When the weekend arrived, Mena spent her time caring for Tal in the hospital ward. Caring for him helped her forget about Leo's threat.

"Toot toot!" Mena said, holding up a spoonful of pudding. "Here comes the trainbow."

Tal's dark face reddened as she put white and red stripped pudding in his face. "C'mon," he said, shaking his long locks of dark hair. "Must you treat me like a baby, Miss Shiny Teeth."

Mena giggled. "You don't like being my sweet, baby boy?"

Tal smirked. "Well you got me there."

The door to the ward creaked open and Mena heard a tiny voice. It was a member of the Lollypop Security Taskforce. His armor was candy colored with purple and green swirls and he gave Mena a salute. "Mena Willow? Your are requested by the headmaster for some urgent business."

Mena double gulped. She immediately knew what she was needed for: the play performance enhancing spell.

Mena sighed. "Well, my prince of d'aww-kness, my mushiness must come to an end. Both the pudding and the compliments."

Tal looked at her and smirked again. "I'm sure it will continue when you get back."

Mena sighed again. "IF I get back. Miserable magicaps, I'm in perilous poo poo now."

Mena was escorted by the guard all the way to the highest tower where Stellaris resided. Mena was so used to it being Gemini's abode that she expected to see his dapper wardrobe and squawky antics, but instead, Stellaris was there. She was equally dapper in her green cape and radiant blond hair, but much more serious.

"Mena," she said, sternly. "You know why you're here?"

"Yesh…" Mena lisped, gazing down at the ground. "I'm a cheater cheater pumpkin eater."

Stellaris crossed her arms. "You know, enhancing your performance in any academic or extra-carricular subject is strictly against the rules."

Mena dropped her arms like they were the anchor of the Dream Castle. "Yesh…" she said with a forlorn expression. "I know."

Stolen novel; please report.

"Considering all this chaos that's been ensuing," Stellaris remarked and started pacing. "I wouldn't be surprised if your tombroomery caused it."

"Tombroomery is right, ma'am," Mena said. "Even if my heart in the right place when I first used it-- I wanted to be alongside Prince Tal and be his sweet Julianna."

Stellaris shook her head. "We all have romantic feelings when we are young, but…"--Stellaris' face grew severe--"when we don't control ourselves, we become like Anguish the Blood Siren."

Mena's shoulders slumped.

"Your mother did anything for love," Stellaris said. "And that was her downfall."

Mena was silent but she shivered, imagining herself in Anguish's place. At last, she spoke with resolve, "Relax teach. I won't let my love get ahold of me. There's no way I'm going to be pink and mean and trying to end the goddess' dream."

Her teacher-turned-headmaster gazed at her sternly, "At least you get the picture."

"Normally," Stellaris said, pacing again. "I would have you immediately stripped of your role in this play. Cheating with spells is not tolerated in Nightdream or Sunbeam Academy."

"Yesh…" Mena said again. "I get that. I'm a Cheaty McLiar face and I shouldnt be allowed in the play."

Mena turned to go, a dejected glance on her face. "I'll go now and have a pity party with myself and Tal."

"But…" Stellaris said, reaching her glowing hand out to touch Mena. "I've recently been in contact with the Bourgebeasts. When I mentioned the Dream Ambassador was in the play, the beasts couldn't contain themselves."

"What the huh?" Mena said, turning around. She pointed to herself. "They want me in the play? Specifically me?"

Stellaris nodded. "They said it themselves that it would be a momentous occasion to have the chosen one--the savior of Autolycus and Dula performing before them."

The blood drained out of Mena's already pasty face. "They truly want me...to be Julianna?"

Stellaris nodded. "We can't argue with out hosts. Especially, If we are to gain access to their jungles and locate the first sage--whoever they may be."

Stellaris walked over to Mena, towering over her--"I will still allow you to be Julianna on one condition."

Mena had a feeling she knew what was coming. Stellaris placed her warm hands on her former pupil's shoulders. "You must perform without using Arabella's old spells. You must do it all on your own."

Mena nodded. Her face was flushed with a mixture of terror and joy. "I got it, professor!"

"Good," Stellaris beamed. "Best of luck, Mena. As they often say in performing arts, the show must go on."

As Mena left Stellaris' chamber, she touched her face. "Wowie zowie," she said to herself. "Another chance…"

But then she frowned. "Who am I kidding. I'm doomed. I can't even put on a convincing act for why I forgot my homework."