11:30 AM

"What is this place?" Alya asked breathlessly.

They stood on a hill covered with brittle grey grasses, the wind tousling their hair as they looked down at a massive bustling city. Huge buildings stood tall at every corner. Gravel roads curved through the city, leading to the distant sound of car horns and upbeat music.

"I have no idea," Jayden replied, just as awestruck.

Alya glanced sideways. "For a traveler, that's kinda disappointing."

"Well, in my defense," he said with mock indignation, "We didn't land from a plane. We literally walked through a freaking wall!"

At that, Alya froze.

She slowly turned around, and so did Jayden. Behind them stood a vast wall layered in countless murals, as if a hundred different hands had painted dreams on stone. But what made her chest tighten was the fact that it had been fluid only moments ago. They had passed through it. Now, it was solid as bone.

"Do you think this drawing has anything to do with it?" Alya asked, reaching out to run her fingers along the cold, weathered paint.

"That's a disappointing question," Jayden teased. "Coming from the girl who created wind with her hand. I wonder what else you're capable of."

Alya rolled her eyes and turned back toward the city.

"Now what?"

"Adventure!" Jayden yelled. He grabbed her hand, pulling her down the trail that twisted down the hillside.

"This isn't Willow's Haven," Alya said as they moved.

"You don't say," Jayden quipped, tossing her a grin.

She stuck her tongue out at him and let herself laugh.

As they descended into the heart of the city, the music buzzed louder. Laughter, the scent of food, bursts of color, and confetti spun in the wind. The streets were blocked off, crowded with people in shining costumes, traditional attire, and futuristic ensembles. A tall banner fluttered above with "Welcome to Solara" written boldly.

Alya's eyes widened. Solara? That city was days away from Willow's Haven. She'd only read about it in books. How had she even thought of it, much less gotten them here?

All around them, people celebrated a cultural unity festival, an explosion of color and joy. Every race, every culture, every accent was present in their full beauty. Parade floats passed by with people dancing to their music. Some wore headpieces made of feathers; others had chrome-painted bodies. There were dancers, fire breathers, and children with painted faces. Every corner of Solara sang in its own rhythm, and yet, it all harmonized into one incredible song.

Alya stiffened, her heart clenching. Her grip on Jayden's hand tightened.

The last time she'd dared enter a crowd, at a high school football game, she'd been called names. People had screamed, stared at her as though she were a creature from the depths of hell. Her breath quickened as the memory dragged claws across her chest.

But Jayden noticed. He glanced at her and smiled warmly.

"This place is different," he said gently. "I have a good feeling about it."

Then, without warning, he let go and ran into the crowd.

Alya blinked, stunned, watching him disappear into the rhythmic chaos.

"He just left me," she murmured.

But her irritation dissolved into laughter as she caught sight of him at the drum circle.

Jayden threw himself into the beat with reckless enthusiasm, dancing without a care in the world.

The crowd around him cheered, musicians played harder, and the energy spiked. People stood on balconies and rooftops, clapping, whistling, howling with delight.

A group of children joined Jayden, mimicking his wild spins and jumping around.

Alya clapped from the sidelines, laughing so hard her eyes watered. No one had ever made her laugh like this. No one had made her feel… safe.

And then, it happened.

A little girl in a shining princess dress stepped in front of her.

Alya's smile vanished.

"She's going to scream," Alya thought, panic rising within her. "She'll call me a monster. Her mother will yell. Everyone will turn on me."

But the girl looked up at her with wide eyes and said,

"Miss, you're beautiful."

Alya blinked.

"Me?"

"Uh-huh," the girl confirmed. She reached up and gently tugged Alya down, then tucked a soft yellow flower behind her ear.

"Now you look like a beautiful princess."

Alya's throat closed up and her vision blurred. "Th--thank you."

"Zoe!" a voice called out.

"Yes, Mum!" the little girl chirped before scurrying away. Her mother, a tall, graceful woman, scooped her into her arms, then turned and looked straight at Alya.

Alya braced herself again.

But the woman only smiled warmly and said, "You have beautiful hair."

Then she twirled away with her daughter, both of them vanishing into the crowd.

Alya stood there, stunned. Her hand reached up to her ponytail, wondering if somehow her hair had changed color. It hadn't.

"Alya!" Jayden called out, waving from the circle. "Come on!"

She shook her head.

"No way."

Just being here, being treated like a person, was more than enough. She didn't want to push her luck.

But Jayden wasn't having it.

He slipped through the crowd again and reached her in seconds. Before she could turn away, he grabbed her hand.

"Let's break free," he whispered with that heart-melting smile, and pulled her in.

At first, Alya just stood there clapping awkwardly and smiling shyly. But Jayden danced anyway, and then, he reached behind her, pulled the band from her hair, and let it fall.

Her hair spilled down her back, white as silk.

A collective "ooh" rose from the crowd. They were all mesmerized.

Jayden didn't wait. He twirled her, lifted her hand, spun her again, and began bouncing in a circle. Alya tried to keep up. Her steps were clumsy at first, but soon after, she picked up the rhythm and danced along.

Children joined them. Strangers held hands. The circle grew as dozens and more joined in until it felt like the whole world was dancing with her.

For the first time in her life...

She was living.

And as she threw her head back, laughing under a rain of confetti and sunlight and drums, she felt completely free.