A/N: Sorry if this chapter is a bit shorter? This chap focuses a bit more on Bloom but starting next chapter there will be more Stella/Brandon and other couples, R&R please!

Chapter 6: Hello, it´s Me.

A couple of weeks passed and pretty soon everyone in school heard the news. Crowned Princess Daphne of Domino would be teaching at Alfea. The quickly-spread rumor was courtesy of Stella and Nova at first, but the headmistress herself made an announcement later on, making it official. Professor Avalon certainly seemed eager to welcome the new professor, hence, earning himself publicity all over the school, mostly from his love-sick students.

Prince Sky and Stella were officially dating now. They broke curfew sometimes and Stella received chores as a consequence. But she seemed to enjoy her time with him so much, that it didn't really seem to matter.

Meanwhile, Bloom hadn't heard from Brandon in over a week, and it made her nervous. Sure he still sent the occasional text message, but in general, he was just distant. Bloom reviewed their last ´sort-of´ date in her head, but she couldn't remember doing anything wrong.

Flashback

"I like to come here whenever I´m stressed over something. You´ll discover that this lake has quite a relaxing effect. Y´know, legend has it that its home to a nymph",

"A Nymph?" she asked surprised. He chuckled,

"Mhm. An extremely powerful kind of fairy",

"What happened to her?"

"According to the story, she was never allowed to leave. She´s known as the guardian of Magix now. But like I said, it´s just a legend" he concluded.

"I´ve always believed that legends have some truth to them" she said blushing.

"Well, you never know. This is a magical universe after all. Anything´s possible", he answered. Bloom smiled.

The sky´s the limit… A phrase that now held an entirely new meaning for her. It meant so much more here! Because like Brandon said, this universe was a magical one, where anything could happen.

"Brandon?"

"Hm?"

"Have you ever wanted to be…I don't know, someone…different? Someone other than who you are right now?" she asked. He thought about it for a moment. There was no way he could answer her question with complete honesty without revealing his secret. The answer was yes! Of course he wanted to be someone else! He wanted to be this person, who didn't have to run from the paparazzi or enemies, or get married by force! Who could just sit here…with her.

"Nope. I think I´m satisfied with being just me", was what he answered instead.

"I want to be fairy" she replied.

"But you already are" he said confused. She giggled.

"You know what I mean. I want to be strong"

"Anxious to get a piece of the Trix I see" he said grinning. She nudged him with her elbow and he dodged it.

"Ever hear the legend of Cloud tower? It´s a scary one!" he said, in a genuinely spooked voice. Bloom laughed.

"No, but I´d love to hear it",

"Alright", Brandon said rubbing his hands together, as if he were preparing for something huge.

"You´ll have to brace yourself for this one", he warned her, smirking. But far from feeling scared, she couldn't stop giggling at his antics. Brandon was just plain fun.

They sat by the lake for at least two hours, laughing and chatting. He told her a few more of the legends of Magix and in return she told him a couple of her own childhood stories. Nothing seemed to fascinate him as much as her stories of a life without magic.

At one point, Bloom was conscious of how closely they were sitting. It seemed as though they had scooted a little closer, maybe it was all in her head.

"Bloom…" he said to her softly. She turned to stare into those blue eyes that matched her own. Suddenly, her heart was racing, and it was pretty clear then. Her feelings for Andy were long gone…

For a moment, she thought he would close the small space between them.

Instead, he smiled and pushed a strand of hair away from her face, gently.

"I hope I haven't scared you too much"

"It´ll take a lot more than that. Earth is practically the mother of horror movies!"

"Your Earth doesn't compare to Magix", he said indifferently. She grinned even wider. This was a challenge she wouldn't pass off. Let alone lose.

End of Flashback

Bloom got dressed without giving it much thought. She put on tight jeans, boots, and a black turtle neck blouse. Her red hair stood out even more against the dark color.

"Magix to Bloom" she heard a voice call,

"What?"

