by Jen Calonita
“I don’t,” I say in amazement. Wow, she really gets people. Maybe I’ll actually like these gowns.
“Let me gather some things, and I’ll be right back to get you started.” She turns to the back wall. “Taryn!”
A pixie flies out of a small window in the wall with a tiny pad.
“Clear my next two appointments. I’m going to need time with this one.”
“Yes, Marta!” the pixie says.
Raina claps. “We’re definitely going to win ‘best dressed roommates’ next week.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
I turn around. Three girls have entered behind us. Several customers see them and scatter, and I quickly realize why. The girl in the center looks like she wants to spit fire at me.
“Hello, Clarissa,” Sasha says coolly.
Clarissa continues to stare us down. “We missed you both at the Fairy Garden Summer Solstice party.”
Sasha says, “Busy,” at the same time Raina says, “I was out of town.”
“Olivina came,” Clarissa adds. “Maybe if you had joined us, you wouldn’t have been stuck with a misfit for a roommate.”
“Misfit?” Sasha gets outraged before I can even think of a response. “Unorthodox, yes. Lacking in fashion sense? Possibly. But that will change with a little help from Marta and myself. More importantly, Devin is an excellent roommate…friendly, kind, and the sort of princess who wouldn’t stab you in the back the first chance she gets. She’s a way better choice than you.”
Whoa. Sasha is a force to be reckoned with.
Clarissa’s cheeks turn crimson. “Who cares what you think? My room is the one in the Roster, and I’ll make sure it stays that way. Have fun at your fitting, misfit.” She turns and leaves the shop as dramatically as she came.
“Wow!” Raina says, giggling nervously. “I’ve never seen anyone go back at Clarissa before. Her family is fourth in line to the royal court, so we always tread lightly when she’s around. Never know when one of them might marry someone who could challenge our rule. But you have no fear, Sasha!”
“I’m not scared of her,” Sasha says, watching the girls leave.
“Thanks for sticking up for me,” I say shyly. “Not that I care what that girl thinks.”
“You shouldn’t,” Sasha replies. “She’s not worth it.”
My stomach growls in agreement. “How long do you think this fitting might take? We didn’t stop to get breakfast first.”
Sasha and Raina look at each other. “You could be here a while,” Raina says.
“You need a whole wardrobe overhaul,” Sasha reminds me. “These things take time. We’ll get you something from Little Miss Muffin’s. I could use a pumpkin muffin myself.”
“Me too!” Brynn agrees, and the three of them leave, chatting.
Thump! Marta appears with a large stack of dresses and fabric swatches in shades of blues and greens. “These colors will bring out your eyes, and the fabrics are breathable and lightweight. You seem like a girl who likes to move freely. Am I right?”
“You are,” I agree.
“I also think we should add some deep pockets so your little friend can be comfortable. I’ll even line them with velvet so she’s cozy on cold days.” She waves to Lily, who just climbed onto my shoulder.
“Wow, Marta, you’d do that?” I ask. Raina was right about her being the best.
“Darling, I may be tough to get an appointment with, but stick with me, and you’ll be just fine! I decide on the colors and fabrics, and you look gorgeous and represent moi. It’s a win-win.”
She begins to hum to herself as she holds up swatches. A thought comes to me, but I hesitate to bring it up. I’m not sure if Marta will go for it. She does seem like a trailblazer though. “Marta? I have an idea. It’s a little different, but something I always thought would be amazing in case of emergencies.” I clear my throat. “I think it will look really, um, fashion-forward too.”
Marta looks up. “Yes, darling? What is it.”
I look around, then bend down so that I’m sure only she can hear. “Have you ever stitched pants under dress skirts? So that they’re hidden?”
“Pants?” she repeats, mulling it over.
“They’re so comfortable, and you never know when a princess might have to break into a run to avoid danger. You would be helping a new generation of princesses escape evil! We could even give the pants a name, like ‘the Marta.’”
