I apologize. I kinda forgot to update this story. Please forgive me.

Fair warning: this is another long chapter. With what I'm writing so far, that is more going to be the rule than the exception. Hope you lovely readers won't mind.

Enjoy! And feedback is always welcome!

Usual disclaimer: I do not own Winx Club or the cover of this story.

Book I - Chapter IX: Death By Stella And Her Stupid Dresses

Updated: 13/11/22

"Bloom, are you alright?" Flora sank down beside me on my bed, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "You have barely uttered a word since returning."

I sighed, wrapping my arms tighter around my pillow. "Yeah…"

"If it is the ball you are worried about…" Flora sighed. "It wouldn't be the same without you, but if you think it is too much then do not let anyone pressure you into going."

"It is not that…" Kiko meowed, giving me a headbutt from his spot between my arms and head. I pressed a kiss on top of his head in return. "It's just…"

I sighed again, closing my eyes to drown Flora's halo out. I wanted to tell her the truth, that my head was still screwed on wrong after what Barbatea had told me, that everything I had believed was somehow false. But I couldn't. I had sworn I would never tell a soul. And I couldn't very well explain that I had just discovered I was the actual lost princess of Domino, not to mention that a character of a cartoon proved to be real and me. Did that make sense? No, but then again nothing made sense anymore.

"I'm just tired."

"The first week is always the hardest. We are all dead on our feet, but with what you had to go through…" Flora's grip tightened on my shoulder. "If you want, I can stay here with you. I don't care much for balls anyway. We can put on a movie, get some snacks from the kitchens and just do nothing, go to bed when we like. I can even make some tea to help us sleep."

"Thanks, Flora." I smiled warmly at her, the offer alone meaning the world to me. "But I think Stella would murder us if we skipped. Especially after all the trouble she went through to get you girls "better" dresses." Which was also the reason behind my haste earlier to get out of the dorm, resulting in me forgetting my phone and earbuds.

"Yeah, she probably would…" Flora's brows furrowed together worriedly. "Still, you shouldn't be forced into anything, least of all facing a room full of magical creatures when you are already struggling through a normal day. Stella will understand that. She has seen what a simple school day does to you." She gestured around. "You haven't even gotten around to furnishing your room, and you were so excited about that."

I cast a sullen glance around us. I had given Flora permission to do anything with it that she liked, and that was why there was an actual tree growing and flowering in the middle of our room, creating somewhat of a border between her side and mine. She had also added different planks on the walls, both to put her plants on and to give Kiko a place run around on, to sleep, and even to hide away. Since I didn't care much for equal space, Flora had gotten two large wooden wardrobes with swirls of flowers embedded in them: one for her and one for me. They were pushed against the wall in the middle of the room, hers a little closer to the door and mine a little closer to the balcony. Being the considerate person she was, she had also arranged for two folding screens which were perched beside the wardrobes.

Her side of the room was cosy, alive, with a fun duvet cover, wooden nightstands, low bookcases that followed the curve of her platform with a desk smooched in between, and plants covering every bare space. Mine was as bare as the day I had arrived, causing a pang of regret to shoot through me whenever I gazed at it. "I should never have left Earth…"

"Hey." Flora plucked a strand of hair out my face, smiling reassuringly. "Don't pout. It can easily be fixed. We will see to it tomorrow, first thing in the morning," she promised. I tried to smile back. "And don't second guess yourself. I know it is hard and that you are struggling, but it will get better. I promise."

She opened her arms in open invitation and I sat up, giving in to the need to be comforted. My sight blurred as I held onto Flora. She rubbed my back and soothed me. "Yes, it will get better, until the Trix discover I am the Keeper of the Dragon's Flame, that I am the lost princess of Domino. Then all hell is going to break lose."

I wanted to tell her so badly. About everything Barbatea had told me, about my life before waking up as Bloom, about my dreams and auras, even about my "grandmother". I just wanted to share it with someone, to get it off my chest. It was like I was drowning in secrets and lies, treading to keep a float while the water ever rose higher. And I had only learned the truth that afternoon. "How am I ever going to keep this up throughout my entire time at Alfea? Maybe I should go back to Earth…"

"Why are you two still not ready?" Stella appeared in the door opening, dressed in a silken bathrobe but with perfectly styled hair. She marched to us, perching her hands on her hips and glaring unimpressed at the two of us. "Hello! Perfection takes time! Your hair should have been finished by now!"

"Stella," chided Flora sternly. "Can't you see she is exhausted?"

"Of course, I can see that. Only a blind person wouldn't notice." Stella stuck her nose in the air. "Don't worry. I have some experience in that department. No one will notice those shadows when I am done with you, Bloom."

Flora rose to her feet, mimicking her stance and perching her hands on her hips. "Stella."

"What?" Her eyes narrowed. "Don't you start as well. Musa and Tecna already gave me the rundown how irresponsible it would be to send her downstairs to face a crowd of magical creatures. I will tell you what I told them: this will be good for her. It'll be like taking a plunge into ice-cold water: it gets better after the initial shock."

"The chance she will faint before even making it in the ballroom is 76.4 percent," shouted Tecna from her dorm.

Stella made a noise that almost sounded like a growl and twisted around. "That means shit!"

"Stella."

Stella turned back to Flora, shaking her head stubbornly. "I want my girls – all of my girls – around me when we officially kick off the new year. Without Bloom I wouldn't even be standing here. I would be lying dead in a ditch on Earth. She needs to be there." Her gaze switched to me, her eyes softening. "I need you there, Bloom. If you are not going, I might as well skip it too." My heart clenched at the desperate look in her eyes.

"Ofelia will kill us if we bring her in unconscious again." Musa joined us in our room. "I am shocked she didn't after the Magix incident."

Stella scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. Ofelia is a healer. She would never commit murder."

"Actually, she asked whether I had a death wish after I woke up." I crossed my legs, petting Kiko when he quickly climbed into my lap. "And that if I had, she could easily give me a hand. It would save us both a lot of time and trouble."

"She said that?" Musa snorted when I nodded. "You didn't tell us that."

"It slipped my mind." I shrugged before smiling warmly at her. "You look amazing, Musa. You will have to beat off the guys with a stick."

Musa was wearing a red choker dress with cap sleeves, a bodice decorated with red embroidery that was only noticeable when the light fell in a particular way on it. It fit her like a glove, though fell loser around her legs. It even had a split.

How Stella had gotten it done, I had no idea, but she had managed to get Musa's short hair up in a single bun on the back of her head and then finished it with two lose locks curling and framing her face.

I hadn't seen Musa look this posh before.

"Thanks, Bloom." Musa's cheeks flushed as red as her dress. "Just wait until you see Tecna. You will barely recognize her."

