Alright, so I'm working to find time to write these stories…It's difficult, though, with everything that's going on. Don't worry; I'm getting better; slowly but surely….very slowly ;)

Oh, and one more thing- I love you guys :) Even when I'm gone, there are ton of readers that visit my stories :D You are all friggin' amazing!

Thank you! :)

This chapter starts just after Julia leaves Mirana's room. I know, I know….I'm still dwelling on that one part…but so much happens then!

"It's time to sell my things: and pack my bags, never look back, run a parallel line with the rail road tracks…and make my getaway…"

Julia of Crims, 9 years old

After walking out Mirana's room with such shocking news, I went straight to my room and jumped onto my bed. I couldn't help but smile like an idiot. Tarrant loved her! I mean, it wasn't as if I never knew that, but he'd finally admitted to it! Now, I just had to get Tarrance to admit who he fancies.

I certainly liked Tarrance Hightopp and I'd admit it to him if he'd tell me first. I was only 9, but I was so much older than that inside! I had been left to my own devices for quite some time now and I knew more than Racy did about so much! I was more mature, as well. Where Racy got angry and Mirana upset, I could handle most any situation. I was just so underestimated.

Whenever the family was invited to somewhere, which wasn't very often, I was the one left home with Mirana when she was sick. My parents told me to keep her company and the nurses would handle everything. In truth, I hated the way the nurses treated her. I long ago told them to leave it to me. I was sure that Mirana, too, like the arrangement as well.

I loved Mirana, I really did, but I lived in her shadow. She was perfect. She was beautiful- no, drop dead gorgeous. She was everything that I wasn't. Her hair was dark brown on top, light brown under that. My blonde was beginning to turn blue! It was a slight green shade now, and I was already ugly as it was. My birthdays passed unnoticed, except for a few more hugs than usual from Mira and maybe a cupcake. My birthday was today, actually. But Mira was sick.

Still, Momma used to say, "Of three sisters, one is always the dancer, the next the watcher, and the third, the director. It needn't matter in which order they were born, it is simply that way." I always considered myself the watcher. I was the one that hung back. Racy was definitely the director- shouting orders at me like she was my mother. And Mirana…she was the dancer. The one that everyone paid attention to, no matter how hard she tried to give the attention to me or Racy.

"Julia, love, are you in here?" I heard someone ask as they knocked on my door. I got off my bed and ran to open the door, recognizing the voice immediately. I swung open the door and squealed like the little girl I was when Tarrance picked me up off my feet. He hugged me tight and dropped me to the ground.

"Where've you been? I missed you," I whined, hugging him again. I couldn't help it- no matter how much older he was, I would still like him. It was no better than Racy dating Illosovic, now was it?

"I was busy…planning," he admitted. I stepped back and looked at him, placing my hands on my hips.

"How do you mean?" I asked, my brow furrowing in my attempt to understand. He picked me up again and sat me in a near-by chair as he also sat in one. I was really confused now.

"Julia, I don't know if you're too young to really understand what I mean by this, but I love you. I have loved you since I actually met you. Now, if you do get it," which I did, "then you must also understand that if we were to have a relationship, it would certainly not make your father happy. I…I was wondering if, maybe, you might, possibly," he took a deep breath, "runaway with me." He dropped his eyes to the floor as my own eyes widened.

Runaway with him? I had barely heard anything after "I love you!" Of course I'd go with him! But…what about Mirana? Wouldn't she be upset? And surely Tarrant and the rest of the other Hightopps would miss Tarrance. They had already lost so many family members already…

"I…I understand. Still, wouldn't everyone notice that we're gone? Hasn't your family suffered enough losses? Tarrance, it's only been 6 years, yet you've lost your father and Tarra!" My voice softened when he looked up at me with a sad expression. "Imagine all the pain we'd cause. We would never be able to come back. My father would have you killed and your family would never forgive me! They would probably blame Mirana who would, again, be banned from seeing Tarrant. Think about it agai-"

I was cut off as he kissed me: soft and quick, nothing that would be considered bad. And still, I loved it so much.

"I love you. Please…come with me." I smiled a little, stood to hug him, and simply nodded my head. "Oh, and Julia? Happy birthday. I can't see you tomorrow," he said, kissing my forehead and leaving the room.

The next day was terrible. I had to walk around with this terrible secret haunting me. I had to look at Mirana dancing down the hall with such spirit when I knew I wouldn't see her for much longer. I had to see Racy kiss Illosovic when I knew I'd never see them get married. I had to see Momma and Daddy discuss plans for Racy's wedding with the Red King when I knew I wouldn't be there to stop it. I had to see everything in my life and know that I would never see any of it again. Though…perhaps we could come back when we were older…maybe when I was 18 or so.

