Chapter 1: Special Meetings

Fauna has always been a happy, optimistic girl.

She would go out of her way to make someone smile even with a simple compliment. Her parents had always taught her to be kind, and polite to others.

Even though her father and mother had split when she and her brother, Jacob were very young, it had always seemed so normal for her. She'd live with her mom during the weekdays and then go to her Dads on the weekends, and stay with him during the summer.

About 3 years ago, when Fauna was in 4th grade, her dad reconnected with his highschool sweetheart, Amy.

Fauna adored seeing her Dad so happy. He moved in with Amy's family, and they all would have the best times together. It was good that he wasn't lonely anymore and had someone to be with. Fauna even gained a sister and another brother. The couple even got married and she was asked to be a junior bridesmaid with her new sister.

Everything was perfect. Fauna and her step-sister were starting a new chapter in their lives by going to middle school and it was a time of many changes.

But one change had broken Fauna's smile.

Amy had been dealing with cancer since they had met. She had beaten it before but a year after the wedding it had come back stronger. Even though she had gone through many treatments it was too tough on her body.

This time Amy wasn't strong enough to beat it and she passed away only a few months into the new year.

Fauna and Jacob were outside playing when her mother called them in. When Fauna walked into the doorway, the air felt wrong. She looked at her mom and saw her eyes tear up. She explained what had happened and Fauna could believe what she heard.

Her whole world felt like it broke into pieces and she didn't know how to fix it.

When the sun had set, Fauna made her way to her room and stayed in bed till the house was quiet. Sneaking out her window, she sat in the middle of her backyard looking up at the moon with tear-stained cheeks. Many memories had played over in her head. She couldn't do anything else but sit in her memories.

Then she remembered what her dad told her over the phone that night.

"I guess she isn't in pain anymore, right?" Fauna says to the full moon, wishing it could speak back to her. Somehow telling her that everything would be ok. Fauna was met with silence.

Her throat seized up and she began to weep. The moon became a blur in her tears as she hung her head down and let the tears run down her face.

At the same time the Prince, Atlas was watching with a broken heart at Fauna.

This was going to be the night. He was going to finally meet Fauna for the first time in person. But, it seems she'll need something different than what he had planned. Seeing her face with tears, he knew he had to see her.

Atlas took a deep breath and focused his energy to appear next to her in his exact form.

Slowly, he felt himself shift as he opened his eyes and saw the dark green grass surrounding him. The soft winds flowed through his hair as he took a deep breath breathing in the smell of the dewy grass surrounding him. Atlas could spend hours admiring the earth's surface but he had more important matters to handle first

Atlas slowly walked in front of the unsuspecting girl, shaking with tears. He knelt and lifted her face to look at him.

Fauna couldn't believe what was in front of her. This boy had slightly pale skin, dark grey eyes, and flowing white hair. He was dressed in white and gold, giving him an Angel-like appearance. His frame was much bigger than hers. He seemingly towered her even though he had knelt on the grass.

"A-are you an Ang-gel?" She hiccuped through her tears. His eyes softened at her question. He wiped away her cheeks and shook his head,

"No, I am no Angel, I'm simply a being wishing to comfort a broken soul," Atlas says as she looks at him, stunned.

Atlas pulled her into a hug feeling her body freeze up. He was about to let go, thinking this wasn't the best choice until she began to relax into him.

For Fauna, Atlas wasn't warm but he wasn't cold either. He felt like the perfect summer night breeze that she loved.

Atlas gave her that sense of comfort only the night sky had ever given her. She caved, wrapped her arms around Altas, and began crying into his chest.

Atlas only hugged Fauna tighter. He wanted to explain why he was there but that could be saved for another night. Tonight he would comfort her.

Shortly Fauna fell asleep in his comforting embrace.

Atlas managed to get through the open window and got Fauna onto her bed. He pulled her blanket over her body. Looking back at her now peaceful face, Atlas would visit her again, another night when she was ready…

A few hours later, Fauna woke up. She shot up and looked around for the mysterious boy. She was sad that he wasn't there.

'I guess it was all a dream..' she pouted and laid back down. Looking out her window she saw the Moon peeking over her fence.

She smiled thinking of everything she could remember.…

' It felt so real…maybe I can dream of him again..' she hoped before drifting off to sleep once more.