After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul.

- Unknown

***

The boy tangled his hands with mine as our every footstep echoed on the marble dance floor. The northern lights danced above my eyelids when the dark room lit up into vivid colours.

I surprised myself by looking over at Ash who's eyes also seemed to be flickering over in my direction.

Why do boys always turn away as soon as I catch them looking? What's the logic in it? It doesn't the fact that they were staring.

I struggled to find my voice when he smiled at Eleanor. 

"I'm Burn," I said as I tried to focus back into the boy's eyes.

His voice came out stern as if he was pointing out the fact that I'd caused a scene. "I know."

"Well what's your name?" I asked, as I curled my hand into fists.

"Zane."

"You're a Maya aren't you?" I chuckled as my eyes danced over his stunning facial features.

"Yeah. Is it that easy to tell?" he replied with an wink.

I rolled my eyes distinctly. "I'm the only human here, and it's quite easy to tell the difference between a Maya and a human."

He looked taken aback. "You aren't as bad looking as you think."

The clanking of my converse boomed into my ears when we reached a spot in the middle of the floor. Zane set his hand on my waist as we started waltzing to the music. 

Boredom kicked in. My mind was uncomfortably blank as my feet twisted to the dull music. Maybe I could distract myself by asking him questions?

"Zane, what's with those two anyway- Ash and Eleanor- I mean?" I asked with a nervous smile playing on my lips.

Zane's eyes flickered between my eyes and lips, as if he was studying me. 

"They're the best trainees our age. They think highly of themselves because they know that everyone does what they tell them to do. But they don't have bad hearts," he paused for a brief moment, "then everyone saw you. The brave girl who stole the enemy's spaceship and then you got in a fight with the toughest pair of kids here. You're quite strong for a little girl."

My first instinct at the word, 'little', was my nails digging my skin as my teeth pressed against each other.

I breathed out heavily as Ivory's melancholy face appeared in my eyes. "Hey, someone told me that Mayas only fall in love with each other?"

He chuckled, "Yeah, that's how it's been for centuries. But you never know."

"So.... Ash and Eleanor...they're like together?" There was a recognisable amount of curiosity in my tone.

"I'm not really sure but I think so. She sticks to him like a leech, but I don't know if it's one sided."

How could any boy not fall in love with a girl like Eleanor? 

The nod was slow and cautius. "So, are you good friends with them?"

"Yeah we all hang out in the same group. We're like best friends," he said bluntly. I felt his hands squeeze mine. 

He chuckled and asked, "Why are you so interested in knowing so much about them?"

I felt my cheeks flush a bright red, and I altered the conversation immediately. "This music is boring me to death. I wish I could just change it."

"Can you even play any instruments?" Zane asked as he his lips curled into a frown.

"Interesting fact, I can play all the instruments that are played in the regular band," I replied, 

"You know what, I'll be right back". The words escaped my mind before I could stop it but even if I had, my mind was already made up.

I guess my action were going to surprise me yet again. As I clumsily strolled over to the person who was leading the orchestra, I could feel people's stares piercing through my back. 

"Sorry, I'm just gonna' borrow this mike for just a few minutes," I murmured as I snatched its' mike off.

I clutched the mike tighter and nervously breathed into it. "Alright ladies and gentlemen, you are about to witness some real music being introduced to your world."

The guitarist reached out to hand me his instrument. As I wrapped it around my next, I ran up to the centre of stage.

I looked over the crowd. There must have been at least one hundred people watching me, bathing in the vivid colours of the ballroom. Zane, Ash and Eleanor's eyes were wide in astonishment and I could tell that they were wondering what the next crazy thing that I was going to. 

I guess I was going to shock everyone, including myself.

I stood at the mike with the cold guitar strap hanging around my neck. The sweet refrain of the acoustic guitar spoke a musical language to my soul. I closed my eyes and though to myself, it was my slave and I was it's master. 

