We walk into the school's library. It's gigantic, unsurprisingly, and definitely one of my favorite places in the whole school. There are less librarians than versions of the school, so other students or passing teachers are sometimes the only thing we can rely on to find a book in here without a spell. It's the same for vice-principals. The existence of a principal for the school is one of its many secrets. There is one, but no one knows who they are... Some think it's whoever created the school. Others are convinced it's a human who found out about The Other World. Anyway, there are less vice-principals than versions of our magnificent school. The only staff we never lack of is teachers. There are loads of characters without purpose after the end of their story, around 30% will decide to work here once they truly realize their tale isn't going to evolve any soon. Even if they aren't famous characters, there are thousands of loyal citizens out there who would kill for a chance to get whatever salary our teachers get. Not literally, of course, I guess... Although, some of my teachers are pretty shady now that I think about it... Heather is searching for a book and I complete homework at a table. I don't really choose levitating ones, not since Iris, from my Demon Language class, fell off one and broke both her legs. It's safer to stay on the ground, even if I can fly. Regardless, Heather and Jackie don't have telekinesis or the ability to grow wings. I spot Narbeth, walking in through the large wooden doors. All of the establishment's rooms have the same wooden doors and light coming from the wood grain indicates if they're locked or if someone's coming on the other side of it. I inadvertently hear his first mind layer and learn he's looking for Ice. My twin's best friend is the only one who knows almost everything there is to know about him, including my existence. He also understands how much my brother truly is a nerdy artsy musician. A couple of his friends know he likes reading, drawing and stuff, but they don't know he'd rather do that than get drunk at parties now and then. Only Narbeth and I know the real Ice... I can predict he's coming over here even before he does. He's not much taller than me, but enough so he can tease me about it.

     " Hey, Shorty ! " I roll my eyes and try ignoring his constantly mischievous grin.

     " What do you want, Narb ? "

     " Have you seen Ice ? "

     " Haven't seen him. "

     " Alrighty then, see you around ! " He flies off.

Well, that was a pointless conversation. And probably just an excuse to try annoying me... Heather comes back from between the numerous bookshelves.

     " Found it ! What did Narbeth want ? " She gives me her trademark look and I sigh.

For some reason, she always tries to play matchmaker and is convinced him and I would make the cutest couple ever. Something about " teasing is a clue that someone likes you " and " nicknames start relationships ".

     " He was looking for Ice, nothing else. "

     " Of course, he was... Did he ask Winnie ? "

Winnie is my twin's second best friend. She reminds me a lot of Heather. Always very happy and girly, loyal and ready to help anyone in need. She doesn't know Ice has a sister, or much about our family secrets nor the curse, but she's without a doubt the nicest person out of Ice's selection of acquaintances. There's been gossip about a love triangle between the three of them since forever, but even I'm not sure if Ice and Narbeth only like Winnie as a friend. The only thing I'm sure of is that they never would let romantic interest get in the way of their life-long friendship. Whilst my brother met Winnie in the first week we started class here, he has known Narbeth since more or less his 20th birthday. That's a 45 year-old bromance right there. An absolute record considering we're talking about Ice here.

     " I don't know if he did and I honestly don't care. "

Once we're done with our homework, we decide to head out for a walk in The Forest. The school is surrounded by a massive and impenetrable, never-ending according to legend, forest. It isn't supernatural or anything, we're still on Earth, but you can get lost very easily. Heather orders herself a cotton candy flavoured latte at the cafeteria to drink during the afternoon. Very plausible for the daughter of The Sugar Plum Fairy. " I gotta find Ice, he'll know what to do. " I look around hastily. That voice again... Now I know whoever it belongs to knows my twin, but a lot of girls know him, so that's not a great clue. " Where is he ?! "  Anyone who encountered Ice would be aware that he's a mind-reader and could read their first layer thoughts. There are two logical explanations : she's trying to get his attention or she's panicking. Narbeth lands in front of me.

     " Have you seen Winnie ?! "

     " No, I... Wait, she's over there. "

     " Thanks. "

I sigh. How could he miss her ? He supposedly has great eyesight and hearing, like his biological father. Narbeth is the son of Peter Pan. It seems weird at first, but there is way more to the story. I only know all this because I saw it in his brain before promising myself I wouldn't intrude anymore...

Wendy never lived on Earth, but in a realm similar to an Earth city called London, in The Other World. Neverland can be accessed from that realm. After the end of a tale, the characters stop aging, so Wendy could never become older without moving to Earth. Anyone who read her story knows she wanted to be a grown-up and a mother, that led to her leaving The Other World. Eventually, Peter Pan went after her, but it was too late. He never found his beloved friend, because real Earth is nothing like the kingdom he was used to. He started aging and lost his powers, became unhappy and more and more human every day... On an obscure winter evening, he got mugged while waiting at a train station and taken prisoner by a gang of outlaws. Even with his background of fighting Captain Hook and the pirates, he had lost all of his youth and strength. After a week, the gang's leader decided they'd kill him if they wouldn't get any money in exchange of his life. No one wanted to deal with the hooligans or pay to save a gloomy high school janitor. That's when a miracle happened. The day before, the well-known wizard Merlin had escaped to Earth after a fight with the Lady of the Lake. When he learnt about Peter's fate, he immediately went to the criminal hideout to help him. Merlin rescued his fellow fairy tale character and brought him back to his hotel room. Unfortunately, the muggers had already beaten up the old man to smithereens and he had given up hope on life. The enchanter couldn't bear to leave Peter Pan so depressed, especially since they were both close friends of Tinker Bell before she died tragically. The only thing he could think of to bring some happiness back to the Neverland boy was giving him a child. Maybe being a father would turn his life around. One spell later, Narbeth was born. The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up died four years later, his son became an orphan. After four other years of living in an orphanage, a curious old woman answering to the name of Morgan le Fay adopted him and they disappeared from Earth. She raised Narbeth like her own son, bringing him along in many of her travels. Today, he barely sees her anymore and rents hotel rooms or apartments of the Frozen Kingdom when he leaves school.

Heather and I walk past my twin's best friends and I hear Winnie saying.

     " Who is she ? "

I freeze on the spot. Not because I want her to know I'm her best friend's secret sister, but because I recognize her voice... She's the one I've been hearing.