ENGLISH CLASS was panning out to be her favorite class. And not just because she enjoyed reading. The more they read the class book Burning Brightly, the more she learned about Rabium Bellua. And the closer she got to understanding the real fear Obe had that night.

They were at the chapter where Maia tried to tame the Flayre in order to become powerful enough to destroy all those who were mean to her. This, Andorra already knew about, thanks to Coralia. When it was time for the class discussion about the chapter, Andorra felt well equipped enough to answer the questions.

"So, what can we learn from this chapter?" The Professor paced back and forth by the board. "What do we think is going on?"

"Well, it's obvious that she's power hungry." A student near the front said. "I think she's a fool, to be honest. What kind of fool tries to capture the Flayre?"

"I don't know, she was bullied pretty heavily. It's obvious she wanted to get back at her bullies."

The girl turned to look at Andorra, her mouth twisted. "What do you know about girls being bullied? Or wait, this is too good! Were you bullied in the human realm?" She began to laugh, and a girl beside her started to laugh as well.

"All I'm saying is that, it's not surprising she wanted the power. She didn't have any friends, she was constantly picked on, and I'm sure she was feeling a little depressed. Depression will make you do all sorts of things."

The girls began to laugh harder. "Wow. So it's true, you were bullied. Awe, does the Princess need some friends?" They turned to look at each other, then giggled into their palms. "If I find anyone looking for a friend, I'll let you know!"

"Alright, enough. Enough. Let's get back to the conversation," the professor grumbled. "If the Princess is right, and the need to defeat her bullies was strong enough to have her begging to tame the Flayre, then what do you think that says about greed? Or addiction?"

"Addiction?" Another student shot out. "What addiction?"

"The addiction to power. Greed can make a monster out of a man."

The classroom fell into a hush. Andorra could think of a man that went to this very school that was becoming a monster. She wondered if any of her classmates saw that about Anders, or if they too were becoming monsters.

And it wasn't just greed and power. If Andorra thought about it, she knew another reason why someone in Anlithamy would want the Flayre. "She's also addicted to putting her bullies below her. She wants the status of being in the higher caste. She knew that with the Flayre, she would be put on the same level as Cornomus. And as someone born into the lower caste, well, it makes sense she wanted out."

The Professor watched Andorra for a moment. "Go on," he prodded. "What else was she chasing?"

Andorra thought for a moment. If she was Maia, a girl bullied beyond repair, trying to survive in Anlithamy, what would she want?

"She wants friends. She wants people to like her, to take care of her. And she thinks that if she wins the favor of the Flayre, like Cornomus had, then people would want to be her friend. People would think of her in a favorable way, if she had that power. I mean, why else do people want to be popular, if not for the friends?"

"You're telling me, the creature that destroyed Anlithamy, wanted friends? No, that can't be it. She was evil!" A student in the back said. "She's a horror story. No way she just wanted friends."

"Okay, so she didn't just want friends. She was angry at those who had wronged her. She was angry at the world for the life she was given. But deep down, she was a girl who just wanted to be left alone, who just wanted a best friend, who just wanted to be accepted."

"What, are you like, best friends with the Rabium Bellua? Is she telling you that herself?" The girl from the front row asked, her friend stifling her giggles in her hand. "Seems like the two of you would be the best of friends, since you understand her so much."

The Professor slammed his hands on the desk. "Alright, enough. Class is dismissed. The two of you can stay behind with me to discuss your behavior."

Andorra tried not to smile, but it slipped through. It seemed that sometimes, things did work out in her favor.

As she collected her things, a classmate bumped her on the shoulder. "I liked what you had to say. Paints the Rabium Bellua in a new light, y'know?"

Another student agreed. "Yeah, you're pretty smart. I don't care what they say about humans. You guys aren't half bad!"

The elated feeling she felt from class made Andorra float back to her dorm room. Sometimes, it felt good to actually do well in class. And the other students had agreed! She was grinning by the time she entered her room.

Coralia was there too. "Hey! You look happy."

"Just had a good class is all. Hey, I didn't get the chance to see you last night. What were you up to?"

Coralia's face paled, ever so slightly. "Let me start by saying I know this is a bad idea."

Andorra's attention immediately focused on Coralia. She sat down on her bed softly, trying not to make any movement that would startle Coralia, in case something bad had happened. In case she needed help.

Coralia blew out a sigh. "Okay. So... you have to promise not to tell anyone. Like, anyone."

Andorra reached out to Coralia with her pinkie. "I promise."

Coralia stared at the pinky for a moment. Andorra, noticing the confusion, let out a laugh. "Oh, this is a pinky swear. Like, a promise that can never be broken. You wrap your pinky around mine, and then tada. Instant pinky promise."

Coralia wrapped her finger around Andorra's slowly. "But, humans don't have magic. How can the promise never be broken if you don't have magic?"

Andorra laughed again, getting more comfortable on the bed. "No, like, not magic. No magic involved. It's just like a fun kids promise. It's not that serious. Anyway, what do you need to tell me?"

Coralia bit down on her lip. "I went out on a date last night. With Hans."

Andorra met her eyes hesitantly. "A date?"