Flora smiled and looked at her strangely,

"Is everything alright sweetie? You´ve been a little off lately",

"I´m fine. I was just thinking that I have to go to Earth for a bit, you don't think Ms. Faragonda would mind do you?"

"Mmm…I guess not. As long as you make it back before class starts, but why the rush? Can´t you go over the weekend?" Stella asked.

"I could. But I haven't heard from my mother in a while and I still need my birth certificate", she explained.

"But you really have to make it back on time Bloom, Professor Daphne´s first class with us is today, and if you do miss it, I´m sure the headmistress will go berserk", Tecna told her.

"Got it, you guys will cover for me?" Bloom asked.

"Sure, but hey, why don't you take Stella with you? You´ll be back a lot faster with her scepter" she said, shooting a look in Stella´s direction,

"Would you Stella?" Bloom pleaded,

"Are you kidding? You don't even have to ask, girl. I´m all for traveling",


"The house is a lot quieter without you" Mike said chuckling. He remembered Bloom´s pre-teen, karaoke singing years all too well. Bloom laughed.

"Admit it, you miss all my commotion now, don't you?"

"You wish" he said grinning.

"So where´s mom?"

"She´s in the kitchen. But hang on a sec sweetheart, there´s something I want you to see",

He led her to his and Vanessa´s room, where he opened the bottom drawer of his nightstand, and pulled out a thin, red velvet box. He brought it down from the attic a few weeks ago. But the day he´d planned on giving it to Bloom, was the exact same day she returned from the park with a fairy and magical powers. Mike thought about it long and hard beforehand. Giving her this gift meant that he would have to tell his daughter half-truths. He would tell her that it was passed down from a family member, and she didn't have to know who it came from, exactly. Those folks obviously wanted her to have this. And Mike felt that it was the right thing to do, anyway.

"I meant to give this to you as a gift for your birthday, but…" he paused, not taking his eyes away from the velvet case. There was no turning back now.

"I just never got around to it",

"What is it?" Bloom asked as he placed it in her hands.

"Why don't you find out for yourself?"

Bloom opened it, gasping in amazement. Staring at the object and then at Bloom, Mike had a hint as to why it was made of such rare type of stone. It matched the color of her eyes perfectly.

It was a beautiful sapphire medallion.


Brandon and Sky waited outside Alfea while Riven entered the school to deliver a message from Saladin. Apparently, the day of the Royals would be an even bigger event this year, considering all the invitations he was sending out. Even the royals of Domino were invited. And that alone, was a huge deal.

As soon as he entered, he saw a familiar blue haired fairy in the court yard.

"Hey"

"Oh, hey Riven", she said, trying to sound as casual as possible. This guy was a bit of a jerk, but an awfully hot one.

"I have to give a message to your headmistress" he said dryly.

"Do I look like my headmistress?" she replied in the same tone. He rolled his eyes.

"Those pigtails could fool anyone", he said, in an even more monotone voice. For a moment, Musa didn't think she could compete.

"Jerk",

"Look, I was wondering if you could give it to her. I´m in a rush here"

"Why should I help you?"

"Because I´ll really get on your nerves if you don't",

"I can't imagine you being any worse than you already are. But…I guess I could do it" she said, taking hold of the envelope.

"But that depends"

"On what?!" he asked, flabbergasted.

-x-x-

"So remind me again why we can't go in and see the girls?" Brandon asked. Sky sighed.

"I already told you Brandon, I´ve made a big enough mess already. I can't keep seeing Bloom" he said sternly. Brandon ran a hand through his messy brown hair. This mess, as Sky called it, involved him and Stella as well. They were screwed.

"Look, man, I know this is the last thing you want to hear, but don't you think it´s a little late?"

"I didn't mean for any of this to happen, I just-", he stopped abruptly, realizing how pathetic and rude that sounded even to himself.

"I never imagined it would come to this. When I met Bloom, when I started hanging out with her, it was just as friends. I wouldn't hurt her on purpose. And besides, what difference does it make? I´m not even sure Bloom ever felt the same way about me",

"Oh come on Sky, of course she did! Stella´s her best friend and even she thinks so. Some girls just aren't very good at showing it", Brandon said. His friend had to be downright blind not to notice.

