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The Snow Ball

"Lily! What have I done?!"

"What you've done is not fail. I thought that was what you wanted." The two were in Rose's room with Julie. "Now hold still."

"I still don't understand what you're doing. Why can't I just go dressed like the other boys?"

"Because you are not one of the other boys. You're going to the Ball with the champion of both the Trial by Tale and the Circus of Talents. And we're going to make you look like you belong by his side."

"And what is Julie doing with my outfit?" The outfit he was referring to was the same one he had worn the previous night.

"Well, now that it has been cleaned Julie is making some adjustments."

"Like what?"

"Like adding a tad more purple. It was too much white. The white is good and will give Raven some color to his skin but he will be wearing black. We need to give the two of you some color. You two are the stars of the Ball!"

"What about Mia and Richard? Don't they have higher ranks?"

"Not anymore. Winning the Crown boosted Raven well into first. The two of you sandwich them in rankings. Will you stop fidgeting?"

"What are you putting on my eyelids again?"

"Nothing! Just relax and trust me. Alright?"

Rose sighed, "Fine."

"Thank-you! Julie, will you pass me the glitter?"

"Glitter?!"

"Rose! Just relax!"

The three headed downstairs. Lily wore a shimmering lily pad green dress. Her hems were decorated with blue water waves and she wore a lily in her hair. Julie's dress was periwinkle and the back of her skirts folded down behind her like swan wings. Rose had a chance to look at what Julie had done to his outfit before he put it on. She had embroidered a purple rose over his heart and added amethyst jewels as cufflinks. She also embroidered the bottom of the cloak with what looked like vines. She also seemed to have worked glitter into his cloak, which Rose thought he could have done without. He still hadn't looked at what Lily had done to his face.

The three reached the bottom of the stairs where Mia was waiting for them in a layered scarlet dress, "About time. Rose is needed. The Ball is about to begin! Hurry!" The four of them rushed into the Good Hall where the other girls were waiting. Princess Uma and Professor Anemone rushed about getting the girls into place.

"Rose! There you are. Come here to the center," Princess Uma commanded. "Mia, you'll be right over there. Lily, there. Julie, go see Professor Anemone for your spot. Hurry up! The boys will be down any moment!"

Rose and the girls quickly went where they were instructed. They then posed in glamour awaiting their princes like porcelain dolls.

The doors to the Great Hall opened and Raven lead the boys into the room dashing as ever. Each boy was clad in black in tuxedoes with colored roses pined over their hearts. Richard's was scarlet. Peter's was periwinkle. Cedric's was white. Raven's was purple. Rose turned to Lily, "How . . ."

"Shh. Just enjoy the evening, Rose."

So Rose went quiet as Raven approached, grabbed his hand, and wrapped his other hand around his waist. "Are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

The music started and while Raven led Rose around the center of the room the rest watched on at the beginning. The two boys danced around in a star to Richard, Stefan, Cedric, Adrian, then Jeffry and one by one the other boys led their princesses into the waltz with them. Soon all of the boys were leading the girls in the coordinated dance together.

Dance after dance Raven led Rose with their hands clasped, Raven's hand on Rose's waist and Rose's hand on Raven's shoulder. Dance after dance Raven stared into Rose's violet eyes. Dance after dance Rose and Raven were the spectacle of the Ball.

"You look really nice. I'm guessing Lily attacked your face?"

"Yes. How horrifying is it? All I know is that it involved glitter. Please tell me I don't look like a glittering disco ball."

Raven laughed, "You look fine. You didn't look?"

"No. I was afraid to."

There was a lull in the conversation.

"Raven, why did you ask me? You could have had any girl tonight. Why did you ask me?"

For once Raven glanced away, "I didn't want you to fail."

Rose frowned, "I was ready to fail. I don't belong here."

"You do belong here."

Rose let out a half-hearted laugh, "Not as a princess."

Raven pulled Rose closer and brought his mouth to Rose's ear and whispered, "No, but as my prince."

Rose froze and looked at Raven, "What?"

Raven flushed whiter, "Nothing."

"Raven, what did you say?"

Raven bit his bottom lip for a little bit then looked Rose in the eyes, "Rose, I think I might be falling in love with you."

The two stopped dancing and Rose fought the urge to let go of Raven entirely, "Raven, I am a boy. You are a boy."

"I don't care Rose. I can't help it. After the Trial I couldn't stop thinking of you. And you probably think I'm a freak but last night I told myself I'd tell you. I'm sorry."

"It's—it's nothing to be sorry for. But—but I just don't think I can do this. Maybe it would have been best for me to have failed."

"No. I won't let you fail and if you need a princess I'll help you. I'm sorry."

Both finished he dance flustered.

After the Ball the students headed for their rooms exhausted. Rose reached his and finally looked in the mirror and despite dancing all night he still looked fresh. And Rose had to admit Lily did a decent job.

His eyelids were covered in silver glitter and a trail of swirls curled out from the corners of his eyes. He looked majestic.

A knock at the door distracted Rose and he opened it. It was Lily and Julie who walked in giggling, "Tonight was amazing! Cedric is amazing! This school is amazing!" Lily plopped down on the bed she had abandoned earlier in the year and Julie sat down next to her. "How was it for you, Rose?"

"Fine, I suppose. A bit awkward."

"Awkward? How come awkward?"

"We're both boys, Lily."

"So? In practice it was all girls. Well, besides you." She suddenly frowned, "Rose, what did you tell him? What happened?"

"What? Nothing! Well, he did admit he loved me, which was weird."

"What did you tell him?"

"I don't remember! I panicked. It was weird."

"It's not that weird, Rose! Think back to Charlotte's classes. He always chose you. Remember after the Trial? He entered a slump because you were in a slump because of your plants!"

"You knew?"

"Well, I had an idea for a while. The other day Cedric confirmed it after I talked to you and he talked to him. I was going to ask him if he would take you instead, but he said you were taken care of. Raven was asking you. You really don't remember what you said to him?"

"I remember trying to make it clear we could be friends . . ."

"Rose! You won't even give him a chance?"

"We. Are. Both. Boys."

Lily stood up and hovered over Rose, "It. Does. Not. Matter. Why should it? Just give him a chance, okay, Rose?" Lily grabbed Julie and the two left.

Could Rose give Raven a chance? Rose thought to the times he had chosen Raven in the Blue Forest. Rose thought to the Trial when Raven got in between him and the minotaur taking the blow. Rose thought back to the first day when Raven had accidentally tossed Rose a rose.