"Well, what can I say?" gloated Stella. "I am a miracle worker."

Musa rolled her eyes. "Way to be humble, Stella."

"Don't you two start again," came Tecna's protest before Stella could react to that. "I had to sit through nearly two hours of your bickering. I am staying here with Bloom and Flora if you start again."

"Wow!" Flora and I echoed at the same time when Tecna too joined us. "Tecna!"

While Musa looked posh, Tecna looked like a million bucks and more feminine that I thought she could look. She was dressed in something that was a mix between a dress and a jumpsuit. She was wearing trousers, but a long skirt fell down at her right leg, and the top part had one long sleeve while the other arm and shoulder were completely bare. She was even showing some midriff due to a piece of fabric missing halfway. It was perfect for her, giving her the illusion of having more curves that she actually had. And to top it off, Stella had put gentle waves in Tecna's brightly coloured hair and given her two dark heels that made her long legs stand-out.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Tecna gazed doubtfully at us, clearly not understanding our enthusiasm. "All my data claims that this is not suitable attire for a ball."

"Don't you dare put anything else on," I instantly protested. "Tecna, you are making me question my sexuality and I am as straight as they come."

"What Bloom means –" Flora quickly came to my aid as Tecna's cheeks coloured at my confession. "– is that you look absolutely amazing, Tecna. I wouldn't worry too much about it not being proper attire."

"Besides, there really isn't a description of "proper" ball attire," added Stella, dismissing the notion with a wave of her hand. "As long as you don't show up in lingerie."

"Why would anyone attend a ball in lingerie?" wondered Tecna with a deep frown. "That would simply be highly inappropriate."

Stella twirled a lock of hair around her finger. "Some people would do about anything to be in the centre of the attention."

Musa snorted. "Like you?" Stella glared in response.

"Girls," protested Flora with a deep sigh. "Come on. This is supposed to be a fun evening. Tomorrow you can bicker to your heart's content."

Stella shot Musa a last glare before feigning innocence. "I wasn't starting anything. There is no time for that. Our guests arrive in exactly one hour and if we want to make Bloom look even remotely presentable, we will need all the magic in the universe and then some."

I let out a deep sigh. "Stella –" She instantly glared at me, crossing her arms and silently daring me to finish that sentence. "– you heard Tecna. The chance I will faint…"

"What happened to the girl who claimed she would not spend the next four years locked up in Alfea?" interrupted Stella, perching her hands on her hips again. "Who suggested we all go to Magix and eat out despite almost fainting an hour earlier? No, not suggested: insisted."

"She got off her medication," I retorted with an unimpressed look. "And let me spare you the indignity of stepping so low and call me a hypocrite. I already know I am."

"Oh, come on, Bloom!" Stella pouted over her folded hands. "Do you want me to beg? I will. I will go on my knees and beg, if that is what it takes."

I crossed my arms. "Why do you want me to come so badly? Musa and Tecna will join you, Bran- I mean, Sky will be anxiously waiting for your arrival and probably sweep you right off your feet. Why do I need to be there?"

Stella pouted, still staring pleadingly at me. "Because I want you to be there. Because I would miss you if you didn't come."

I made a choking sound, her words like a punch to the stomach. "Miss me?"

No one ever missed me at balls or social gatherings. I was just the entertainment for the dirty old men who liked to get close and friendly with a girl old enough to be their granddaughter. My mother certainly spared me no glance after repeating her usual expectations and threats shortly before entering. No one saw when I slipped out of the room and hid in the bathroom to have a quiet breakdown. No one cared when I returned with my eyes red and puffy.

"Of course I would miss you. We all would. Don't be ridiculous and think otherwise." Stella's stance relaxed. "We either all go, or none of us." She smiled sheepishly. "And this is me hoping you will say you will come. If not, then all my hard work will have been for nothing. I poured everything I had into Tecna and Musa's appearances."

I was still choking on air, my eyes so full of tears that I could only make out faint outlines. "Oh, sweetie." Flora naturally noticed that I was about to cry and sat down beside me again, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "What's the matter?"

I just shook my head, focussing on breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth and blinking rapidly to will the tears back. I wanted to deny anything was the matter but my voice had miraculously disappeared.

"I will even take ten minutes," continued Stella in another desperate attempt to convince me to come. "If you think after ten minutes that it is too much and you want to go back upstairs, I will let you go without so much as a complaint. Just try."

"Stella, you can't bride her," snapped Musa moodily, gesturing to me. "Can't you see she really doesn't want to go? Stop being such a terror and accept it." Stella's eyes flashed angrily, her lips parting to snap something back.

I rubbed the remnants of the tears out of my eyes, before taking in a deep breath. "I will go."

Instantly the whole thing was forgotten and Stella turned to me with the brightest smile I had ever seen on her face. "Really?"

"Yes." I felt sick just by thinking I would have to face an entire room full of halos and auras. Not even Barbatea's tea would get me through it without having to face them. "I can't promise you it will work, but I am willing to try."

Stella twirled, her bathrobe almost slipping open due the movement. "Yay!"

Flora eyed me worriedly, grasping both my shoulders. "Bloom…"

"The least I can do is try." I tried to shrug it off, pretend it wasn't a big deal. "Besides, the upside to me fainting will be a decent night's sleep."

Stella's mood instantly sobered and she scowled unpleasantly at me. "That isn't even remotely funny."

I shrugged, ignoring her comment all together. "I hope you have a back-up dress that will fit me, because I don't have one."

The grin my blonde friend suddenly wore was rather terrifying. "Oh, I can do you one better." And with that she skipped out of the room.

I turned to the other three girls. "Should I be worried?"

"It is Stella." Musa rolled her eyes. "Of course you should be."

"Here we are." Stella skipped back into the room, a mannequin flying after her. She set it down before my nose and grinned. "Ta-da."

"You cannot be serious." I gaped at the dress on the mannequin with barely hidden disgust. "Stella, I will look like a bloody cake-topper."

"Bloom, out of the two of us, who is the one with a sense of fashion?" She arched a daring eyebrow at me. "You will look stunning."

"It is pink!" I protested, the sight alone made me want to vomit. She could say all she liked but I never looked stunning in a pink dress. "I am not wearing a pink dress!"

Stella's hands landed on her hips again. "Why not?" I pointed to my hair, giving her my finest "duh" look. "Redheads can wear pink. Just not every shade."

"Don't care. I am not wearing that dress."

Stella was in the middle of glaring when a thoughtful look suddenly crossed her face. She turned from me to the dress and then back.

"Oh, oh." Musa grimaced. "Now you are in for it, Bloom."

A scream was lodged in my throat when Stella abruptly snapped her fingers. I was sure I would find myself in said dress. Instead, the dress changed colour, from its original pink to a soft blue-greyish.

