Alethea is a kind-hearted girl carrying the weight of the Magic Dimension on her shoulders. Read as she tries to find her place in a world full of chaos, while she herself is anything but. Adjusting to a life filled with danger when all she wants is...
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Alethea's POV:
The idea of spending the day planning a rescue mission to Tides—and missing the first day of senior year—was definitely not what I'd imagined but here we were.
"Alright, we know we're going to Tides," I began gently, wrapping my arms around myself in thought. "The question is... how do we convince Miss Faragonda to let us go?"
"Maybe we're better off not asking," Musa suggested, biting her lip. "Because if she says no, what then?"
Musa's point seemed to resonate with the others, and Tecna nodded thoughtfully. "If we directly defy the Headmistress, it could mean suspension... or worse. But if we don't ask..."
"Then we're simply helping a friend in need," Stella chimed in with a playful grin. "Who could possibly fault us for that?" She tapped her chin, eyes sparkling. "Now, step one, darlings, is for me to call the school nurse."
"And tell her what, Stella?" Musa gave a skeptical smile as Stella headed to her closet and draped a blue scarf around her neck. "That we're all off on an emergency ski vacation?"
Stella rolled her eyes dramatically, holding up an imaginary phone. "Good morning, Nurse! Achoo! This is Stella, and I have a dreadful cold—achoo, achoo!—and a fever. I won't be in for a few days!"
Bloom shook her head, trying not to laugh, while I smiled, amused by Stella's antics. "Stella, I don't know about Solaria, but no one on Earth would buy that excuse."
Stella huffed. "It's all in the delivery! And since I'm practically a pro, I'll stay here to cover for the rest of you."
Musa gave her a knowing look. "Are you trying to back out of going to Tides with us, Stella?"
Stella's eyes softened as she shook her head. "Of course not! I'm just... worried about Solaria. I need to stay here and keep an eye on things."
I could feel the weight of her concerns, and instinctively, I reached over to wrap an arm around her. She rested her head on my shoulder, and I gave her a reassuring squeeze.
"Have you forgotten what happened with my father?" Stella's voice softened, shadowed by hurt. "He ordered his guards to arrest me... How could my own father not recognize me, no matter how I look? He must be under some kind of spell." Her fists clenched, her eyes steely. "I want to know how Countess Cassandra and that little beta girl, Chimera, got the power to turn me into a monster and take over my father's kingdom."
Aisha stepped closer, placing a hand on Stella's shoulder. "I get it, Stella. Your world's in trouble too, and you need your friends' support, just like I do."
Musa nodded, looking down for a moment. "Aisha's right. We're in this together."
"Come here, all of you," I said softly, a smile warming my face as I opened my arms. My friends came in for a comforting group hug, our spirits lifted by the closeness of our friendship. We drew strength from each other, united for whatever lay ahead.
