He Stoll My Heart - Connor Stoll.

Ch.31: Iris' Message and Shooting Stars.

After dinner (a not-so-quick Chinese take-out), it had finally started getting dark.

"Lights out in 20 minutes!" Rose called. "Finish your episodes and do not start a new one!"

A bored, unanimous "Okay" followed. She chuckled.

Huh. I guess this is what having a family must feel like, from the parent's perspective, she thought. ...Man, it's tiring. I need to get my parents "You're the best mom and dad" mugs.

Travis and Katie curled up beside each other on their seats, covered in a shared blanket. Soon, they'd be sleeping peacefully.

Connor was sitting in the passenger seat next to the driver's seat, watching the panorama trail by the window.

Exactly twenty minutes later (she made sure), Rose pressed the button on the dashboard that turned off all the screens.

A few "Aw!"s followed, but nobody complained.

Rose walked down the rows of seats. She gave a blanket to those who needed one and helped them recline their seats to sleep more comfortably.

She walked back to the driver's seat and sat down.

"You should sleep, Rose," Connor said softly.

"What about you?" she said.

"I took a long nap earlier, and one person should always be awake at all times, just in case," Connor said.

"Are you sure?" she said

"I'm sure. You defeated a goddess, you need your beauty sleep."

"Okay," Rose said, wrapping herself in a blanket. "Wake me up if you get tired."

"I won't," he said with a wink. "Sleep well."

It didn't take long for her to fall asleep and start dreaming.

- - -

Rose opened her eyes, and found herself on the clouds. She could only see soft, cotton fields, and an endless bright blue sky ahead.

She was sitting at a pleasant little tea table, covered with a rainbow checkered tablecloth.

Right in front of her sat Iris, smiling warmly at her. She was wearing jeans and a rainbow swirl tie-dye shirt.

"Hello, Rose," she said, "would you like some rose tea? I'm sure it's Connor's favorite."

Rose looked down. She hadn't noticed the tea kettle and two cups on the table. It was like they'd just appeared.

"Um, yes please, and I don't know if Connor even likes tea," she said.

After she spoke, the kettle acted on its own and poured the dark pink, steaming liquid into the two teacups. Rose picked hers up and took a sip. She could taste it, but the flavor was vague, distant.

"I'm sure he'd love rose tea, even if he doesn't like tea," Iris said slyly, sipping her own tea.

Rose felt her cheeks heat up.

"The boy has very clear feelings for you, dear," Iris said ,"and you must realize that you like him too."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Rose said quietly, bright pink in the face.

Iris smiled warmly at her. 

"You know, dear, my time as my sister's prisoner has made me rethink a lot of things," Iris said calmly, "and I was thinking that I might enjoy getting away from my duties as a goddess for a while."