She turned back to me, with a bright smile. "Better?"

I arched an eyebrow. "Will it stay that colour?" I had a sudden flashback to the final scene of Sleeping Beauty. "Make it blue. No, make it pink."

Stella huffed. "I am offended you would ask such a thing. Of course it will stay that colour."

My shoulders slumped as I let out a deep sigh. "Alright…"

I had barely uttered the word or she was pulling me on my feet and out of the room. Kiko protested loudly when he fell off my lap. "Let's get you ready then!"

Despite her claim that perfection took time, she managed to make me "presentable" in less than half an hour. The shadows under my eyes took up the most time, but the rest of the make-up – some foundation, eyeshadow and lip-gloss – were done in a snap of the fingers, though luckily not literally. I would have second guessed my decision to come if Stella had even made an attempt to use magic to get my make-up done, the sunburn incident still very clear in my mind.

Flora offered to do my hair, braiding my hair the crown-braid that Stella insisted on. Apparently, it would make me look like a queen. I tried not to show how uncomfortable those words made me, but I suspected both had caught up on it. Still, they didn't ask.

Flora herself proved to be an even easier job for Stella and I hadn't even gotten the chance to slip into my dress by the time she was done and emerged out of Stella's room.

When I finally put on the dress and stared at my reflection, I had a déjà vu to waking up and finding myself in Bloom's– ugh, my body. That was going to take some time getting used to.

"This cannot be me."

The dress was an A-line gown with high neck, long sleeves and a plunging back. What I hadn't noticed on the mannequin, was that there was a colour gradient: the sleeves and bodice were a paler shade of light blue than the bottom part. Hell, the upper part seemed more white than blue while the skirt was definitely blue-greyish. That colour was not created by the actual fabric, but by the sequins that decorated it.

I gently turned, observing the bare back that ran all the way to the sides. I wasn't wearing a bra, but with how the dress hugged my body, I didn't need one. They were supported and hidden away. The mesh pattern on the bodice and sleeves even gave the illusion that I wasn't packing as much as I actually was.

"Oh, Bloom!" gasped Flora. I twirled around to face her. She was standing beside the tree with her hands clasped in front of her mouth. "You look beautiful!"

"Of course, she looks beautiful!" snapped Stella's voice from somewhere in our dorm. "I picked it out! She couldn't look anything but beautiful!"

I smiled at the tanned girl in front of me, ignoring Stella's outburst. "You do too, Flora."

She was wearing an A-line bubble-gum pink dress with little flowers spread all over it. Her back was bare as well, though it was not as plunging as mine, and she had little cap-sleeves. The colour suited her perfectly, enhancing her stunning tan, and her hair was braided into a fish-tail braid that fell over her shoulder. I had never thought anyone could look that stunning in bubble-gum pink.

"Don't tell Stella," whispered the floral fairy as she took a stand beside me to gaze into the mirror Stella had conjured into our room. "I like this one better than the one I had picked myself."

"My lips are sealed," I promised, zipping my mouth close. Flora giggled. "Though, I can't help but feel all of this will be for nothing if I won't even make it to the ballroom."

"We will safe them for another time," promised Flora, wrapping an arm around mine and leaning against my shoulder. "I am sure this won't be our last ball."

"Except you forget one thing," I sniggered. Flora blinked confused. "Stella would never let us wear the same outfit twice."

"Damn straight I wouldn't!"

"That is Ms. Antha, the headmistress of the Beta University." The girls and I were clustered around Stella, huddled in a corner of Alfea's gigantic ballroom and shamelessly watching the guests arrive while Stella filled us in on who was who and what their background was. "She and Ms. Griffin go way back and were students of the Ancestresses."

"Surely that is nothing but a rumour." Flora shot the regal woman who glided into the ballroom a doubtful glance. "If she was in league with them, then the council would never have allowed her to become headmistress, would they?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Flora. Of course they would, as long as the person in question would beg for forgiveness." Stella played with a strand of her hair. "Besides, I know for a fact that Ms. Griffin was a student of the Ancestresses. I even heard she and Valtor were lovers."

A shudder ran down my spine at the thought, but I quickly pushed it aside. "Where are the other teachers?" I wondered. Only Ms. Antha was leading the group of young women and while she was a sight itself, it was rather odd. "Ms. Griffin arrived with her entire staff."

"She only ever comes alone," explained Stella. "The other teachers refuse to attend these parties. Most of the students as well. This isn't even half of their students. I am not sure why, but you won't hear me complain. They have a bad reputation for a reason, best to stay clear of them." She let out a little gasp when Ms. Antha and her girls spread through the room and more guests poured into it to greet Faragonda. "Oh, there are the boys from the Malacoy Academy. Keep your eyes open. One of their teachers is sex on legs."

"Stella," Flora and I protested rather appalled.

"What?" She grinned sheepishly. "Don't be so prudish. A girl is allowed to look."

I shook my head disapprovingly. "You know on Earth there is nothing more cliché than a student having a crush on a teacher."

"Well, wait with your judgement until you see him," snapped Stella back haughtily. I rolled my eyes in response. "Oh, there he is! The one in the white suit is professor Avalon." I choked on the sip of champagne I had just taken, Flora instantly slapped me on the back. "Isn't he something?"

While I had never truly understood the appeal of Avalon in the cartoon, I had to admit that in reality he was rather handsome. He was tall and lean, his dark hair curled into an elegant braid that fell half over his shoulder. Despite Barbatea's tea still blocking the auras, I just knew that he lived and breathed kindness, helpfulness.

And that was where the attraction ended. Avalon was as smooth as an eel, not a hint of masculine gruffness to be found. His cheekbones were sleek and almost feminine, and there was not a trace of shadow to be found on his chin.

Stella let out a dreamy sigh beside me. "I wish he would come and teach us. They say his lessons are one of a kind."

"Stella." I wrinkled my nose. She would get her wish in about a year or so. "You cannot be serious."

She arched a perfect eyebrow at me. "Are you denying he is good-looking?"

"I don't think anyone could." I crossed my arms in front of my chest. "But anyone with eyes in their head can see we are not the gender he is interested in." She blinked, making me huff. "Stella, he is gay."

"What?!" Stella shrieked so loudly that multiple gazes snapped to us. "How… Why… You can't…"

"Hey, I don't care whether he likes men or women," I shrugged as she stumbled over her own words. "He is still handsome and probably a fantastic teacher, but I am just pointing it out. To save you any disappointment in the future."

"You can't know for sure he is…" She choked.

"Gay, Stella." I shot her an unimpressed look. "Just say it. It's not like it is infectious or anything. He simply likes men."

