Page 19 of Switched

Prince Sebastian eyes me suspiciously.

I manage a smile. “Beautiful! But you’re the one who showed Butterscotch your true colors. That’s why she picked you. It had nothing to do with me.”

“I still think you helped,” AG insists. “We’re heading out to watch the rugby game. We’re sitting in Raz’s royal seats. She’s here representing Royal Academy, but I think she really wants to root for FTRS, don’t you? Want to join us?”

AG sounds so much happier and open than she did a day ago. I’m so glad, but the thought of sitting in the RA box is too much for me to bear. I may be friendly with royals now, but I’m still not interested in watching a rugby match from the snooty royal school’s seats with the royal court watching my every move. There’s too good a chance I’ll screw up. “I actually need to stay at the library to work on my family tree paper.” I don’t make eye contact with the prince.

“The library closes at nine, you know,” Prince Sebastian says, insinuating I need way more time than I have to do a paper that will impress him.

“That gives me three hours. Considering I don’t have privileges to go home this weekend, I have plenty of time to work on my project,” I say innocently.

I could swear the prince growls.

“You’re staying here for the weekend? Are you around tomorrow?” AG asks hopefully. “Mother said I could have a friend over to the castle.”

“You didn’t ask me if you could have anyone over,” Prince Sebastian points out.

“Father.” AG looks down at the glittery, silver shoes on her feet. “Mother said it was fine.”

“It is fine, but I want to know who you’re hanging out with in this new kingdom.”

“It’s just Gilly, Father.” AG rolls her eyes at me like I’m in on the joke.

I see the look the prince is giving me and can tell he doesn’t approve of me as AG’s new friend. I wish he’d give me a shot. I genuinely like AG and am just trying to help her fit in. Maybe if I had done that with Anna in the village, she wouldn’t have fallen in with those candy thieves Hansel and Gretel.

“We shall see,” the prince says. “Allison Grace, I forgot my wand in my office. I want it for the game in case any danger arises.”

“At a rugby match?” I ask.

He ignores me. “Shall I meet you in Raz’s box?” he asks AG.

“Yes, Father,” AG says. “I’ll meet you there.” With a nod to me and a kiss on AG’s cheek, he walks away just as the library doors creak open again.

“Allison Grace?” It’s Beauty. She’s carrying a large stack of books that teeter precariously. “Could you help me with these… Oh! A visitor.”

“Hello,” I say anxiously, wondering if Beauty will remember me from our ill-fated first meeting.

“Would you mind helping me and Allison Grace put these books away?” Beauty’s smile is so bright and welcoming. How can I say no?

“Sure.” I take several books off the top of the stack and study the title on top: While You Were Sleeping: What Really Happens during a Sleeping Curse.

“Thank you! You’re Gilly, aren’t you?” Beauty says, and I wait for her expression to change to disapproval. Instead, her smile widens. “AG told us how you gave her a nickname and helped with her unicorn.” She puts a warm hand on my shoulder. “Raz tells us AG couldn’t have picked better in the friend department.” Beauty disappears into a stack to restock books.

A fairy with flaxen hair that smells like fresh linens flutters to my side. “What may I help you find today?”

“Brooke Lynn, this is Gilly,” AG explains. “She’s helping Mother and me in the stacks.”

“Oh, hi!” the fairy says. “You’re Kayla’s friend, right?”

“And you’re one of Kayla’s sisters.”

The fairy nods. She looks a few years older than Kayla. “We can’t thank you enough for all you did to help break our curse,” Brooke Lynn gushes. Beauty steps out of the stacks to listen. “Mother has been dying to have you to our fairy hut for dinner.”

I try hard not to blush. Kayla made me promise not to tell anyone what happened with her mother the other night. Her mother hasn’t mentioned seeing me or that book she was talking about again, so Kayla thinks she’s forgotten the whole thing. As far as Kayla’s family knows, I’ve never been to their fairy hut.

“A fairy hut?” AG’s eyes widen. “I’ve always wanted to see one of those.”

“I’m just glad Kayla has her family back.” The word family catches in my throat, and I quickly clear it so no one gets the wrong idea that I was about to cry or anything. Beauty watches me curiously. “Maybe AG and I could both come visit this weekend.”