Rowan paced back and forth, outside of the school. The teleportation pads were right in front of her.

"Its time," she thought to herself.

She kept on telling herself that, but she couldn't bring herself to step on the pad, go home, and call her friend. 

"So, you're actually going through with this?"

Rowan turned around, and say Melanie with Ciel.

"Go away, Ciel." Rowan cried out.

"He's with me. It's fine." Melanie's remark caused Rowan to give a confused look.

"You know he-"

"Yes, Rowan, I know he's homophobic, and trash, and all of that. But you made me do this." Melanie looked down, whipping her genie tail. She couldn't look at Rowan.

Ciel's human form let him walk towards Rowan, slowly.

"I want to get one thing straight," Ciel poked at Rowan's chest, "You tell your human friend, you can say bye-bye to this school. Only a few people know about your plan, but I can make sure it would spread fast."

"But-" Rowan tried to squeeze herself into Ciel's threat.

"I'm not finished!" Rowan flinched at Ciel's scream. Was he always this scary?

"Don't even think about your plan anymore, got that? I'll tell the principal, and they'll contact the Board of Realms. Even though it's not technically illegal, they could still punish you."

"You don't know anything, Ciel, so back off. I can do what I want." Rowan's voice wavered, knowing full well that Ciel would tell in a heartbeat. 

"Rowan... you can't do this..." Rowan turned to face Melanie, who was still looking at the ground. "Everybody could be in danger... I can't lose anybody..."

Melanie's little 3-year-old sister found a teleportation pad leading to Earth. She jumped in and caused a lot of damage. The government found out and exterminated her. The public never found out, but the Realms did. It was a heartbreaking experience for everybody, but especially Melanie.

"Melanie... I know what happened to you, but my friend is different."

"How do you know that?!" Melanie whipped her head up, showing her pink tears from the magic she uses. "She can betray you, Rowan! In less than a second! You could be gone, your mom could be gone, EVERYBODY COULD BE GONE, ROWAN! DO YOU EVEN CARE?"

"THIS IS MY CHOICE TO MAKE, SO IF THEY KILL ME, FINE. BUT THEY WON'T HURT YO-"

Red.

Her cheek was red. It felt warm. 

No. 

It burned.

She looked up at Ciel and saw his angry expression. 

"You don't get to say that. I'm an asshole, but I still care somewhat about you. Casey would be hurt if you died, so we can't have that."

Rowan stayed silent, letting her tears fall from the pain.

"I won't call the Board, but I will call your mom. You're coming back home." Ciel pulled out his phone and started dialing.

"No, please!" Melanie grabbed Rowan, and she suddenly collapsed to the floor, unconscious. 

"I'm sorry... but it had to be done..." Melanie whispered. She turned to Ciel.

"Thank you for telling me, Melanie." He turned away. "Hello, Ma'am?"