I blink once. I'm gone. I blink twice. Another appears. This one had some inches of height on the other, but not much else had changed. She had matured, a bit.

"Hello, miss."

     I nodded in hello.

"I see you've gotten older."

     She smiled softly.

"Indeed I have! In fact, some stuff has happened in my absence."

     I waved a hand, telling her to continue.

"Well... First, I was transferred out of my old school! It was pretty sad at first sense my parents had divorced, but I did make new friends!"

     I smiled, but moved my hand up and covered it. I had a good feeling I knew who these friends were.

"Oh really? Anything else?"

     She smiled.

"Well... Not really. Just life!"

     I nodded. Just life.

"But miss?"

     I tilted my head in question.

"You cover your smiles. Why is that? Ya got some teeth lost?"

     My hand slammed to my lips as I chuckled at her comment.

"It's habit."

     She smiled.

"Odd habit. Weirdo."

     I shrugged.

"It's just habit."

     She nodded, and glanced away.

"Gotta go. Mom's calling."

      Once again, the young girl faded before I could say a word. My own face appeared before me. I saw a soft smile, and then my fingers softly pressed against my lips, blocking the smile.

"Bad habit."

     I felt my short, bitten down nails press somewhat painfully into my skin, getting oh-so-close to breaking skin.

... Compared to hers, my smile was ashes in the face of a fire...