AN: Hey, everyone. Before we continue on with this chapter, I've got something I wish to say.

Are you in the mood to read a great Mario fanfiction that isn't written by yours truly? Well, you're in luck, because not only are my fans loyal, they are amazing, talented writers. Allow me to take the next few minutes to recommend some works by them.

Shards of Love by Hip Neptune. An amazing work with fantastic world building, an intriguing plot, and great characters (some of which are the Koopalings). Would recommend in a heartbeat.

Astral Leviathan by Samantha Nuttly. A great narrative flow and awesome portrayal of the Koopalings. Her head canon is very interesting and would love to see more of it. Go check it out and review please.

Waluigi's Wish by Faithful41. This fic was what got me interested in the Waluigi x Rosalina ship. Great details, fun character interactions, and a very nice plot; I love everything about this story. Please give it a try.

And, finally, The Crimson Clad Hero by Amethyst Goldenwind. I would be remiss if I didn't recommend something of hers as she is my best friend on this site. And Crimson Clad Hero is AWESOME! I love everything about it from the presentation to the twists and turns the plot takes to the horror aspects. I would definitely read it if I were you. Just beware it is rated M.

Anyway, that's all I have to say. Let's get on with the show!

Chapter 4 Tightrope

Celia stared up at her ceiling, at the bumpy texture that would make Koopa skin look smooth by comparison. Her covers held her in a warm embrace, providing her with a heat that was more than welcomed. The room was quiet, peacefully still. Her breathing rate was also peaceful. There were very few things that would cause her lungs any distress.

Yes, it was quite calm. The only problem, the only red dot that prevented this dress from being pearly white, were Celia's thoughts. They were running wild, like lions let out of their cages in a zoo. And like lions, they scared the girl. They made her feel like she was just minutes away from a catastrophe.

All of this talk about dreams and ambitions from the Koopalings. It did not bring her comfort. It did not give her closure. It did not inspire her. It just scared her. It just made her feel...weak.

So yes, maybe there was some truth to what Wendy had said after that God awful tennis match. She was terrified; beyond terrified. She was scared of moving forward. Let's say that life is like a tightrope. The longer you walk on the tightrope, the farther you get, the less safe it becomes to go back. When you're in the middle of the tightrope is when everything is strongest; your fears, your worries, your nerves. Not to mention external factors, like the wind and the eyes of the people watching you, don't help much. So, when you are in the middle of the tightrope of life, things get really dangerous. You're more likely to stumble. You're more likely to fall.

That's what Celia was scared of. She did not want to put herself on the tightrope. Sure, people always say that it is good to have a goal. But she knew, she knew that once she set her sights on that goal, everything would collapse in on itself. Her life, her relationships, her self esteem. If she set her sights on a big goal, life would tell her that she needs to aim her sights lower, and everything would turn to crap. If her life up to this point was any indication…

She might as well not even try to do something big.

"Celia, supper!"

Celia sighed and pulled the covers back. She made her way out into the dining room, clicking her tongue as she did so. Her mother, Ruby, and her father, Singe sat at the table, and a pizza was set dead in the center. This caused Celia to breathe a sigh of relief. The last thing she wanted to do after this long, tiring day was eat her Mom's cooking. It was so bad that it made dumpster diving look like a healthy, tasty alternative.

Celia took a seat at the head of the table. Ruby and Singe smiled at her, looking like this was the first time they had seen their daughter in years. Celia sighed and took a piece of pizza. Singe and Ruby did the same thing.

"So," said Singe as he ate away at his cheesy slice. "How was your day, Cee?"

Celia shrugged. "Okay, I guess."

"Well that's good. Okay is better than not okay." Singe laughed before taking another bite. He wiped his mouth with his mechanical arm, which probably wasn't the best decision all things considered. Regardless, he wiped the sauce onto his hand and took another bite. "Did you enjoy work?"

Celia snickered. Work. Oh boy, work. "You mean the place where I have to deal with bad customers? Suuure."

Ruby snorted, nearly joking on her pizza in the process. "Did that chargin chuck guy you told us about come in again?"

