Another Chance for Summer

Summer knew her best friend, Melina, was not listening. Oh, sure, she would put on quite a show for the elders and she would sign the contract. The elders would smile and give Melina a complete blessing with the incense and all. After that was over, each one would come up to Summer and remind her to watch over Melina. 1

Melina shuffled back and forth, an obvious picture of boredom, at least to Summer.2

“ So, Lady Melina, do you promise to stay away from humans?” the chief elder asked.3

Melina batted the long thick lashes of her beautiful green eyes. “ Of course, my lady,” she answered politely. Summer sighed inwardly as the elders fell for Melina’s charm. Summer’s attention faded as she focused on her friend.4

Melina was easily the prettiest fairy in their year. Her face was a painted picture of perfection and her hair was completely flawless. It was not a surprise when Melina captured the heart of the most handsome male fairy and Summer’s twin brother, Dimitri. 5

Summer sighed as they made their way out of the central community. She was used to trailing behind Melina, in all situations. Even when they were young pixies, fairies who have not yet grown their wings, Melina was one of the more popular females, due to her unnatural good looks and passion for adventure.6

Not that Summer wasn’t pretty for she most certainly was. Her hair was a beautiful color of strawberry blonde and her eyes were blue, pale as ice, and her wings in the same pale shimmering color. She wore the regulation long flowing gown in a shade of midnight blue. A spray of freckles splashed across her noses and rosy cheeks. Summer was, in her own way, quite stunning. However, her tendency to be shy and cautious made it difficult for her. 7

“ Dimitri!” Melina called, a bright smile spreading across her face. She flew over to him and fell into his arms, as he kissed her forehead.8

Summer was not paying attention to this though. Instead she was focused on the fairy sitting next to her brother. He was a rather handsome one and yet Summer had never seen him around the community before. She was surprised to find that he was looking right back at her. She blushed, noticing a young female pixy playing with a blade of grass. 9

“ Summer did you hear me?” 10

She looked up at her brother and shook her head. “ I’m sorry, Dimitri, I did not. Could you repeat?”11

Dimitri smiled. “ I was asking you how your day in the capital was.”12

“ Oh, it was rather thrilling,” Summer answered, rolling her eyes. Dimitri laughed. She hadn’t desired to go with Melina, but knew that the elders would have sought her out anyway.13

“ By the way, sister, this is my friend, Blake, and his sister, Lily. Blake, Lily, this is my charming twin sister, Summer.” 14

Summer dipped into a curtsy, required whenever a male fairy was present, not taking her eyes off of Blake. She nodded slightly to Lily.15

Blake picked up his sister and sat her down next to him. He got up and stood in front of Summer, taking her hand. “ It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Summer.” 16

She looked up at him. “ It’s a pleasure to meet you too,” she replied shyly. 17

“ So who is up for adventure today?” Melina asked, smiling mischievously.18

“ Oh, Melina, you must be joking,” Summer groaned, shaking her head. “ You just signed the contract!”19

“ I am well aware of that, my dear Summer.”20

“ Then why do you insist on doing this?” 21

Lily was sitting up, alert and full of interest. “ Adventure? What kind of adventure?”22

“ Oh please don’t listen to her,” Summer pleaded.23

Melina rolled her eyes and turned to the small pixy. “ Are you sure you are ready for an adventure, young one?” 24

Lily looked up at her, her brown eyes wide. “ I am most definitely ready.”25

“ I like the spirit in this one, Blake,” Melina commented, winking at Lily.26

Blake grinned and Summer found her wings fluttering a little. She reached her hand up and attempted to calm them down. She didn’t know why she was reacting like this.27

“ I’m sorry, Lily, but you’ll have to sit out on this one,” Blake said. 28

Lily’s mouth dropped. “ Why, Blake, why? And don’t say that I am not old enough!”29

Melina and Summer exchanged amused looks. Lily could just as well have been an eight-year-old Melina. 30

“ Lily, you’ll have your wings by the end of the summer and then you can go on all the adventures you want, I promise,” Blake said.31

Lily sat there for a moment, her eyes glaring and her lower lip protruded in a pout. “ Fine,” she finally agreed. “ But you promised!” She jumped up and started to run back into the central community.32

“ Come on, let’s go!” Melina said, as Dimitri helped her up onto her feet.33

“ Well, you know I’m in,” Dimitri said, smiling down at her. Summer felt a pang of jealousy. She was sure that there wasn’t a single male fairy who had looked at her the way her brother was looking at Melina.34

