Two Worlds, Two Girls, Two Problems (book one)

Calm: Aubrey

 Peter put his warm hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Aubrey felt like she lost her voice. But she responded," Yes. As long as you are here, yes."

"Oh, lord!" Cinderella rushed toward them. She gave Aubrey a quick hug. "Aubrey! Is all your magic gone?"

Aubrey shook her head. "No. Or at least I think." She tried to hold in her weeping, but she limped into Cinderella's arms and cried. The smell of apple blossoms calmed her senses. The warmth that surrounded her body swirled around in her body, disposing of all the coldness.

"Shh, shh." Cinderella rocked Aubrey back and forth. "You're okay now. You're safe now."

It was the first time Cinderella has given her a hug that actually touched her heart. It reminded her of her mom. Thinking of her mom, Aubrey knew that her mom would've been proud. Aubrey backed away but she felt a sharp pain in her ankle and she collapsed back into her arms. "My ankle."

"I know. The magic wore off." Cinderella whispered. "But it worked well, didn't it?"

"Aubrey-" Peter started.

Cinderella shushed him," Peter! Please, be quiet!"

"No, no. It's urgent." Peter looked at Aubrey's feet. "She's fading away. And fast."

Aubrey couldn't feel her feet. She started to breath even harder. She managed to crane her head to look at her feet. She was becoming transparent. The tips of her shoes were now only outlines. The emptiness started to crawl up her legs, erasing colors before it faded.

Austin ran over to Aubrey. "Guys, I think I remember the cure."

"Go away!" Peter scowled. Even though the size difference of the two boys were majorly different, Peter didn't seem scared. A tension thundered in the air.

"No... it's okay. I know-" Aubrey wheezed. "I know he didn't mean it. After all..." she looked into Austin's emerald green eyes. "Love drives us all crazy."

Peter's eyes softened a bit. But his stern face returned. "Okay, speak." Peter crossed his arms.

"I'll try to remember it... wait. It was love! Yes, love. " Austin stammered.

Cinderella looked at Peter. "Love?"

"Yes," Austin nodded. "It is the cure."

Aubrey didn't hear the rest. Her head knocked over to the side. She caught a glimpse at Tabitha whose eyes were full of rage. Her hair was messier than ever, and her glare made Aubrey to die right on the spot. Before she could say anything, Aubrey heard the whoosh of the wind. Her stomach was left with Cinderella as Tabitha zoomed by them, picked Aubrey up and flew up to the center of the ballroom.

Tabitha pushed Aubrey down, rougher than Tabitha had ever done. She pressed a shard of glass against her throat. "You ruin everything!"

Aubrey frowned. She knew she should've been scared or terrorized like she always was. But this time, Aubrey knew her sister so well, that she was just jealous. She wasn't afraid anymore.

Tabitha pressed the shard of glass against her neck. Aubrey was pressed against the icecold tiles. The shallow breathing in her throat didn't seem to speed up.

Aubrey knew she had to say something. Because she always let Tabitha win. She never spoke up.

So she said one word that she have never dared to say in the presence of her sister," Stop."

At first, Tabitha nearly recoiled in shock, she removed the glass shard from her throat and stepped away.

"Stop this. This isn't right, Tabitha." Aubrey repeated as she heaved herself up. All though her feet were gone, she still managed to stumble over to Peter's side.

"This is not right. I know you could've done better." Aubrey leaned her head onto Peter's shoulder. "You know better."

Tabitha didn't move. The calm sunlight seeping through the windows.

The crowd went silent until Peter pulled her into an embrace. The first sign of love in between the two. Warmth filled Aubrey's heart as she returned the hug. Without meaning to, Aubrey had found her love.