"I know what the word means!" Stella's arms flew through the air. "But you can't know for sure that he is!"

"My gaydar is going off like crazy and it is hardly ever wrong."

Stella scoffed with a deep frown. "What in Arcadia's name is a gaydar?"

"Gaydar," repeated Tecna, who was gazing at a light in her open palm. "The supposed ability to recognize someone with a same sex preference by means of very slight indications."

I peeked over her shoulder and saw nothing but ones and zeroes in the light. "You can read that?"

"Of course. It is the first language anyone on Zenith learns." Tecna closed her hand. "I am still struggling with the universal language, which is something we only learn much later in live."

"Wow…"

Stella stomped her foot. "That still doesn't mean Avalon is gay!"

"I think Bloom might be on to something." Naturally Musa agreed with my observation. She and Stella always seemed to have clashing opinions. "He does look way too feminine to like women…"

Stella glared and I rolled my eyes at how childish she was acting. "On Earth we have this saying: all the good-looking ones are either taken or gay. I think that will certainly apply to Avalon. Either he is married – which I don't believe he is since there is no ring on his finger – or he swings for the same team."

"That doesn't change anything about the man himself, Stella," added Flora gently. "Whether he loves a man or a woman, he is still an excellent teacher."

"You forget Solaria is still a little old-fashioned in that department, Flora," snorted Musa. "Same sex marriages aren't even allowed there, just registered partnership."

"The term marriage has long been defined as the union between a man and a woman as a means to reproduce." I suppressed the urge to slap a hand against my forehead at Tecna's helpful words. "I see no reason why some realms still stick to that."

"Can we agree to disagree on this matter?" I cut in before the conversation got out of hand and our fragile friendship dissolved into nothing. Flora and Musa certainly seemed to be upset that Tecna and Stella were reacting so badly to my statement on Avalon's sexuality. "Who is the old man with the beard that practically touches the floor, Stella?"

Stella shot me a tiny smile before focussing back on our guests. "That is professor Caedmon, he is the headmaster of the Malacoy Academy."

My eyebrows almost disappeared into my hair as I observed the man bow low for Faragonda and kiss her hand. Our headmistress giggled like a shy girl in response. "He is remarkably agile for a man his age," I remarked as he jumped back up without a problem, or even a grimace.

"Oh, just wait until you see him on the dance floor," chuckled Stella. "I had the pleasure last year and I could barely keep up, and he is well over the two-hundred."

A dance between another princess and a duke – one with a badly glued toupee by the name of Weasel Town – jumped to mind. "Like the chicken with the face of a monkey." I let out a bark of laughter at the comparison, pressing a hand to my mouth when it caught the attention of the ones surrounding us.

"What?" The girls eyed me curiously, eagerly.

I shook my head, hiccupping with laughter. "Inside joke. I will fill you in another time."

Caedmon and his entourage lingered near Faragonda a whole lot longer than Ms. Antha had. His students stood a bit awkwardly behind him, waiting for him to move on. Eventually when that didn't happen, the other teachers – including Avalon – moved away. The students eagerly smiled at the gathered students, joining little groups of them.

Stella pointed some of the teachers out, giving their names and which subjects they taught. Musa wondered – just as I had – what the difference really was between a wizard and a paladin, which started a whole new debate. This time led by Tecna.

I was sniggering, listening only half, when a new wave of energy rippled into the ballroom and crashed straight into me. I gasped, unconsciously taking a step back. Flora instantly grasped my elbow and steadied me, eyeing me worriedly.

I gave her a tense smile, my eyes lingering on the entry. I didn't have to wait long until the source of the energy made its appearance. They were all male, their halos like a slap in my face. They were as formally dressed as the paladins, in slick suits, but rather than the smiles, they wore smug grins and carried themselves with a superiority, walking with a swagger, that was oddly familiar, but one I couldn't place. I had seen it before, but where?

"Let me guess –" I arched an eyebrow at Stella. "– the Gamera University for wizards has arrived?"

"Well seen, Bloom." Stella stood on her toes to gaze over the heads before us. Now that the ballroom was filling itself, our view on the newcomers was somewhat blocked. "Now mind you, the guys at Gamera are extremely cocky. Not without reason. Gamera doesn't do applications. Instead they scout the Magic Dimension for the most talented wizards and invite them to the school. They only teach the finest. Honestly, Riven would fit right in with his attitude." I rolled my eyes at her snide remark.

"That explains the halos," I grumbled, rubbing my forehead and gazing away from the newcomers. "They are giving me a bloody migraine."

Flora grasped my shoulder, steadying me as another wave of dizziness slammed over me. "You are doing really well, Bloom. I am proud of you."

"See?" I crooked an eye open to glance at Stella, who was sounding entirely too confident. "What did I tell you? This will be good for her."

"If I wake up tomorrow with a migraine, you will be in charge of cleaning up the vomit."

She grimaced, disgust practically dripping from her face. "Absolutely not!"

"Don't worry about that." Flora smiled warmly. "My little sister has a lot of migraines as well. I know exactly what to do and what not."

"Hey Stella." Musa elbowed the princess to get her attention. "Who is the cute guy at the front? He looks a little young to be a teacher, let alone a headmaster."

"That is professor Rune and he is most definitely their headmaster." I sneaked a peek, finding Faragonda now conversing, somewhat tensely, with the man at the front of the group. "He only took over from the old one a handful of years back. He is really powerful and ambitious, which is of course why he got the job. But the other headmasters and -mistresses weren't too happy with his age. They say he is not experienced enough to be in charge of the school. That he made some drastic changes to the curriculum in his first weeks as headmaster, they didn't appreciate much either."

I frowned, narrowing my eyes as I took in the halo surrounding headmaster Rune. There was something off about it, something I couldn't quite pinpoint. As I watched, deaf to whatever Stella was telling us more about Gamera and its headmaster, Rune turned to Barbatea and shot her a sleek smile. She was not impressed, giving him a stoic glance – the epitome of a resting bitch face – in return.

"His aura is a lot darker than the others." It was out of my mouth the moment I compared his halo to Barbatea's.

"What?" echoed the girls at the same time.

"What do you mean with darker?" wondered Tecna. "As in dark magic?"

"No… Or I think not." I frowned, trying to truly figure it out. "It is bright around the edges, just like everyone else's, but the closer it comes to him the more smudged it is. It's like his halo is lying over another one which is a lot darker." I chewed my lip. "Like he is trying to camouflage it…"

"Hmm…" Tecna followed my gaze. "I don't see it."

Stella murmured quietly. "I think I do… Even the edges aren't as bright as they should be. I get why you described it as smudged."

"But you don't think he is into dark magic, do you?" gasped Flora worriedly. "He is a headmaster."

"One way to be sure. If I can get close enough, I should be able to get a good reading on him."

