"This will make you feel better," Lyra said in a soothing voice as she scooped yellow broth from her cauldron.

"Worry about your legs first," Hester croaked.

"My legs are fine," Lyra assured. "Just a few more sips. . ."

Hester only managed one before she fell back onto her bed.

Anadil stared at them with a concerned expression on her face as her rats grew eight inch bigger.

"I shouldn't have tried it," Hester wheezed. "She's too good. She's twice the witch I am—"

"Shh. . . the trial's over. Don't think about it and don't strain," Lyra said as she tried to make Hester drink another spoon.

Hester waved her spoon away as she shook her head weakly.

"But she loves him," Dot said curled in her bed.

"She thinks she does," Hester said. "Just like we all once did."

Dot's eyes widened.

"Please, Dot. You think she's the only Never who dabbled in love?"

"Hester, enough," Anadil pressed.

"No, let's have the truth," Hester said as she struggled to sit up. "All of us felt shameful stirrings. All of us have felt weakness."

Hester gazed at Lyra. "You should know what I'm talking about."

Lyra couldn't answer. "I—"

"Don't bother," Hester said her voice gentle. "You could have won, Lyra. But you didn't, because you care about everything and everyone too much."

"He showed me another side of him, okay?" Lyra said wanting to get this conversation over with. "He's more of a villain I could ever be. He could have just left me there and continue the Trial. But he didn't. Instead he let me win."

Lyra stared into Hester's eyes. "And that wouldn't have been right."

The room fell silent.

"But those feelings are wrong," Anadil said softly. "No matter how strong they are."

"That's why Sophie's special," Hester said wryly. "She almost convinced us they were right."

The room lasped into silence once more.

"So what happens to her now?" Dot asked.

Hester sighed. "The same thing that happens to all of us."

That's when distant clacks were heard, as it slowly made its way closer and closer to their room.

Lyra held her breath as the clacks grew louder and louder. . .

Then it ebbed past their room in silence.

Lyra let out a sigh of relief while Dot farted.

The door slammed open and the girls screamed.

Sophie stood at the door, only she looked different. Her hair was spiked and slicked, while black smeared eye sockets and lips. Her skin was ghost white and she wore a black cape along with black nail polish.

She stepped into the room, high black boots stabbing the floor.

Hester grinned at her. "Welcome home."

Lyra personally couldn't believe what she was looking at.

That's when Dot peeped nervously. "But where will we find a new bed?"

Four eyes found hers and before Dot knew it, she was thrown out of her room and was replaced.

✎﹏

"Wait a minute, let me get this straight," Lyra said. "Agatha was helping you in the Trial by Tale the entire time?"

"Well yes, but that isn't the point!" Sophie said.

"Then what is?" Anadil said, raising an eyebrow.

That's when Sophie flushed, and Lyra saw a glimpse of the Sophie she knew.

"I. . ." She faltered. "I didn't protect him."

Now her roommates were staring at her confused. "Weren't you planning on betraying him? You know, the "Sophie Trap"?" Hester questioned, looking as if she was no longer sick.

"I DIDN'T PLAN ANYTHING!" Sophie cried, as tears began to flow out of her face.

Lyra touched her shoulder comfortingly. "Shh. . . it's okay. Cool down. . ."

Sophie wiped off her tears before she stared at them. "I'm going to see him tomorrow."

"What?" The three witches said in unison.

"I need him to remember," Sophie said looking lost in thoughts. "I mean, surely he still remembers it. . . oh, but a little reminder wouldn't hurt—"

"Sophie, what are you rambling about?" Lyra questioned.

Sophie blinked before sitting on what used to be Dot's bed. Her face changed back into the cold Sophie who stepped into the room as she faced her roommates.

"Listen, we'll help you. Whatever it is," Hester said.

Lyra stared at her in shock. What was she doing?

"After all," Hester continued. "We're a coven. And witches need to stick together at a time like this."

Sophie nodded before she said, "If I'm joining the coven, then we should at least look like one."

"What do you mean?" Lyra asked. "Didn't we alway look like a coven?"

Sophie sighed before gesturing at them. "Look at us! Here I am: dashing, gorgeous and slick! While here you guys are: clumsy, hideous (no offense but I have to be honest here) and looking as if you've never looked into a mirror before!"

"Can't say she's wrong," Anadil muttered. Meanwhile Hester looked as if she was about to claw Sophie's face out but she stopped herself.

"Fine," Hester said, calming herself. "I suppose as little black nail polish and lip stick wouldn't hurt."

"Must we dress up though?" Lyra groaned. "It's such as hassle, and it brings unwanted attention."

Sophie frowned at her. "Should I ask Dot to come back?"

Lyra stopped talking.

"Right then, it's decided," Sophie said, a smile playing on her lips. "I'll talk to him tomorrow at lunch!"

✎﹏

As they walked towards Tedros with their hair dyed black and black make-up on their faces, Lyra couldn't stop the dreaded feeling building inside of her.