"Yeah…"

"I don't want to tell you what to do, it´s not my place either but think it through Sky. If there´s anything I've learned about women, is that they hate being ignored"

"There´s nothing else to think about. There´s no easy way to tell Bloom what´s really going on without her hating my guts afterward. And in any case, this shouldn't have started in the first place, Diaspro is my fiancée and she doesn't deserve it. No matter how in love I am with…" he said but stopped before finishing his sentence.

Brandon nodded, knowingly. Being the prince´s bodyguard for all those years, Brandon had never seen him become so close to someone in such a short amount of time. Although, the same thing happened to him with Stella. And the more Sky stressed about his problem, the more he reminded Brandon that he would also have to come clean sometime soon. He wanted so badly to have a serious relationship with Stella, but everyone knew that a true relationship couldn't be based on lies. At least, not the kind of relationship he wanted to have. Brandon had met many girls over the years, but Stella was so different. She had a fun, bubbly personality, a great sense of humor, and was absolutely stunning. Her title didn't mean a thing to him. But he was afraid that she wouldn't believe him once she knew the truth. Would the princess of Solaria date a bodyguard? Yeah, maybe not. Before taking over Sky´s identity he´d never even dreamed of going out with a girl like her. But now, he wasn't sure he could go back to being without her. It sounded mushy, pathetic maybe, but that was just who he was. And thanks to this game, Stella wouldn't be interested in seeing that.

"I promised not to let my emotions get in the way. For both of them, and for Eraklyon, I have to do what´s right. I´m sure Bloom will be just fine", he said, with complete conviction. When Brandon didn't say anything else, he continued,

"Diaspro and my parents are coming for the Day of the Royals"

"I guess we really can't make fools of ourselves then huh?" Brandon said smirking.

Suddenly Riven stormed through the main gate.

"I have a date with pigtails, now let's go!" Riven barked.

"You have what?" Brandon repeated dumbfounded.

"With who?" Sky added.

"I owe that fairy a chocolate smoothie thanks to you fools",


Bloom stared at her beautiful new necklace. This was the strangest kind of stone she´d ever seen. Even Mitzy didn't own something like this. On one side it had a symbol with a small dragon carved right in the center, and on the other side there was something written, but she couldn't understand it. She was afraid that it cost her parents a fortune, until her dad told her it was an inherited antique.

Bloom walked up quietly behind Vanessa and covered her eyes with both hands. She remained quiet and very still at first,

"I´d recognize those hands anywhere" she finally said, laughing softly.

"Hey mom", Bloom said, as Vanessa turned to embrace her.

"I´m sorry if I got on your nerves the other day, but I still need my certificate"

"Oh don't say that Bloom, you know it´s not true. I shouldn't have snapped at you that way, sweetheart, it´s just that business these days has been going exceptionally well, and I get quite a number of clients sometimes",

"That´s alright, I get it" Bloom answered. Suddenly Vanessa´s expression went grim,

"What is that…?" she asked, appalled.

"Oh this? My dad gave it to me as a late birthday gift, isn't he the sweetest?" she said beaming. Unbeknownst to either of them, the medallion shone for a brief second. Vanessa placed a hand on her forehead and turned her back on Bloom. It took everything in her not to snatch that thing off her neck! She should've gotten rid of Mike… how could he?! He shouldn't have given it to her in the first place.

"Mom?"

"I´m not feeling very well, forgive me"

"Wait, what? I´ll tell dad right now, we can go see a doctor if you want, I´ll just-"

"No, no that won't be necessary, I´m over worked, I just need to rest. And as for your certificate," she said, her voice continued to rise as she spoke and suddenly she couldn't control what came out of her any longer.

"I might have lost it when we moved into this house, Bloom. I don't know! But you need to let me breath, alright? I know you´re living a completely different life now, but not everything´s about you!"

