The School for Good and Evil (The School for Good and Evil, #1)

by Soman Chainani

Why do you think we all wished for different boys at the lake? Girls are practical like that. Boys just all want the prettiest one.”

“A useful reminder of the one thing princesses have that villains do not.” Agatha bolted up. The answer! “A proper diet,” Professor Anemone huffed.

The Beast thrashed in water and slime, grunting and flailing for the wall. The tides were too strong. She watched him gurgle his last breaths and sink like a stone. Sophie smoothed her hair and walked towards the light, swallowing the sickness in her throat. The Good forgive, said the rules.

“Oh, she’s always lying. Just to get attention. Since she’s, you know . . .” Tedros raised his eyebrows. “Since she’s . . .” “Fat.” “I see.” Tedros lined up his marble. “Funny, isn’t it? She crawled into empty graves to eat enough worms for the two of you, just so you wouldn’t fail. Said you’re her best friend.”

Her reflection stopped smiling. “You think we’re a witch?” Agatha glowered at herself. “We’re making our friend win her true love just so we can take her away from him.”

The next day, Sophie flunked all her challenges again and yet somehow avoided failing out of school. Though she was clearly the worst, each time she saw a “19” pop up instead of a “20.”

“My roommates say I’m 100% Evil,” Sophie said softly. “But you know the truth. I don’t know how to be Evil. Not even 1%. So please don’t ask me to go against my own soul, Agatha. I can’t.” Her voice caught. “I just can’t.”

“Will you come with me?” Agatha turned. Gently, Sophie curled her tail around her friend’s hand. “We’re a team,” she said. Agatha had to remind herself she didn’t have time to cry.

There was no kiss because there would never be a kiss. Sophie had no intention of them going home. Ever.

“We’re a team,” said Tedros, dimpling, and with a last brush of her cheek, he left through the Ever Doors.

“You need to make new friends, Agatha.” Sophie smiled gently. “I have a prince now.”

Garrick of Gavaldon. Taken with Bane. Bane had failed. Garrick had died. Her heart rattled against her ribs. Getting home alive is our happy ending. Agatha was right all along.

“Makes perfect sense,” Professor Dovey said over them. “Some mysterious busybody, who no one has ever seen, flits through your tower, meddling with your ranks.”

Agatha turned. “Wait. So if a girl doesn’t get asked to the Ball, then she fails and suffers a punishment worse than death. But if a boy doesn’t go to the Ball, he gets half ranks? How is that

“Oh, Agatha, I’m a terrible friend. But I’ll have my whole life to make it up to you.”