Meeshell and her fellow Happily-Glees stood in the wing of the Charmitorium’s stage, waiting to be announced. The air around them sizzled with nervous energy and excitement. It was the night of the annual Ever After High Talent Show. The Happily-Glees were one of dozens of acts scheduled to perform in front of the entire student body. Duchess Swan and her pet swan, Pirouette, were waiting to dance a pas de deux in matching tutus. Ginger Breadhouse had prepared a magic trick with singing sprinkles and flying moonpies. And Sparrow Hood and the Merry Men were currently on stage, playing the school’s anthem to warm up the crowd.
Meeshell went over her lyrics in her head. The choir had practiced all weekend. Meeshell had learned the solo part, while the rest of the choir had learned the harmony. With Meeshell’s voice taking the lead, the other singers grew more confident, and the whole choir began to sound better. Melody decided to cut back on the choreography, instead focusing entirely on the music. The transition in her choir was amazing. “I’m so proud of each of you,” she whispered as they huddled together. “Let’s go out there and give them a performance they’ll never forget.” Then she paused, probably remembering the last performance, which had yet to be forgotten. “I meant that in a good way.” They all chuckled.
Meeshell peeked past the stage’s curtain. There were no empty seats in the Charmitorium. Even the balcony was full. Tech Club members busily worked the lights, the sound system, and cameras. Humphrey stood behind one of the cameras. He glanced at Meeshell. She waved at him, but he didn’t wave back. He quickly looked away. Why was he acting shier than usual?
She hadn’t heard from StoryTeller2 in a few days. Was he sitting in the audience? Her gaze flew across the gilded seats, looking for boys wearing crowns. She found Daring and his brother, Dexter. Hopper was seated in the third row. Another crown caught her eye, but then the curtains closed, blocking her view. Someone tapped on her arm. She turned around. It was Melody. “Okay, it’s our turn. We have a surprise for you.”
What did Melody mean? But before Meeshell could ask, a rumbling sound arose. Two giants pushed an enormous aquarium onto the stage. Meeshell looked at Melody with confusion. “It’s for you,” Melody said with a laugh. “So you can be your true self.” Then she turned to her choir. “Follow me. And everyone, break a leg. Or a tail.”
The Happily-Glees followed their director onto the stage. Meeshell wasn’t sure what to do, but then one of the giants offered her his enormous hand. She stepped into it and was lifted to the water’s surface. She dived in, instantly changing into her mermaid self. Most of the students hadn’t yet seen her in this form. Even though she was in the water, the one place where she felt most at home, her heart pounded with nervousness. Would this go okay? “Everyone ready?” Melody asked. The choir nodded. The curtains opened and the audience gasped in unison at the vision that greeted them.
Floating with her head above water, Meeshell began to sing. Very few in attendance had ever heard mermaid singing, and once heard, they would never forget. So lovely was the sound, so enchanting, if asked later, no one would truly be able to find words to describe it.
She sang, “This feeling inside is coming alive. No more waiting now…” And then, with a kick of her tail, she sailed into the air, did a graceful flip, and landed on two feet. She was wearing her favorite dress, the one with the scalloped coral top and teal skirt, the ruffles moving as gracefully as waves. Beneath the stage lights, her princess mermaid bracelet glittered on her arm, and her white pearlized shoes sparkled. Everyone went wild, cheering and clapping for the performance. Meeshell joined her fellow Happily-Glees in the chorus.
“See the fire in our eyes, it’s burning brighter.
Let go of the fear and fly, higher and higher.
Rise up, the sky’s the limit now, at Ever After High.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!
Power princess shining bright!”
“They loved you,” Melody told Meeshell as loud applause filled the Charmitorium.
“They loved us,” Meeshell said.
“That was wonderlicious!” Maddie hurried onto the stage. “I guess it’s my turn now. Damsels and gentlemen, prepare to be spellbound and behold, as I turn this aquarium into the biggest cup of tea ever after!”
As Maddie worked her magic trick, Headmaster Grimm greeted the choir backstage. “Ms. Piper.” He spoke in his usual serious tone.
“Yes, Headmaster?”
“I wanted to inform you that I was delighted by the performance. I didn’t feel the need to plug my ears this time.”
“Thanks,” Melody said.
“And it is nice to see that you are no longer living incognito,” he told Meeshell. “Mrs. Trollworth won’t be happy with the additional paperwork required to make the change to your name, but the truth is, trolls are rarely happy.”
Meeshell made a mental note to take Mrs. Trollworth a bouquet of flowers. Or perhaps, something more troll-worthy, like a jar of bugs.
Apple and Briar were weaving their way through the crowd. “Ms. Beauty!” Headmaster Grimm called. Briar and Apple squeezed between some students who were congratulating Melody.
“Yes, Headmaster Grimm,” Briar said.
“A new student will arrive tomorrow morning, from Wonderland. As the head of the Welcoming Committee, I will need you to meet that student at the wishing well portal.”
Briar pulled out her MirrorPad and checked her calendar. “I’d be happy to do that, Headmaster, but I have a Party Planning Committee meeting first thing in the morning. However…” Following a long yawn, she tucked the MirrorPad into her bag, then pulled a small badge from her pocket. “I happen to have a new member on the Welcoming Committee who will handle the welcome duties spelltacularly.” She pinned the Welcoming Committee badge to Apple’s dress. Apple beamed.
A while later, after most of the students had congratulated Melody and her choir, Meeshell, Apple, Briar, Ashlynn, and Maddie all decided to walk to the village to get mocha lattes. For the first time since getting two legs, there was a lightness to Meeshell’s step, a buoyancy to her stride as if she were bobbing on water. She felt authentically happy.
“Now that we know you’re not afraid of water, how about going to Mirror Beach this weekend?” Apple asked.
“Yes, you can teach us all how to surf,” Briar said.
“That would be fun,” Meeshell told them. As they sat at a table beneath a giant oak, waiting for their lattes, Meeshell wanted to send StoryTeller2 a note. Maybe he’d meet her at the beach? But when she pulled out her MirrorPad, she found an urgent message. And it wasn’t from StoryTeller2.
Urgent message from Professor Yaga.
We have another injured creature and I could use your help.