"I defy you stars!"

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

HER BURNING HEART
The Story of Lilia Derevko by JetNoir

Note: The time it's taken for me to get a computer with internet, I thought I'd better write another edition! We're going back to the day after Tommy unceremoniously insulted / broke up with Lilia…

CHAPTER EIGHT - Graduation Day

24th July 1992

Washington, D.C.

The day was beautiful, the sun beating down gently, and the blue sky perfectly clear. There was a whisper of excitement in the air…it was the last day of school, the last day forever. The students lives were going to begin anew, and they would now put the past forever behind them.

The stage had been set up on the school grounds, the seating for family set up in front. The same ritual performed each year, the ending of one life and the beginning of another.

Graduation Day.

Lilia had made her own way to school that morning, Aunt Winona had said that she had some urgent errands to run, and couldn't accompany her. She would be there, that Winona had promised. So in the glorious sunshine she had walked slowly, enjoying the feel of it on her face.

--

It is near the end of the ceremony.

All the students had come up on stage to receive their awards…all but one. Principle Bannerman stood up, and moved to the stand:

"And finally, as our school tradition requires, the student who graduated top of the class, in the class of ninety-two, Lilia Derevko, will now present her speech. Ladies, Gentlemen and Students…Miss Derevko."

Lilia took a deep breath, sighed heavily, and walked onto the stage, from her seat behind it (where all the students had been made to wait before receiving their awards).

Her eyes glanced over the front row, she saw Kitty give her a thumbs-up, and kept looking around the seats.

Then she stopped in her tracks. Now she knew what those errands were. Sitting next to her Aunt Winona was her Mother.

Lilia fought back tears, and continued on her way to the stand. Glancing at her notes, she began to speak:

"I am an alien. And before you start snickering, I am not from another planet. I am from another country, indeed, the enemy of this country just a few years ago, in the cold war.

I wanted to say many things today. But you have known me long enough that I am a quiet person, not one given to long speeches.

I was reading Romeo and Juliet the other day…and I came across a line: "I defy you stars." The original context is one of tragedy, but if you twist them a little, they change into a meaning of hope.

The stars are meant to be the ultimate definition of humanity's achievement. For most of us, we are not meant to reach the stars above. But I think that stars are not necessarily the lights in the sky. It can be whatever our hearts desire.

So on this day, the twenty fourth of July, I challenge you to defy your stars. Reach higher than you mean to, seek out your dreams, and make them happen! You all have it in you, to live your lives to the fullest.

Just remember: it isn't important whether or not you have the highest-paying job, the flashest car, or whatever. The most important thing is that you are happy. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Defy."

Applause scattered loudly from the audience's hands, not generally directed at Lilia, but at each other, and themselves. Lilia didn't care however, as she leaped off the stairs, dodged through the standing people, and into the waiting arms of her mum.

No words were spoken. None were needed. Mother and Daughter wept, for all the years apart they had lost.

And out at the back of the school, unseen underneath a large oak tree, Dr Hannibal Lecter applauded, placed his fedora back on his head, and walked swiftly away.

--

Tommy Bloom gazed helplessly at Lilia, in the arms of her mother, and bitterly cursed his libido. What had he been thinking last night? It was a bluff! He had only meant it as a bluff…to try to force her hand.

Lilia turned, and caught him looking at her. Tommy jumped at her burning eyes, and he knew what a fool he had been.

Lilia turned back to her family, ignoring him, as Tommy turned back to his. He knew today he was the loser, and his Graduation was soured.

He had lost…and chose not to defy his own star. That chapter was finished.

He knew that Lilia's star would shine all the more brightly because of it.

--

"So that's your mum, then," smiled Kitty, "she's really nice, Lilia. I'm glad you got to see her today!"

"You knew?" whispered Lilia, looking over at her mum, who was talking to Winona.

"Course!" said Kitty, "Who do you think helped your aunt come up with it? I knew how much you wanted to see your mum after all."

Lilia reached out and hugged Kitty fiercely: "Thankyou my friend. Thankyou."

"Hey, you still on for next week?"

"Sure," said Lilia, "can't wait!"

"Go on, go see her! Just enjoy yourself, Star!"

--

Lilia spent the next week with her mother, before Anna Derevko's visa expired. It was, quite simply, a perfect week.

That summer, Lilia went on a road trip with Kitty, the last summer they spent together. Afterwards, Lilia didn't hear from Kitty, until the winter of 1995. She disappeared from the face of the earth.

Lilia continued to defy her stars, gaining a place at the D.C. University Hospital, and it is there where Lilia's story continues…

Note: Now I realise that it has been two months since I last wrote for HBH, and I'm conscious that it might not be quite the same. If that's the case, please tell me, so if needs must I can re-write it. There are seven more chapters, so as I said previously, I've got my work cut out for me! Anyway, I do hope that you enjoyed this chapter, and as always, please review.

Disclaimer: Hannibal is copyright to Thomas Harris; and the story, plus original characters to me. This story has been written on the understanding that you may read it and print it out; but you may not pass it off as your own, hire it out, or sell it for money. You also may not put it on your own or any other web page without my express written permission. Thankyou!

JetNoir