"I don't think that is wise, Tecna." Musa was shaking her head at her roommate. "If he catches you…"

"I'm with Musa on this on." We all turned to gape at Stella. "What?" She stuck her nose in the air. "Last time we dived straight into something, we were nearly killed by a bunch of witches pumped full on dark magic. I don't know about you girls, but I rather not experience that draining thing again." Flora, Tecna and Musa all shuddered at the memory.

But Tecna wasn't one to just give up. "I don't know. If he is using dark magic and trying to cover it up, by the law of the magic council we are forced to act on it, to report it. We have that duty."

"We are only first years," I reminded her. "Not to mention that the word of a girl who only just started seeing power auras is not much to go on. If it is his word against mine, I think I will know who they will believe."

"Yes, and let's not forget that if Bloom can see it, surely someone else can as well?" added Flora, who was fidgeting with her dress.

"Not if Bloom's powers give her the ability to see power auras clearer." Stella was eyeing Rune with some hesitation. "And the only one who is as powerful as Bloom is currently locked up in the Omega Dimension."

I snorted at the thought of the magic council defrosting Valtor just to ask him to confirm or debunk my observation. "Yeah, somehow I don't think he will be the most trustworthy person to ask for a second opinion on the matter."

Musa stifled her laughter behind her hand. "Can you imagine that? The most powerful sorcerer in the universe, the man the entire Magic Dimension still fears, being asked to describe a headmaster's power aura in front of the magic council?"

Stella's lips curled up. "I would pay money to see that. No, scratch that. I would pay good money to just see the reaction on his face when they ask that of him."

We huddled together, trying to smother our laughter at the ridiculousness of the idea. We failed if the dirty glares we got from surrounding students were anything to go on.

"Finally!" Stella declared after we had gotten ourselves under control. "I thought they would never show up!"

With all the schools gathered, the last guests to arrive could only be those from Red Fountain. Three men were leading them: a tall man with long salt-and-pepper hair who was using something of a staff to walk; a younger handsome man with a dark beard, dark hair and some impressive muscles, and a tall lanky one who I would have mistaken for Timmy if I hadn't already met him.

Faragonda's smile brightened at the sight of the man with the staff and they practically fell into each other's arms, embracing tightly and exchanging rapid words. All pleasant if their grins were anything to go on.

"That is headmaster Saladin," informed Stella us. "He and Faragonda became headmaster and headmistress about the same time. From what I have heard, they were also part of the Company of Light along with Ms. Griffin. But that has never been confirmed, just something that goes around."

I turned to Stella, arching an eyebrow and asking, despite knowing the answer: "What is the Company of Light?"

"It was a force of the greatest and most powerful magical creatures in the universe. They fought against the darkness of the Ancestresses." I just arched an eyebrow and she rolled her eyes a bit dramatically. "Well, I am not explaining that now. This is a party. You will have to ask Ms. Barbatea during one of your history lessons." She threw her hair over her shoulder, I sputtered as some of them landed in my face. "Continuing… The buffy man beside him is Codatorta. If that man ever leaves, they might as well close the school. He basically teaches everything. Except anything involving technology, that is Cyrus' job. He is the lanky man at the front."

"That can't be the entire staff," protested Flora, gazing doubtfully at the young men who entered. There seemed no end to them. "They have more students than Alfea and we have six teachers."

"No, this is it. Alright, Ms. Orchid is missing but she only teaches the theoretical stuff." Stella shrugged. "The laws, customs and history of the realms. You know, the boring things. They value that pretty highly, though. The warriors of Red Fountain are welcome everywhere, and wanted at that."

I chewed my lip. "I am entitled to agree with Flora. I mean, I still can't believe more than two-hundred students are taught by only six teachers. If we would have even more students and less teachers…" I shook my head. "Well, let's just say that I wouldn't send my child to a school like that."

"Well, it is how Red Fountain works," shrugged Stella, clearly not sharing my objections. "Red Fountain is also big on the whole role model thing. They expect their older students to help out with the younger ones. The freshmen are all appointed to a sophomore, who helps them to become a team and rely on one another. I guess you can call them the leaders."

That was news to me. "Who is the leader in Sky's group?" I wondered with a frown. "I thought you said they were all sophomores."

"They are. Their leader left Red Fountain shortly before the start of the new year. They have yet to get appointed a new one." She turned to us with a bright smile. "You know, it was a really big scandal when he left. He is Saladin's nephew, and he decided to choose an art school at the other side of the dimension over his uncle's school. Everyone is still wondering what transpired between him and Saladin that he ran all that way just to get away from him."

"Maybe being a warrior wasn't for him," I suggested, feeling the need to defend Helia despite not having met the guy yet. "And he loved art more."

"Yeah, as if." Stella scoffed. "Be realistic, Bloom. If that was the case, he could have chosen a school a little closer to Magix."

I just rolled my eyes. "Not everything is always a scandal, Stella."

She ignored me, rather tiptoed again to glance over the heads. "I don't see Sky and the boys anywhere."

I glanced down at her feet, a bit sceptically. "How are you even able to do that in those heels?"

She ignored me again. "Oh, if he decided to skip…" She made a gesture and I temporarily feared for the man's safety. If he wouldn't show, Stella would probably track him down to skin him alive.

"Hello, ladies." A wizard made his way up to us, grinning smugly. I flinched at the sight of his halo. Damn, that was a bright one. He bowed to my blonde friend. "Princess Stella."

She barely even inclined her head, allowing her eyes to run over him. She had one terrifying resting bitch face. Even Icy's glare couldn't be as cold as hers. "I believe I remember you. Avius, wasn't it?"

"You remember correctly, milady." He straightened with a grin that made me roll my eyes. Ego-centric jerk. "Might I inquire after one of your lovely friends?" I arched an eyebrow when his eyes landed on me.

"Of course, you might." I chuckled as Stella placed – not too subtly – a hand on Musa's shoulder. "This is Musa. Beside her is Tecna. The stunning girl in pink is Flora. And this –" She wrapped an arm around my shoulders and practically glared. "– is my best friend Bloom."

If Avius was taken aback by her response or the threat that she was silently adding, he didn't show it. Instead, he bent at the waist again. "It is a pleasure to meet all of you." As he straightened, he grasped my hand and raised it to his lips. My eyebrows shot up as he kissed the back of it. Smooth, but a little creepy, not to mention old-fashioned. "Ms. Bloom, may I be so bold as to request a dance of you?"

I narrowed my eyes, carefully observing him. "Ugh, he is one confident asshole. And powerful. Not too bad looking either…" A smile tugged at my lips. "Why not?" I pretended not to notice the look Stella shot me. "It is a ball after all."

