The School for Good and Evil: Return of the School Masters (fanfic)

Chapter 3

Katrina and Trysh disappeared into the crowd, trying to escape from Princess Jubilee of the Western Isles. Their new roommate insisted she needed help with her things, having a checklist for each stack of items and where they should be situated in the room. Katrina ran out as soon as everyone was called to the Theater of Tales.

The expansive room was split into two sections down the center aisle, good on one side and evil on the other. A crystal stage took up the front, a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The side of Good had pink and blue pews with delicate glass flowers accenting the ends by the polished stairs. The walls seemed to shimmer until it shifted to Evil. Black pews lined their half, murals of murder and thin stalactites decorating their gloomy side. Thankfully, a strip of marble separated the two sides.

Katrina and Trysh filed into a higher up row. Very few Ever girls sat near them, whispering as they passed and crammed into the center rows. Nevers filed in, plopping down wherever they wanted. Some kicked their feet up on the pew beneath them while others tossed students off the seat they wanted.

Katrina cringed as a familiar-looking guy gave her a snarky grin. She scooted closer to Trysh. "Hopefully this is as close as we get to them."

Trysh shook her head. "Not if you get into the Trial by Tale. Haven't you read Agatha and Sophie's book?"

"Memorized it. And a girl can hope."

The doors slammed open, the clash of steel preceding the army of princes. Princesses screamed their lungs out as they fought their way into the room. Each wore a collared blue shirt with beige breeches tucked into tall navy boots. However, most of their shirts were left open for the girls to inspect the raw muscle underneath. Before Katrina could understand what was happening, they stopped and tossed roses to the girls. Each one squealed and tried to grab one.

Except Jubilee, who waited on the edge of her seat. Nevers jeered at the princes.

The door banged open again, revealing the greatest prize. The room silenced. Katrina had only heard stories of Camelot's prince, and now he was here. Dirty blond hair pulled into a short ponytail, dark eyes sparkling like obsidian. Smile blinding. Prince Tedros II, son of King Tedros and Queen Agatha, inspected the room.

His eye fell on her. He winked and unsheathed his sword. "Anyone wanna try?"

The princes rushed toward him, the show obviously not over. They fought him, a hundred swords against one. Yet Tedros held his own, weaving and blocking and jabbing. In a quick motion, he spun and disarmed a number of princes.

The room quiet, one stood near, sword still in hand. A mop of dusty orange hair complimented his tan complexion. Hazel eyes stared blankly at the prince, yet something glittered in his gaze. He sheathed his sword and bowed. The rest followed suit.

Tedros smiled proudly. He reached into his shirt and the commotion began again. A perfect red rose rested in his hand, every princess trying to reach it. His eye turned to Katrina. Could he? He threw the flower to the crowd of hysterical girls.

Jubilee climbed onto the pews and grabbed the rose midair. She landed in a seat near him, brushing the petals against her nose and fluttering her eyelashes.

He got sucked into the crowd of princes before she could say a word. They filed into the seats closer to the front, girls getting as close as they could to touch their hair or feel their biceps.

That's all they were good for. Showmen, trying to impress girls and give them false hope of a future together. To think Maverick was right about boys. Malcolm put it in a nicer way; they're too stupid to know how to treat pretty girls.