I spent most of the day in my room, packing up my clothes, even though we still hadn't picked a day to leave. That was something I'd have to discuss with him. I didn't want to leave tomorrow, but I needed time to talk to Mirana about it. I knew he didn't want anyone to know, but we could trust Mira. I couldn't leave her wondering where I was…it was cruel.

Mirana of Marmoreal, 14 years old

"Now, my dear, you can pick from your classes. Which do you want to go to first, second, and then third? Whatever order you choose will be permanent."

"I'd like to take Healing first, Potions second, and…Dominion of the Dead third," I said, grimacing. Nothing in the world could make this experience be pleasant. Now that I thought about it, I should've just taken Music- or whatever it was called- with my sister. It probably would've been easier on my sanity.

"Good morning, Princess," the older women said softly.

"Nice to meet you, Medicine. Please, call me by my name? This Princess business is going to get old very quickly." I was already comfortable around her. She was wearing a white nurse's outfit, complete with a nurse's cap. She handed me an outfit similar to hers with a smile.

"Of course, dear. Would you mind changing into this for me? Hospice regulations," she added with a sad smile. I took it happily and went to change. From what I've seen so far, this class was my favorite. I don't think any other class could possibly top it!

During Healing, I hadn't learned, so much as I walked around the hospice. It was a sad sight. These poor people had no chance of being cured! I told myself that I'd pray for them each night. Medicine had assigned me a patient, telling me that I'd care for this person (or heal them emotionally) until they passed and then she'd graduate me to the hospital in which I'd learn to heal someone physically.

My patient was a young man named Andrew. He was sweet and kind from what I'd gathered. No one knew what kind of disease he had, but I believed it to be like mine, only he had gotten it later in life. His temperature rose too high and then plummeted too low from time to time. He told me that he was often too weak to talk. I was glad I had him- I knew what he was going through.

I also knew that he had a high chance of survival…but even he did not believe me when I told him.

"You're going to live, you know," I said encouragingly when he began coughing harshly. I had been talking to him for an hour. I loved his eyes- they reminded me of Julia. They were a deep blue and his hair was messy and brown. His skin was as pale as mine.

"I find that difficult to believe." This boy had wisdom beyond his years, much like me. Maybe it came with the disease. When you spend so much time in bed, you need something to do. I read, and I bet he did as well.

"Well, look at me! I'm still here, aren't I? I had the same symptoms as you when I was merely 8! And you, you're 15. I bet you'll do better than I ever did," I said, smiling. "I've got to go now, but I'll be back tomorrow morning, alright?" I stood up and kissed his forehead, smiled once more, and patted his hand.

"Bye, Mirana."

Potions passed quickly…well, as quickly as it could. I had yet to memorize the ingredients for Pishalver and Upelkuchen- two of the easiest out there. Mother was not about to give up though, and said we'd try again tomorrow afternoon.

Once that lesson was over, I was able to stop for lunch. I wanted so badly to eat an English muffin with jam, but I remembered my vow. Jam yesterday, jam tomorrow, but never jam today. Of course. So I settled for a Squimberry Tart, courtesy of Racy. We hadn't been talking lately for whatever reason. When she saw me, she handed me the Tart and left the room. I could literally feel the anger rolling off of her in waves. Was she still angry from when I told her not to marry the King yet? Or had the King done something wrong?

I can only hope, I thought smugly, downing the tart and getting a sip of water.

Off to my final lesson of the day…

I entered the dark room slowly, cautiously, and sat down in one of the black chairs. I could feel Death when he wasn't even the room yet. He had a dark, ominous presence, no matter how nice he truly was. When he walked in, a chill ran down my spine. He was wearing all white, but that wasn't what was creepy. His eyes- the whites, irises, and pupils alike- were black. His hair was black but his skin was paler than mine- a difficult shade to achieve.

"Good morning, Mirana. Before you say anything, I must warn you- I haven't had a pupil in over 50 years. This course has left many traumatized- but I think you'll make it. You're stronger than most. I remember time and time again your mother called me to your bedside when you were fatally sick, and yet you'd pull through every time." I was shocked by this news- I didn't remember a bit of it!

"In this course, you will learn how to keep the dead at bay- a very important job, simple as it seems. You will also be able to help those people who are…passing to pass more easily and happily. I'm sure you'll have an easy time with that because I see you're taking healing as well," he said, picking up my 'file.'

"By the time you pass out of this course, you will have kept the dead at bay for 2 years; helped someone die nicely 10 times; and, if I think you're ready…I'll let you bring someone back from the dead. Someone you love very much. I must let you know- this can be dangerous. People change in the Underworld, but it's not necessarily applicable here. Are you alright with that?"

I could only nod, for the excitement was getting to me.

Tarra would be back. I swear it.