Jamie couldn't actually believe that his sister would stop believing. When they were younger, their mother didn't mind them believing at all, but now she seemed to be so against it. The 16-year old couldn't help but wonder if it was because of the trip to the manor two years back. But it couldn't be for his friends' beliefs were fading.

"Pippa!" Jamie called to one of his childhood friends and one of the few of them who had been there on the night they fought the Boogeyman with the five Guardians. The 16-year old girl turned, looking much like the girl she was before, but much more grown-up. She seemed to be heading somewhere with a group of girls who were waiting for her at the edge of the park.

"Jamie Bennett!" she called back, flashing a smile. "What a hot summer it is, don't you think?"

"Yeah!" Jamie responded, grinning back. "I think that's why Jack can't visit Burgess, I think he would melt!"

Pippa raised an eyebrow, her smile retained. "Jack? Who's Jack?"

Jamie gave her a look. "Who's Jack?" he echoed. "Jack Frost? The Guardian?"

It was Pippa's turn to give Jamie a look. "What are you talking about, Jamie Bennett?" she asked, shaking her head slightly. She seemed to be smirking. "There's no such person as Jack Frost. It's just a figure of speech, right? Are you okay? Has the heat gotten to you?"

Jamie gaped at her. "You mean, you don't remember?" he asked, shocked. "I know it may be, like, six years ago, but it's not exactly something that's so easily forgotten! You don't remember the Boogeyman? All that Dreamsand? Those huge golden things? Snowball fights with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy? What about..."

"Jamie Bennett. Of course I do remember. But it all seemed too surreal. I think it was just a dream. If you'll please excuse me, I have to go." She cast one more glance in his direction before hurrying off to join her group of friends.

Jamie watched her go for a while before turning and flopping down onto the park bench. Why was everyone not believing? He noticed someone walk by and his spirits were lifted. Perhaps someone still believed, besides himself!

"Cupcake!" he called, waving.

The 17-year old turned, looking slighly startled. She had changed a lot in the past six years and was no longer the big mean girl. She smiled slightly upon seeing Jamie. "Jamie! Great to see you! Hanging out on your own?"

Jamie got to his feet. "Cupcake, do you still remember the events of a night six years ago with a whole lot of Dreamsand and Guardians?" He crossed his fingers behind his back.

Cupcake looked confused for a moment, before she finally got it. "Oh, that night? Why yes, I do still remember, how could anyone forget that?" She smiled. "I remember unicorns made out of sand, large egg sentinels, and the Tooth Fairy... yeah. But seriously, I don't really like unicorns all that much anymore."

"But do you still believe in the Guardians?" he asked.

Cupcake shrugged. "I guess I can't really say. I mean, am I supposed to daydream at a crucial age like this? We've got other things to think about! But technically..." She lowered her voice and leaned closer to Jamie. "I do still believe. But don't tell anyone that, will you? It makes me look weak." She flashed another smile. "Gotta go! Catch ya later!"

Jamie groaned and sank back onto the park bench.

...

It was past midnight. Jamie lay awake in bed, Sophie's last tooth clutched in his fist. He listened to the sounds of his parents watching a movie downstairs and tried hard to stay awake as he heard the sounds of the television being turned off and his parents heading up the stairs to their bedroom. He hoped Tooth or one of her baby teeth hadn't come and gone. He waited till the hall lights were turned off before creeping out of bed.

He entered Sophie's room, the door creaking ever so slightly as it was opened. He tiptoed in and sat in the darkness by the window. The curtains had been drawn across. He shrank back into the darkness as far as possible so is Sophie happened to wake up due to a full bladder or anything else, he wouldn't be seen.

Unless she turned on all the lights.

Jamie waited, watching the time on Sophie's digital clock. 00.42. 1.10. 1.30. Where was Tooth? Surely she was coming?

Then, he saw something fly past and stopped at the window. He looked out to see that it was one of the baby teeth. He opened the window slightly, letting in the fairy and instantly holding out the tooth to her.

"Can I see Tooth? Or the other Guardians?" he asked.

The baby tooth looked confused, but Jamie merely said, "Just go back and tell the Tooth Fairy I would like to see her. I'm Jamie Bennett."

The fairy nodded and flew out and Jamie stared after it. He wondered how many others would be able to see her. He had to talk to the Guardians, to see if they were alright; what with all these beliefs which were fading fast.

A movement caused him to look up and he heaved an inaudible sigh of relief as he saw Sophie roll onto her side. He decided to leave and get some sleep. He had always loved the summer, but now he hated it as it kept him away from Jack. But he couldn't help wondering if Jack was still able to visit him despite the hot weather.

I have decided that this story will span out for many years, taking Jamie through his whole life, to his twilight years and his relationship with the Guardians. So, do you think Jack is still able to visit him despite hot weather?

To Ardent Aspen: Sort of. I actually meant to state that in the author's note, but I forgot.

To Alana-kittychan: Did that really happen? O.O I used to put my fallen tooth under my pillow as well, but no Tooth Fairy ever visited me. My country has cents and coins as well as notes; I used to think the Tooth Fairy would leave me like 20 cents or something, because we don't have a whole 25 cent coin. :-)