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"If I'm honest I have to tell you I still read fairy-tales and I like them best of all." - Audrey Hepburn
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"Good morning, class," Mr. Hoffman said in his thick Boston accent as he walked into the buzzing English classroom. After he placed his brown briefcase on his desk, he grabbed a dry erase marker and in big, bold letters he wrote 'FAIRYTALES' on the whiteboard.

Aura perked up slightly at the sight while a boy in the back of the classroom scoffed. "What are we, five?"

Mr. Hoffman, without skipping a beat, turned around and pointed the marker at the young man. "Mr. Skies, with your typical behavior, you might as well be." Laughter spread around the room as the boy rolled his eyes.

The teacher looked around the classroom and pointed at a student towards the front. "Miss Winters, how does Snow White and the Seven Dwarves end?"

The girl paused before speaking, "The princess never wakes up, Sir."

Mr. Hoffman nodded. "And what do we learn from her story?"

"That, um, we should be cautious around strangers? That being naïve can have consequences?"

Their teacher nodded contently then turned to face the entire class. "Every fairytale seems to follow the same, simple formula: hero and villain are introduced, hero goes on a quest of some variety, then they ultimately fail by either being defeated or outsmarted by the villain. They all teach us important life lessons. So, I want you all to grab one of those books on the shelf," he motioned to a large bookcase with a set of weathered, brown books, "and pick three stories to follow the exercise we just did, but more in-depth — I want at least a page per story. Don't be afraid to get creative. It'll be due on Monday, so use the rest of class wisely."

As the class began to work, Aura felt a soft tap on her shoulder. When she turned around, she was met with a pair of blue-green eyes and a kind smile she knew all too well...as did the butterflies in her stomach.

"A little dark, don't ya think?" Jake said in a low whisper to avoid the teacher's sharp gaze.

Aura raised a quizzical eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Just that the good guy never gets to win in any of these stories. It's like he's trying to make us depressed."

"I just think it's funny that no one has tried to rewrite them with a happy ending."

The pair quickly dropped their heads and pretended to write when they caught the glare of Mr. Hoffman. When he turned back to his computer Jake tapped on her shoulder again.

"So how are you feeling about the play?"

"Nervous...really nervous, actually. Especially if Casey's ankle doesn't heal in time for the show."

Jake's eyebrows knitted in confusion. "Why are you nervous? You might actually be able to perform!"

Aura tugged on her ear. "What if push comes to shove and I have to go on instead of Casey, someone who's been in theater her whole life, and everyone thinks I suck? Not to mention Casey already hates me, so imagine what'll happen if she doesn't get to play the role at all," Aura sighed. "I'm sorry, you didn't ask to be ranted to."

Jake leaned forward in his chair, twiddling his pen between his fingers. "Something that I've found is when directors cast understudies, they're just as talented as the person who gets the part. The only difference is that they haven't found their confidence yet." He gave her a wink before turning back to his work.

Soon the school day ended, and the sun began to set in the early spring evening.

A dozen dancers spun around the stage as a soaring melody filled the auditorium. Aura stood center stage dancing with the other actresses before racing to the edge of the stage. As the accompanists neared the end of the song, Aura took a deep breath to try and settle her shaking hands before belting and sustaining the last note, ending with the final drumbeat.

"And on that note, I think rehearsal is done! Aura, lovely job," their director exclaimed as she took off her cat-eye glasses. She gave Aura one final nod of approval before heading up the carpeted aisle.

Jake approached Aura with one of his butterfly-inducing smiles. "Wow that was amazing, dude!" he said, giving her a high-five.

She flashed him a small smile before she was pulled into a tight embrace by three sets of arms.

"Aren't you glad I convinced you to audition?" Carolyn said with a smug smile as she pulled away.

"Maybe," Aura said, trying to hold back a laugh.

"Girl, you did so good!" the sisters' friend, Jewel, said with her own huge smile. "My Amma has always said how much she loves your voice!" Her tan arms pulled her into another quick embrace.

"I'm surprised you couldn't see my smile from the lighting booth!" Bailey exclaimed.

"Wow, Aura, I honestly didn't think you had it in you," a voice called out, disembodied from a girl who made her way toward the group, bringing the clanking of metal crutches with her.

"Thank you, Casey, that means a lot coming from you," Aura said with a genuine smile.

Casey Williams had been in the spotlight even before she could do a simple kick-ball-change. It was to nobody's surprise that she was cast as the title role of Anastasia; however, due to an unfortunate incident at the rock-climbing gym in the next town over, she was left with a bulky medical boot and a pair of thick crutches.

Casey rolled her brown eyes. "I didn't come over here to compliment you. We all know full well that when I recover, I'm going to take my role back. You're just a lousy stand-in so the rest of the cast can practice with an actual person. The second I get my boot off you can kiss Anastasia goodbye."