As I plucked loudly on the strings, my fingers twisted in all sorts of odd shapes to form chords around the wooden fret board.

I twisted my body to point at the guitarists sitting on my left and nodded with a smile. They started playing the same rhythm in perfect synchronisation.

Then I ran to the drummer and demonstrated the rhythm I wanted him to play.

"Everyone keep playing that!" I shouted. 

Piano. I punched my fingers on the keys to play a rock beat rhythm which boomed across the hall. I smiled shyly at the musician and he nodded, playing my rhythm.

"Where are my backup singers? Come on up," I called out.

Some felvs giggled their way onto the stage as I gave each of them a beat boxing rhythm. My ears filled with the melodious rock of the orchestra. I ran to the mike, placing my lips above it. Swells of power rose up in my throat as I began singing.

Astonishment thrown at me from the audience as I twirled around the mike while singing smiling endlessly to myself. This felt amazing. It was like liquid adrenaline being injected right into my blood stream. The instruments kept releasing amazing music, as I danced my way into the crowd. With that music, that beat, those crazy, crazy lights I knew I was alive, I was real, and reality was awesome. 

Zane's fingers entangled with mine as he pulled me. I danced my heart away as my hair flew in the air and body curled into beautiful shapes. My feet didn't stand still for even a split second, as each person spun me to the next. 

Ash. His eyes shone a stunning gold reflected in the darkness. The spotlight smiled at us and the scene seemed to be unfolding out in slow motion.

He dropped his eyes momentarily before looking, his head tilted to one side and a hopeful smile playing on his lips. We gazed at each other for a few moments which felt like an eternity.

His well-structured face and his flawlessness. It reminded me of her... when I danced with her and we pretended to look at each other for a long time like we were dramatic endless lovers.

I felt my ears burning hot and tears welled in my eyes. Ash's rose lips curled into a frown, revealing his baffled expression, as I punched my legs into the ground, running out of the ballroom.

After I closed the grand door behind me, the tears burst forth like water from a dam, spilling down my face. I curled up against the cold marble floor, burying my head into my hands. I sat on the marble floor leaning against the wall and buried my head into my hands. I hated being out of control and letting go like that. 

The sobs punched through, ripping through her muscles, bones, and guts before I realised that there was a figure in the darkness, watching me. I narrowed my eyes to get a clearer view at who it was.

It was Ash.

I rubbed my eyes, pushed myself up using the wall and ran back inside. I pushed through the eccentric crowd to reach Ivory but abruptly stopped when my nose bumped against a hard chest. 

"Your performance was amazing-have you been crying? Your eyes seem very puffy," Zane shouted over the loud music.

"Of course not, I'm just very sleepy... I've had a long day, you know," I replied quickly. "You know where Ivory is?"

"Over there," he said pointing up at the stage.

I lowered my head as I stumbled deeper into the crowd. "Ivory!" I screamed.

She nodded at me while dancing with an enormous smile curling on her lips.

"I'm tired, I wanna' go to sleep. Where's my room?" 

I couldn't handle this any longer.

"Oh but we're going to have the important meeting soon and you must be there."

"Can we postpone until tomorrow please?"

"Alright then," she said dropping her arms to her side. "The felv at the end of the room will help you find your room."

The lizard led me away through a series of dark corridors before entering a room which almost blinded my eyes. My vision was blurry, as if I was drunk, which made it impossible to properly examine the colossal room. 

My head roughly kissed the bed, as my head overflowed with crazy thoughts I had done that day. 

I was in prison, almost got executed, had an argument in front of hundreds of people, met people that had the face of angels and stole a spaceship. 

But the worst was definitely letting my emotions get the better of me. 

The pain in my eyes stops and I feel a small smile form on my face. I shut my eyes in hope that my sleep would be filled by light. Hopefully mind mind would be at rest in some land called Sleep.

In our sleep we were children again. We dream of things past, things that will never be again. In our dreams we have comfort, freedom and love. 

But it didn't work that way for me. Not now, not ever again.