Flunked (Fairy Tale Reform School, #1)(21)

“Thanks.” Kayla pulls away from me and traces a yellow starburst on the wall with her finger. I have a feeling she painted it. “It’s been three years now.”

Three years without a family. Without a home. How did she survive? “You’ve been here that long?” No wonder this room looks so lived in.

“I was on my own for a while.” Kayla’s face has an eerie glow in the low light. “I tried to find them, and to survive, I sold illegal goods like the fake handbags I’m always selling to Flora’s foolish daughters, Azalea and Dahlia. Eventually the dwarf police caught up with me and sent me here.”

Hearing Kayla’s story makes me want to write to Anna. I wonder if she’s doing okay without me. Do she, Trixie, Han, Hammish, and Felix have enough to eat? How could I have let myself get caught and mess up their only chance at having a decent meal every night? Han is probably so hungry that he’s crying. I’m so mad at myself. I—

“Do you hear violins?” I ask.

Kayla groans. “Yes. I should have warned you.” She quickly stands up. “Our downstairs neighbors, Eunice and Beatrice, like to practice their violins at bedtime.”

I listen to them play. “They’re pretty good.”

Kayla gives me a look. “You say that now, but you won’t in a few days.” She stomps on the floor loudly. I join in. “Keep it down!” The music stops, and we high-five. Thankfully, Kayla is smiling again. Our conversation about her family is seemingly forgotten.

Then the violins start again. They’re louder.

Kayla growls. “They wouldn’t!” Her wings appear almost instantly.

I wince as Eunice—or Beatrice—begins to play off key. I’m not sure if it’s on purpose. “They’re making a stand.”

“Well, we’re not going to let them get away with it.” Kayla grabs her wand and grins mischievously. “Miri has to be asleep. So how do you feel about a little dance party?” She flicks her wand, and loud music fills our room.

I grab Kayla’s hand and stomp away, the two of us spinning in a circle ’til all my worries disappear.


Pegasus Postal Service

Flying Letters Since The Troll War!

FROM: Gillian Cobbler (Fairy Tale Reform School*)

*Letter checked for suspicious content

TO: Anna Cobbler (2 Boot Way)

Dear Anna Banana,

I guess you’ve figured out by now that I’m going to be here awhile—at least three months. I’m so sorry I messed up your birthday. I just want you to have everything I don’t, but I promise I’ll figure out a better way to do that than swiping from royals. I’ve only been here a few days, but FTRS doesn’t seem that bad so far. For the first time ever, I sort of have my own room. You’d love the dorm. You get your own bed and no one leaves smelly socks on the floor. I can picture you hanging up one of your Rapunzel ads and putting Grandma’s mirror on your dresser. (Yes, we have dressers! Not sacks hanging from the wall with all our clothes.)

If this wasn’t a reform school, I’d send for you immediately. I do have some good news: Headmistress Flora says if I behave, you guys can come for the princess ball. Take care of the family for me. And watch Han and Hamish around that new shoe polish Mother made. It may smell like gum, but trust me, it doesn’t taste like it.

Love, Gilly





Happily Ever After Scrolls


Brought to you by FairyWeb—magically appearing on scrolls throughout Enchantasia for the past ten years!

Meet the Wolf Man!*

by Beatrice Beez

Name: Xavier Wolfington (formerly known as “the Wolf”)

Occupation: Professor of history at Fairy Tale Reform School Hobbies: Meditation, yoga, and putting the pedal to the metal in spin class at Hansel and Gretel’s Power Gym Strengths: Lightning fast on two or four feet, keen sense of smell, bronze medal in the Enchantasia Olympics for long jump Weakness: Silver bullets

Likes: Peace and quiet, reading history books. Rumored to be writing a book on the psychological effects of the Troll War Dislikes: Talk of his former life (Never ever mention Granny!) Still a mystery: Where he disappears every full moon Love life: There was that rumored romance with a fairy, but as far as we know, Professor Wolfington is currently single *Xavier Wolfington declined to be interviewed for this story. All opinions expressed in this story are Happily Ever After Scrolls’ own.





CHAPTER 9


    You’ve Been Schooled


“Good morning, class.”

“Good morning, Professor Wolfington,” the entire class says in unison.

I can’t help staring at my history professor—and not just because he’s a wolf man who could eat me for breakfast. I still can’t get the image out of my head of what happened last week. Professor Wolfington leaped two whole stories to stop Jax. I tend to avoid people who could kill me with one furry paw–I mean, hand! I can see the Wolf’s forearms bulging through his ruffled dress shirt right now. He must work out.

“Since our three-part assembly Magic: The Good and Evil of It took the place of class last week, I haven’t heard about your weekend.” Wolfington walks around the classroom. “What did you all do?”

A teacher caring about our lives outside class? Wow, this place is different.