Page 6 of Switched

Beauty steps in front of me. She smells like rose petals.

“Darling, that’s no way to talk to a student,” she says in a wispy voice. “What did I tell you about first impressions?”

“But she could have destroyed the library before you ever got to use it!” he barks. “And we came all this way! What if Allison Grace had gotten hurt? I told you teaching here wasn’t a smart idea!”

Flora clears her throat.

“No offense,” he mumbles.

Flora steps forward. “Prince Sebastian, I can assure you, nothing like this will ever happen here again.”

Ollie nudges me. “She does remember what school she’s talking about, right? Things always happen here.”

“See?” Beauty rubs the prince’s arm. “This is going to be a wondrous adventure for us. Deep breaths in…and out. Try it with me, Seb,” she says soothingly.

We watch as he takes several breaths before he calms down. Slowly, his appearance starts to change. He’s all man now. A very cranky-looking man giving me the stink eye.

“My apologies for being gruff, but you did open the book without permission,” he says.

“Apology accepted, and just so you know, the book opening was an accident,” I tell all the adults. “I tripped, and the book popped open.”

Ollie coughs. Maxine squirms. Jax runs a hand through his glossy hair. Kayla’s wings flutter faster.

What do they want from me? To confess to the royal court, HEAS, my old and new professors, and the whole school that I almost destroyed the new library? No. Way.

Prince Sebastian narrows his eyes at me. “You tripped?”

He’s not buying it.

Beauty steps in. “What’s done is done. What’s important is that we follow the rules in the future, right?” She looks at me and I nod. “What is your name, child?”

“Gillian.” I attempt a curtsy. After all, Beauty is royalty.

“Gillian Cobbler is one of the students who first suggested the new program you will be teaching, Seb,” Rapunzel tells him and smiles at me. “She is a clever student.”

“Gillian Cobbler.” He begins waving his hands around wildly. “Why am I not surprised? Of course you opened the book! You’re the reason he’s on the run again! You couldn’t hold him off in the castle until he could be apprehended, could you? You let him get away!”

I blink rapidly. How does he know about that?

“She’s also the reason we got these wonderful new positions,” Beauty says graciously.

The prince snorts. “Rumpelstiltskin is out there doing who knows what, and we’ve had to uproot our lives and pull Allison Grace away from the safety of home all because of you.”

“I don’t think he likes you,” Jocelyn whispers in my ear. With glee, I might add.

“How are you so familiar with Stiltskin?” I ask curiously.

The prince growls and walks off muttering.

“Professor Wolfington?” Headmistress Flora appeals.

“I’m on it,” says my favorite teacher. Maybe they can have a beast-to-beast chat.

“You’ll have to excuse him,” Beauty tells us. “Stiltskin has also caused much trouble in our kingdom. He’s gotten many of our subjects to join his Stiltskin Squad. It’s a sore spot with Sebastian since he was unable to stop him. But hopefully now that we’re here…”

“Don’t worry, B. Our goal is to find him and bring him to justice.” Rapunzel puts a hand on Beauty’s shoulder. “In the meantime, we’re just glad you’re here.”

“When was the last time we saw you?” Ella asks. “Was it Rose’s bachelorette party?”