Sophie just wanted to talk. There was nothing wrong with that.

I mean, how far can one go in a conversation?

Not too far, hopefully. Lyra thought biting her lips. The last thing she wanted to see was Sophie and Tedros fighting in the middle of everyone.

Tedros seemed to sense them approaching as he turned to face them. He stared at them, wide-eyed for a moment before he gazed at Sophie.

"You think I faked it," Sophie said. "Yout think I never loved you."

"You can't cheat your way to love, Sophie," Tedros said. "My heart never wanted you."

Sophie smirked. "Oh I've seen who your heart picks." She then mimicked Agatha's buggy gape and trademark scowl.

Tedros flushed. "I can explain that—"

"Let me guess. Your heart is blind."

"No, it just says anyone but you."

Sophie chuckled and before anyone say it coming, she lunged at him.

Tedros and his mates immediately drew their swords.

Sophie smiled weakly. "Look what happened, Tedros. You're scared of your true love."

"Go back to your side!" Tedros yelled.

"I waited for you," Sophie said, her voice breaking. "I thought you'd come for me."

Tedros gave her an incredulous look. "Why would I come for you?"

"Because you made me a promise," Sophie breathed.

Lyra felt herself stop breathing for a moment.

Tedros glared at her. "I made you no promises."

Lyra felt her heart beat faster. Because she knew he was wrong. He had promised Sophie something.

Lyra gulped. She couldn't believe she had nearly forgotten the night Sophie had sneaked out to meet Tedros.

Then again, Tedros himself didn't seem to remember anything and this was clearly irritating Sophie.

"I see," Sophie said, looking down. Then she looked back up. "Then I'll be whatever you want me to be."

She thrust her glowing finger, turning the Ever boys' swords to snakes. The Ever boys fled while Tedros kicked dust at the reptiles.

When he turned around, Sophie was wiping tears and hurrying away. Hester and Anadil quickly followed her but Lyra stayed rooted on the spot.

Tedros stared at her, looking downright confused.

"You really don't remember?" She asked softly so that only he heard.

"Remember what?" Tedros questioned but his eyes betrayed him.

So he does know what she's talking about. Lyra thought to herself.

That's when she realized she was staying here far too long and turned around to walk away.

She felt Tedros grab her hand as he whispered to her the unmistakable words. "I don't love her."

Lyra turned around to face him and smiled. "I know."

Then she left, leaving Tedros hoping that his best friend was still on his side.

Because that's what best friends are for right?

✎﹏

When Lyra returned to the room that day, Sophie was in tears.

Hester and Anadil both sat beside her, handing her tissue and saying comforting words.

"Sophie," Lyra called out softly.

Sophie looked up and Lyra regretted calling her in the first place.

Every hint of the old Sophie was gone. The only thing left of her was a cold and angry person who no doubt now sought revenge.

"He didn't remember," Sophie whispered to herself. "He didn't remember. . ."

"Sophie," Lyra said, louder this time.

Sophie blinked, waking from her trance. "Lyra. . ."

That's when she stood up so suddenly and grabbed Lyra by the shoulders.

"Help me," Sophie said, gazing into Lyra's eyes. "Help me get my revenge."

Lyra's throat felt dry as she croaked, "He's my friend."

"But you're a witch, Lyra," Sophie whispered into her ear. "And Evers and Nevers can never be friends."

"W-what about Agatha? What happened to being Good?" Lyra asked.

Sophie chuckled. "I just want to remind him. That's all. I'm not going to hurt anyone."

"And what if I don't want to help you?" Lyra questioned, though she already knew the answer.

"Then you'll suffer the consequences," Sophie said, her voice filled with venom.

It was a matter of being good or being kicked out from the coven.

And Lyra already knew which one she was going to pick.

✎﹏

"I don't want to do this anymore," Lyra said.

It had been a week since the witches of room 66 had begun vandalizing the School for Good and Lyra knew that Professor Dovey and Tedros were on to them (mostly Sophie though).

At first, Lyra thought they would just be doing a couple of harmless pranks. But each day their attacks become worse and classes at the School for Good were stopping.

When Lyra looked at herself in the bathroom mirror one night, she couldn't help but gasp.

The girl in the mirror was a complete stranger.

Her hair was messy and she had dark bags underneath her eyes. Her once beautiful purple eyes were now dull and she looked like someone who hadn't slept for days (which was true).

I really am a villain, aren't I? She had thought to herself. After all, how could someone like me be good?

Good wouldn't be vandalizing a school. Good wouldn't have kicked out their roommate. Good wouldn't be allowing this to happen just to stay in a coven!

Lyra gripped the sink harder.

Tedros no longer stared at her as if she was his best friend. She was most likely some stranger to him now who was aiding the witch.

Maybe that's what she really was.

A sidekick.

But she couldn't accept that. And so, that evening she finally choked out the courage to tell Sophie that she wanted to stop.

