by Sarah Noffke
Paris propped her hands on her hips. “I know a bully when I see one.”
The headmistress stepped between the two, seeking to break the tension. “Becky, go and clean yourself up. I don’t want this type of thing to happen again.”
The dessert-covered fairy charged past them and threw Paris a murderous glare as she left the dining room.
Willow cleared her throat and glanced at Penny, who was still sniffling. “Would you please stop crying? The whole ordeal is over with, and as far as I can see, you appear unscathed by it all.”
Penny nodded, knotted her hands together, and meekly left the room, her gaze down and shoulders slumped.
When she’d gone, Willow let out a breath and focused on Paris.
She braced herself for punishment. Maybe she’d be kicked out of the college right away. That would be so disappointing to Uncle John, but Paris stood by her decision and held her chin high, willing to accept the consequences of her action.
To Paris’ surprise, the headmistresses’ eyes lit up when she smiled. “Well, I think we can move past all that and commence with the tour of Happily Ever After College if you’d like.”
Paris blinked at the fairy, confusion heavy in her mind. “I’m not in trouble?”
“Well, I can’t say that it’s the best way to start things out here,” Willow answered. “However, you have a passion and moral aptitude that I find intriguing. It might be very useful for you as a fairy godmother.” She cocked her head. “It also might keep you from excelling here. Honestly, you aren’t at all our typical student from a behavioral sense so only time will tell.”
Paris glanced at Mae Ling, who had a slight smile in her eyes and again seemed to be secretly glad about all this. Paris focused her attention directly on Willow and nodded. “If I’m not in trouble, I’m ready for that tour.”
Chapter Twenty
The conservatory was a lovely room and Paris was instantly in love with the space as Willow led her through it. As Wilfred had explained, it was a glassed-in room at the very back of FGE. It was warmer than the cool hallway they’d come through, which was dark with its wood-paneled walls and floors.
There were a few students curled up on couches, reading or writing. They all glanced up as the three fairies strode through the area to the yard and grounds on the other side of the conservatory. All of them gave Paris strange looks but tried to be polite about their sudden curiosity.
“The conservatory is a nice place for students to lounge in between classes,” Willow explained. “Many choose to study here rather than the designated space for that on the second floor.”
“I can see why.” Paris looked around and enjoyed the warm sunlight that fell through the glass ceiling. “I bet it’s nice to be here when there’s bad weather, and you can’t go outside.”
Willow smiled. “There’s never bad weather here at Happily Ever After College.”
“Never?” Paris wondered if it was like Southern California, which she’d heard had lots of sunny weather year-round.
“Never,” Willow repeated. “It’s always springtime here on the Enchanted Grounds.” She opened a door and led them out onto the college’s grassy lawn. “That’s what we call the area around the college—the Enchanted Grounds. It’s always exactly seventy degrees here regardless of the time of day.”
Paris couldn’t help but smile. Having grown up on Roya Lane, the hidden magical street in London, she’d had her fair share of gloomy days filled with nonstop rain. To think there was a place where it was always spring, well, it seemed like a dream come true.
Willow led them past a shimmering blue pool where women not wearing the usual blue gowns were lounging or swimming in the perfect spring weather. The whole thing felt very resort-like and not at all how Paris had pictured an academy.
“The students and faculty often get their exercise in the pool,” Willow explained, indicating the waters as they passed, again getting curious looks from the swimmers. “We also encourage other forms of exercise.” She waved at the woods to the right of the manor. “Hiking in Bewilder Forest is nice, although mostly it’s where we go to forage for special herbs not found anywhere else for spells. You should note that the forest is off-limits at night—for your good.”
The headmistress nodded in the direction of the statue garden on the opposite side of the manor. “If you require a nightly stroll, the Serenity Garden is the perfect spot for that, although it’s off-limits on Tuesdays.”
“Because?” Paris found it difficult to keep up because she was so intrigued by all the sights. Next to the beautiful pool was a huge patio area that looked perfect for taking in an afternoon meal or relaxing and reading a book. The entire Enchanted Grounds were so…well, just that, enchanting. They were perfectly manicured everywhere she looked.
“Because,” Willow answered simply as if that was a perfectly adequate answer to her question. She pointed at a round dome building on the far side of the pool area. “We have the observatory there where you’ll have astrology classes.”
“Wait, what?” Paris thought that had to be a joke.
Ignoring the interruptions, Willow indicated another set of buildings. “We also have the greenhouses and stables, as well as places that you’ll have classes.”
Paris scratched her head, confused why she’d need classes on horses or plants to be a fairy godmother. She had so much to learn. Glancing back at Mae Ling for support, she found the woman’s expression stoic as she quietly followed.
“Most of your classes will be inside FGE,” Willow continued, pointing back toward the mansion. “On the first floor, you’ll find the main classrooms, art studio, sewing room, music hall, ballroom, theater, demo kitchen, faculty offices, as well as the living areas, main kitchen, and of course you’ve already seen the dining hall.”
Paris nodded, although most of what Willow said wasn’t computing. Why would they need half that stuff? The idea of sewing nearly made Paris cringe. She wasn’t the domestic type. She was the “find her frayed clothes a point of pride” type.