"Yep," Celia said, creating a popping sound with her lips when she said the last letter. "He's…" she shook her head. "I hate him."

"Oh, don't say that," Singe said. He set his slice down. "You don't hate him, you just...find him difficult." His eyes twinkled. "And honestly, difficult people are probably the best types of people. Being put in the same room as someone who is unlovable can teach you to be loving."

Celia raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like a paradox."

Singe shrugged. "It's true." He chuckled. "I mean, when you consider that I learned love from my parents…."

Celia laughed. "Oh, ha ha ha! Yeah, your parents are...something else."

Singe giggled. "Yeah. But ultimately, I think being born into that family was a blessing. I mean, I wouldn't have learned to love your mother with everything I've got if I wasn't shown what not to do."

Celia smirked. While still a weird way of looking at things, she supposed it was starting to make sense now. Just…a little bit.

"Anyway," said Ruby. "How were your classes with Iggy?"

Celia seized up. She tried to speak, but her lips wouldn't move. She directed her eyes down toward her pizza, which she just now noticed was starting to get cold.

"Celia?" Ruby asked.

Celia picked up her slice and bit into it. "They're cancelled."

Singe and Ruby's eyes grew wide. "WHAT?" they asked in unison.

"Yeah." Celia's heart sank, but whether it was because of anger or sadness, she couldn't tell.

"Why are they cancelled?" Singe asked.

Celia shook her head. "Because…" she seized up again, realizing that there was nothing in the rulebook that said she had to tell her parents the reason. "Iggy is busy with other things."

Ruby blinked. "Really? I mean, with the fact that he no longer has kidnapping duties hanging over his head, I would think…"

"He's a scientist, Mom. He has things he wants to do with his life."

Ruby nodded. "Oh. I guess that makes sense." She turned toward Singe. "Still, it's weird that he would cancel this so suddenly."

"Yeah," said Singe. "I mean, he was making money teaching her." He turned toward Celia. And you were working so well with him!"

"Yeah." Celia took another bite. "It's odd."

Singe and Ruby exchanged a look, one that looked concerned. "Celia," Ruby said. "You do know that we can't just let you go without being educated anymore, right?"

Celia slowed down with her chewing. "Where are you going with this?"

"Well," said Singe, "we know you don't like this option but...with Iggy cancelling the classes...we might have to send you to an actual high school."

Celia spit out her food and gasped. "NO! I can't do that!"

Ruby shook her head. "I know it's not ideal, but you have told me on multiple occasions that you want an education. I think that an actual high school can help."

"Yeah," said Singe. "Besides, you'll have access to all sorts of great classes. Writing, math, science, art…"

"Plus, you'll have a career counselor. They'll be able to help you figure out what to do with your life."

Celia lowered her head. A career counselor… oh boy.

"I don't...want to go to a high school. They wouldn't accept me there."

Her human mother and her Koopa father gave her sympathetic looks. "People change Celia," said Ruby. "Maybe the people who bullied you in kindergarten have become better people."

"Yeah," said Singe. "Plus, high school will allow you to make friends outside of the Koopalings."

Celia stared at the table, limply holding her pizza and taking deep breaths. "I thought...I thought that Iggy was really my only option considering a ran away from home when I was..."

"That's what we thought too," said Ruby. "However..." she smiled. "The high school in Mushroom Village is starting a program to help people struggling in academics.

"Yeah," said Singe. "They can help you catch up with all the stuff you missed. They can get you the help and support you need."

Celia felt tears growing in her eyes. She didn't want this. This was the last thing she wanted.

"I don't..I...

It's just something to consider," said Ruby. "We aren't saying you have to do it."

"Yeah. I mean, it would be difficult seeing how you have a job during the week."

Celia nodded. "Yeah." She laid her hands flat on the table. "I'm not going to high school. I'll talk to Iggy tomorrow. I'll find a way to make him uncancel the classes."

Ruby and Singe nodded. The family ate their pizza in silence, giving Celia some time to think. If she wanted to keep her tightrope as sturdy as possible, she needed to prevent this from happening.