They live in the "Land of the Holy Crazy Spirits." Its name is a memory of its founding. Angels came from the heavens and created creatures that were considered mythological in the human realm. The angels were banned from the heavens for their creations, so they made this land their new home with all of the other creatures. Its proper name is the Large Realm, which is far more boring and telling. Angels aren't very good with names.

At Sleepy Brook, the school for mythological creatures, species didn't matter. Dragons were friends with giants and goblins dated centaurs, it seemed it was its own world where racism didn't exist until Aspen Acerbi showed up.

The Acerbi family snorted and sneered at anyone who was not of the same species as them, at those who were not in the same class as them, at everyone who wasn't them. They were noble in their eyes, while in everyone else's they were just a bit more wealthy and a lot ruder. But they were elves; elves are known to have a superiority complex. At least, that's what everyone convinced themselves was wrong with them.

Aspen was surprised that elves were conversing with dwarves, and vampires, and mermaids and no one thought less of them. All of the species she'd been taught were awful were now here in front of her and she didn't know what to do. She didn't have any friends. She couldn't associate with those that were different from her, that's what she was taught, and if she tried she would be disciplined. Now she was stuck and had no one to help her except for Blythe Foss.

Blythe Foss was a fairy amongst elves. It wasn't a choice, however. His parents left him on the doorstep of the Foss family when he was a baby, not old enough to remember them, and it was only the moral compass of their maid that kept them from leaving a helpless baby outside when werewolves exist in this land.

The Foss family had much the same views as the Acerbi family. It came as no surprise to anyone that they were friends. Aspen, of course, wasn't allowed near Blythe. No one was. Though he used their last name, he was not considered part of the family. He was only a charity case, and he slept in the basement. They sent him away to school on the other side of the land just so they wouldn't have to be around him.

The few times he had contact with her, Blythe could always see a potential in Aspen that she refused to see in herself because if she did she would be punished. She was adamant that anyone not an elf was wrong, that he was wrong. But her eyes showed him that didn't think the same as she'd been taught. He always caught her staring wide-eyed at his wings, multicolored and shiny. When he was happy, they glowed. She never stared in disgust, however.

Aspen saw school as a chance to learn the truth, and Blythe was willing to help her. He showed her that the mermaid choir is absolutely lovely, and that giants also have giant hearts. She learned that skeletons tell the funniest jokes, and fairies are most loyal to anyone loyal to them. He had the same quality. He spent the entire year with her, during classes, between classes, anytime possible, helping her see that elves aren't the only beautiful creatures in the Large Realm. She learned a lot from him and about him. She found his true smile contagious and his wings almost too bright when he was at his happiest. He was a fairy, but he was beautiful. She was happy to call him her best friend.

Aspen Acerbi prided herself on learning that what her family taught her about the world wasn't correct. Sure, dwarves may seem selfish when it comes to money, but they were, by far, the best at throwing parties. And vampires do get cranky when they're hungry, but they give wonderful advice. Her family may be racist, but Aspen Acerbi has learned better than that.

She wanted to help her family like Blythe helped her. But the moment she spoke about being friends with a fairy, she was struck. Maybe it was her mother, or maybe it was the maid, she couldn't tell. This wasn't the first time, but this time seemed different than all the others. Any other time she was just expressing her confusion for her family's disgust of other creatures, but now she was friends with one of them. She was, essentially, a traitor, and filth, just the creatures the Acerbis' so hated. And she wouldn't be getting off with just a slap for this.

One year she came to school with purple hair. Everyone was surprised that her parents - traditional "noblemen" that they are - would allow it, but Blythe was the only one who knew the truth.

He'd overheard their parents discussing her - not that they were trying to keep quiet, he could hear them from the basement. Her mother had told his mother that she was no longer her daughter; that there'd be no redemption for her. "If she wants to be friends with filth than she can be one. But I will not be held accountable for disgusting behavior."

He saw the smile she wore and heard the jokes that came out of her mouth, and, although she was sure to be relieved to be away from the abuse, being rejected by your family is a completely different kind of pain. A kind of pain he knew.

He wore the same smile and made the same kinds of jokes. They were the kinds of jokes that showed just enough happiness to hide the scars. Though his scars weren't physical, never physical, the Foss' left many with their words, and the Acerbis' liked to use their hands.

Their friends tried, but they didn't understand. They hid behind mostly fake grins and upbeat conversation to pretend that they were untouchable, but when they were alone together, they allowed themselves to stop pretending. No words needed to be exchanged, just the comfort of knowing the other knew what it was like; that they were there.

Some people just can't be changed.