𝓦𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝓘𝙩 𝓑𝙪𝙧𝙣, 𝗔𝗡 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗬 𝗙𝗜𝗖

𝓒𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝓢𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣

Melina Ivory's POV

"Why, Headmaster Grimm sounds like the unfairest of them all! How prudent and crude of him," Melina said as Raven and Essie walked down the hall with her. Melina curled a loose brown curl behind her ear, spotting streaks of white. Time for another trip to Sun Salon... Melina was pretty sure that Rapunzel would be sick of her considering how many times she bleached her hair.

"He's a jackass too," Essie added unhappily. She was applying mascara to her eyelashes as they walked, mirror hand-in-hand, and occasionally bumping into someone. "Grimm didn't even let Raven explain herself. He accused her and now everyone is gossiping like a pack of vultures."

"Actually, groups of vultures are called a committee, venue, or volt," Melina corrected.

Essie rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Mel." They were heading to the Student Lounge because Apple had asked them to come. It was supposedly an emergency that absolutely could not wait. Melina had no idea what Apple was talking about, she guessed they were going to find out.

"Are you and Apple still giving each other the silent treatment?" Melina ventured.

Raven shrugged. "After the Lifairy's fire, I crashed at Essie's dorm for the night. Her roommate, Ladeline, didn't mind. She was talking to thin air while holding a bottle of ink, it was a bit strange..." She shook her head, dismissing it.

Arriving at the lounge, Melina knocked on the large oak door, hearing a muffled "come in." Opening the door, Melina was stunned. Dozens of students—all Royals, Melina realized—were inside by Apple White's side. They were clustered around the Student Lounge, sitting on seats, the floor, or just standing.

"Raven," Apple exhaled a breath of relief. "Thank Grimm you came."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I was afraid you were mad at me."

"Mad? I thought you were upset at me. Good Goodmothers, it doesn't matter." Without hesitation, Raven smiled and grabbed Apple by the arm, hugging her. Finally, that gruelling feud is over, Melina thought to herself.

Essie nudged her. "Now, that is why communication is important."

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Melina mused. Scanning the crowd, she spotted Blaise Blanc and Ladeline Laddin sitting on the couch. After meeting Ladeline two days ago, Melina was fond of her. She was brown-skinned with short black hair with henna on her hands. She was talking rapidly to Blaise, clearly having too much sugar for breakfast. Blaise seemed as if he was dozing off, barely comprehending half of the things she was listing. They'd make a cute couple, Melina thought. Perhaps she should be the next Cupid instead and meddle in others' affairs.

Sitting on the floor was Dahlia Dopey, Lynari Fae, and Winifred Darling, making smalltalk. "Thank Grimm you weren't hurt in the fire," Dahlia gasped, eyes wide. "I'd ought to find Willow and thank her myself..."

"I can't remember if the Waverly sister is Royal or Rebel," Stella said, by the mention of Willow. Rebels always seemed to get on Stella Prince's nerves. "Personally, she needs to stick to a side." Down the rabbit hole of the Royal-and-Rebel debate again, Melina thought.

"Does it really matter?" Aurelio Stiltskin asked Stella. "Royal or Rebel? Both are valid."

"Isn't your destiny being a kid-snatcher?" Stella said pointedly.

"Which I accept gracefully, plus I give the miller daughter's firstborn back eventually," he replied, rolling his eyes. Next to him was Vesperina Hatter, who was mildly intrigued by this argument, though it seemed as if she didn't completely understand what was happening. Melina gave Vesperina a friendly smile before glancing around.