Castles crusted with diamonds along balconies and doors. Candles glowed through the windows rimmed by lavender trees and glowing green grass. The clouds framed the speared points of the roof.

I closed my eyes and breathed in the crisp air. Deep in the distance I could hear a waterfall thudding against the rocks at the bottom of the bay.

“Payton!”

I loved the way the trees with their thin trunks grew up the mountain side. They looked like flowers in a field, standing out like a spotlight against the grass.

“Payton!”

I could feel the glossy floor of the castle was beneath me, and I could almost hear the birds calling my name in the distance.

“Payton!”

“What, Mom?” I rubbed my eyes.

“It’s time to go!”

My head snapped to the left, gazing into the clock.

8:01.

I’m late!