“ Melina,” Summer protested. “ Your wings have just healed!”35

Melina made a face. “ You know, Summer, you’re already perfect for chief elder. You’re only seventeen…live a little!”36

“ Summer, we’re not going to make you come, but I promise that you will have fun,” Dimitri said.37

Summer bit her lip, wiping her sweaty palms on her dress. “ I don’t know.”38

Blake came to stand beside her. “ Come on, Lady Summer, it’ll be fun.” 39

She wasn’t expecting this, any of this. She thought of the elders in the capital and what they would say if they found out. Melina and Dimitri were both looking at her in anticipation. Summer looked up Blake and was shocked to find that he was looking down at her. She sighed. “ Okay, okay, I’ll go.”40

Melina squealed with delight, her wings already starting to prepare for flight. “You’re going to love adventures!”41

Summer folded her arms across her chest. “ I suppose we’ll see about that,” she replied. Nevertheless, she slid her hands on her wings, making sure they were ready. “ Where are we going for this ‘adventure’ anyway?” she sighed.42

“ The caves over on the east side of the forest,” Dimitri answered. 43

Summer’s mouth dropped and Blake grabbed her elbow before she could fall over in dismay. “ You must certainly be joking now! The caves are dangerous!” She couldn’t help it. That was the way she was; too careful and too cautious. 44

Melina and Dimitri both glanced at her and shook their heads. Before Summer could utter another word, they shot up and sped off.45

“ Come on, Lady Summer,” Blake called to her from a few feet above. “ Trust me, everything will be fine.”46

She examined him for a moment before drifting up next to him. They hovered for a second and then darted after Melina and Dimitri. 47

Summer loved to fly more than anything. Oh, she was not as skilled a flyer as Melina, but there was a certain solitude involved in the sport that a fairy could not help but enjoy. It was a beautiful morning, the sun shining brightly and a light breeze blowing. The leaves in the trees glistened and the sweet, savory aroma of hibiscus flowers. She inhaled deeply, smiling blissfully. 48

The two of them met up with Melina and Dimitri at the mouth of a particularly small cave. They were both perched on some rocks, clearly impatient with Blake and Summer. 49

“ There are two entrances,” Melina said, excitedly when she saw Blake and Summer had landed and taken a breath. “ I can’t decide which one to explore…either one could hold so many thrilling things!” 50

“ We could split up,” Dimitri suggested. “ How does that sound, Lady Melina?” 51

She made a face at him. “ Don’t use ‘Lady’…it makes me feel old!” She poked his stomach lightly. “ That sounds like a great idea though.” She turned to Summer and Blake, a dazzling smile across her face. Summer knew that smile…it was when she was beginning to come up with some sort of a scheme. “ How about Dimitri and I take the left cave and Summer and Blake take the right cave?”52

Summer narrowed her eyes at her best friend, knowing exactly what her plan was now. “ Perhaps you and I should go together, Melina?”53

Melina laughed. “ Oh pooh, Summer, go along with Blake. I’m sure you two will have a wonderful time.” She waggled her fingers at her friend and disappeared into the left mouth with Dimitri by her side. 54

Summer chewed her tongue, her heart picking up a fast pace.55

“ Well, it looks like it’s you and me,” Blake said, heading toward the mouth of the right cave. He waved his hand toward the entrance. “ Shall we?”56

Summer took a step hesitantly. “ Oh, I suppose,” she gave in, following him in. 57

It was dark and musty in the cave and very difficult to see. Both fairies paused to tune in their fairy sights and continued on. There wasn’t much to see, at least as far as Summer could tell. She slid a few glimpses at Blake but looked away quickly every time. 58

“ So Lady Summer…” Blake began.59

“ Oh, please, just call me Summer,” she insisted. Summer, I believe this is the first time you’ve let a male fairy besides your brother to call you just plain Summer, a little voice pointed out to her. 60

“ All right, Summer,” he replied, grinning at her. She felt her own mouth curve into a smile. “ I sense that you don’t tag along very often on Lady Melina’s adventures.”61

Summer shook her head, her hair moving smoothly with it. “ Not usually. Most of the time I get dragged on them.” She looked up at him. “ And don’t call her ‘Lady’…I’m pretty sure Melina has never truly been a lady.”62

“ I wouldn’t say that much,” he answered, stepping over a stalagmite jutting out of the ground. More were appearing as the two made their way deeper into the cave. “Melina really is quite handsome and extraordinary. She just isn’t the community’s view of a perfect lady.” 63

Summer sighed inwardly. Even male fairies who were one hundred percent sure that Melina was in love with Dimitri fell for her. There was something quite unusual about her that pulled anyone of the male variety toward her. “ That she is,” she replied, quietly.64

