An: NymhadoraTonks: The blue butterfly is very significant throughout the whole story, always there when change is about to strike. The reason I named the baby Maurice is because it's Belle's dad's name. They call him Mury though if that helps with the evilness lol. Alyssa is very forgetful like Gil, but is very peppy, like Ally. More on her in this chapter.

And right on with Everett forgetting about Lori's B-day. Soon enough, he'll realize that he's been blind for most of his life.

Everett wasn't talking back to Carlos. It was actually a flashback of one of his classmates echoing in his head. The italics are usually flashbacks of dialogue. That's why there were other random lines in the mix. It's just to show how Everett suffers bullying. Maybe I worded it wrong to make it seem like he was actually talking to Carlos, but just I thought I should let you know.

Thank you so much!


When Everett woke up that morning, a large smile spread across his face. He was finally sixteen. He made it. The boy had imagined this day for years. Many of them ended with Alyssa on his arm, he had a nice red motorcycle, and no party was ever thrown. It was the one thing he had wished for all year. He liked his birthday, but he hated having all the attention on him for the annual party Lori and her parents threw for him.

Everett hopped out of bed. He stared at himself in his desk mirror. He really did look like his father, except for the blue hair and the freckleless skin. Once someone said he had his mother's eyes, but Everett didn't know if he believed it. Both of his parents as brown eyes. He ran his fingers through his blue shaggy hair. It flopped back down into its usual place. Even though he looked the same as last night, Everett felt that he appeared much older than before.

He threw on his favorite maroon shirt, jeans, and his lucky birthday socks. Lorelai had gotten them for Everett three years ago. They were blue and decorated with little cakes and candles. It was a tradition for him to wear them. Lori was always very pleased when he pulled up the hem of his pant leg to show her. But for now, Everett laced up his high-top sneakers to hide them from the public eye.

Grabbing his bag, sketchbook, and headphones, Everett ran down the stairs and into the kitchen. It was empty, except for a gift that lay on the counter. Everett's lips curved into a small grin as he tore the wrapping paper to reveal a new pack of colored pencils. He gasped when he saw the fancy brand. he had been wanting these for years.

"Surprise," his mother's voice came from behind him. Everett turned to see her leaning against the doorway. She looked weak and tired, but Everett suspected she stayed up late last night. "I thought you could use them when we draw together again."

"Yeah," Everett nodded. "That'd be great. Thanks, Mom." He walked over and gave his mother a hug, the pencils still in his one hand.

"Happy birthday, Everlove," Evie whispered.

"Open mine next!" Carlos came running down the stairs, holding another gift in his hand. Dixy was following him.

Everett opened the gift bag to see an organizer for his new pencils. It was made of a sleek silvery metal. "Did you build it yourself?"

"I Designed it and 3-D printed it," Carlos said with a wide grin. "I even had your initials engraved so you won't lose it."

"Thanks, Dad," Everett grinned, giving "Where's Char?"

"Her surprise is waiting for you in the workshop," Carlos winked.

"I better not get hit by that door," Everett grumbled as he walked outside. He climbed up the tree and knocked on the treehouse door. He knocked, then dashed out of the way, but the treehouse door didn't swing forward. It slowly pushed itself back. Everett peered inside. "That's nice, Char. Thank you for fixing it. Char?"

The treehouse was empty. Well, as empty as it could be with the scrap metals everywhere. There was a gift in the center of it all. A little box neatly wrapped in a little red bow. Everett was about to open it, but then Charlotte burst from the cabinet. "Wait! Don't open it yet."

"Wait up, De Vil. Did you think we forgot what day it is?"

"Ah! Charlotte you've gotta give me warning about when you're just going to appear!" Everett scolded her, ignoring the voice in his head. "Why can't I open this now?"

"Open it at school," Charlotte told him. "Just stuff it in your pocket until lunch."

"Uh," Everett raised a brow at his sister. "Okay. I will. Is Max coming over today?"

"I don't think so," Charlotte shrugged. "Holland it later. Why? Are you jelly that I got down with school a week earlier than you?"

"Well," Everett rolled his eyes. "Maybe a little. Wow. I never thought I would be jealous of a ten-year-old who wears overalls and goggles every day." He then escaped the treehouse as fast as he could to avoid his sister's fists of fury.

"They're coming back in style!" Charlotte yelled from the door. Everett looked up at her and grinned. "They're also very functional!"

"Bye, Char!" Everett called over his shoulder.

"I hope you have an unhappy birthday!"

"I love you too!" Everett laughed as he ran back into the house. When he came into the house, he saw his dad holding Evie in his arms. When his parents caught sight of him, they let go of each other. "Is everything alright?" Everett asked, concerned by the look on his mother's face.

