Page 37 of Switched

“Stop worrying in public, Ms. Cobbler,” Professor Harlow says as she sweeps by me in a gold gown that has a jewel-encrusted bodice. The look would be very fairy-tale princess if she wasn’t also wearing a black cape. “Those frown lines will give you premature wrinkles.”

“But…” I start to protest.

“No buts,” Harlow says. “We’ve done a sweep of the grounds, and we’ve got those ridiculous dwarves here for extra protection. Angelina is safely hidden, and I’ve cast spells that will keep intruders from walking onto FTRS grounds this evening.” She leans closer, practically wrapping me in her cape.

“Act normal. If he is looking for that book and watching us, we can’t look frightened.” I start to protest. “Drink chamomile tea with your friends, and calm down. There will be plenty of work to do tomorrow when this fanfare is over.” She gives a look of disdain to a fairy flying balloons to the tent. Just as Harlow enters the party, Jax exits. I see him notice me, and I pretend to be fixing a paper lantern that looks crooked.

“Hey.” Jax comes up beside me.

“Hey,” I say back.

“Nice party,” Jax says lamely. “Great decorations.”

“Yeah. Beautiful lanterns.” I hear crickets in the distance and someone tuning their violin. I have no clue what to say to my best friend right now.

Jax sighs. “Thief, this is silly. I hate fighting with you.”

I drop the lantern. “I hate fighting with you too.” I jab my finger at his frilly collar. “But you started it.”

He jabs his finger at my poufy shoulder. “Me? You did!”

“No, you did!”

Jax puts up a hand to stop me. “Can we just forget this fight ever happened? I think we both said some things we wish we didn’t.”

“True.” A group of partygoers carrying mini paper lanterns skip down the path past us. “I just can’t stand the thought of you not trusting me.”

“I do trust you,” Jax insists. “It’s him I don’t.” He nods in the direction of the castle, where Jack is lurking near an exit, looking around. I know that doorway he’s near. It’s the only exterior entrance to the dungeon. Hmm…

“I’m sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for why he’d be down in the dungeon.” I try to sound nonchalant. “Why don’t we go ask him?”

Jack grins devilishly. “With pleasure.”

The two of us approach Jack together. “Hey. What are you doing?”

Jack doesn’t blink an eye. “I was in the dungeons. Why?”

“What were you doing down there?” Jax demands.

Jack rolls his eyes. “For the love of Grimm, what do you think I’m up to, Prince?” he asks Jax. “If you must know, I was bringing Raza and Tessa crumb cakes and tea.”

“Ha!” I nudge Jax.

Jack looks at me strangely. “They’re pretty upset about missing the welcome party since they helped plan it.”

Wait. “Why are they missing it?” I ask.

“Didn’t you hear?” Maxine walks over with Ollie, Jocelyn, and Kayla. “I told Rapunzel how mean Tessa and Raza were to AG in the RLW meeting, and she banned them from the party and gave them detention instead.” She looks proud of herself, and she should be.

“Wow, I had no idea my sister could be so mean,” Jax marvels.

“Rapunzel is your sister?” Jack does a double take.

We’re interrupted by the sound of trumpets and violins, which begin to play as Beauty and Prince Sebastian arrive at the party. Beauty and AG are wearing gorgeous blue gowns, and the prince is in a navy dress jacket with gold buttons. Headmistress Flora follows them.

Jack pulls me aside. “Have you seen my mirror anywhere? The last time I saw it, that duck had it.”

I pull it out of a handy pocket I sewed into the crinoline under my uniform. “Peaches had it again. You didn’t tell me it was magical.”