By: Chloe Cheng

I trod on a worn-out path toward the darkest part of the forest, where my deepest secret was waiting for me.

Between the trees, I could see the sun disappearing from the horizon, shades of pink, purple, and orange clouds splattered across the canvas above me, I smiled to myself and continued on the walk I’d grown to love.

Leaves and twigs crunched and snapped beneath my shoes, the cool autumn air blew on my face delicately, and trees rustled as they danced along.

I reached a water well, or so it seemed.

Walking up to the well, I glanced around, checking the shadows for any sign of life, and found a pair of sparkling eyes staring right back at me.

“Come on out, I can see you there!” I laughed.

A fawn padded out from the dim shadows of the nearby trees and bounded my way. I greeted it with a gentle pat on her head.

“Hello there, Ivy,” I said, “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

She looked up at me, her hazel eyes glimmering in the dark.

“Shall we?” I asked, a mischievous smile tugging at my lips.

Ivy nodded, as excited as ever.

I jogged to the backside of the well and crouched down, brushing away a pile of leaves, and revealed a trapdoor. Feeling for the lever on its side and pulled, and the door opened, just wide enough for me and Ivy to jump in.

I helped her down to the passageway and grabbed the flashlight on the floor, instantly illuminating a narrow tunnel. Ivy brushed past me and ran ahead. I chuckled quietly at her playfulness, happy to see her so energetic.

I caught up to her, and there it was–the entrance to my secret lair. Ivy glanced at me as she nudged open a sliding door with her head, revealing a room.

The place was small yet furnished, with three of four walls covered in bookcases filled with books, a dimly lit chandelier hung above the space, illuminating the room with a soft glow. On the fourth wall was a countertop with a stove, a sink, and a tiny refrigerator just beneath it. The middle of the room held a single rounded coffee table and two bean bags with blankets draped over them. The entire space was filled with the sweet smell of apples, adding to the comfort of this place.

I felt my body begin to relax as I flopped down onto a bean bag, taking in the room I had built for myself two years ago.

Ivy snuggled her head onto my lap and looked up at me as if saying I missed you.

“I missed you, too. It’s been a while since I was here. Life got too crazy for me to come,” I sighed,.

These past few months had been nothing but a complete mess. As a high school freshman, I was entirely caught up by the intensity of school, having little to no time for myself. Thankfully, school ended a week ago and I finally had my long-awaited rest. I shuddered at the thought of the next school year, dreading its arrival.

Ivy gazed at me knowingly, understanding everything without saying a single word, her eyes giving me all the comfort I ever needed.

With a warm mug in my hand, my best friend in the world, in my favorite place on Earth, I picked up a random book from the shelves and immersed myself in the world of fantasy.

—

“Chloe! Dinner time!” I was startled by the sound of my mother’s voice.

Looking down at the LEGO creation of my dream lair, with a miniature me and an adorable fawn, I thought to myself, it’s all a fantasy, but…someday, maybe someday.