My fairy godmother shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose.
Huh, people do that a lot.
“Listen! I am not your fairy godmother. Do I look old to you?” She waved her hand up and down her body.
“No, you look great! Cinderella just happened to have an old fairy godmother. I do have to ask, though, where is your wand?” I walked closer and padded around her body. She raised an eyebrow and watched me circle her.
“My name is Starla, and I amnotyour fairy godmother. I don’t even have wings.”
“Cinderella’s fairy godmother didn’t have wings,” I stated.
Starla huffed and crossed her arms. “Then, how do you know she was a fairy?” Starla said frustratedly and rubbed her eyebrow. “Ugh, anyway. I am here to get you to the ball.”
I stood in front of her and stared at her blankly.
She had to get in here through magic, and she was going to get me to the ball. Who in the heck was she?
“Fine, I’m your fairy godmother.” Starla sighed, looking defeated.
“I knew it!” I squealed, jumping up again, and Simon froze, this time not falling but standing in place. “Crumbs and cheese, sorry, Simon.”
I was terrible at being his ‘person’.
But, as the excitement grew in my chest, I knew what I was about to do was wrong. I couldn’t just go to the ball. Melina and Osirus said they couldn’t take me and had done a lot for me.
Sure, I get in trouble sometimes: climb out of the treehouse when I’m not supposed to, climb out of a tower, maybe sneak some extra cupcakes, but this seemed like a really big deal. Besides, when I get there…they could just send me back to my room.
“What’s going on in that brain of yours, Calliope?” Starla’s face softened considerably more from how it was before. Her knuckles ran down my cheek, and I turned away.
See, she is my fairy godmother. She knows my name!
“I can’t go. Uncle Osirus and Aunt Melina said they couldn’t take me. My mom and dad don’t want me to go either.”
Starla hummed and pushed my pink, curled hair behind my back.
“Yeah, well, I have it on higher authority that you should be there.” She nodded, agreeing with herself. “From a goddess that believes you are more than ready to be the woman you should be. It’s time for you to grow up.”
My lips parted and my confidence bloomed.
I’d wanted nothing more than to be told I was big enough to do something on my own. As much as I loved my family, I wanted to make decisions for myself.
“Really?” I whispered.
Starla nodded. “Yes and think of those words that your uncle and aunt told you. What did they keep saying when they left you in here?”
I certainly remembered before they closed the door to my room: ’We are sorry we cannot take you to the ball.’
I looked up into Starla’s eyes. “They said they couldn’t take me. But they didn’t say they would stop me?” I pondered, and my mood lightened.
Starla laughed and walked toward my closet. “That’s right. Now, let’s use some of that fae logic and get you to the ball.”
“And my parents?” I tilted my head and walked with her.
“For once, be selfish, Calliope. Kelsey and Birch want the best for you, little one.” Starla turned to me, putting both hands on my shoulders. “But what Kelsey wants is to protect you from everything and everyone. It’s okay to fall and scratch your knee. It’s okay to feel pain and sadness. She cannot hold you in a bubble forever.” Her finger trailed down my cheek. “The time is now.”
I bit my lip and slowly nodded.
I didn’t think about not having anyone to break my fall, not having someone there to help me when I fell. Would I have someone there to pick me up? I didn’t want to do it completely alone, but I also didn’t want to live in a bubble either.
