Act Eleven- A Shade of Pink

For the first time Roxy found herself grateful for Bloom's company. IN a weird way that is. As the two trailed behind Faragonda, Bloom babbled on and on about just how thrilling all this was. Getting to go to magic school, live in a castle right out of a Disney film…yada, yada, yada.

Roxy cover her mouth to conceal a small giggle. She had to admit the red-head was cute when she spoke so animatedly.

Something tells me with Bloom nearby things are going to be interesting. Roxy clutched her hands together, Still. I suppose it wouldn't be the worst thing to have her as a roommate. Maybe for once I can be a bit normal like other girls. No. That's a fantasy, but at least I wouldn't be alone all the time…

As much as Roxy had loved living across the globe and exploring what each new city had to offer. It had been trying. With each move she couldn't help but to feel she was only growing further and further apart from her father. Meetings, late-nigh conference calls, dinners, and business trips always kept him at bay.

Come to think of it now; it was thanks to an e-mail that Roxy had learnt of the move back to America. As for the last time she had seen him… she wasn't even sure. Easter Sunday perhaps? Not that he was there. His attention was focused on his phone.

Just thinking back on it all Roxy couldn't help but to release a sigh of frustration. There was only so much understanding a teenage girl could offer.

"Roxy!" A voice snapped her out of her thoughts and back to reality. Roxy lifted her head and smiled at Bloom. "This is us," she started pointing at the small words on the door. Nymph Suite it read in small cursive letters.

From behind Bloom, Faragonda nodded. "Indeed. When handling housing assignments we work with the student in mind. Matching up those with similarities. Given everything we thought it would be wise to have you both in the same apartment."

"An apartment?" Bloom arched her bows.

Faragonda started to open her mouth to offer an explanation. Instead, she extended her hand and offered both girl a key. "You will need these."

The two girls exchanged a glance before accepting the keys, and making their way towards the door. With a bright, toothy grin Bloom opened the door and the group stepped inside.

Upon hearing 'dorm'. Bloom's mind had flashed back to all the images she had seen during her days of checking out colleges. Small, cramped space- as unappealing as the pictures where it seemed attractive. But what Bloom was now seeing before her was a far cry from anything she had expected.

The common room that had stood before them was dived into two selections. The first, closest to the entrance, was a living room. With over-stuffed couches and chairs lining the walls. Hanging on the pale coloured walls was a television and photos of a gorgeous lake.

Comfortable and inviting. Was the first two words that came to mind as the two girls shuffled in to get a better look around.

The other half of the room's main focus was that of the large bay window. With a view that looked out onto the school's courtyard that could be seen at any angle.

"This is amazing, thank-you headmistress."

Faragonda smiled. "I'm glad to see you like it; this will be your home for quite some time. As I mentioned before most of our students have already left for the holiday, some have chosen to stay." Faragonda gestured towards one of the several closed doors. "One of your roommates is on campus as well. She has assured me that she will help you two adjust, I'm sure you will get along just fine." Faragonda straightened as she pushed her frames up on the bridge of her nose.

"All your belongings are in your rooms. We also went ahead and left some basic magic textbooks for you to review. There is also a map of the school and Magix City on your desk."

After giving directions to the dining hall, reminding the girls when meals were served. Faragonda bid the two farewell. Once more Bloom and Roxy found themselves alone.

"What are you talking about, Stella's not there."

If it wasn't for Prince Sky's answer no one would have ever found out.

Just thinking about it now made the otherwise bubby blonde sick to her stomach. Yes, she had left for Alfea last year with only the best intentions in mind. Get the most of her college experience and have fun had been the game plan. And you know, get decent enough grades to keep her parents' at bay.

It had all been so innocent, there was no way that it could go wrong.

But it did. One fateful day in the lavatory to be more specific. The professor had been guiding them on making a simple potion to cure fevers. If she hadn't been stuck in detention with nothing but her potionology textbook. She would have never released that the fever mix was only slightly different than a love spell.

There was nothing wrong with working ahead just a tiny bit. If anything she had been showing ambition towards course work. The professor would have been pleased.

That is not for accidently adding in dragon scales for whatever it was called that the spell had called for. Suddenly poof! There goes the lab. But on the upside it did make a brilliant new shade of pink.