“The Marta,” she repeats, transfixed. “Darling! It’s brilliant! Why have I never thought of it before now?” She talks fast. “I’m thinking light cotton so you’re not too hot, with a breakaway skirt so that you can rip it off if it gets in the way, in a stand-out pattern to give the look punch, should you ever lose your skirt.” She closes her eyes and thinks. “I see the pants in purple! Yes! With white polka dots.”
“I like it!” I nod.
“This will be exciting. Pants! The Marta. And it will be our secret for now.”
I reach out and hug her. “Marta, I feel like you get me.”
“I do! Let me go get more material!” she says excitedly. “Stay right there!”
For the first time in my life, I’m excited about a dress.
“Looking for an outfit that will wow me?”
I turn to see Heath leaning against the doorway, giving me a smile so bright that two of the pixies working in the shop see him and faint. He’s wearing his RA sash over a gray double-breasted coat and black pants, and his high black boots shine like they’ve just been polished. I can’t help thinking that Marta would approve. A group of girls hovers in the doorway, watching him.
“Nope. I’m getting dresses that will wow me,” I say pointedly.
“Good for you. I was just getting a haircut.” He touches his short locks, and I hear a girl sigh. His hair looks the same as it did yesterday. “Then I stopped at Little Miss Muffin to order some bagels and Goldie Lox and heard you were with Marta, so I thought I’d stop by and make your morning.”
I roll my eyes. “Is this what you do all day? Just go around stroking your ego and annoying unsuspecting students?”
He holds his heart. “That hurts. I do other stuff too!”
“Oh yeah.” I snort. “Like ditching class to go climbing with knights-in-training at Mount Hibesko.” Raina told me all about it.
“Okay, yeah, I did that, but only because I’d never been and I like to explore,” he says, and I’m surprised to hear defensiveness in his voice. “My plan is to see all the kingdoms in the realm before I’m twenty. Then…I don’t know.” His cheeks brighten. “I thought maybe I could write a series of scrolls about the people and places I’ve seen. A lot of people don’t get to travel, so I thought I could be their eyes.”
I’m dumbfounded. That actually sounds cool. “I think people would love that.”
He leans against the carriage and looks off in the direction of Goose Girl Gowns. “But who am I kidding? My parents will have me married off before I get to do any of that.”
“Then don’t let them!” I say passionately. “I think letting the people read about places they’ll never get to see is an amazing idea.”
“You think so?” Heath says softly, moving closer to my pedestal.
“I do.” The two of us look at each other.
“Oh, look at that!” Marta coos, startling us. “I’ve made a prince and princess match already and haven’t even finished her dress yet!”
“Oh we’re not… He’s not… I mean, we’re not…” I stutter.
Heath regains his swagger as he walks out of the shop. “Tell yourself what you want, blondie.” And with a wink, he’s gone.
Royal Academy
Schedule for First-Year Princesses
Section A
1. Creature Comfort with Princess Snow (New this year!)
2. History of Enchantasia with Professor Pierce
3. Lunch or beauty touch-up! (Royal Underground lip-staining sessions are first come, first served.)
4. *Embracing Your Inner Princess with Olivina (Please note, Olivina’s fairy godmother duties prevent her from one-on-one conversations during class times.)
5. You may attend either of the following electives during fifth period:
From Cha-Chas to Charming Princes: Dance Lessons with Madame Rosalinda
Princess Hair Care with Hazel (Tiaras will be available for use in class. No need to bring your own. Additional styles will be available for purchase!)
6. How to Write (a Love Note) with Professor Carrington
*Embracing Your Inner Princess will not meet this week. Instead, enjoy daily meet-ups with the princes!
Class times, schedule, and special events change on a daily basis. Please consult your scrolls to learn more.
Chapter 13
Snow’s Class
“I had no idea we’d have different classes than the boys!” Raina freaks as she reads the scroll containing her schedule.
“Are you really surprised?” Sasha asks, taking notes on her scroll. “Our required reading lists were totally different. Didn’t you ever look at Heath’s?”