“The second floor,” Willow went on, turning to face the large manor now that they were far enough away from it to take it all in, “is where the student dorms are, as you’ve learned by now. That’s also where you’ll find the showers and baths, as well as study rooms, common areas, and balconies.”
The headmistress indicated the third level. “The third floor is for faculty and staff and off-limits to students.”
Talk about making Paris want to trespass on the third floor. All anyone had to say was that something was off-limits and it became the forbidden fruit. She silently started making a list of places to explore in her head: Bewilder Forest at night, Serenity Garden on Tuesdays, and the third floor of FGE.
Willow spun back and looked proudly at the small body of water at the rear of the Enchanted Grounds. “You’ll see that in addition to the pool, Mirror Lake is a wonderful place to swim. It’s also great for boating and other water sports.” She indicated the red stables nestled next to the shore. “Riding the horses along the lake is always a nice leisurely activity.”
Paris grimaced. She’d never been interested in riding a horse. She preferred to stay grounded and use her two legs. Not to mention that she didn’t trust horses. Paris was pretty sure the animals were aliens. She chuckled to herself, noticing the idyllic boat house opposite the stables on the far side of the tranquil lake. She understood now why it was called Mirror Lake.
“Well,” Willow clapped once. “I think that about covers it.” She turned to Mae Ling. “Is there anything you’d like to add?”
Mae Ling offered a polite smile. “Not at the moment. I’m sure this has been a lot for Paris to take in.”
“Indeed,” Willow agreed. “Well, I have a few appointments before dinner, in roughly an hour in the dining hall.” She grinned at Paris. “Why don’t you take this time to explore the Enchanted Grounds, make yourself comfortable, and please feel free to get to know the staff and students. I think you’l
l find most are very welcoming, although as I said, not all will take to the circumstances of your arrival, but they will in time, I believe.”
Paris nodded, excited about the opportunity to be turned loose in the place.
“Professor,” Willow began, looking at Mae Ling. “Will you please ensure that Paris gets her schedule for classes tomorrow?”
The small woman simply nodded.
“Very well,” Willow answered, turning back for FGE. “I’ll see you both at dinner, which I’m sure will be as lovely as usual due to Chef Ashton’s efforts. And Paris…”
She looked at the headmistress, waiting for her next words.
“I hope that you work out here,” Willow stated. “But that’s going to require that you’re open-minded. Otherwise, I think our ways will be lost on you, and there’s nothing I can do to help you then.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Paris expected Mae Ling to follow the headmistress up to the building and was surprised when the professor stayed by her side as they watched Willow retreat.
“Can I ask you a question?” Paris asked Mae Ling after a moment.
“I encourage it,” she replied, her hands behind her back. “It’s the only way you’re going to get to the truth or answers or anywhere, here or anywhere else in life.”
Paris blinked, not having expected the philosophy lesson right then. “Okay.” She drew out the word, trying to figure out the most diplomatic way to ask her question. “It seems that you want me to be myself for an important reason, like, do you expect me to be some sort of change agent here?”
Mae Ling gave her a brilliant smile as if she was proud of this guess.
“Okay.” Paris again broke the word into multiple syllables, carefully constructing her words. “Well, it seems to me that you’re also a rebel here, not wearing the uniform and telling me to be myself when Headmistress Starr seems to be asking me to conform.”
“That’s an accurate observation.”
“Then why don’t you be this change agent?” Paris dared to ask.
“I do things my way and always have,” Mae Ling answered with confidence. “But when I do, no one notices. When you do, I suspect everyone will notice, and maybe they’ll see how different things can be.”
“Different how?” Paris wondered what was so wrong with this place as she watched fairies frolic through the Enchanted Grounds, swim in the pool, or kayak on Mirror Lake.
Mae Ling’s objective gaze followed Paris as if she was trying to see through her fresh viewpoint. “Here at Happily Ever After College, we’re overdue for an evolution, but that usually can’t happen until something changes, and that usually doesn’t happen until the winds blow something new in.”
Paris tried to consider everything that Mae Ling had told her. It made sense that the modest fairy godmother went unnoticed. For some strange reason, she blended in, although she was dressed differently from everyone other than Paris.
Several times, Paris had forgotten that Mae Ling was there during the tour. She was different, but she wasn’t loud about it. That had been Paris’ problem her entire life. There was nothing subtle about her.
A perfect breeze, not too cool or warm, passed over the grounds, running over Paris’ hands and face. She turned to face Mae Ling directly and to her shock, found that the woman had simply disappeared as though she was never there in the first place.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Finding herself alone on the Enchanted Grounds of Happily Ever After College, Paris took off for Mirror Lake, wanting to explore. Growing up on Roya Lane, she hadn’t many opportunities to be around bodies of water. She’d spent much of her time on that narrow lane, mouthing off to gnomes and exploring the various magical shops when not expected to attend online school.
Uncle John hadn’t only done the best he could in her parents’ absence. He’d done better than most. However, his busy detective life and protective nature had kept her on Roya Lane, far away from magical forests or placid lakes or trees…
She lovingly looked up at the large oak and willow trees littering the grassy lawn of the Enchanted Grounds. The smell of nature was so…clean. Such a stark contrast from the smog and smoke she was used to on Roya Lane.