She had done her best to try and shrug it off. Lightly joking and giving off the brightest smile, but all it did was make matters worse. Before she knew it Stella had landed herself in the headmistress' office. Facing an enraged Griselda and stone-faced Faragonda.

Griselda rambled off and the proceeded to dismiss every punishment that came to mind. Faragonda just asked why.

I was making a love potion to stop my parents from divorcing, that's what. Was the actual answer. But Stella couldn't say that. She had only leant the news herself two weeks prior. And she knew well enough to keep such news to herself if she didn't want to deal with a mad mob that was the press.

Never being good with words as she was. Stella careless recounted what her classmates had mused. It was all to create a new shade of pink.

As she had watched Griselda erupt and only half-heartily listen to Faragonda's stern lecture. Stella finally came to grasp with reality. Alfea wasn't for her. Rather than sticking around to get her formal punishment. As it turned out to be nothing short of being kicked out. Stella had packed her things and left the school.

With a home being divided up, she forged the idea of returning back. Stella found herself taking a mini six-month long vacation across the universe. Bouncing from realm to realm, vacation property to vacation property. It had been nice, quite. After spending so much of her life being told what to do, when to do it and the like the complete freedom was glorious.

As much as Stella longed for things to stay as they had been forever, it wasn't in the cards. Apparently her mother had recently attended an event Erklyon and had encounter Prince Sky. During small talk Sky had unknowing blown Stella's cover.

It was with that Stella received a call from her mother demanding she return home at once.

So here was she was. Standing in the middle of the Lunarian Castle's library feeling every like a small child.

"That's what he told me," Her mother, Queen Luna started. Her eyes in stills as she slowly stepped closer towards her towing daughter. "Princess Stella left Alfea after she got kicked out."

Just hearing the words spoken out loud made Stella cringe, it sounded just as bad as it was.

Queen Luna shock her head, her eyes retaining on her child. "Dragon, Stella. What were you thinking?!" Seeing her words pierce her daughter prompted Luna to lower her tone slightly. "I have always told you since you were a child that you could come to me about anything. Haven't I?"

"Yes, mother."

"So why," Luna slowly wrapped her arm around her daughter's shoulders. "Didn't you tell me about this right after it happened?"

Stella's eyes fell to the floor, "How could I tell you, mom? That your only daughter is a wash-up?"

"That's far from true, and you know that." Luna pursed her lips, "Don't get me wrong; I absolutely furious. Being expelled is one thing. But realm hoping and forgoing responsibility… Stella, you are the Crown Princess-"

"I know," Stella's hands made themselves into fists. Her nails digging into her palms. "Everyone expects a lot of me. One day I'm going to rule and everyone has high expectations of me…"

"Dear," Luna cupped her daughter's chin in her hand as she whipped away fallen tears. "Only because we all believe in you so. You just need to believe in yourself. I know that one day you will become the best queen the universe has seen, promise."

"I really don't deserve a mother like you."

Luna grinned, "Just be glad that Radius is away on business. Otherwise we might need to replace part of the castle." Both mother and daughter snickered lightly. "I'm not going to ask just what it was that you were trying to do."

Stella blinked, "What are you talking about?"

"Rumour has it that you were trying to create a new shade of pink. Budding fashion designer you may be. But I know you well enough to know you wouldn't have done something like that. You were trying for something else, am I wrong?"

"Er- I-ah."

Luna pointed, "I assumed as much. I know that someday you will tell me what it was, right now probably isn't the best time. Still," Luna pursed her lips. "We still have the matter of your education. Alfea apparently wasn't for you."

Stella shrugged, "So what now?"

"With the way things are now it is more important than ever that you are a capable fairy. Our second cousin's sister is the headmistress of Beta Academy. It's a fine school, Princess Diaspro is starting there at the start of the year."

"Beta," Stella said, trying the name out for size. "It's it co-ed?"

"That is what I heard. Why don't you give Diaspro a call, ask her about it. If it interests you we can schedule a tour for next week."

Stella nodded her head in agreement, after all she was fearful of what protesting might lead. Maybe is she stayed close enough she just might be able to help save her parent's marriage.

Authoress' Notes: Stella, despite everything, is far too smart to blow a lab up simply over a shade of pink.