Raina slips on a pair of long white gloves. “Who had the time? I was busy pulling together my wardrobe.” She places her RA sash over her head and lays it on top of her pale-pink dress. “How are we going to meet a prince if we aren’t even with them half the day?”
“We have some classes with the boys,” I point out optimistically. “I’m sure we’ll be fine. But it looks like our schedules are different. Sasha and I have your sister’s class in the morning, and you don’t have it until the afternoon.”
Raina snatches my schedule out of my hands and compares it to hers. “Why would they separate us? Ugh, I better not have all my classes with Clarissa. Well, I suppose we’ll just have to wait to meet up until afternoon tea, then.”
I’m feeling Raina’s panic too, but for a different reason. Snow’s class is happening! And I’m in it! But the rest of my schedule looks wonky. How to write a love note? From cha-chas to charming princes? Why should the boys be the only ones who learn how to slay a giant or a dragon? Where are the classes that are supposed to teach us how to rule a kingdom? Lily flicks her tongue at me as if to say “too bad!” And she’s right, I guess. I promised Olivina I would behave like a princess, and a real princess would love the classes I got…I think.
I glance in the mirror and attempt to straighten my tiara. I try not to think about how it is pinching my skull. I slip into my not-very-comfortable but Marta-approved shoes, and smooth out the creases in my pale-green organza dress, taking some satisfaction in the fact that it has a hidden pair of pants underneath.
(I have to hand it to Marta. When she goes for a trend, she goes all in. She put purple polka-dot pants in all my gowns and promised we’d keep the secret just between us.)
It’s showtime.
“You’re so lucky, miss!” Brynn looks over my scroll. “This schedule seems wonderful!”
Now I feel guilty for even wanting to complain. Brynn wants to take classes so badly. “I’ll share all my notes with you after class tonight,” I whisper in her ear as she snaps a pearl necklace around my neck. Brynn beams.
“I’m skipping today’s meet-up,” Sasha says. “I’ve got to finish the Enchantasia Insider, and I want to get it out tonight. I only got four hours of beauty sleep last night. There’s still so much to write and edit. And besides, any prince that wants to meet me should have to work to find me.”
“Is that allowed?” I ask hurriedly. “If so, I think I’ll skip too.” I don’t really feel like mingling with princes today.
“I think so,” Sasha says. “Did you guys see Olivina’s class was canceled for today? How could she miss her first day?”
My chest tightens at the sound of Olivina’s name. Sasha looks at me strangely, and I realize I’m biting my strand of pearls.
“Oh, Sasha, stop being all sleuthy.” Raina takes off the gloves and adds a few beaded bracelets to her arms instead. “Olivina is a busy fairy godmother! I’m sure she’s just off granting some all-important wishes that couldn’t wait.”
“Maybe,” Sasha says, but I can see the wheels in her writer brain working.
I’m not saying a word. “How do I look?” I ask the group.
“Like a future queen!” Milo’s mirror has come alive in a swirl of gold and silver. I jump at his voice. I forgot someone is always watching here. “Remember…to wear a crown, you have to not just look the part, you have to follow the protocol set forth for someone of your stature. Put your best slippered heel forward!” The mirror’s glow goes dark.
Raina ties a bow atop her head and smiles. “I can tell this is going to be a great first day. Now let’s get going. I want to be first to class. Remember: the early princess gets the prince!”
Even after studying a map, I see the castle is bigger than I realized. A wrong turn can land you in any number of rooms. I already accidentally walked into an incredibly elaborate powder room that reminded me of Mirror Image, a beauty store in Enchantasia, and a full-blown armory.
It doesn’t help that the hallways are so crowded. I keep getting bumped by princes carrying gear to their first class (Brute Strength: Practice Makes Prince Perfect!) and princesses heading to primping sessions in the Royal Underground. Eventually, we find our way to Snow’s classroom, which has horse posts outside the large double doors. Excitedly, I head inside and find…wow!