"Yes," Carlos assured him.

"I stayed up much too late last night," Evie added.

"We hope you have a good last day at school."

"Remember to go home with Lori today," Evie reminded. "We'll be there by then for your party."

"Will do," Everett nodded. There was no use in fighting it. He would always be doomed to have a birthday party against his will. He gathered his things and headed straight for the door, giving his parents a small wave goodbye.

Everett rode on his bike through the forest trails. He looked up at the cloudy sky and silently hoped his party would be rained out. But he wished the rain would hold off through lunch. Then maybe he could see Alyssa in the garden again. Even the thought of her made Everett grin. His imaginations could come true, he just had to be patient.

As he pulled up to Auradon Prep, he saw everyone out and about. The last day of school was always a joke when it came to classes. Everyone would just hang out in their classrooms until the day was over. He spotted Alyssa and a few other girls from his class with Noah again. This time, they were hanging out by the fancy sports car he had gotten for his birthday.

Alyssa's eyes connected with Everett's. She gave him a polite smile and waved. Before he could return either gesture, Noah put his arm around Alyssa and escorted the rest of the girls into the school. Everett's grin dropped as he watched them. He didn't understand how Alyssa could be with that crowd. Well, he could believe it. She was beautiful and popular. Everything Everett wasn't.

All through morning classes, Everett attempted to at least get one word to Alyssa, but she was always surrounded by other girls and the tourney players. Both were his natural enemies. Girls because Everett had a hard time talking to them. The tourney players because Everett had a hard time listening to them. He already had enough memories of their harassment playing in his head.

"You're dirty blood doesn't belong on this team."

At least today, he had blended in the background enough to evade any further attacks. Perhaps they had grown away from insulting him. Maybe they had even grown up a little bit. It was at least a theory. As Everett watched the players have a spitting contest during fourth hour, he decided against his theories on their maturing. Maybe they had forgotten about him completely.

Right before lunch, Everett began to clean out this locker. He just opened the door when he saw it. A blue butterfly pendent that fit in his palm. It was hooked to a chain of blue beads. As he held it up for himself to gaze at, Alyssa's voice echoed in his head.

"Yes, you are the butterfly magnet. I'll have to be sure to find you."

Everett grinned wildly as his cheeks turned red. How did she know it was his birthday? It seemed like something she would give him. Something she could've made, or at least put a lot of thought into. Now, he would have to return the favor. He would complete the butterfly drawing and give it to her for her birthday. She would be so surprised, but he knew she would adore it.

As Everett got to the courtyard, he saw Lori already sitting at their table. Today, her lavender front hairs were pulled back into twists and pinned up with the rest of her hair. Surely it was for the party. She never dressed up for casual days at school. She turned as he crossed the courtyard to her. "Hey, birthday boy. What are you grinning about?"

"Nothing," Everett sat on the tabletop. "Just that I'm having such a great birthday because of my lucky socks."

Lorelai gasped. "Let me see!" Everett pulled up his pant leg to show her. "I can't believe you remembered."

"You would've spelled me if I didn't," Everett laughed. "Not eating today?" He bit into the peanut butter sandwich he made for himself last night.

"We've got enough food back at the castle," Lorelai shook her head. "Mom got a chocolate fountain and everything."

"Well, I guess there are perks of torture," Everett shrugged.

"Again with the torture," Lori shook her head again. "You know parties might actually be enjoyable if you let yourself have a little fun. You know dancing isn't a crime, right?"

"If I were to put myself in any spotlight, I would be hunted down by the pack of tourney boys."

"You know, maybe you should stop worrying about what other people think and just be who you are. What matters is that you have people who like you for you. So what if you're not popular, do you really want to hang around those stupid boys like Noah? And those bimbos like Alyssa Legume?"

"What's wrong with Alyssa?" Everett asked.

"She's been ignoring us from the beginning," Lorelai pointed out. "She's half Isle blood too but pretends that's she's too good for everyone. We used to be friends, but as soon as she hit high school she suddenly got an ego and attention from boys. Not to mention she's not the brightest bulb in the box."

"Hey, don't call Alyssa stupid," Everett defended Alyssa, even though he knew it was the truth.

"Why? It's not like you care," Lori crossed her arms. When Everett didn't say anything, she turned to him. "You like Alyssa?"

"I...maybe," Everett couldn't lie to her. "We met up in the gardens yesterday."

"And?" Lori raised her brow.

"Well..." Everett shrugged. "She was looking for butterflies. And then she said she hoped she would see me today too. I thought she was just being friendly, but then she left a gift in my locker."

"A gift in your locker? What was it?"