Flora smiled proudly and Musa gave me the thumbs up as I allowed Avius to lead me away from the girls and to the dancefloor.

Avius proved to be as cocky as he looked, inquiring straight after my powers and heritage, before wondering how I managed to befriend the heir to his realm's throne. Only to proceed to talk solely about himself the rest of the dance.

The next wizard who asked for my time, cutting in when Avius was leading me through a second dance, was exactly the same. The three after that as well.

And by the time they were arguing with one another – the continuous flow of men cutting in to ask for a dance – I was trying to come up with a good but somewhat polite excuse to brush them all off. I was also praying someone decent would cut in and save me from these cocky bastards. The paladins were clearly not as bold to straight up cut in and ask for a dance, instead I found several staring wishfully from the sides.

"I could pretend to faint." I was starting to consider it after Avius made another appearance but was dismissed by my current partner. "That would certainly ge…"

"May I cut in?"

The wizard I was currently dancing with – was his name Eleazar or was that the guy before him? – glared instantly at who dared to cut in. I would do too, if I had not recognized the voice.

"Sky!" I smiled brightly at the blonde man.

Prince Sky of Eraklyon – the real one currently going by the name of Brandon – didn't even correct me. He just smiled like he had won the lottery. "Hello, Bloom. It is good to see you again."

I didn't even give my current partner a choice, just pulled my hands out of his grasp and put them in Sky's outstretched ones. The wizard shot him a final glare before marching off with a dramatic flair that even Stella could learn a thing or two from.

I couldn't help myself and rested my head against his shoulder, breathing out in relief. "Oh, thank you! You are a life saver!"

"Well, you did look like you were in need of saving," chuckled the man in question. "I would have stepped in earlier if Stella hadn't held me back."

"She did?" I shot a glare into my friends' direction the next time we twirled. Stella was smiling back innocently, hanging on the fake Sky's arm. Flora, Musa and Riven were engrossed in a conversation with a group of paladins, and Tecna and Timmy were seated some distance away from them with their heads bent together. Judging by their excited grins, I wouldn't understand a word of what they were saying. "Of course, she did. You should have seen the glare she shot me when I accepted the first dance offer." I laughed when he abruptly twirled me before pulling me back in his arms. "Smooth. Very smooth."

"Why, thank you." This time he dipped me. "I'd try."

"I am impressed," I told him when he put me back on my feet. "And you are already much better company than all my other partners."

Fake Brandon eyed me curiously. "Why not decline?"

"I was hoping someone would come along and actually prove himself to be interesting." I tried to shrug, as far as that was possible while dancing, with a chuckle. "But alas, only the arrogant ones dared to step up and demand a dance. And when I say demand, I actually mean demand. They didn't ask. Just stated they would cut in."

"Yeah, that are wizards for you." Brandon shot a dark glance over my head towards a group of wizards I had noticed lingering near the floor's edge. "Especially the ones from Gamera."

"I noticed." I let out a small sigh. "Such a shame. Power isn't all as cracked up as they think it is."

Brandon dipped me again, ripping another laugh out of my throat. "Yeah, Stella told me." This time there was worry on his face when he straightened me again. "How are you holding up?"

"Like I am about ready to blow my brains out." Brandon tripped over his own feet and stumbled. He caught himself before we both ended up on the floor, staring in utter horror at me. "Not literally." I corrected quickly, chuckling sheepishly. "Sorry, Earth thing."

He let out a deep breath. "That- that is good to hear. I was worried there for a moment."

I shot him a tiny smile, suppressing the gnawing annoyance that instantly reared its ugly head. "Honestly, I still have half a mind to pack my bags and return to Earth, to my relatively normal and certainly peaceful life. There I didn't have to worry about auras and classes, and being overwhelmed by magic. Only about waking up on time, possibly about what I wanted to do with my life."

Brandon slowed down a little. "Do you really think that that is an option, with everything you now know exists?"

"No," I admitted with a deep sigh. "But a girl can dream of a peaceful life, can't she?"

Brandon nodded, staring absently over my head towards- something. "I think we all want peaceful."

"I am sure you do." I chewed on my lip. "I bet being a prince is really tiresome…"

Someone coughed and I clenched my teeth. "Oh, for the love of…" I choked as I saw who had cut in this time. "Ms. Griselda!"

"Terribly sorry to cut in." She pushed her glasses higher on her nose, clearly not minding at all. "Bloom, headmistress Faragonda would like a moment of your time."

I blinked, Brandon and I both coming to a stand-still at her words. "Okay…"

"This way." And with that Griselda was marching away through the couples.

"Sorry," I mouthed to Brandon – he smiled and nodded – before hurrying after her.

Faragonda was sitting with the other headmasters and headmistresses on a floating sitting area just a little away from the orchestra. They were laughing when Griselda led me to them, Caedmon standing in the middle and telling some far-fetched tale that the others seemed to consider funny. A sudden hush fell over them when I took a stand beside Griselda, and I gulped at the gazes that instantly snapped my way.

"Bloom!" Faragonda's chair landed on the floor and she stood with a radiant smile. "I am glad to see you made it!"

"Stella wouldn't let me skip." I folded my hands together, trying to smile. "I am not sure how much longer I can keep this up, but at least I gave it a try."

"Thank you, Griselda." The head of discipline gave a firm nod and then left. Faragonda placed an arm around my shoulders, smiling warmly. "Come. There are some people who are eager to meet you."

"Allow me, my dear." I tensed when Rune jumped to his feet with a grin that sent unpleasant chills down my spine. With a wave of his hand, a new chair appeared in the circle. I shot him a tense smile in return, my eyes falling to the stone around his neck that temporarily glowed. "Ah!" He laughed, the hair on the back of my neck stood straight up. "I see you noticed my diopside."

"I don't mean to be disrespectful…" I started hesitantly. "But what exactly is that?"

"The magic flowing through the veins of paladins and wizards is a bit more unstable than that in their female counterparts." I smiled gratefully at Caedmon, who had taken his own seat and was bouncing happily in it. He really was agile for a man his age. "We need staffs or magical crystals to channel it. If not, things tend to go- well, haywire."

"Really?" I gently sat down. "Fascinating. I don't recall Valtor wearing such a trinket in the cartoon…"

"A girl from Earth with an aura like that." Ms. Antha scowled at me, her eyes narrowed. "I'm entitled to agree with your professor Selim, Faragonda: the notion is ridiculous. Clearly the girl was born somewhere in the dimension but ended up on that forsaken planet by some unfortunate accident."

"Don't be so quick to jump to conclusion, Antha," scolded Griffin her harshly. The glares they shot one another told me there was little love between the two, despite their history. If what Stella had told me weren't just rumours, of course. "If what Faragonda told us is true, then she was but a baby when she ended up on Earth. And a missing baby would have been all over the news."