There are two aisles of pens and cages filled with very vocal animals. I spot a cougar, a leopard, and a ball python kept separate from horses and a flock of geese. In the center of the room, Princess Snow is busy setting things out at a large table. She’s got snacks and bandages, and look! There’s even a tiny stethoscope. This is exactly what I was hoping for! She sees me and waves me over.
“Hi, Devin. Excited about today’s first class? I know I am.” Snow’s dark eyes are hopeful. “I’ve wanted to teach a class like this for so long! I just hope the students are open to learning. I’ve already had a gentleman tell me that he’s allergic to dragons.”
Logan. I don’t see him. Maybe I should start checking under the tables. “I think he’ll be okay.”
Snow nods. “I just want things to go well so we can keep this class and add others like it. The royals have to keep moving forward, as Professor Pierce and I like to say.” She half smiles. “And I have such great creatures to introduce you all to.”
A carrier pigeon dives low, almost nailing me in the head, and drops a rolled parchment on the table. Before flying off, he looks at me and coos. That woman is crazy!
What woman? I want to ask.
Snow reads the parchment and frowns. “Oh. But…well…” Snow sighs. “This certainly changes things,” she says. I catch a glimpse of the signature before she folds the note and slips it in her apron. It’s from Olivina. “If you’ll excuse me, I should start class.”
I wonder what that was about. No matter. Class is starting! I take my place next to Sasha, who is with a group of princesses standing next to a pen of baby goats.
Snow claps her hands. “Hello, everyone! As you know, Creature Comfort is a new course I’m proud to introduce this year. I don’t want anyone to be nervous,” she adds, glancing Logan’s way. (He didn’t bail after all!) “It’s my goal for each of you to become more comfortable around our animal counterparts. They’ve been wonderful friends to me, and they can be the same for you. Any animal can be a help, from the largest rhino to the smallest bumblebee.”
“A bumblebee?” A prince and his friends burst out laughing.
I glare at them. “Bumblebees are really smart,” I say. “Did you know they can see color? And they can even do tricks. I once taught one to roll a ball.”
&nbs
p; “Roll a ball?” The prince looks skeptical. “Please stop talking, blondie.”
Sasha touches my arm. “Ignore him,” she whispers. “Derek Hoffstater’s older brother dated my first cousin, and the whole family is pompous. Don’t engage.”
I bite my tongue.
“Thank you, Devin,” Professor Snow says gently. “Now, I know this class is coed, but it has just been decided that princes and princesses will be split up for different exercises.” Snow smiles apologetically.
Come again?
“Girls, you’re going to stay where you are, while the boys will be working on our secret project, which is down the hall in our meet-and-greet animal room.”
“Meet-and-greet?” Logan looks at me pleadingly.
“It will be quite enlightening. Follow me,” says Snow, looking uncomfortable. “Girls, if you wouldn’t mind each getting a bowl of pine nuts ready, we’ll use them when I come back.”
I look at Sasha. “They get to do a secret project in the animal meet-and-greet room, and we get pine nuts?” I grumble.
“I’m sure we’re using the same animals,” Sasha says, but I’m not convinced, especially when Snow returns with a small box.
Snow makes eye contact quickly with me. “Now, this wasn’t scheduled, but I’m sure it will still be fun. Presenting your first animal friend…the chipmunk!”
“Awww,” chorus the princesses.
The chipmunk? I’m offended. So is the chipmunk, who makes a small chittering sound. What’s up with this crowd? Know where I can find a good pine nut?
“What’s he saying?” Sasha asks me, but I’m too annoyed to answer her.
Neither the chipmunk nor I are any happier when we learn today’s “skill” is learning how to make our animal friend feel comfortable enough to crawl onto our skirts. Chipmunks are notoriously not cuddlers, even when they like you. And princesses are notoriously not known for activities where they can be pooped on. But, at Snow’s bidding, the princesses reluctantly get down on the floor, cooing and smiling at the chipmunks to try to entice them to come closer—with varying degrees of success. Next, Snow shows us how to get our chipmunks to eat a pine nut out of our palms.