The Academy

Forty Four

Tinkerbell:

"Jace go now, I'll be there as soon as I can get Jean to watch my kids," I say when he hangs up the phone. "Go where?" He demands, his eyes full of anger and fear. "To the train station. Jace, she is going to point to the spot furthest away from here and ask for a ticket," I explain, hurrying to put on different clothes. I grab my black trench coat and bright green scarf. "Naw dip Sherlock, the whistles sounded like a freaking boat yard," Jace says, slipping his coat on and tying on his boots. He is gone before I can make sure he knows its going to be okay.

"Is it alright if I come with you?" Peter asks from where he was previously leaning against the door jam. I nod, trying not to cry. This phase is honestly the most difficult part of growing up with out stable parents. You constantly feel like you are worthless and everyone around you is only babysitting you, they don't care, they think you are a burden. Geez, this phase lasted from when I was seven to when I was sixteen. I have been on the train to Florida so many times I am on a first name basis with the Conductor, Charlie.

When Jean gets to my house an hour later, I know that Jace isn't too late. I would feel it if she was gone for good. "Are you ready to go?" Peter asks, standing a few feet away from me. I nod silently, still tearing up. "I tried so hard to make sure she didn't feel like that," I start crying and hug Peter, burying my face is his jacket. "I know, but we're going to go make it better," he sighs, rubbing my back.

We zap out and arrive in a train car. "Wow Charlie, turn the heat up would you?" I call out, knowing he'll hear me. "Yes ma'am, do I need to call Peter again Tink?" He asks. "No, I'm right here, we're here for someone else," Peter calls. The heat blasts on and I look down upon my little sister and Jace. "How did you get here?" Rose asks, looking right back at us. "You forgot you have the coolest family on the face of the planet," I shrug, throwing my jacket over the back of a seat. "Yeah your hair really shows it," Jace laughs. "What the hell happened to my hair?" I gasp. "You know how pregnancy was supposed to change your magic? No, your magic chooses one part of you to enchant for the rest of well, forever. That part was your hair and love, it's purple," Peter says quietly.

I nod. Mental Note: Freak out later. "So are we going home?" Rose asks, messing with Jace's hands. "No, not right now, first me and you are going to have a very long talk. Then we are going to go home. I can feel the separation anxiety radiating off of Peter already," I sigh, turning the seats in front of her around so me and Peter can sit facing her.

"Tink you don't have to say anything," she sighs, looking uncomfortable. "No, I totally do," I answer, pushing her chin up so she is looking at me, not at the ground. "Let's get a few things straight. You are not a burden. In no way are any of us 'better off' with out you. You are honestly one of most important people that I have ever met," I say, my voice catching. Rose nods and hugs me. I hug her back. "I love you," I say, starting to cry. "Hey, I love you too," she says. "This, this is not over. I will talk to you more later. We have a long ride to go," I say. She giggles and sits back, wiping away her own tears. "I am freaking awful with words, so um, Tink if you could just," Jace says, handing me my guitar. "Jace, pumpkin, that song really can't be done on this instrument," I say, flustered. I have been helping Jace prepare to sing to her for a while. Let Me Love You- Neyo, I need a piano! This is in no way a piano.

Random idea, one not so rehearsed idea but still it'll work. We've got Bubbly by Colbie Caillat and it might work. On the other hand, it might crash and burn. Before I think I have decided I am already strumming away. When the song is over we hear thunderous applause erupt around us and I notice that we aren't exactly alone. In the seat next to us, there is a little girl of about five and a man in a corporate suit who I am assuming to be her father. Most seats are filled with only one or two seats empty between groups of people traveling together. "My turn I guess," I laugh, switching seats with Jace so I can sit beside Rose. Fix a Heart- Demi Lovato has got her crying by the half way point. I smile and Jace laughs. "I thought the point of singing to her was to not make her depressed," he says, sitting back in his seat.

"Please don't stop," the little girl next to us asks. Peter smiles at her. "What's your name?" he asks. "My name is Delilah," she answers. "Okay, come sit with Jace over here," he tells her, taking my guitar. "Alright Lilah, you ready? I can call you Lilah right?" Peter asks. "Yeah, sure," she nods. Hey There Delilah- Plain White T's. We continue carrying on with our musical talent with 100 Years- Five for Fighting, sung by Rose and then we just keep going for like two hours, or until Delilah falls asleep. Jace goes to put her back with her dad and the guy goes, "Oh, she's not mine. She was the first one on the train, I just sat beside her." Jace puts her in my lap and she lays her head on my shoulder.

"Lilah, where are your parents?" Peter asks, touching her arm and waking her up. "The monster in the closet made them dead and then I was at the orphanage but I assumed that going to Orlando studios to live with the minions would be more fun," she says, as if she has recited the story a billion times. "Delilah, do you want to go home with us?" Peter asks, looking up at me. "If it's alright. You guys are fun. And I saw the magic and I don't know, you make me feel safe," she says, before yawning. I lay my coat around her and she falls asleep again. "I'm going to the orphanage right now. Be back soon then we can all go home," Peter says looking so very excited. "Welcome to the Pan family Delilah," I whisper.