She didn't expect Hester and Anadil to agree.

"Yeah, me and Hester want to stop too," Anadil grouched.

"You got your revenge. Let him go," Hester said.

"I thought you three were villains," Sophie said, her eyes glued to the book she was reading.

"Villains have purpose!" Hester snapped. "What we're doing is just thuggery."

"Tonight we're putting pox in the boy's breeches," Sophie said, ignoring what they just said. "Find a spell for it."

Lyra felt herself losing her cool. "What exactly do you want, Sophie?" She demanded. "What are we doing all of these for?"

Sophie looked up. "Are you going to help or should I turn us all in?"

Later that night, Hester, Anadil and Lyra brew a potion to turn the Good lake to Evil sludge.

The brew left their hands red with burns, but Sophie made them go back at dawn to lace Ever linens with lice.

Lyra had never felt so tired and scared in her life. Each night she prayed that they wouldn't get caught, but Sophie was making them attack so frequently that half of the Good classed had to be canceled.

"I don't want to do this anymore," whispered Lyra, curled up on her bed.

Sophie had not yet returned from their previous class (Lady Lesso had asked to talk to her) and so, the three witches had returned to their dorm.

"I don't want to either," replied Hester who was lying on her bed and staring at the ceiling.

"But we've got no choice," Anadil said tiredly as she fed her rats. "Either we follow her or she'd turn us all in. And I don't think any of us fancies that."

Lyra sighed. She felt hopeless.

The door slammed open, making the girls jump.

Sophie walked in, face pale.

"No more attacking," She said, trembling. "We're not going to attack the School for Good anymore. It's over."

Lyra's eyes widened. Well that was a surprise.

"Like no more midnight excursions?" Hester clarified.

Sophie bit her lips and nodded her head. "I'm Good," She whispered to herself as she sat on her bed. "I'm Good. I'm Good. I'm Good. . ."

Lyra let out a sigh of relief. It was as if the heavens had answered her prayers.

Hester and Anadil looked much more relax now as they slumped on their beds.

That night, Lyra closed her eyes and smiled. Finally there would be a good night sleep, where she wouldn't have to worry about getting caught or betraying Tedros.

What caused Sophie to make that sudden declaration, Lyra did not know and she did not really want to find out.

What mattered was that there was finally peace.

Lyra let herself drift to sleep, allowing herself to be transported to dreamworld. . .

Only to be woken up in the middle of the night by Sophie who looked as if she just saw a ghost.

"It's the middle of the night for pete's sake!" Lyra fumed as the 4 witches moved through the tunnel. "You told us it was over!"

"Yeah, this is starting to get on my last nerve," Anadil grouched.

"We can't keep doing things without a purpose!" seethed Hester.

"I have a purpose," Sophie said, whirling around. "You hear me? I have a purpose."

The next morning, Evers arrived at lunch only to realized all the trees on their side were cut down except the one Sophie and Tedros used to sit beneath.

The tree was carved with the unmistakable words "LIAR" over and over again.

"Stop it. Stop it now!" Tedros said angrily as he marched towards Sophie.

"Or what? You'll catch me?" Sophie simpered.

"Now you really sound like a villain," Tedros sneered.

Lyra, Hester and Anadil watched them from a tree nearby. None of them knew what to say but there wasn't much to say either anyways. All Lyra knew was that this conversation wasn't going to turn up well.

"Careful, Teddy. What will they say when we dance at the ball?" Sophie said.

"All right, now you've lost it—"

"Here I thought you were a prince," Sophie said, standing up and walking towards him. "Because you promised to take me to the ball right at this very spot. And a prince never breaks his promise."

Gasps were heard from both sides. Lyra remembered clearly the night Tedros promised Sophie this and felt her heart drop.

Tedros looked as if he had been kicked in the gut.

Sophie smiled at him maliciously. "After all, a prince who breaks his promise. . . is a villain."

Tedros's cheeks were blotched red now.

"But you're not a villain and neither am I," Sophie said guiltily. "So all you have to do is keep your promise and we can ourselves again. Tedros and Sophie. Prince and Princess."

Then she held out her hand. "Good for Ever After."

There was silence as everyone waited tensely for Tedros's response.

"I'll never take you to the Ball," Tedros spat. "Never."

Sophie's smile disappeared as she withdrew her hand. "Then we know who's responsible for the attacks."

Lyra could see Evers shooting Tedros blameful stares. Ashamed, Tedros trudged out of the Clearing. Sophie's eyes followed Tedros, not leaving him until he was out of sight.

Lyra turned to see Hester and Anadil who looked as if they could spit fire.

"This is about a Ball?" Anadil snarled at Sophie.

Sophie turned around. "This is about what's right."

"You're on your own," Hester said, glowering at her. She then grabbed Anadil and Lyra's hand and left.

"She's lost it," Hester sneered as they walked back to their room.

"Perhaps she did," Lyra muttered. "The old Sophie is lost. And in its place. . . is a monster."