Everett didn't plan on showing Lori the butterfly charm, but he sighed and pulled it out of his pocket. Lori's expression softened when she saw it. She bit her lip. "I see where you would think she left that for you."

"I know," Everett said, his voice hopeful. "And now I can use it as a reference to finishing my butterfly drawing a give it to her for her birthday in a couple of weeks. She'll be so surprised."

"Alyssa's birthday?" she asked in a soft voice.

"June 24th," Everett grinned. Lori's eyes dropped down to the butterfly charm in his palm.

"Everett," she took a deep breath. "I—"

"Aye! De Vil!" a voice called over. Both Lorelai and Everett turned their heads to see the approaching kids. Everett put the charm back into his pocket and stood. Lori remained sitting. Noah was at the head of the pack. "My condolences. Hope the apple falls farther from the tree than its roots."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Everett raised a brow.

"You know since you're filthy grandmother finally passed away on that dirt rock."

"What?" Everett actually had no clue to who he was referring. Cruella was still alive. He received a birthday message from her this morning.

"You don't know?" Noah questioned. He then shot a smile back at the bystanders. "He really doesn't know."

"Everett, let's go," Lorelai took his arm.

"Oh, look," Brad, another player, pointed at the two. "His little princess girlfriend is coming to the rescue." The crowd snickered. Lori was visibly getting angry. Her blue eyes were glowing with fury.

"Lorelai, it's fine," Everett muttered. He then turned to face, Noah. "What don't I know?"

"Your grandma, the Evil Queen, died last night on the Isle."

Everett felt stunned. He was told she died years ago. He felt hurt, and confused.

"Oh no, Noah," Brad chuckled. "He's getting emotional. Let's get out of here before he goes crazy evil like his mom."

"Don't talk about my mom that way!" Everett suddenly snapped. The boys only laughed and turned to leave. "You don't know anything you're talking about. You are just prissy little boys who deserve nothing good from this world!"

The boys froze in their tracks. Noah suddenly strode up to him. Their faces were only inches apart. Everett swallowed nervously. "You should look in the mirror, De Vil. Perhaps you'll find the true problem with this society. Your grandmother died on that Isle because she knew where she truly belonged. If you don't believe me, ask your crazy mother, she'll be happy to explain the evilness that runs in your veins. The next time you try to insult us, remember your place, Isle trash."

Everett suddenly did the unexpected. He punched Noah straight in the nose. Noah was shocked by the blow. He clapped his hands over this nose and stumbled back. Brad helped steady him. Everett looked down at his fist in shock. He never expected himself to pull something like that. A sudden gasp got his attention. Alyssa ran over to the group.

"Noah!" she called. Alyssa took his other arm and held him upright. She looked at Everett's balled fist and widened her eyes. Everett suddenly felt very guilty.

"Alyssa I didn't mean to hu—"

"Save your lies," Alyssa hissed. "I didn't know if the rumors were true, but you just proved everything."

"Don't worry, I'll get revenge," Brad cracked his knuckles.

"Don't try it," Lorelai stepped in front of Everett. "Or I'll turn you into a toad."

"You're lucky your girlfriend is here to protect you," Brad backed away. "But this isn't over." Noah groaned, still recovering. They took him away, leaving Lori and Everett alone.

Everett felt as if the world had shatter beneath him just as his heart had. He felt his eyes become pricked with tears. His change in luck wasn't for the better. It definitely wasn't for the better. He knew nothing. He was nothing. He was born to be nothing just as Noah said.

"Ev..." Lorelai called to him, her hand on his shoulder. He shook her off.

"Did you know?" Everett turned.

"What?"

"Is that why your family came over last night? To tell my mom about the Evil Queen?"

"Yes but—"

"I can't believe you didn't tell me."

"It wasn't my place to tell. Besides, I didn't want you to get upset."

"Well, I am." Everett gathered his backpack and stormed out of the courtyard.

"Everett, wait!" Lori called again, chasing after him. She grabbed his arm. "Everett talk to me—"

"Leave me alone, Lori!" Everett snapped. "You don't have to protect me. You're not my girlfriend."

She jumped back at his abruptness. They stayed there for a moment, nothing but silence between them. Lorelai's expression softened as she released his arm. Her blue eyes became glossy as she stared at him. Everett held his ground for only one second longer before he ran out of the courtyard. He didn't look back as he got on his bike and left Auradon Prep.

Thundering clouds above him, the boy remained determined. He didn't stop peddling until he reached his house. Everett threw his bike to the ground as he ran inside the house. "Everett?" Carlos from the kitchen. "What are you doing home?"

