It was the week before the Circus of Talents that Laura finally realized how much she hated social events. The Circus of Talents was the night before the Snow Ball, and the boys weren't going to ask until the actual day of the circus, leaving the girls in her school in shambles. They were constantly fretting over who was going to ask them--Beatrix was convinced it was Tedros--and what they should wear.

All of Laura's classes were now geared towards the ball. They were learning to waltz, dress properly, and act at a ball. Laura drummed her fingers on the table in front of her, Agatha seated next to her. The boys were whispering on the other side of the classroom, with occasional gestures thrown in the girls' direction.

Beatrix leaned forward to Laura. "Why do they keep pointing at you?"

Laura shrugged. "I don't know."

Sebastian stood and weaved around the desk, stopping next to Laura. He paused, fixing Beatrix with a look that made her turn pink and sit back. He knelt next to the desk, and Laura raised an eyebrow, unaware that they were supposed to be talking in class. The only people who even knew that they talked were Tedros and Agatha.

He lowered his voice, so much so that Laura leaned closer to hear him. "I heard that they are inviting former students of good to teach us about the ball. Beauty and the Beast were invited," Laura's guts chilled. "I figured you would want to know."

Laura nodded, her body numb. "Thank you."

Sebastian pressed a hand on her shoulder, before walking back across the classroom and rejoining the boys.

Her parents were coming. Maybe she could avoid them? No, she couldn't afford to skip class. She clenched her fists. There was nobody saying that she had to talk to them, or even look at them.

Agatha leaned over. "You're going to set the table on fire."

Laura looked down at the candy table, which was burning under her hand. She flattened her palms out, letting the flame disappear. She should've gone back to Neverland when she had the chance. Small thread danced at her. They were invited, and they hadn't accepted yet.

She glanced back over at Sebastian, finding him staring at her. She turned pink slightly and looked away, down at her hands. Professor Anemone stepped in, wearing an outrageous outfit of peacock feathers. Laura looked at Agatha and they both started snickering.

"Students, thank you for coming! Today we will be hearing ball stories from former alumni of the school for good. After sending many invitations out, we had a few accept. I am proud to present the king and queen of Havfrue, Eric and Ariel!"

Laura coughed in surprise, snapping her gaze to Sebastian. The students in the class immediately rose to their feet, either bowing or curtsying. Sebastian's face had gone white, and he stared at his parents in shock. He stayed glued to his seat, tucking his hands down out of sight. It's like she could feel his fear.

Laura didn't rise with the others, more for Sebastian's sake than her hatred of the king and queen. Sebastian sat frozen for a moment or two, his parents exchanging confused glances before he stood abruptly and walked out of the classroom.

Laura paused, staring at his parents, before rising and walking out after him.

She could see where he got his looks from. His red hair was the same as his mother's, and his dark blue eyes the same as his father's. She stepped out of the classroom and spotted him disappearing around the corner. She walked quickly after him.

She found Sebastian in the garden behind the castle. He was sitting on a bench in front of a stream. His head was hung in his hands and she could see his mouth moving; he was talking to himself.

She walked up behind him, leaning over the bench. "Hi."

He looked up at her briefly. "Why are you here?"

Laura shrugged, before taking a seat next to him, close enough that she could feel his presence without actually touching him. "Figured you could use the company who wasn't going to pry."

He let out a muffled thank you and Laura leaned back, watching the bony birds circle the tower. She picked at the flowers on the edge of her school uniform, waiting patiently.

The bell rang, and students were bustling around to classes. The castle was silent again before Sebastian finally spoke, startling Laura out of her thoughts.

"I don't know what I'm going to do."

Laura tilted her head towards him.

"I don't know. They are still my parents, but they hate magic, and they banish anyone with magic from the kingdom. It makes me a hypocrite, and a horrible person, but I can't get rid of it, and I don't think I want to. I don't understand what's wrong with magic. I used to think it was this terrible thing that was going to ruin the fairy tale world, but what is a story without magic?"

He glanced over at Laura, and she recognized the look immediately. The same fear and conflict she had felt years earlier.

"They are still my family, and I don't want to hate them, and I want their acceptance more than anyone else, but they drove Melody out after she made one small slip up. All she did was light a candle."

Melody. Laura's eyes narrowed. Why did she keep recognizing that name? It was like an unscratchable itch.

"I don't know what to do," He sat up, and Laura realized he was about to cry. "I don't want to leave my home."

Laura grabbed his arm, ignoring the muscles with some effort, and pulled him over, wrapping him in a hug as he shook. She gave him what she had wanted when it had happened to her. She held him as he sobbed. She had known fear and hatred.

Finally, he pulled back and wiped his face. Laura leaned back slightly.

"It took me many many years to figure this out," Laura said. "And it probably won't make sense now. You don't need acceptance from everyone. In a perfect world, everyone would, but that isn't possible, because people don't like being equal. There will always be people who think they are better or blame others for things when they aren't doing anything wrong. What I learned, is the sooner you accept yourself than everybody else's opinions fall away."

Sebastian was watching her. Laura turned and caught him looking down towards her lips. She leaned forward, about to kiss him, when there was a shout.

"Sebastian?"

Laura spun to look at his parents. She pressed a hand to his shoulder and stood. "Good luck."

~~~

Laura had decided she was going to fly for her talent. Simple and easy. The only problem was, she didn't have anything to wear for the circus. She didn't actually know if anyone was going to ask her. She crossed her arms, milling over it.

Agatha burst into the room. "I need your help."

Laura turned and looked at her. "What with?"

"I want to do it. I want to dress up for the circus, but I don't know how the groom room works."

"You think I do?" Laura asked.

"Please," Agatha begged. "Come on. We have to change."

"Fine. I'll do it, but you owe me one."