On her way to Laurel, Beth was baffled. She thought that her parents were fixated on rules and the authority, and she didn't understand why.

I mean...someone has to speak about corrupt things, right? Some people have to make a change in this world. There's nothing wrong about that. Can't they look at a person more by their inner qualities instead of judge the person by arbitrary outer metrics, like their grades or how many friends they have?

Beth leaned against the airplane window and looked out into the dark. The beautiful image of Laurel City she imagined started to unravel before her eyes. The fascinating pop culture. The laughter and jokes that lit up every corner of the city. And the people that would eventually understand her aspirations.

Fortunately, Laurel did not disappoint Beth by its first impression.

As Beth stepped out of her flight, she was immediately immersed in Laurel's night. The dark sky wrapped up the whole city like a canvas made of velvet. The many lights were like diamonds on the velvet and descended stars from heaven. Up outside the airport, Beth's host parents, Nora and Owen, had been waiting for her.

Another half an hour passed before they reached home.

'Here you are! How are you today, Beth?' Nora gave Beth a warm smile as Owen helped Beth with her luggage.

'I am great! Wow. I am so impressed with the vibrant night of Laurel. I can't wait to explore more of this city!'

'Right? I think you will definitely enjoy Laurel. Also, congratulations on getting into Laurel Prep! It's quite an achievement!' Owen said.

'Need any help with the orientation? We had been hosting Laurel students for several years. If you have any questions, please just ask.' Nora immediately offered to introduce Beth to the Laurel Prep life.

'Hmmm, lemme see. How's the student life at Laurel Prep?

'Laurel Prep is an interesting place. Laurel students are very proactive, and each of them is unique in their own way. There are quite a few active clubs like innovation club, debate society, GSA, and...ah, what are you interested in, Beth?'

'Fashion! Fashion design.' Beth instinctively shouted out.

'We had a student that just graduated last year called Bianca who was interested in art stuff as well.' Owen had something to contribute to the conversation, 'I think she is currently at Lisette University's art program.'

Upon hearing Lisette University's art program, Beth gasped and felt her heart racing.

Wait? Lisette University Art? No way!

That is my secret dream. All the best artists I admired went there.

'Can you tell me more about Bianca? I wanna know more!' Beth couldn't wait but to hear more about this Bianca girl.

However, what Owen replied was out of Beth's expectations.

'Ah, we didn't talk that more now. However, there's one thing I want to mention to you. Laurel can be a very stressful place. Students work hard on everything, especially their academics and passions. But high stress leads to magical thinking.'

Magical thinking? What even is that?

Owen continued with his explanation.

'There's a rumor surrounding Laurel that students report seeing unusual colors and shapes around them, as well as boys and girls performing magic with fancy clothing. They said that those colors look like things that they have in their dreams...Bianca told us all those. I think she drew those magical girls and boys in her portfolio for universities.'

Why are you telling me that? I have been told that magic was not real since I was young. Magical girls and boys? Unusual shapes? Are you even being serious?

But wait...I can't rule out the possibility that what you said could be real.

Maybe my best course to do is to check Bianca's portfolio.

'Anyways, Beth, do you know why people tend to be religious during difficult times?' Nora interrupted Beth's thoughts.

'Because they need spiritual support?'

'Yep, that's it. Those stressed teenagers need to cling on something that makes them comfortable. Anyways...if you ever feel stressed out at Laurel Prep, just let us know!'

Though both Nora and Owen assured that they would help Beth if she ever felt stressed out, Beth could not sleep for the night. She put up a poster of Lisette University School of Art in her room, just like in her old home in the small town. An urge to know if what Owen said about magical Laurel Prep students was true emerged in her mind. Grabbing her laptop, she typed 'Bianca' 'Lisette School of Art' into her search bar. Then she pressed 'enter.'

'Bianca Knight Art' appeared on top of the page.

'Hi, my name is Bianca. I graduated from Laurel Preparatory in 2018, and now I am a freshman at Lisette School of Art studying illustration...'

Yes, that's it. Let me see what Bianca had made for her projects.

'Magical (2018)'

Huh?

Could this one be the project about that magic?

'I was once depressed, then this power came to me. I envisioned myself as my idealized self but unexpectedly transformed into that person. I was in a beautiful dress, and I had a sword to protect me. Like a mad artist, I saw everything like an oil painting floating around me.'

'Magic is real. That person made me grow as a person.'

✨

Bianca's words were so enthralling that upon reading them, Beth felt a strong wind blowing towards her, painting everything around her with rainbow colors and sparkles. The colors were flowing like liquid paints, blending into each other. There were glass shapes dancing in the colors. Bianca stood in front of her, wearing a golden tiara and long aquamarine silk dress. A breeze passed through her hair.

Bianca turned back, and Beth looked at her with surprise.

Suddenly, a repulsive force pushed Beth away. Strong blobs of colors started sprouting from the center from where Bianca is standing. Numerous hands started growing and fusing from the blobs of colors.

Don't worry; I can get rid of them. Bianca said.

A pair of golden scissors and a roll of bandage appeared out of nowhere. Bianca grabbed these two things immediately and rushed towards the color blobs. A devilish face tried to scare her away on seeing her. However, she was not afraid. She threw the bandage into the hands, trapping them inside a jungle of extended bandage roll. Then she quickly took out the scissors and cut those hands away.

The color blobs gradually died down with those hands cut off. Everything returned to their normal.

Beth stood there, dumbfounded. The girl that embodied her dreams was just standing near her and protected her from this 'catastrophe'.

I want to be like her.

✨

Laurel Prep started the next day. 7:00 AM. The alarm rang again. Beth found out that she had been sleeping with her laptop all night.

Everything about Bianca's magic was just a dream.

Anyways, it was better to focus on school for the time being.