Everett ignored his father and headed straight for his mother's shop. He slammed the door behind him so Carlos wouldn't follow. Evie jumped at the surprise. She stood up from her desk. "Everett? Did you run home? What's wrong? You look a little distraught."

"Oh," Everett said between breaths. "I look a little distraught? How would you like to find out about your grandmother's death from some Auradon kid who calls you Isle trash?"

"What? Cruella is alive," Evie took a step closer to her son.

"You know that's not who I'm talking about," Everett shook his head.

Evie was quiet for a moment. "Mal said the word wouldn't get out."

"So it's true?" Everett asked. "The Evil Queen wasn't dead this whole time?"

"She was, in a way," Evie took another step forward. "But she's been living on the Isle."

"I can't believe you lied to me," Everett shook his head. Emotions were running through him like wildfire. "This secret you pulled just ruined my life. Any chances I've head of a normal life are gone."

"Everlove, who said that—"

"It doesn't matter who said what," Everett cut her off. "You lied to me, and I was the one to take the fall."

"Don't you think this is hard for me?" Evie's voice became defensive. "She was my mother, but she didn't want me in her life. Be thankful that I didn't disown you."

"Well, maybe you should," Everett snapped. "Because everyone keeps reminded me of where I come from, where I should be, and maybe if you weren't my mother I could actually go a day without being told I have filthy blood. I could have everything I've ever imagined for myself and be happy for once in my life. "

There was a small silence. "Everlove, I was trying to protect you from her. Please understand. As your mother, it is my job to keep you safe."

"I wish you weren't my mother," Everett said in a quiet voice before he darted from the room. He ran past his dad in the kitchen and up to his room. He locked the door behind him. He would have to be quick.

Everett emptied out his backpack and started to put stuff in it. His sketchbooks, pencils, and colors all went in first. He then put in a few extra sets of clothes. He didn't know where he was going. But he knew he couldn't stay here. Perhaps Jay and Lonnie could take him in for a bit. Then, he could go to Lori's after a few days. A wave of guilt washed over him as he recalled their fight.

There was a knock on the door. "Everett?" Carlos's voice came from the hall. The knob twisted, but the door didn't budge. Everett hurried his packing. A roll of socks fell from his bag and fell to the floor. Everett moved to catch them, but he only kicked them under the bed. Quickly, Everett got down on his knees and looked under his bed for the missing socks.

Instead, he saw a glowing pink petal. He recognized it instantly. Images of the rose and beast that night six years ago flashed in Everett's mind. It wasn't a dream nor one of his imaginations. It was real. That night was real.

That was when Everett knew exactly where to go.

Everett grabbed the petal and collected his pack. His dad was still pounding on the door. "Everett, if you do not answer this door I'm going to knock it down." Everett gave one last look around his room before crawling out the window.

As he peered over the edge of the roof, Everett began to have his doubts. He looked at the bushes below him. He didn't know if he would get hurt from the fall, but it was a risk he was willing to take. Everett closed his eyes and hugged his knees to his chest as he fell down from the roof. He crashed onto the bushes and then rolled to the ground.

Everett was surprised he survived. He stood up, making sure the petal was still in his hands. Then, he ran for the forest. The clouds above him continued to roar with thunder and flashed with light. Under the shade of the forest trees, Everett couldn't feel the sprinkling rain anymore. He continued on his journey. it shouldn't be far from here. He had walked there that night.

As more rain began to fall down to the forest floor, Everett was starting to lose hope. He found the familiar clearing, but there was nothing. Nothing but dirt a wild weeds around him. He caught his breath while he searched for any petal of the rose. The beast with the glowing eyes. Anything. He paused in the middle of the clearing, only thinking of one thing.

"I wish you weren't my mother."

That was when Everett spotted something on the forest floor. It was a long, thorny, bare stem. He walked over to it curiously. When he bent to pick it up, the stem rose up into the air. Everett took a step back, bewildered. The petal in his hand suddenly slipped from his grip. It began to encircle the floating stem. Other petals began to rise and flow along the intertwining paths.

Whispers began to tickle Everett's tears. The boy watched as each glowing petal began to fly faster and faster around him. He stepped closer to the stem as it too began to glow. Lightning struck, and thunder clapped, but the whispers continued on. Everett's eyes widened as the petals came together on the stem to form the same rose Everett had seen many years ago.

When the final petal placed itself, a wave of magic bursts, sending Everett to the ground. As everything went black, Everett could hear the whispers become clear to his ears.

The rose she had offered was truly an enchanted rose

But she had seen that there was no love in his heart

For who could ever love a beast?

Face the reality in time for the last petal to fall, then the spell would be broken

If the beast could learn to love another and earn their love in return

When the final petal falls, I shall return to the ones I love

The last thing Everett remembered was a roar.