Morning was rising in the misty grounds of Ever After High. The birds were chirping lightly, so that it almost made a melody which soothed the mind. However, one mind was not soothed.
Carmen Rosenrot was lying on her bed, which was streaked with vibrant red and violet. The sun percolated through the glass, and its' light was calmly deposited onto Carmen, yet she wouldn't wake up. Soon enough, another girl came forward, and calmly poked Carmen. It was obvious to the ears that she was sleeping, since you could hear her snoring, and seeing the cover bob up and down hinted at respiration. The other girl had no choice, and shook her.
"AURELIA!" Carmen shouted. It was obvious that Carmen was irate, as she stared into her roommate's eyes. The girl was Aurelia Midas, Carmen's new roommate.
"You were talking in your sleep last night, I barely got any!" Aurelia retorted indignantly. "I have a social meeting down in Mad Hatters Tea Shoppe in 20 minutes. 20 freaking minutes, that I have to get dressed, put on my make-up and do my hair, not to mention shower, brush and floss!"
"Who flosses anyway?" Carmen hazily remarked.
"I DO!" Aurelia hastily rejoindered. "My teeth shimmer like gold. Do you know how easy it is to find a spot of plaque in my teeth?"
"What, like motivational easy or actual easy?" Carmen questioned.
"Actual easy." Aurelia softly, yet bitterly remarked. "Look, I have got to get ready. And so do you. Come on, get up Sleeping Beauty."
"I'll give you five seconds to take that back or your head will be shoved under this mattress." Carmen was clearly angry from Aurelia's talk. Aurelia stormed out of the room, with her clothes in hand, and left Carmen alone.
Eventually, Carmen had decided to get changed, as she wanted to go down to purchase some pears. That night, Carmen was to make a tart for her and Aurelia, while watching a movie. Unlike her roommate, Carmen had no intention to gain a social reputation. In fact, she was taking a drastic aversion from it. Adjusting her ponytail, Carmen took her purse, which hung from one of the protrusions on her bedframe, and strode out of the dorm room.
As she sauntered through the corridors, taking treks down the staircases, and took a gander at some of the extra-curriculars that students were taking at that moment. Art Club, Environmental Council and the Football team were in many of the classrooms she passed. When she made it to the front entrance, she stumbled upon Crockeri Potts.
"Top of the mornin', my dear." Crockeri enthusiastically chirruped.
"Hello." Carmen simply said. "I'm going to try out that pear tart tonight."
"Sounds marvellous." Crockeri responded. "Don't forget the flour."
"I won't." Carmen casually assured her, as she carried on in her journey. She passed over the bridge, paying no attention to anyone else's concerns, and almost smiled. But she didn't, of course she didn't. Carmen was too wrapped in other people's problems that she didn't pay concern to her own that much.
At last, she had reached the Village of Bookend. However, a familiar face was there. Someone she envied so badly, that she plainly avoided. Her cousin, Apple White. She said a silent prayer in her head that Apple wouldn't notice her.
"Carmen!" it didn't work. Apple called out for Carmen. After time to roll her eyes and scrunch her face, Carmen turned around to look at her chirpy cousin.
"Hello Apple." Carmen monotonously answered.
"Carmen, you're invited to our party tomorrow!" Apple reminded Carmen. Surrounding Apple, there were a gaggle of royals. The Prissy Posse, as Carmen always called it.
"She's invited?" Briar queried to Apple, staring at Carmen with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, I can't go, I'm sick." Carmen quickly retorted. She would make any excuse to avoid spending time with Apple.
"Don't put that one on us!" Ashlynn interrupted. "We may be princesses but we're not stupid."
"Lizzie Hearts said that you were making pear tart for your movie with Aurelia." Blondie inserted her evidence casually. "If you were really so sick you can't come to our party, you'd be in no state to make pear tart!"
"Girls, stop." Apple hindered. "You don't have to come if you don't want to." There was much sorrow in her gentle blue eyes. "I see you're just too busy." Following this, she ran off, full of tears, with her posse following behind. Carmen was left alone in the village.
As Carmen ventured to the grocery store, she stared up to the sky. Why was she always doing this? Was it necessary to do that? What's wrong with being around Apple? Many thoughts came around her head. She had no answers. A ton of guilt crashed down upon her, as she solemnly purchased the pears, she also purchased some apples. Carmen wasn't one to talk with Apple, but she certainly had no desire to upset her. She wasn't that kind of girl.
In the end, Carmen walked out of the store, at a slow pace. A single tear came from her eye, though she never brushed it away.
Back in her dorm room, Aurelia stared at Carmen as she walked in. She could tell easily that she had been crying.
"Aurelia?" Carmen asked. "If it's okay, could I come with you to the party tomorrow?" Aurelia simply stared at her.
"I hope Apple forgives you," she responded, "But I really don't know if she will this time."