Melanie's POV

Graduation day.

The bane of my existence.

I could've ended things then and there—at least, part of it. But noooo, things just had to go wrong.

Let me start at the beginning.

Ever since those dreams of mine started, I also started hearing her voice. The me from the other side.

Maria.

“You're graduating today.” She'd purred as I brushed my hair that morning. “I'm proud of you. Your grades are so good.”

“I know…I can't believe that bitch got valedictorian instead of me, though.” I huffed; I'd had my speech planned since tenth grade, but Amy Wilson had to go steal it from me! How dare she!

“That's a shame. But you'll get past it.”

“I guess…”

As I fixed my hair, I wondered how none of the styles I'd tried over the years could get Alex's attention.

“He was always a frustrating boy,” Maria huffed. “He doesn't know what's good for him.”

“Ugh, I know.” I slammed my brush down. I still can't believe he's with that ugly redheaded bitch. Seriously, she's so bland and annoying. I, on the other hand, am the most charming girl around!

“It's those other fools,” Maria echoed in my head.  “They ruin everything.”

The bitterness in her voice reminded me of all she'd told me so far as I had more and more dreams; the throne situation, her love for her version of Alex, the curse…

She's right—those jerks ruin everything. My chances with Alex, my image, my parents’ trust in me…ever since they decided to dump me, people try to take their word over mine! And with my parents, they can't talk to those other adults without it being awkward, so now they don't trust me to be alone with the other kids at that stupid church they drag me to!

“But you'll take care of things this time.” I could hear a hint of a smile in her voice. “I know you will. You're different from the others.”

I stood up and began making sure my dress looked perfect as I kept talking to her.

“How many others were there?”

“Countless.” She practically whispered. “But none of them could hear me, as you can.”

“None of them? I really am special!”

“Of course you are. Both of us are.”

I felt the warmth of her magic course through my shoulders, like a massage.

“You're the most special girl in the world. Remember that, dear.”

__________________________________

Ugh, school. 

I thought about how I wouldn't miss that place; how I wouldn't have to play nice with everyone all the time just to stay on top of the food chain. And how I wouldn't have to deal with seeing them everyday.

Once I get Alex to marry me, I can get him away from those fools and then we can laugh about how he ever paid them attention in the first place!

Ugh, speaking of fools, I see Sarah sitting in her car outside. I should've known they'd invite her as a guest.

There was still a couple hours till the ceremony started, but students had to get there early for role call and all that crap. Can't she go away?

“You could make her go away,” Maria purred.

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to go threaten her, as I was almost late for the deadline. Not like the idiot would've listened, anyways.

Once all that was done, time for the ceremony rolled around; I ended up stuck with some random girl as my walking partner, but luckily she was quiet.

I spotted Alex and Rain together; Alex, even in his oversized gown, looked absolutely stunning. 

I laughed to myself when I realized something: there was an odd number of graduates, and that moron Mitch was the one person without a partner! Hah!

What a loser.

__________________________________

Lord, that ceremony was boring…for the most part.

It was raining that day, so we had everything inside; which is why I almost got away with what happened.

I felt myself glaring at Mitch, Rain, and Alex; they were all sitting together, and having such a grand time of it, too. Giggling and crap. Ugh.

I should be the one doing that with Alex, not them!

“You know,” Maria spoke up. “There's one way to handle this.”

*Oh yeah?* I replied in my head; didn't wanna look crazy to anyone else. *What do you mean?*

“There’s always a way to deal with someone. You just have to look.”

I felt her magic course through me again; my fingers twitched, as if it was begging to be let out.

“I'll help you. Just find a way.”

That's when I noticed that Mitch was lagging behind the group going up to get diplomas; he tripped over his gown and lost his shoe like the loser he is.

And that's when my gaze drifted up to the ceiling; at the gym light that was hanging on by a thread, that nobody had bothered to fix all year.

“Just a little push~” Maria purred.

And so, mentally, I focused on that thread…and pushed.