"Mom, I´m just asking for this one favor! What are you freaking out about?!" she asked, staggered.

"Well I happen to think you´re old enough to take care of your own things, I´m busy enough these days to have to deal with anything more"

When Vanessa stopped talking, Bloom remained silent as well.

"I´m sure your headmistress can understand that", she snapped. Bloom nodded, although it was barely visible,

"Tell her to excuse me, I´ll try and send it as soon as I can", she said, just as harshly.

"I should go now", Bloom answered.

"Leaving so soon?" Mike said as he came into the kitchen.

"I have a lot of things to do back at Alfea, I´ll see you both again soon" she said, and left hastily.

She left the kitchen and found Stella sitting on the staircase. She eyed Bloom warily,

"Is everything okay?" she asked softly,

"I don't think my mom likes me anymore", Bloom said quietly.

"Oh darling…" Stella said empathetically,

"We have to go, now please".

Stella nodded, she knew this probably wasn't the best place to ask any more questions. As soon as Mike knew they were gone, he spoke up.

"What has gotten into you?! We don't speak to each other like that in this house"

"What´s gotten into me?! What were you thinking giving her that-that-"

"That what? The only thing that her mother left for her? Vanessa, it belongs to Bloom!"

"There you go again, throwing that word around! Mother… what does it even mean to you, Mike? The person who gave her a necklace to make up for dropping her like yesterday´s newspaper, isn't a mother!"

"Be as it may, you had no reason to treat her that way. Our daughter is away from home and the few times that she does come over, all you can do is scare her off?" he demanded, rubbing his forehead.

"What if they find her?"

"What?" he asked not fully understanding.

"You shouldn't have given it to her, especially without consulting with me",

"So now I have to ask permission to give my own daughter a simple gift?" he asked, flabbergasted.

"No... just that one. Bloom shouldn't have anything from those people"

"It seems to me that you're blowing this wildly out of proportion"

"Out of proportion?! She´s in another dimension now, Mike! Another universe with people just like her!"

"Wait a minute, so that´s it? Sixteen years, you find out she has magic, and she´s no longer ours?"

"That´s not what I meant!" she cried,

"Then enlighten me"

"Being where she is now, there´s no telling what she may find. All I´m saying is if that woman, or anyone else attempts to take her away from us because of your carelessness" she said, and stopped abruptly, taking a few breaths before concluding.

"You´ll be the only one to blame" she said, and left him alone in the room to dwell in his own thoughts.

Vanessa ran up to her bedroom and shut the door. For years she managed to keep this a secret. And maybe allowing Bloom to go to that place was the biggest mistake she´d ever made. She didn't have a certificate because she always made it a point to explain to Bloom´s principal her situation. And being such a delicate situation, they understood. But getting a false document would be simple. No one would take her family apart. Not even her daughter´s family.


"Stella, where are you?!" Flora whispered into her cellphone.

"We just got back, we´ll be there in a few seconds". They popped up in the living room of their dorm. Bloom pushed her bedroom door angrily and took the necklace off, opening her drawer. She hesitated, gazing at the jewel. Why did one little gift get her mother so angry?! She felt her eyes moisten but fought back the tears. Why had Vanessa changed so much? Selfish was what her mother now thought of her. And she couldn't think of an uglier word.

"Bloom, move it!" Stella yelled.

She left the necklace on but tucked it underneath her blouse. She would show it off once she felt better. For now, she didn't even feel like going to class.

They were running now, only a couple of minutes late. Not a big deal. They ran down the hall, stopping just a few centimeters away from the door to catch their breath.

"If this new teacher is anything like Griselda, we´re finished! I don't want to fail!" Stella whispered. Bloom giggled quietly. She knocked on the door softly before opening the door herself.

"Good morning, professor. May we come in?" she asked with a small smile.

Daphne stood in front of her class, giving an introduction when she turned to look at the person who spoke. And abruptly, she felt that the wind had been knocked out of her.

This had to be a joke.

The person who now stood in front of her looked like…

Marion?