I didn't quite know what to write about this week. I contemplated a few things, but nothing spoke to me this week. I decided to be brave and share a short story I wrote my junior year of high school. Enjoy!

During the dead of night is when it happens. My bedroom window lights up with an eerie blue light from the enticing forest behind my house. It isn’t an ordinary forest. Things happen. Enchanting things happen to be exact. I don’t know how long it’s been going on, but I’ve been sneaking out every night for years. I can remember the first night I became aware.

I was a day over ten. A bright blue light shone through my window. It was coming from the forest. The trees twinkled with dozens of tiny lights. It was almost like fireflies. I pulled on a pair of jean shorts and flip flops. I tip-toed down the back staircase and out the door. The trail that led to the hidden pond was glistening with tiny blue lights. I followed it and was amazed.

I could have sworn it was a dream. None of it seemed real. I’ve only heard about these in books and old legends. It was always a myth, but now I was positive that unicorns and fairies were real. They were drinking the pond water and playing games. It was mesmerized watching the celestial beings in the forest. I watched quietly from the cover of the trees for nights on end. After a year passed, I finally let my bravery come out.

On the night of my eleventh birthday, I stepped beyond the trees. I sauntered up to one unicorn and touched it. I confirmed that this was real and not a repetitive dream. The unicorn turned to me for a second then went back to drinking the pond water. I sat down on the ground and watched the fairies play throughout the meadow. One flew up to me. It hovered in front of my face. I put my palms out, and it stepped onto them.

She was no more than half a foot tall. She wore a short, strapless dress. She almost resembled Tinkerbell from Peter Pan, but her dress was a beautiful aquamarine color. Her hair was long and brown. She didn’t have any shoes on, either. She was breathtakingly beautiful. Especially her wings; they were iridescent with swirl patterns. It was so pretty. She flew away, interrupting my observation of her; It was time for her to play with her friends.

One night, in the middle of my thirteenth year, a new creature appeared in the forest. Well, she was more of in the pond than the forest. Her tail was a shimmery purple and blue. She came up behind me while I sat next to the pond.

Her voice sang with pure grace, “Hi, I’m Silvia.”

“H-hi, I’m Veronica. Where did you come from?”

“The same place as all these other creatures. Your imagination!”

“You mean to tell me this is all fake? I’m just imagining all of this?”

“Well, duh. Mermaids and unicorns don’t actually exist, silly,” she threw her head back with laughter.

“So, I just make up this world every night?”

“Mhm, and I guess it was time for a new character because I’m here!”

“Why is it always the same, though?”

“Because that’s what your imagination consists of.”

“Why can’t I just imagine this all day, every day? Why is it only at night? I would love to live in this world permanently.”

“You can. You just have to stretch your imagination to the edge. We can do anything, be anything you want us to be. Heck, I’m just saying what you want me to say. This is all your creation.”

“Then ask me the question I really want you to ask.”

She paused for a moment, “do you want to become a mermaid, Veronica?”

“Yes. A million times yes!”

“Then follow me,” and she dove into the pond, her tail making a huge splash.

I jumped in after her, and the most amazing thing happened. I could breathe underwater, and I could swim easier than ever! I looked behind me, and I saw the reason. My legs had disappeared for a sky blue tail. It looked so pretty, and I couldn’t help but scream in happiness.

My dreams came true that night. I stretched my imagination far enough and lived in a perfect world as a mermaid.