The Third Reader - The School for Good and Evil

2) Evy?

Evelynn was once again completely stunned as a two-headed dog creature appeared, making its way to the front of the room. 

The rest of the Evers settled down, unfazed by the thing in front of them.

"What is that?" Evelynn whispered to Agatha. "It's terrifying." 

"Maybe it's someone's pet." 

Evelynn looked at her. "What?!" 

Agatha shrugged. "I don't know what these rich snobs like!"

"QUIET!" The black half of the dog yelled.

Evelynn stared. She didn't expect it to speak. 

"They were already quiet, Castor!" The white dog glared at its other half, then turned back to the audience, smiling (if a dog creature can smile). "Welcome, Evers and Nevers. I'm sure you're all very excited to be here, and ready to work hard so you can have your happy ending! Or at least, be part of a fairytale."

"UNLESS YOU BECOME A BUG OR PLANT."

"Castor!"

Fear struck Evelynn in an instant, she hadn't realised there was a possibility they wouldn't all have their own fairytales. That made getting out even more urgent.

"I wouldn't deliver it in that way," Pollux continued. "But it could happen. You will be in classes of twenty, at the end of each class you will be ranked on your performance, and if you're ranked last place three times in a row, you will be expelled." 

Anxious mutters fanned out across the crowd.

"SHUT IT." Castor glanced at his white counterpart, then dropped his head. "SORRY POLLUX."

Evelynn wondered if shouting was the only way he could communicate.

Castor sighed. "As I was saying: you can be expelled, although it's unlikely. As most of you know, you were assigned to be an Ever or Never depending on how good or bad your soul is. You might be a little bad, or a little good, but ultimately you are one or the other. You cannot change sides, and we never make mistakes."

"She's a mistake!" The ginger from earlier yelled, pointing straight at Agatha.

Evelynn raised her eyebrows. "Wow, unnecessary." 

"Snitch," Agatha added.

"We've got one too!" A Never pointed at Sophie in turn.

Pollux's gaze flitted between the two girls, then at Evelynn, then to another professor.

"That's impossible," He stated firmly. 

Sophie looked close to tears as Agatha muttered unrepeatable things under her breath. 

Pollux continued with what he was saying. "Anyway, you each have a swan on your uniform. If you try to hide it or cover it up, there will be consequences."

Agatha immediately slammed her palm into her chest, then gaped in horror when the swan had made its way onto her skin underneath. A tattoo.

Evelynn watched many other students doing the same. "Why did you do that!?"

"I didn't know!" Agatha protested.

"He just said!"

Pollux seized everyone's attention once more. "Settle down! I think that's everything, you'll receive your timetables and lessons start tomorrow at nine. Despite contrary belief I must remind you once again that you cannot change your fate - so don't try anything rash."