Blake looked down at her, thoughtfully. “ I bet you’ve heard that a number of times.” 65

Summer nodded. “ We’ve been friends since we became pixies. I’ve heard it all since then.” 66

“ That long?”67

Summer nodded again. “ She’s my best friend, but sometimes it’s hard trying to compete with her.” She waved in the direction that Melina and Dimitri had gone. “ How am I supposed to compete with that?”68

He didn’t respond at first. “ You don’t have to compete, Summer.”69

“ I suppose not,” she answered. She peered in front of her, seeing something blue in front of her. “ What’s that?”70

Blake looked at where she was pointing and smiled. “ Lilies,” he said in surprise. He walked over and knelt by them. “ Come here.”71

Summer followed him and sat on the ground next to him and the beautiful blue flowers. “ They’re gorgeous,” she said. She leaned forward and sniffed them. “ How is it possible that they’re growing inside a cave?”72

Blake shrugged. “ I can’t say I have any idea.” He touched the petals gently. “When my mom gave birth to Lily, she said that she had never seen a more beautiful fae in her life and that her eyes, which were blue while she was a fae, reminded her of lilies in the meadow by the spring.” 73

Summer smiled up at him. “ That’s a sweet story. I was named after my mother’s favorite season. Not quite as interesting as your sister’s.”74

He chuckled. “ Well, I like your name.” 75

“ Thank you,” she answered, genuinely surprised.76

Blake leaned forward and picked one of the flowers. He handed it to Summer, who took it, slowly, not sure what else would be appropriate to do. “ They remind me of your eyes,” he said softly.77

“ Thank you,” she repeated, for lack of anything more intelligent to say. She stood up quickly. “ Let’s continue this adventure.” 78

Blake stood up and ran his hand through his hair, wondering what it was that he could have possibly done wrong. He caught up to Summer and they continued to march deeper into the cave. He couldn’t help the smile that was permanently plastered on his face. 79

Summer stared at him curiously. “ Why are you smiling so much?” 80

His smile grew larger. “ Well, it’s not everyday that I get to explore a cave with such a beautiful fairy.” 81

Summer’s cheeks turned even rosier than before as she took in this piece of information. She felt a huge knot form in her stomach and she wished that her brother or Melina were there. She couldn’t come up with an answer to this and instead, just turned away. 82

“ Summer…” he said, taking a hold of her arm and pulled her around to look at him. She swallowed hard as she looked up into his big round brown eyes. She felt her wings begin to tremble behind her and she knew that it was impossible to stop them now. He leaned forward, slowly, and Summer’s eyes closed. His lips had barely touched hers when an ear-splitting scream pierced the silence around them. 83

Summer pulled away. “ Oh my god, Melina!” She didn’t even take the time to react. She simply turned on her heal and began to run, dodging between stalagmites, before realizing that her wings were ready for flight. She flew as fast as she could into the other cave, dimly aware that Blake was right behind her. She landed on the ground, her eyes wide in horror. Melina was dodging a small fierce dragon. She clasped her hand across her mouth to keep herself from screaming. Blake landed next to her and grabbed her arm, pulling her back.84

“ Oh god, what do we do?” Summer said, watching the dragon in absolute terror. It wasn’t a full grown one that was for certain. A full grown one would be over six to seven feet tall. This was a young one, standing at maybe two or three feet, but it didn’t stop it from being extremely dangerous. It’s tongue was lashing in and out of his mouth in frustration and spewed out flames every few seconds. His claws were ready and you could see his beautiful purple scales reflecting what little sunlight was coming in. 85

Melina saw them and darted as fast as she could over to them. Tears flowed down her cheeks, from fear and frustration, and her wings looked a little damaged. A rip was torn in her dress from her thigh to the hem. She was shaking incessantly. “ Help,” she managed to croak out.86

“ Where’s Dimitri?” Summer said, in a panicked voice. “ Where’s my brother, Melina?” 87

Melina pointed, a new batch of tears flowing down her cheeks. A huge stalagmite in his path momentarily distracted the dragon. Summer and Blake looked in the direction that she was pointing in and gasped. Dimitri was laying face down on the ground, completely motionless. 88

Summer took a deep breath. “ Is he dead? Melina, is he dead?”89

Melina shrugged her shoulders. “ I don’t know, Summer. I don’t know!”90

Blake started to rush forward, until Summer grabbed his arm, pulling him back. The dragon’s focus was back on them.91

“ What?” Blake asked. Summer didn’t answer. She was staring at the dragon. “Summer, what?”92

