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"Because, no matter how old we get, we always need to believe in fairytales." - Kristen Ashley, Rock Chick Revolution
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Carolyn sat in their school's courtyard that next Monday afternoon, scrolling through fairytales on her phone. It was still chilly by the shore of Massachusetts, but Carolyn decidedly needed to be away from the crowd of people inside. The cold breeze was a small price to pay to avoid the cacophonous fiasco that was her high school's cafeteria.

She could faintly remember being a pure, bright-eyed three-year-old who dreamed of castles and princes. Carolyn had worn a tiara everywhere until she started school and was forced to retire it, but now that she was allowed to wear one, she couldn't feel more distant from that little girl.

How could her grandmother hide all of this away from her? Sure, she understood, especially after her last visit to Fabula, that it was for her safety, but she still felt a pang of betrayal anytime the mirror in the attic crossed her mind. For years she assumed that the hole she felt in her life was because of the absence of her parents, but now it was much more than that. An entire aspect of her being was kept from her, leaving her feeling incomplete when everyone around her seemed to be whole.

But would her life have been better if she always knew? Yes, of course it would, she thought. Would it though? Yes, hypothetically, she would have always felt complete, but her parents would still be dead and Fabula would still be dangerous.

Carolyn jumped when Eli plopped down on the bench next to her.

"Where were you all weekend? You didn't text me once."

She recoiled at his accusatory tone, wishing she had chosen a place to sit where she could avoid everyone. "Sorry about that, some stuff came up with my family—I had to be there for Gran." Carolyn wanted to tell him the truth, but she couldn't bear the thought of him walking away when he would inevitably decide that she was certifiably psychotic.

He rolled his eyes. "Come on, Care, you've been distant for two weeks now. Don't lie to me."

She had always been terrible at lying, and could hardly keep a secret from him, let alone an entire world. How was Gran able to keep this hidden for so long? Carolyn would let it slip eventually if she attempted an elaborate fib. It was better to be distant.

"I've just had a lot going on—" she could barely spit out her words before he interrupted her.

"—A lot going on with another guy?"

Carolyn scoffed at his accusation. So I give a cold shoulder for a few days and I'm labeled a cheater? Unbelievable.

"Excuse me?" She was angry now. Her body leaned away from her accuser, wanting as much distance as possible.

He clicked his tongue, grabbing her hand. He spoke in a tone that reminded Carolyn of a parent talking down to a child, "Look, I don't wanna assume anything."

"Then don't," she retorted bitterly, pulling her hand away from his before walking through the doors of the courtyard into the sea of people.

As the hallways cleared of students running to catch the buses home, Aura leaned against the cool cement walls outside of the theater. Her mind preoccupied, she vaguely listened to Jewel ramble on about the newest petty gossip she heard throughout the day.

Aura mumbled the obligatory mhm's and gasped in shock when necessary, but for the most part, her thoughts wandered elsewhere. Her mind took her back to the field covered in wildflowers, reliving the momentary joy at seeing her parents before the invasion of the red smoke clouded her memory. Aura struggled to accept that the heavy crowns they wore would rest on her and Carolyn's heads. Could I ever be capable of ruling a kingdom? It was still strange to her that she had to ask herself questions of that nature. Being a princess—though she still stumbled over the word—brought about a friendly sense of belonging. Someone like me could never belong on a throne, though.

Out of the corner of her eye, Aura caught sight of Jake who flashed a smile at her. A grin crept onto her face as she waved to him.

Jewel followed her gaze, a cheerful smile lining her features. Crap. Jewel. Aura felt a pang of guilt for tuning out her friend, but she couldn't be bothered by trivial high school drama right now.

"Hey, Jake!" Jewel called to him, beckoning him over with her perfectly manicured hand.

"Hey," he replied warily, releasing his grip on the handle of the auditorium's door and walking to them.

"I didn't see you at the party after the lacrosse game on Friday." Her voice remained bubbly, but her disappointed brown eyes didn't go unnoticed.

"Yeah..." he started. Aura could tell he was uncomfortable with the topic. "That's not really my scene anymore."

Aura smiled to herself, almost relieved to hear his response. Carolyn had always tried to convince her to go out, but she much preferred to stay in and watch the latest teen drama show.

"Did you take the AP Euro test yet?" Jewel asked, seemingly grasping at straws to keep the conversation afloat.

"Yeah, I probably bombed it," he said with a small smile.

She playfully nudged his shoulder and giggled. "Oh my gosh, me too," Jewel blurted out.

Aura was still propped against the wall silently, her wide eyes examining her flirtatious friend. It wasn't odd for Jewel to be like that around guys, but Aura was taken aback at her sudden interest in Jake.

Jake kept glancing back at her as Jewel rambled on about the class, trying to maintain his attention. He took on Aura's role of mumbling the obligatory mhm's, but his face showed just how uninterested he really was. His eyes were almost apologetic as he looked at Aura, searching for a way out of the conversation.

Jake's sea-green irises had a calming effect on her, momentarily bringing her mind back to Earth. He almost made her forget about the traumatic events that had occurred on Fabula only a few short days ago that now haunted her. Almost.

Hello lovelies!
A short little chapter with a whole lotta drama.

Question of the day: What show have you been binging? We need recommendations!

Until next chapter!
♡ Melody & Rebekah ♡