“But I never left school grounds,” Kayla says, giving us a glimpse into a world I’ve wondered about. “Gottie—excuse me, Alva—would leave me notes near the Hollow Woods. I’ve never broke out. It’s like asking for a longer sentence in this joint.”
A sly smile spreads across Jax’s face. “So maybe we don’t break out. We walk out.”
Pegasus Postal Service
Flying Letters Since The Troll War!
FROM: Anna Cobbler (2 Boot Way)
TO: Gillian Cobbler (Fairy Tale Reform School*)
*Letter checked for suspicious content
POST RETURNED TO SENDER. RECIPIENT REFUSED DELIVERY. AGAIN.
CHAPTER 6
Delinquents on a Roll
I wake up to the glow of our magical chalkboard scroll lighting up our room like fireflies. I squint to read the lettering that appears and know immediately the time has come to make our move.
All classes canceled today due to plumbing problems in the cafeteria. A buffet will be set up in the gymnasium today for all meals. Take time to study and enjoy the lovely weather!
—Headmistress Flora, FTRS
I throw back Kayla’s pink covers to wake her. She stops snoring and blinks at me. “Flora canceled class. That’s our sign! Ollie is probably already at the meeting point. Go! Go! Go!”
Five minutes later, I’m wearing the clothes I arrived at FTRS in and Kayla is unhappy about wearing some of my other peasant threads. We move quietly through three moving hallways without being spotted, but Kayla keeps stopping to braid her hair. (“My hair should look good if my outfit doesn’t!”)
“Come on!” I huff as a new hallway opens up a few feet away. How this girl used to sneak around to meet Alva, I’ll never know. “Before we’re—”
“Oh, hello, Gillian Cobbler!”
Kayla and I spin around. Princess Rose is even more beautiful up close. She looks fresh as a rose at 7:00 a.m. in a lilac gown and a tiara. Her blond hair is pulled up in a bun that has a matching bow, and her satin skirt swishes as she walks toward us and shakes my hand with a delicate touch. “It’s so lovely to finally meet you.” I notice the RLW packet in her hands. “Where are you off to so early and dressed so…humbly?”
“I told you our clothes looked sad,” Kayla whispers in my ear.
“We’re headed to the gym to exercise. Like my father always said, ‘A day started late is a day wasted.’”
The princess beams. “I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I’m up early too. The Royal Ladies-in-Waiting are hosting a tea for a visiting princess from the kingdom of Captiva this afternoon. I do hope you’ll be joining us.”
So that’s what that fluffy pink thing was in our dorm mailbox. “I’m really busy.”
Princess Rose steps closer and smiles. “Yes. Exercising. Strange how you will manage to do that when the gym is being used for food service today.”
Fiddlesticks. I’ve been made. Not a great way to start a breakout. “I guess we’ll get some fresh air then. Maybe hike.”
Princess Rose holds my stare. “Hopefully you’ll be back in time for tea. Tessa tells me you have not accepted our invitation. May I ask why?” I start to fumble under her ice-blue stare. “You were the one student I asked for by name when I was given this position.”
The way she’s staring at me makes me feel like I’ve fallen into poison ivy. “Thanks, but I don’t think I’m royal material.” I look down at my muddy boots.
Princess Rose puts a hand on my arm. “The Royal-Ladies-in-Waiting can teach you all you need to think like a princess. Don’t you want to feel and act royally? Have the chance to leave the FTRS grounds and visit Royal Manor?”
I burst out laughing. “Sorry,” I say when I see her shocked reaction. “Thanks for the offer, but being royal has never been something I’ve aspired to.”
The sleeping beauty raises a perfectly arched eyebrow. “That’s a shame. Being royal is the quickest way to gain power in Enchantasia, and power is something we all need more of. Like your father. It would be a shame if his newfound power as glass-slipper maker disappeared again.” She pushes her glossy hair away from her eyes. “From what I’ve heard, the extra income that comes from being related to you has helped your family tremendously.”
I feel a pit form in my stomach. Is the princess blackmailing me into joining?
Rose hands me a pink card that smells like roses. “If you change your mind, here is a new invite. I hope you’ll reconsider.” I start to take the card and feel a tug. Princess Rose won’t let go. Her smile is thin, making her lips look like pulled taffy. “I won’t be happy ’til you’re a member, Gillian.”
“Yes, Princess.” I grab the card and pull Kayla to a new hall that appears. I don’t even curtsy. See? I’d make a terrible RLW, but I am tempted by the thought of leaving school grounds and not getting detention for it.
“She didn’t ask me to join the club,” Kayla grumbles as we hurry away.
“You helped Alva try to curse the royals. I don’t think you’re being invited.”