Free The Princes of Tangleforest by Dorlana Vann

a quick and secret stop by my house tomorrow after school. I’m going to give you a new crown, Prince Tanner.”
    “You’re going to cut my hair… aren’t you?”
    “Sacrifices do have to be made and not just your hair. You’ll have to lose the skater-vibe completely.”
    He raised his eyebrows to her. “Do I have to wear suit coats and pullover sweaters?”
    “This was your idea. You don’t have to do this.”
    “I think I do.”

Chapter 14
     
    Tuesday Afternoon: Even though Julia knew the fight she and Tanner had earlier that day at school had been planned and fake, it had felt all too real. She had cringed as Tanner walked away from the lunch table after he’d shouted, “You’re just weird, Julia. Stay the hell away from me.” And even though the tears that had streamed down her face weren’t for Zachary’s benefit, he did see them and smile. At least it had been the reaction they needed. Victory was truly bittersweet.
    But now it was time to make Tanner sorry for choosing the pretty girl over the smart one with the scissors.
    “Why are you grinning like that?” Tanner asked after Julia opened her front door.
    “Oh, no reason. Come on in. Bwa ha ha.”
    “You’re making me nervous.”
    “You’ll be fine.” She tried to walk on ahead to lead the way, but he stood there stuck to the floor. “I promise. I’m good at this.”
    “So you say. Wait a minute… is your dad better today?”
    “Yeah. He’s good.” 
    “Glad to hear it. I wanted to make sure you weren’t going to kick me out with only half a haircut.”
    “Funny guy. Just get in here.” She walked on through the living room, and this time Tanner followed. “He does seem to be doing better,” she said. “He’s actually on a date.”
     “Really? You’re okay with that?”
     “I guess. I’m kind of the one who encouraged it. I wanted him to get out and meet more people and to re-immerse himself into the land of the living. Yep, my idea.”
    Tanner shook his head. “Daaang, I haven’t even thought of that. I don’t know what I would do if my mom started dating.”
    “Where’s your dad?” She asked casually as they walked into the kitchen. She stopped and turned to him. “I mean, if you don’t mind me asking?”
    “My parents are pretending to be busy, but they’re separated.”
    “I see,” she said. “I’m sorry.” She patted the chair next to the table. “Go on. Have a seat.”
    “It looks like a torture chamber.” Tanner sat, eyeing the scissors, comb, clippers, hand mirror, and smock that Julia had placed on the table before he arrived.
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Now where did I put my knives?” Julia wrapped the smock around his neck.  After she wet Tanner’s hair using a spray bottle, she began to cut. 
    Although she actually hated to cut his waves, the experience proved almost therapeutic, and she found herself engrossed. Tanner didn’t seem to notice. She tried to tune him out as he talked about Poppi and how he planned to introduce the idea of helping her to his mom.
    Finished, she handed him the mirror. She had shaved the sides, but left it a little longer on top.
    “Not bad,” he said.
    “I went easy on you. I could have easily made you look like a real dork. And speaking of dorky, let’s go take a peek in my dad’s closet for you an outfit.”
     
    Wednesday Morning: Tanner wore the borrowed black slacks and white shirt from Mr. Webster’s closet to school. He was used to wearing baggy jeans, so the pants weren’t that big of a deal. The shirt, on the other hand, felt stiff, and it itched around his neck.
    He already missed his skateboard but supposed it didn’t really matter at the moment because his ankle still hurt. Just walking, he had to nurse it the entire way to school. At least it wasn’t broken, and he didn’t have to tell his mom about it.
    By the time he made it to his seat in his first period class, he had a full limp. While he was examining his