“ Let me do it,” she said softly. Blake opened his mouth to protest but she shook her head. “ I can do it.” 93

She stepped forward and took a deep breath, her head and heart pounding. She raised her arms, palms flat and focused her mind on the Magic. She began to chant silently to herself, feeling the warm Glow in her fingertips. Sapphire sparks started to emit from her fingertips and build a wall in front of the three of them, a barrier to protect them. She made sure it was stable and started to center on another spell. This was one was intricate and she felt her energy slowly start to drain out of her as she attempted to conjure it. Her knees were starting to buckle but she held her ground firmly. This time, a red beam flew from her hands toward the dragon. The dragon cried out in pain and took a few steps back, flames shooting from its mouth repeatedly. The shield protected the three but it didn’t stop Melina from jumping back.94

“ Summer, hurry…” Melina begged, her eyes fixated on Dimitri lying twenty feet away.95

Summer dug her feet into the dirt and continued to aim the red beam at the dragon. She slipped for a moment and the beam went straight into the young dragon’s eyes. It screamed in agony, shaking the ground beneath them, taking even more steps backwards. Turning on its heel, it hurried deeper in the cave. Summer released the spell but kept the barrier up until she could no longer hear the dragon’s footsteps. She let go and collapsed. 96

Blake bent over Summer and helped her to stand up while Melina tore across the length of the cave to kneel at Dimitri’s side. She shook him but he remained still.97

“ Blake, Summer, help! I don’t know how to heal,” she called to them, a slight tremor in her voice.98

Summer started to totter over to her until Blake held out his hand out to stop her. “What are you doing?” she demanded.99

“ You haven’t the strength, Summer. I’ll do it,” he insisted. She nodded, wincing from the pain that encompassed her entire body. Blake crossed the room to kneel next to Melina. He opened Dimitri’s tunic slightly and placed his palms firmly on his chest. His hands started to Glow and he transmitted his Magic into Dimitri. Melina’s hand had a tight grip on Dimitri’s limp one. 100

Dimitri’s conscious returned to him as he started to breath in short coughs and he squeezed Melina’s hand. “ Melina…” he said.101

She smiled. “ Are you okay?”102

“ I’m fine, I’m fine. Are you okay? Where’s the dragon?”103

Melina looked from his eyes to Summer who was still exhausted and leaned on the cave wall. “ Summer did it. Summer got rid of it.” 104

Dimitri’s eyes widened. “ She what?”105

Blake helped Dimitri sit up. “ Summer used her Magic to ward off the dragon,” he explained.106

“ I don’t think I’ve ever been happier that she took Magic classes instead of going to the academy,” Dimitri proclaimed. He winced, but managed to stand up. He walked over and stood by his sister. “ Thank you, Summer.” 107

She nodded, not having the strength to say anything. Her body gave out and she started to slip to the ground. Blake was over in a flash, and grabbed her before she could keel over. 108

“ I’m sorry, Summer,” Melina said, coming over to support Summer’s other side. “ This wasn’t fun at all. I’m sorry.” 109

Summer took a deep breath, pulling all what was left of her power and smiled. “It’s okay, Melina. I had fun.”110

Melina looked at her like she was crazy. “ What on earth are you talking about? We met a dragon, Dimitri was knocked unconscious, my wings are damaged…again and you have absolutely no strength left. How can any of that have been fun?” 111

Summer’s smile grew brighter, as Blake’s hand wrapped around hers. “ Because, Melina, I didn’t once get afraid…not once. I think it’s time for a new Summer.” 112

“ I think that sounds like a great idea,” Dimitri said, kissing his sister gently on the forehead. “ I don’t know what we would have done without you, Summer.” 113

Blake leaned closer to her. “ Do you have the strength to fly?” She managed to shake her head slightly. Before she knew it, he had swept her off her feet and they were flying back to the community. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and buried her face in his chest.114

When they returned, he got busy healing her from her physical exhaustion. Slowly she felt the warmth of her Magic return to her and her strength was regained. “ Thanks,” she said to him. Melina and Dimitri were sprawled on the grass next to them and were surprised when Blake leaned forward and kissed Summer lightly on the nose. 115

“ Your sister is beautiful, you know that, Dimitri?” Blake said, not taking his eyes off of her.116

Dimitri cast a glance over at his twin sister. “ She sure is.” 117

Summer looked over at Melina, who was grinning happily. For once, one of her little schemes had worked and this time, she was ecstatic that it worked. She looked up at Blake, who was smiling down at her.118

Oh yeah, she was ecstatic. 119