me
A hold on me

Is this love that I'm feeling
Is this the love that I've been searching for
Is this love or am I dreaming
Is this the love that I've been searching for
Is this love or am I dreaming
Is this the love that I've been searching for
Is this love or am I dreaming
Is this the love that I've been searching for
Is this love or am I dreaming
Is this the love that I've been searching for
Is this love or am I dreaming
Is this the love that I've been searching for

"Thanks, now I'm ready to head back," she said while standing up and dusting the sand off her pants. "Can we come here again sometime please?"

"Sure. Like I said, I had a feeling you'll like this place," Barley smirked.

"Yeah, Mr. Confident," she chuckled and rolled her eyes. Then she looked at the van. "Race ya to Guinny," Lily said just as she made a head start.

"Hey, that's cheating!" he shouted as he was catching up to her.

It was not a long race but they liked it.

"Ha, ha! Beat you!" the young girl jumped up and down excitedly and triumphantly.

"This…is not over," he said, breathing heavily in and out.

"Well, if you put it that way…I won this round," she smiled widely.

"Okay, Miss Big Mouth," he said jokingly, causing her to give a short gasp before gently punching him on the arm which made him chuckle.

It was a while later when they reached home. When they entered through the back door, they saw that everyone else was awake.

"Oh, good morning, you two," Laurel said. "You're up early than usual."

"Long story short. I was dragged out of bed from Mr. Persistent here," she nudged Barley teasingly who was smirking, "Coz he wanted to show me something cool, but I'm really glad he did that," she finished with a grin.

"Oh, really?" she turned to her eldest son suspiciously.

"Yip."

"Hey, little bro!" he called out to Ian who was sitting at the table having cereal. "Ready for another day at school?"

"I'm always ready for school, Barley," he said as if it was obvious. He was wearing his usual shoes, jeans, white t-shirt, but instead of wearing a red one, he had a blue checkered overshirt on.

"Morning, Ian," Lily said as she approached him. "Sleep well?"

"It was okay, thanks. Yours?"

"Was a good one, thank you." Then she immediately lit up. "Hey, guys. Wanna see a cool new trick I learned last night in my dreams?"

"Something your dad taught you?" said Ian.

"Affirmative."

Laurel and Barley were now close to the table.

"Firstly, I need a guinea pig for this one. Who would be happy to volunteer?"

Ian's hand rose quickly.

"All right, Ian! Okay…"

She walked to the living room and had her back to the younger brother.

"Put your hand on any shoulder…"

He touched her right shoulder then was taken by surprise when Lily took his hand fast and flipped him over that caused him to land on his back with shocked eyes.

"Voila, a new defence trick," she smiled proudly to Barley and Laurel who were equally astonished. Then she turned to Ian and helped him up, "Sorry if that hurt, are you okay?"

"I'll be fine," he said weakly.

"Kind of like the trick we do to each other," said Laurel.

"Oh, yeah," Lily grinned.

"If my back is like this for the rest of the day, I'm blaming you," said Ian, teasingly pointing at the young girl just before opening the front door.

"Fine. I take it," she shrugged with a grin, unperturbed.

"Well, see you boys later," said Laurel.

"Hey, you wanna ride with us?" asked the younger brother.

Lily shook her head. "Thanks, but I think my nap is calling me," she yawned before she laughed.

After he checked his watch, Ian said, "But it's almost eight."

"Yeah, well. I was taken on a very early yet worthwhile adventure this morning," she smiled at Barley who also playfully shrugged.

"All right. Well, see you later."

"Later, dudes," Lily saluted playfully.

"Until later, young mage," said Barley goofily.

Lily rolled her eyes.

After they closed the front door, Lily headed up the stairs before Laurel stopped her.

"I'm off to work shortly, will you be okay on your own?"

"Yeah, of course, don't worry. Back home, I'm often home-alone," she grinned. "And I can defend myself if something happens."

"Oh yeah, that's for sure," Laurel smiled, impressed with her attitude and defence skill displayed in front of her not too long ago. "See you later then, sweetie."

"Have a good day, Laurel."

"Oh, I sure hope so."

"Oh, it will be," Lily grinned confidently.

"You're like Barley in that department."

"Aww, thanks. Bye!"

After she made it in the attic, Lily felt like switching to her pajamas. Putting her glasses on an old chair, she literally fell straight asleep.

Meanwhile, on the way to school…

While rock music was playing in the van, Ian was trying to draw a perfect flower on his small book.

"What's that?" asked the curious older brother suspiciously who noticed it.

"Nothing," he blushed.

"Come on, I know you better than that, little bro. Spill it."

"Okay, okay. I'm practicing drawing."

"What for?"

"Just…for someone."

"Ohhh," Barley said teasingly, nudging Ian on the arm. "Maybe for a…special someone?"

"Pffft, no," he said defensively, although it appeared he was not winning the argument.

"Okay, well, if you need advice on love," he exaggerated the last word, "I can help you with that."

"Thanks, but I think I'm good."

"If you say so," his brother said, looking unconvinced.

Author's Note; the featured song is Is This Love by Whitesnake.