"Oh don't act like such a blight," Bailey snapped, crossing her arms. "Immature jealousy isn't doing anything to help you."

Casey's head snapped to look at Bailey. "Did I ask for your input, Queen Elizabeth? No, I don't think so."

"Okay, that's enough!" Carolyn exclaimed. "If I were you, I'd worry more about your ankle instead of a role you're not gonna get back."

Casey went silent before a smirk lined her lips. "You know what, you're right." She turned to Aura. "You're a much better fit for Anastasia. You play the role of an orphan every day, it'll be a lot more believable."

Carolyn stepped forward, her hands balled into fists and her face flushed in rage. Before she could take a swing, Jake stepped in front of her, his athletic frame towering over Casey.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he yelled.

Aura tentatively placed a hand on his arm. "Jake, it's okay—"

Jake carefully brushed off her touch. "No." He pointed a finger at Casey. "What the hell gives you the right to say that? Because you lost a role in a high school show because of your poor judgment?"

"C'mon Casey, let's go sit down. You're not supposed to be standing for long periods of time," Jewel interjected as she gestured to the seats below. As she helped Casey down the stairs, she shot her three friends an apologetic look and mouthed a quick sorry.

"Can't I just punch her?" Carolyn huffed, crossing her arms.

"And end up suspended? Then your grandmother would definitely kill you," Bailey said, eyeing Casey like a hawk as she crutched to the back of the theater.

Jake sighed before turning to the twins. "Are you guys okay?"

Aura shrugged. "I'll be fine," she said quietly. She motioned to her sister to follow as she made her way to the seats below.

When they grabbed their things, they gave Bailey and Jake small waves before walking to the parking lot. A familiar silver sedan was parked in the closest available spot.

Carolyn swung open the passenger side door of the Volkswagen to be greeted by her grandmother's oval-shaped face.

Silvia Addams was an older woman with short dark blonde hair that was growing more silver with each passing year. She had close-set, downturned amethyst eyes that could bring comfort to anyone with just a glance. When she saw her granddaughters' dour faces, her warm smile dropped. "You two clearly need some pizza."

They drove in tense silence until they pulled up to a quaint blue building sitting on the edge of a rocky slope that fed into a sandy beach. A neon 'open' sign lit up the front door, which chimed when the group of three entered the homely shack. A local radio station was playing on a small stereo as little kids ran back and forth from their table to the small arcade in the back corner of the restaurant.

At Carolyn's request, they settled into a cozy booth overlooking the sea. It wasn't long until the twins vented all of their troubles to their grandmother in between cheesy bites of pizza.

"I know how hard it has been for you to grow up without your parents, but I hope you realize that it makes you stronger than she will ever be."

Their grandmother's words were comforting, but it couldn't cure the pit growing in their stomachs and or fend off the buzzing thoughts flying around in their minds.

Growing up, the twins knew their family situation wasn't normal, by any means. Even as kids, they caught on quickly when all of their friends went to Daddy-Daughter dances at school or on Mommy-Daughter dates to the nail salon. Casey's comment wasn't the first time they had been ridiculed for something they couldn't control, and it probably wouldn't be the last. It didn't matter how many times they were teased, or how thick their skin had gotten, a part of their hearts always ached when they were reminded of the peculiarity of their family unit.

"Well, I have some other news that might bring smiles to those pretty faces of yours," Silvia said with a grin. "The decorations came in today!" She leaned forward in her seat. "You should have seen me trying to get that big box into the house!"

Small smiles crept onto the twins' faces.

Carolyn's eyes lit up. "Oh! That reminds me, Eli was able to clear his schedule, so he'll be able to stay for the whole party tomorrow."

Silvia leaned back and raised an eyebrow as she poked at her salad with her fork at the mention of Carolyn's significant other. "Glad to hear he freed his strenuous schedule."

"Gran don't be like that. He's a good guy!"

"I'm sure he is! If only he would have an actual conversation with me or your sister so that I could legitimize your claims."

Carolyn rolled her eyes, settling into the faded, red-cushioned seat. "He's trying, Gran, he's just a bit nervous. He knows how important you guys are to me."

Her grandmother let out a soft sigh before reaching across the table and squeezing Carolyn's hand. "Then I can't wait to see him tomorrow, especially if he will make your birthday even more special."

Hello lovelies!

Another day another chapter! I don't know about you, but the way Mr. Hoffman described fairytales was a little strange....did you catch the change? 👀

And I think we all can agree when I say that we've all known at least one Casey in our lives.

QOTD: What is your favorite fairytale?

See you in the next chapter!
♡ Melody & Rebekah ♡