"Please." Faragonda raised her hands. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves." The bickering stopped. "Thank you." I glanced up at Alfea's headmistress when she placed a hand on my shoulder, finding her smiling reassuringly down at me. "Bloom, I would like you to meet the other headmasters and headmistresses of the magical schools here in Magix." I bowed my head respectfully as she introduced each and every one, suppressing the urge to reach out to them and shake their hands. "As you might have guessed, they find you a bit of an anomality and were more than eager to meet you."

I stiffened, noticing that all five gazes were solely fixed on me again. "I guess this is what zoo animals feel like." "I fear I can't give you much answers on the matter. I am still struggling with actually having powers, let alone where they come from."

"Then how are you certain that being a fairy suits you best?" wondered Griffin, tilting her head slightly. "With an aura such as yours…"

"Why make a choice at all?" cut Antha in. I shot a frown at Ms. Faragonda, silently asking her whether I was understanding this right. She did not notice, instead gaping in shock at the two women. "I think you would be right at home at Beta Academy."

"Antha, Griffin," protested Faragonda, frowning and sounding more than a little indignant. "I hope you two are not trying to steal one of my students?"

"Of course not." Griffin smiled innocently. "Just making sure the girl knows Alfea is not her only option."

"Hmm…" I flinched when I found Caedmon suddenly in front of my face. That man was proving to be both agile and fast. And what was it with men invading my personal space? "You have the eyes of a healer, of a protector." He tapped his chin absently, thoughtfully. "Do not take this wrong, Faragonda, but even I am willing to consider offering her a position at my school." Faragonda's indignant sputter of his name said it all while I just gaped. "What…?" "An aura such as yours…" Caedmon grinned. "Oh, the wonderful things you could accomplish as a paladin, all the good things. I will be the first to admit that we do not know many female paladins. The last one was centuries ago! But still…"

"Don't listen to that old fool." I grimaced when Rune cut in. He even winked at me. Up close, his aura was even darker and more smudged than from a distance. The man made my skin itch. The sooner I could put some distance between us, the better. "You have all the potential of becoming a great and powerful wizard. And you seem like a girl who knows what she wants. I could easily help you find it."

My jaw slacked. Was he… Did they…

I blinked at their eager stares, the true meaning behind their words slowly sinking in.

They were offering me power. Fame. Trying to steal me from Faragonda. Trying to take me away from my friends.

A fury rushed through my veins. That they would dare to try and manipulate me – bribe me! – with the promises of power, simply because I had a powerful aura I found insulting. Had they not insisted on meeting me after Faragonda had shared my story with them? Had they not listened when she had explained my desire to keep others safe?

I clenched my fingers into fists, gritting my teeth and hoping my anger wasn't on full display. I was on my place here at Alfea, with Ms. Barbatea who was like me and with my friends. I wanted to do good, help others, and be one among the many rather than an anomality. That they would offer me something completely opposite, something that should play into my weaknesses rather than my strengths…

"Arcadia and I might have turned against our creators, but that didn't change what we were. As I said earlier, never underestimate the allure of power." Barbatea's words echoed hollowly through my head, strengthening my decision to turn them all down. I would not follow that path if I could help it. "I guess some things can never be truly defeated."

"No." The faces of the two headmasters and two headmistresses fell at the sharp and unbending word, Antha even flinched at the cold – the hatred – that had seeped into my voice. "I am exactly where I should be." I narrowed my eyes at them. "And if Ms. Faragonda informed you fully of my situation – as I expect she has – then you already knew this as well." I turned to the only man in the company who had not offered me a place at his school. "Am I right in assuming this, master Saladin?"

He grinned, his eyes sparkling. He was clearly enjoying this. "You are indeed, dear girl."

"Then I can only say that your offers are tasteless and disgraceful." I rose to my feet. "I will forget you ever made them and simply thank you for your time. It was an honour meeting you all. Now if I will excuse me…" I turned to Faragonda. She smiled proudly at me. I smiled back, inclining my head. "Ms. Faragonda." She nodded, the smile still reaching ear to ear. "I hope you will enjoy the rest of your evening."

I did not glance back as I walked away, my gaze focussed forward and on my friends. My face was expressionless, set in stone. I was returning there and anyone getting in the way would suffer the consequences. I swore I heard Saladin laugh loudly, but I didn't dare to glance back. First, I was terrified I would march right back and share my less civil thoughts on the matter with them. Second, what had I been thinking, dismissing some of the most powerful beings in Magix like that?

"This whole princess thing has clearly already gone to your head." I grimaced as my words echoed in my ears. "Oh, you are a bloody fool, Sybil, if you think you can put them on the spot like that without there being consequences."

"Are you alright?" Fake Brandon was the first who noticed I was making my way to them and practically ran towards me. "You looked furious."

Stella appeared beside him, worry written all over her face. "What happened? What did they want?" The others gathered around as well. I didn't answer straight away, just grabbed a glass of champagne from the nearest floating tray and downed it in one go. "Oh boy." Stella grimaced. "That's not good." She grasped my hand when I put the glass back and tried to grab another one. "None of that. Spit it out."

So I did. I told them that Faragonda had shared my story with the others, that they insisted on meeting me afterwards, the offers they had made.

"The slimy bastards." Fake Sky shook his head with a disgusted scowl. "Those power-hungry leeches. Trying to steal another school's students is illegal. The council strictly forbid it to prevent competition among the schools and blackening each other's names. I am sure Faragonda would have been furious, if not so shocked they would try such a thing." He shot me a radiant smile. "Forget about buying us that drink. We will buy you one. Way to teach them a lesson."

"I just dissed the headmasters and -mistresses of four of the magical schools in Magix." I gaped somewhat in shock at him. "I wasn't even civil about it. I am freaking out here. Stop trying to make me believe it isn't as bad as it seems."

"You did nothing wrong," assured Stella me. "If anything, you gave the most diplomatic response you could have given." I snorted at that. I would not have called my response very diplomatic. "My father would be beside himself with pride if you were his daughter."

"She is right, Bloom." Brandon placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "That was an action worthy of a princess."

"I am not a princess." The words were out of my mouth before I had thought them through, flinching as that lie sliced right through me. "Except that I apparently am. When am I going to get used to that?" "I don't even know why I said it. But their offers just…" I scratched the back of my head, causing Stella to slap my hand away and grumble to not touch her masterpiece. Like she had been the one to put it in my hair. "Just hearing them offer me that… I saw red. I am surprised I didn't completely lose it."

"But you didn't." Flora stepped forward and hugged me. "I am so proud of you, Bloom."