In the distance, gliding over the water’s surface and making small ripples were two swans, heading toward the middle of the lake. Paris remembered learning that swans mated for life and always thought it an endearing fact about the large, lovely birds. She couldn’t imagine finding one person that she couldn’t do without. She worried that her skepticism would make it difficult for her to match Cinderellas and Prince Charmings.
The whole thing felt like meddling, but that was the way of most of the magical organizations, from what she could tell. The House of Fourteen told the magical world how to live. The Dragon Elite policed the mortal world. The Rogue Riders regulated criminals. The Fairy Law Enforcement Agency kept Roya Lane under control. The Official Brownie Headquarters, well, that seemed like the one place that minded its business for the most part. Anyway, it made sense that the Fairy Godmother Agency would intervene, meddling in the love affairs of others.
Lost in thought, Paris didn’t notice the racing hooves behind her. It wasn’t until she heard someone frantically yelling behind her that she whipped around. To her horror, she turned to find a large wild black stallion barreling in her direction—moments from running her down, ending her time at Happily Ever After College…and on Earth.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Watch out!” a guy yelled while running after the horse but a good distance away.
Paris’ heart jumped into her throat. The beast thundering toward her had its head down as if it planned to hit her like a battering ram, sending her outside the barrier to Happily Ever After.
Trying her best to maintain focus, she assessed her options. There weren’t many. Really only one.
Paris threw her hand over her head, twirled her finger, and mouthed a spell. Instantly she disappeared from where she’d been on the lawn, about to get mauled by a crazed stallion. Paris reappeared in the twisted oak tree directly above her, clinging to one of the branches as the black horse sprinted underneath her, tearing up the grassy lawn as it passed.
The black stallion bucked and neighed as though sorely enraged that it wasn’t going to be able to evict Paris from the college. The angry beast continued toward the Bewilder Forest, where Paris hoped it ate a chill pill herb or root that mellowed it out.
Suddenly shaking from adrenaline, Paris realized she was clutching the tree for dear life.
The guy who had warned her about the approaching murderous horse slowed when he came to the tree. He looked up until he saw Paris perched in the branches like a stuck kitten.
“Are you okay?” The guy sounded breathless.
Paris drew in a steadying breath. “I didn’t get run over, so yeah.” She glanced at the many branches around her, thinking that this might make a nice place for a treehouse. Maybe if living in the manor didn’t work out…
“Sorry about that,” the guy said, his hands on his knees as he pulled in breaths. “Rude Awakening has been resisting training.”
“Can I suggest that you name the horse something different then?” Paris offered. “A name is everything, and I doubt that a stallion given that one will ever cooperate.”
The guy laughed, straightening. “Yeah, you might be right. Anyway, did you climb that tree to get away? I couldn’t really tell since I was looking at Rude Awakening’s behind most of the time.”
“I think I would have preferred to be looking at the horse’s backend rather than his murderous gaze,” Paris joked. “I more or less climbed up here.”
“Quick thinking. That was one way to avoid getting stampeded,” the guy commended. “Do you want help getting down?”
“No, thanks.” Paris tried to make her way down as gracefully as she could manage. She would have magicked her way out of the tree but wanted to conserve her reserves in case she needed to escape something else
here. Also, Paris quite liked the idea of climbing out of a tree since this was a first.
“If you don’t mind me asking,” the guy began while watching her, his tone careful as if he was nervous she would tumble down from the tree limbs and land on him, “what are you doing here at the college?”
“I-I-I’m,” Paris stuttered between breaths, trying to figure out her footing. “I’m a new student here at Happily Ever After.”
The guy, who had dark brown hair that wasn’t short or long, but had a mind of its own and dark blue eyes, scratched his head. He was young, but not too young. Probably about Paris’ age and wearing jeans and a flannel shirt, so she guessed he wasn’t an assistant butler to Wilfred. And probably wasn’t Chef Ashton. “Oh, it’s been a long time since I’ve heard of a new student at the college.”
“How long?” Paris dared to take a long step down to a lower branch, testing her weight on it.
“Oh, a few years.” He tipped his head to the side and watched her with a worried expression. “Apparently, fairies would rather be Instagram influencers than fairy godmothers.”
Paris nearly slipped, the heel of her boot thankfully catching herself as her hand grabbed a branch above her head. She didn’t have too much farther to the ground now. As she’d expected, climbing a tree was fun. “How do you know about Instagram?”
The guy chuckled, covering his nervousness. “I might live in a fairytale of sorts, but I’m still on social media.” He coughed nervously. “You sure you don’t want a hand?”
Deciding that she was close enough to the ground to make the jump, Paris shook her head. She swung her arms to the side and jumped off the limb, landing in a low crouched position on the grass, but on her feet and unscathed, which was all that mattered to her. She checked herself over and sighed. “Oh, good thing I didn’t rip my leather jacket.”
The guy scrunched up his nose and pointed at her side. “Sorry to inform you that it appears you have.”