Chapter 11

New Moon and Twilight belong to Mrs. Meyer.

When three o' clock rolled around, my excitement was too much. I decided to go watch Lacey's practice. I wanted to see her on the stage. To hear her beautiful voice speak the words of another person. I wanted to see her in action.

So I ran to the school. When I got there, I wasn't sure if the auditorium was still the the same place it always had been, but I tried it anyway. And I was surprised to find it there. As soon as I opened the doors, the sounds of the piano, and a voice rushed out with the breeze. I quickly moved inside and sat in the shadows of the back.

It was Lacey singing some sort of lullaby. It was soothing, and I closed my eyes as the song continued.

"Oh can ye sew cushions?

And can ye sew sheets?

And can ye sing ba-loo-loo, while the bairn greets?

Ah hee and haw birdie.

Ah baw-lilly-loo.

Ah hee and haw birdie, my bonnie wee doo."

When the last few chords sprung out of the piano, I opened my eyes. She had spotted me and was smiling. I waved as the man who looked like the director, moved out from stage right.

"Bravo, Lacey! Bravo! You sound ready for opening night! Right now, we are actually going to do some tech runs, so you're free to go. Remember, dress rehearsal Monday." He disappeared. from where he had entered. Lacey jumped off the stage and ran towards me.

"Hello," I greeted as I stood.

"Hi!" She skipped the last few steps towards me. "I had Tina take my things home." She explained her empty hands.

"Alright, then. Ready to run?" I offered my hand and she slipped her into mine. Once we reached the outdoors, I moved her towards a more secluded place so we could begin running there. Once running, we would be going so fast that we would be almost invisible. But, if someone saw me one minute, and gone the next, there would be trouble.

"Climb on my back," I told her. She was hesitant, but obliged. "Are you ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," She whispered into my ear. And we were off. I wasn't sure where to head, so I just guided us through town, until we reached the outskirts. Lacey's grip tightened as the minutes passed. I wasn't sure if she was enjoying it or scared out of her wits. So, I stopped slowly once we reached the edge of a forest. She didn't move.

"Are you alright? I turned my head to see her out of the corner of my eye. "Lacey?" She finally slid off of me and onto the ground, I sat beside her. She was shaking. "Lacey?" My voice cracked.

"That...was...amazing!" She scared me as she fell over to lie on her back. It was twilight, and the glow of the setting sun looked beautiful on her. As the lights faded, her eyes widened and she looked at me. I realized my skin had a faint sparkle left within it. She reached up and brushed my cheek with her fingertips.

"Did you really think it was?" She was still shaking, and her heart was beating fast, but she looked alright.

"Yes," She whispered and pulled her hand away from my face. We stayed there until dusk hit, and I ran her home. This time, the shaking ceased after only a few seconds. Before we went inside, she turned to face me.

"Thank you, that was the most fun I've had in...well, years," She laughed.

"I'm glad," And I followed her inside.

"There you are!" Bella's worried mother's voice rang out.

I realized we hadn't left a note.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I lost track of the time and--" Lacey cut me off.

"He took me running, Mom!" She whispered excitedly to Bella. Bella gave me a look of happiness and confusion.

"Really?" Her eyes never left mine.

"Yes! You told me all about it, and the experience is amazing." After catching her breath, Lacey retired to her bedroom, saying goodnight.

Bella watched her daughter leave.

"Are you angry?" I wondered.

When she looked back at me, she had tears in her eyes. "Thank you," Was all she said.

I moved towards her and wrapped her in a hug. Her blood still called for me, and her scent was floral. I breathed it in. After she pulled away, she followed Lacey's trail. I stood in the kitchen for who knows how long. Thinking about the feeling of Lacey's fingers on my face. It was soft, warm and heavenly. It brought back so many memories. The feeling was back again.

My emptiness was subsiding.

A/N: The song Lacey sings is from The Selfish Giant. It's the Giant's Lullaby.