I turned to Stella. "Can I get that second glass now? I am shaking on my legs and I could do with some liquid courage." She handed me one in answer. "Thank you."

"You shouldn't drink too much alcohol." Tecna eyed me worriedly. "Alcohol enhances someone's powers. In your case, it would be enough to tip you over the edge."

"Yeah, and Ofelia has been doing nothing but glaring daggers at us," added Musa with a grin. "She will probably spontaneously combust if you faint on our watch."

"I am not fainting," I gritted out through my teeth. "I am just going to finish this drink, count to a hundred, and then call it a night. I feel a headache the size of a mountain coming up. I think this was enough excitement for one night."

"Of course." Brandon smiled supportively, yet the disappointment was impossible to miss. "You shouldn't overexert yourself."

Flora placed a hand on my arm. "I will go with you."

"Yeah." Musa nodded, though her eyes flickered to Riven for a moment. "You lasted longer than we expected, but you shouldn't push yourself too far. And we agreed…"

"No." I shook my head instantly. "Not up for discussion. I can get back to the dorm on my own. You girls enjoy the evening while you can." I gave them a little pout. "Though it would mean the world if I saw my friends dance the night away before I call it a night, just to be sure they are having the most wonderful time." I smiled innocently at the boys. "Is that too much to ask?"

"Of course not," laughed Sky, winking as he understood my not so hidden message. "And we can help with that." He bowed to Stella, holding out his hand. "My beautiful princess, may I have this dance?"

She giggled. "Of course, my handsome prince." But before they made their way to the dancefloor, she turned to me. "Are you sure?" She was eyeing me worriedly. "If you need m…"

"Sweep her of her feet," I ordered Sky, who thought I was serious and literally picked her up and carried her off. "That was NOT what I meant!" I called after them, barely able to get the words out due to the laughter.

"Musa." I arched an eyebrow at the grin Riven shot the girl from Melody, at the naughty twinkle in his eyes. "Shall we?" She grinned back in the same manner, placing her hand into his and then sauntering off, shooting us a big smile over her shoulder. I watched them somewhat confused. Clearly I had missed something.

"Uh…" Timmy began to stammer, turning bright red and fidgeting, while looking everywhere but at Tecna. "Uhm, do…"

"I don't dance." I slapped a hand to my forehead at Tecna's instant refusal. She wasn't even subtle about it. "She has much to learn…" "But I think I would like to return to the subject we were discussing earlier. I am eager to learn your opinion…" I tuned her out when it got too technical. They didn't notice, instead retreated to the spot I had seen them earlier in.

"I think they are rather cute," confided Flora in me as we watched them walk off.

"Oh yeah," I agreed. "I am totally shipping them."

Flora blinked confused at me. "You are what?"

"Shipping." I laughed at the blank look I got. "It means I would simply love to see them together."

Brandon cleared his throat, causing both Flora and I to turn to him. "I – uh – should probably…"

"Why don't you two finish that dance from earlier? At least you will have had one dance that you enjoyed before we call it a night," suggested Flora before he could ask a thing. She eyed me worriedly, though there was a sparkle in her eyes I didn't like. It was almost scheming. "If you feel up for it, of course."

"Flora, you don't need to come with me," I protested. "I was serious: I can find my way back."

"Maybe I want to retire as well," shot Flora back. I arched a sceptic eyebrow, not buying that. She sighed in defeat. "Alright, I don't think I would be able to dance even if I wanted to. These heels Stella forced me in are torture devices. I fear that if I take even one more step, I will break my ankle. And I meant what I said earlier: balls are not really my thing."

I eyed her, a deep frown nestled between my brows, but she seemed sincere, even her aura was clear and only caring. I had grown to love that aura of hers. It was caring along with a combination of other emotions that just made Flora who she was.

"Alright…"

Brandon held out his hand. "Shall we?"

"One dance," I warned, putting my hand into his.

"One dance," he echoed with a warm smile. "And then I will see you girls back to your dorm."

"You don't need to chaperone us," I told him as he led me back to the dance floor. "This is the 21st century."

He frowned. "Another Earth thing?"

"Of course there would be a different calendar here." I grumbled to myself, wondering yet again when I would learn. "Yes, it is another Earth thing." I let out a deep sigh. "It means that women aren't in need of a chaperone or some strong man to protect them from the terrors of the night."

"With everything I heard about your aura –" laughed Brandon. "– I barely think you would need any help I can offer against that." I smiled at that. Maybe this version of him wouldn't be too bad. "Besides, it is a rather selfish thing."

I tilted a daring eyebrow, ignoring the smile tugging at my lips. I was not flirting, simply enjoying this conversation. "Oh?"

"It would give me some peace of mind to know you two made it to your dorm without any problem." I huffed at that. Of course. I should have seen that coming. Sky babying Bloom? Nope. Sky being overprotective? Yep, that was definitely a thing here as well. "But most importantly, I would get the pleasure of spending a little more time in your company."

"Careful," I warned with a bark of laughter. "You might just make me swoon."

Brandon laughed, the adoration in his eyes as he glanced down at me making my stomach twist uncomfortably. "Something tells me that is unlikely. I don't think there is a thing in this world that can make you weak in the knees, Ms. Bloom."

I chewed on my lip, peeking over his shoulder to see what my girls were up to. Tecna and Timmy had jumped up from their spots and were facing one another, the brightest grins on their faces. Almost like they had just discovered gravity. Flora was smiling at a paladin I had seen her talk to earlier, clearly agreeing with something he was saying. Musa and Riven were practically squinched together, Riven's mouth just by her ear, and judging by how she was grinning, they were getting along just wonderfully. And then there were Stella and Fake Sky. They were slow dancing, Stella's head resting against his chest and his cheek pressed against the crown of her head. Their eyes seemed to be closed as they gently swayed to the music, unaware of their surroundings.

I smiled at the image, my heart fluttering happily, before turning to the man holding me. "Don't be so sure. I am not completely heartless."

I wasn't entirely happy with the ending. I had no idea how to end this chapter. But there it is.

The dresses of the girls are based off real fashion.

Flora's dress I based on a pink dress Elie Saab made in 2012.

Musa's dress it very loosely based on a Sheng Peng red dress out of 2018 I stumbled upon on Pinterest.

Tecna is wearing a pantsuit I also found on Pinterest. It is a deep purple/blueish piece worn by Alejandra Espinoza.

Stella's dress - and I'm a little ashamed to admit I didn't describe it in this chapter - is based on Zuhair Murad Couture Spring Collection from 2014 and it is a golden dress. If you're curious, search those words and you will easily find it.

And then Bloom's dress. Another Elie Saab dress. It was worn by Nieves Alvarez during the Cannes 2015 Film Festival.

Let me know what you guys think of this new chapter!

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