Chapter 4: Evil Queen Therapy

"Are we in trouble?"

Isabella couldn't help but ask that question once she had followed Apple White into the school advisor's office. Though she was thankful to get out of her Kingdom Management class, she wondered why in the land of Ever After both she and Mrs. Fairest One of All had been called up. What increased her curiosity was the fact that Maddie, Briar Beauty, and Lizzie Hearts were there as well.

"No, you're not," Baba Yaga answered, gesturing to some empty chairs. "Have a seat, dears."

Doing as she was told, Isabella took the last available seat next to Lizzie, once again fidgeting with the charm on her choker. Nervousness gripped her heart, squeezing it as tightly as the dread she'd felt last week at Legacy Day Rehearsals had been – only that time it was her stomach that was under attack. What was this about? Why was she here? Moreover, why were three other of her peers and the headmaster (who was standing behind her seat) here as well?

The minutes that followed felt like hours as she waited in complete silence for some sort of explanation as to what was going on. She tried to distract herself by imagining herself back home, exploring the woods with her best friend forever after…

A wave of depression replaced her nervousness upon thinking of her friend. She'd tried everything to make up for the fight they had, but still no word, call, or hext had come from-

"Um, Madam Yaga, is everything-"

Isabella immediately looked in the direction of the doorway. Raven stood there with a confused look on her face as she finished her sentence in which she had cut herself off from with an "o-kay…"

"Raven, take a seat. As a faculty advisor, it's my job to meet with the, um-"

"Troubled students," Headmaster Grimm finished for Baba Yaga.

"What?! I'm not troubled…" Raven said as she placed her hands on the back of the chair nearest to the doorway.

"We're here to get you back on the right path – er, the wrong path. I'll let your friends explain." Baba Yaga nodded toward Apple.

It was then Isabella figured out what was going on. This was all about Raven sparking a school-wide rebellion and her refusing to take her evil destiny seriously. And the reason why she and four other of her peers were there was to try to talk sense into the Rebel leader, who she could tell was clearly frustrated at the fact that she couldn't say anything to her defense about not wanting to be like her mother.

Crossing her legs as well as her arms, Isabella waited for her turn to speak. If Raven couldn't defend herself from what was no doubt a plan of Headmaster Grimm's to try to get her to change her mind about endangering her story, then she'd be the one to back her up.

"I think Raven is wicked awesome just the way she is," Maddie said, eyeing Headmaster Grimm. "And you didn't tell me we were here to be hassle-heard. You said we were gonna have a tea party."

"Yes. I lied." Headmaster Grimm smirked. "We haven't heard from Lizzie Hearts yet."

Isabella rolled her eyes. Not that she had anything against Lizzie, in fact, she actually liked her, but there was no doubt that what she had to say were a few choice, yet famous words.

"Off with her head!"

'Yup. No shock there,' Isabella thought while pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Alright, Isabella. Do you have anything you'd like to add?" Baba Yaga asked.

All eyes looked upon Isabella then.

"Yes, ma'am. I do." She began, unable to suppress the smile that spread onto her face. She directed it toward Raven, winking at her to show that she was going to be her voice for that one moment. "In fact, I stand by what Maddie said about Raven being awesome just the way she is. So what if she's not evil like her mother? She should be free to be herself and not have to change who she is just because her role in her story requires her to."

Pausing for a moment, Isabella stood up and went over to stand by Raven, who was giving her a thank-you-so-happily-ever-after-much look.

"Besides, I firmly believe that everyone has the right to choose who and what they wish to be. It's about time things changed around here in Ever After. I mean, what's a story without a plot twist?"

Silence ensued Isabella's small speech. The only thing that followed was the sharp, almost angry look of Headmaster Grimm, causing Isabella to gulp hard. Had she said too much? Or perhaps she said something that she shouldn't have said?

A second later, the room was filled with chatter. Isabella shrunk back, seeing that most of it was about her now. But to her surprise (and relief), Raven stood up, a magical glow around her hands.

"Everyone, stop it!" She shouted, spreading her arms out and causing a wave of magic to spread about the room.

Chicken noises then came from where Headmaster Grimm had been standing a moment prior.

"Now that's what we're looking for from an evil queen! I think we made real progress here!" He exclaimed happily as he appeared from behind Briar's seat, his body now that of a chicken.

Raven rolled her eyes, turning and walking out of the office. Isabella watched as the headmaster raised a wing to his chin, his smile disappearing.

"But how do I change back?" He asked, chasing after Raven. "I don't want to be a chicken man!"

Laughter erupted from Isabella and the other four girls.

'Now that was worth being called out of Kingdom Management.' She thought. 'I'm so gonna have to tell P-'

Isabella's smile died. She was going to have to stop thinking about her friend who was likely never going to answer her numerous hexts and calls – or speak to her ever again. After all, she had new friends with Cerise, Raven, Cedar, and Maddie.

Despite the comforting thought, she couldn't hold back the tear that fell down her cheek as she left Baba Yaga's office.

Poor Isabella. Her best friend forever after won't talk to her. :'(

Some content/credit in chapter is based off/goes to the makers of the webisode "Stark Raven Mad".