"I know, I know. We're in different castes, and it would never work, but I really like him, Andy. Like, really like him." Coralia's cheeks burned red as she looked down. "I don't know when, or why, but I just have the biggest crush on him. And I know we can't be together, but I like him. A lot."

Andorra moved from her bed to hug Coralia tightly. She pushed her face into Coralia's shoulder, tightening her hold. "You don't have to explain yourself to me, Cor. I get it."

Coralia's shoulders began to shake. "I just, I know it's stupid. We can never be together, not really. Not unless Cornomus declares us as soulmates. But I just... I think I'm falling in love with him. My stupid best friend!"

Andorra pulled back slightly. "It's okay, Cor." She rubbed Coralia's back soothingly as the redhead cried.

"It's so stupid! And so complicated! And I hate it here!"

Andorra was beginning to think that this whole caste system was designed to keep people unhappy. To keep people separated. Why else would it matter so much?

"Well, tell me about the date. It must have been an amazing date."

Coralia pulled back, wiping her tears. She gave Andorra a watery smile. "Yeah, it was amazing. Hans is amazing."

Andorra moved back to her own bed. "So, tell me then. What did you guys do?"

"Okay, well first, we went to look at flowers in the city garden, and it was a total swoon moment. We couldn't hold hands, because duh, but our fingers brushed so many times! Like he wanted to hold my hand! And then we got dinner at this super nice place, way too nice for little ol' us, and then we went stargazing! It was so romantic Andy!" Coralia flopped back on her bed, hugging her pillow to her chest, all traces of tears gone.

"That does sound romantic." Andorra pulled her own pillow into her lap. "And you were happy, I'm guessing. You also look happy."

Coralia squealed into her pillow. "Yes! Yes a thousand times over. I think I'm in love! Can you believe it? With Hans, of all people? I mean, I saw the kid in diapers. And yet..." she trailed off on a sigh. "He's so good to me."

"And you deserve someone who is good to you."

"And so do you!" Coralia sat up. "Do you think we need to start looking around for a boy for you?"

Andorra laughed out loud at the ridiculous notion. "Cor, I'm going to be marrying Anders, remember? And even if I somehow do evade that, I still can't marry anyone outside of my caste. So that leaves me... Callum. Who, by the way, has a soulmate. It's slim pickings for me."

"No, not just Callum. Clini too."

"Wait, what?" Andorra sat up straighter. "What do you mean, Clini?"

"Clini is Jezebel's brother. You know, Princess Eolande's son?"

Andorra stared at Coralia, her mouth open. She didn't know what to say for a moment. "I, no, I didn't know that. I thought he was just a guy on my Cadmus team. He's a royal? Like you? And Callum?"

Andorra couldn't picture it. Clini was so... goofy. Down to Earth. Normal. He didn't seem like Jezebel at all.

"Yeah. It's weirder to me that you didn't know. Huh. Clini is pretty cool, though. He doesn't really hang out with the others as much."

"No, because he hangs out with me! And Mar!" Which felt so strange. The other Royals, with the exception of Coralia, didn't seem to have friends outside of their small group. But Clini didn't seem to have that problem at all. "And wait, that means he's Anders' cousin! No wonder they hate each other. They have like, real actual beef."

"I didn't know you guys were that close." Coralia's voice was getting quiet. "You know, Andy. People really like you here."

Andorra blinked up at Coralia, at the change in her voice. "Yeah, I guess."

"I just, I don't want you to forget about me is all. I finally have a girl best friend."

Andorra leaped onto Coralia's bed, wrapping the girl in a hug. "Cor, don't worry! You are my best friend here. And yeah, I'll continue making friends, but you're the og."

"You promise?" Coralia hugged Andorra back, just as hard.

"Yes! I can't believe you'd even have to ask!"

"I just know when everyone finds out how awesome you are, they'll be dying to be your friend. I just don't want you to forget about me."

Andorra hugged Coralia tighter. "Never. Never ever."

"So... you and Clini?"

"Ew, gross. And never. He's not my type. And also, I heard he likes guys. So like, I'm not his type either."

Coralia laughed, pushing Andorra back playfully. "Yeah, okay. So maybe not Clini. Maybe someone else."

A knock at the door interrupted them both. Coralia looked towards the door, then shouted, "Who is it?"

"LeeLee, let me in!"

Coralia let out a little squeal. She looked at Andorra then too. "He's here. What should I do?" She had dropped her voice to a whisper.

"I think maybe you should answer the door, you goof."

Andorra watched as the red head leaped off of her bed and ran to open the door, barely containing herself as she smiled at Hans. Hans, who at least didn't forget to pretend to be normal, smiled at Andorra. "Hey, Andy."

Andorra waved. "Hey, Hans."

"Come in, come in!" Coralia yanked Hans into the bedroom, shutting the door behind him. "How was class? You must've just gotten out, right?" She sounded giddy, even to Andorra's ears, but she wasn't going to judge her friend.

Especially not if Coralia was already feeling guilty about her feelings.

Andorra excused herself, leaving her bedroom so that the two could have some privacy. It was dangerous, so dangerous, but Coralia had looked so happy. And Andorra wasn't going to rain on her parade.