Sarah looked so deathly pale the next day, her parents allowed her to take the day off school. She was glad; things hadn't improved since Louise had come back. She'd found chewing gum in her shoes, scribbles over her textbooks, her PE kit dunked in the toilets. She kept a blank face against the onslaught of taunts from her classmates, and dutifully covered her scratches with plasters- she could not show weakness. A lesser girl might have moved away, or left school, but not Sarah, and besides, the mere thought of Jareth was enough to keep her going. She played with Toby and shot wide genuine-looking beams at her parents. They honestly believed she was happy. The fools.
The house was hers, and she filled it with sweet lilting tunes from the little record player. Sarah danced around it, holding her arms out awkwardly as if she was waltzing with someone. A scent of flowers wafted around the cream living room. Sarah inhaled deeply, still spinning and whirling. It was the smell of her step-mother. In a way, Sarah was glad her father had married her. She made him happy. He couldn't expect her to make Sarah happy though.
A passing stranger looked through the window as he passed Sarah's house, and smiled. Sarah looked like an eerie princess; her nightdress floating around her, her hair falling down her back and her pale feet moving gracefully round the carpet. Her green eyes and dark lashes stood out in stark contrast to her white skin and her rosebud lips were parted in pleasure. It was the first time in months she'd been awake and happy. It showed; already the bags beneath her eyes were fading, the lines that had started to form on her face practically eradicated. It was no wonder the stranger had paused to look at her: she was beautiful.
After perhaps ten minutes of dancing, Sarah suddenly felt her empty arms filled. Eyes still shut, she allowed her fingers to explore the person in her arms. Cold, soft skin. Pointed nose. Long smooth hair. Feathery waistcoat. The smell of a forest. Slow, regular breathing, and a heartbeat that only pulsed every three seconds. She brought up her lips to her dance partner's, and touched briefly. He tasted sweet, as he always did.
"If I open my eyes, will I be able to see you?"
"Yes." his voice was strained. Sarah opened her eyes slowly.
"Hurry." he said, the urgency conveyed in his voice. Sarah's lids flew open instantly. There was Jareth, standing within her arms. He looked perfect, even with his brow sweating in concentration and a contorted expression. Then he disappeared for a second, then reappeared, cursing.
"Sorry, you distracted me. Sarah, I can't stay for long; this is using all my energy."
"Yes," said Sarah, unable to say more. She couldn't believe he was here, in the mortal world. He looked bizarre and other-worldly against the beige tones of the room.
"I made it, Sarah. I love you. Sleep." he whispered, his nose to Sarah's, and then he flickered out like a snuffed candle.
It wasn't until ten minutes later that Sarah realised they had been dancing for the entire conversation, and she still was.