“I was talking to Gilly!” the RLW snaps. Then she smiles at me. “So about the slippers. Can you put in a call for me? Because I really need them ASAP.”
Everyone is talking over one other. Maxine is jumping around in the background trying to reach me, but I’m distracted. I never got attention like this at home. Father was disappointed in my thieving, and I was always in trouble. But if sales are as good as this girl and Felix says they are, he must be thrilled. I know I am. I’ve never had so many people calling my name before, let alone cheering me on. It feels good to be appreciated. I hold my hand up in solidarity and they go nuts. Holy gingerbread. This is cool.
“Gilly!” Maxine tries yelling, but I am sure whatever she has to tell me can wait.
“I’m back, buckos!” hollers Blackbeard, and everyone runs to their seats. “We’re going to have to cut class early so let’s get this duel started. Have ye lasses thought about what I said?” Blackbeard goes to his wheel and gives it a little spin. “So many buccaneers could have spared their lives if they’d just hashed things out without a weapon. Do ye two want to do the same?”
“No,” Jocelyn and I say at the same time, and my classmates get excited. I side-eye Maxine. She’s too busy talking to Ollie to look at me. Geez, are my friends going to pay attention to my duel?
“Very well, let the dueling begin. Crew, be still.” I don’t understand what he means ’til Blackbeard points his compass at the back of the room and bam! The desks and fish tanks have been moved to the corners of the room—ship…whatever. In their place is a large, flat deck perfect for fencing. “I assume ye both have dueled before?”
“I’m the best fencer on my sister’s fencing team,” Jocelyn brags.
“Ah, I forgot to mention that.” Blackbeard slaps his thigh. “Harlow’s out as coach and this buckaroo is in.” Jocelyn’s eyes look like they’re going to bulge out of her head. “Tryouts for ye fencing club be soon!”
“I am so making the team,” I boast to Blackbeard. “The Evil Queen isn’t here to hold me back.” Jocelyn’s nostrils flare. I’m enjoying getting a rise out of her. My classmates are applauding, and a warm feeling is spreading through my chest.
“You’ll totally make the team, Gilly!” someone yells.
“The only sword you’ve ever used is a fire poker, Cobbler,” Jocelyn snaps. “You think that purple stripe in your hair is a curse? Just wait ’til you slip up. Your school will get destroyed while you’re busy stroking your own ego.” The class is cheering so loudly that I can barely hear her.
“What did you say?” I move closer, but Blackbeard hands us our swords.
I feel the weight of the steel in my hand. It’s not like I haven’t used a sword before. My dagger saved Princess Snow. I’m sure I can manage a proper fight with a sword. I’ve wanted to be a fencer forever.
“Now take three paces away from each other, and when I give the command, ye will have five minutes on my clock to duel,” Blackbeard explains. “Winner gets… What are ye even fighting over?”
I feel my hatred sear. “I want Jocelyn put in the dungeon where she belongs.” The class cheers.
“I want Cobbler to keep her peasant nose out of my business.” Jocelyn’s black cape billows out behind her in a wind that appears out of nowhere.
Blackbeard scratches his beard. “Blimey! I’m not sure I can have anyone locked away or keep ye apart, but we’ll come up with something. A little time in the dungeons might suffice. Now walk—and keep it clean, poppets!”
Jocelyn and I turn away from each other as the class cheers us on. I walk three paces and wait ’til I hear Blackbeard give the command. As I do, Ollie bolts for the door and leaves without telling our professor.
“Duel!” Blackbeard commands.
I don’t turn at first. I glance Jocelyn’s way out of the corner of my eye with my head down (a great thief technique) so that she can’t see me looking. I wait a second, hoping Jocelyn charges and I can jump out of her way, but she’s gone. Where’d she go?
Boom!
Jocelyn appears in front of me with glowing eyes. Within seconds, my body flies backward, smacking into a pixie and knocking her into Maxine’s hands.
“Fight clean!” Blackbeard bellows as my classmates boo.
“I knew you couldn’t fence,” Jocelyn says icily and flicks that annoying cape of hers as she makes her way over to where I lie. She raises her sword to strike me.
“And you think you can? You’re just using magic,” I say, stalling for time until I can figure out my move. Jocelyn’s sword comes down over her head to pierce my arm and I roll out of the way. Everyone cheers as I jump up and raise my own sword.
“Look at you and your cheering section,” Jocelyn mocks.
“Jealous?” I ask, slicing a hole in a star on her cape.