Chapter I

Being a high school student was as far from living a fairy tale as one could get. It was a nightmare where the villains clothed themselves in white button-downs and sharp, hurtful glares. And the princes…

Oh wait, there weren't any.

Zero. Nil. Zip.

Ariel sighed, chin falling into the cradle of her hand, blue eyes focused intently on her English teacher, drinking thirstily the sight of midnight hair, kind cerulean, and that handsome smile…

True, there weren't any princes at Disney High, but there was Professor Eric, and he was more than enough charming for Ariel.

Eric's eyes met hers briefly before moving around the classroom as if he hadn't looked. Ariel smiled, face warming.

Beside her, Belle placed down her book. "You are being very obvious today."

"Hm?" The redhead queried, glancing at her friend. Realizing what she meant, Ariel shrugged, unbothered. "He's very handsome today, isn't he?"

"He looks the same as always, Ariel." Belle sounded exasperated though she was a bit jealous if she were to be honest. Not that Ariel had a poorly-concealed crush on their professor, but that she had a crush on anyone at all.

In her books, it always sounded so lovely to fall in love…

Now she was sighing. She shook her head, quietly chastising herself for getting distracted from the lesson.

"Alright, so I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I'm going to be pairing you up for your upcoming projects," Eric announced with a slightly apologetic smile, passing handouts around the class.

A few groaned, many sighed. Belle read the instructions eagerly, already excited about the prospect of an in depth book report. Ariel took her handout from Eric, smiling at him as if she'd never been happier in her entire life. He moved on, pretending not to notice.

"Listen out for your partner. I'll give you 'til the end of class to discuss your project together."

Ariel and Belle both slumped a little in their seats, not very excited about being forced into working with someone that wasn't each other. Neither were very fond of their classmates. In general, Ariel seemed to get along with almost anyone. Belle, however, was an entirely different story. Aside from when she was with her friends, she usually tended to feel…odd. Not like other people.

She really, really was not looking forward to working with someone that would only make her feel more like an anomaly.

"Ariel." Eric's voice sounded like velvet, the redhead's name tender against his lips, his eyes moving to her. He smiled, and her heart leapt. "You'll be working with Jasmine."

The flaming-haired beauty looked across the classroom, her eyes meeting curious dark brown. Jasmine—beautiful, smart, easygoing. Ariel smiled, pleased.

Belle curled her fingers into the hem of her light-blue skirt, unwilling to admit she was disappointed that her only two options for a good partner had been stolen away. When her name was called, she only felt anxious.

"Belle, I've paired you with Adam."

Her heart sank, plummeted like a figurative rock in her gut. Nodding that she understood, she felt inclined to look over at her assigned partner only to find him already turned in his seat, glaring at her.

Her brow crinkled, though she couldn't say she was confused. Adam was known for his temper and for being the wealthiest student in the school. Not only was he spoiled rotten and didn't understand how to treat other people, he was also incredibly good looking, which made it all so much worse, somehow.

However, she wasn't about to let him look at her like that. If they were to work together, he was going to do something about that attitude of his.

There were only a few remaining minutes left of class. Adam refused to move next to Belle, so the brunette decided to take the initiative, taking the empty seat beside his desk.

His arms crossed over his chest, he was looking out the window, scowling.

"We need to decide on what book to read for our report," she began dutifully, taking out the booklist and scanning it.

"You decide yourself. I don't care."

Ignoring another spasm of anger, Belle pressed on, attempting to be cordial. "You should care. I'm not doing the work for both of us. If you want to pass, you need to participate."

He turned to her then, blue eyes piercing beneath angry, caramel brows.

Belle was momentarily startled by his proximity as he leaned over the small space between them, his face in hers as he spoke, voice so low it was nearly a growl. "Fine. Do it yourself." And then he was gone, desk shoved backward as he left.

She sat there, unable to comprehend what went wrong and why. It was true Adam was very attractive, but his personality left a bad taste in her mouth.

The bell rang and students began to pack away their things. Belle left without so much a word of goodbye to anyone, quietly fuming about what'd just happened. Ariel waved in parting to Jasmine, taking her time packing away her books until she was the only student left in the classroom.

Eric was seated at his desk when she approached, his eyes downcast, intent on reading the inconsequential details on a student late slip.

"Did you need something, Ariel?" He finally glanced up, his smile natural but tight as his eyes met ocean blue.

"Not really," she answered truthfully, moving around to the less crowded side of his desk and taking a seat on the edge facing him. Her dark green skirt rose on her thighs as she crossed them. Leaning her weight on her left palm, she smiled down at Eric, brushing a cascade of red hair behind her shoulder. "How's Max?"

Eric rolled his chair back to put some distance between himself and his student, his eyes once more glued to a random, inconsequential object. Anything but the beautiful girl on his desktop. If it were anyone else he would've immediately insisted they get down. With her it was different, and it shouldn't be. Couldn't be.

"Did he like the toy?" She continued on, unaware as always of her own indecency, that her skirt was much too short and her smile too inviting. "Daddy suggested it, and he usually has good taste."

Eric grinned. "He liked it. Can't say it has much stuffing left."

Ariel laughed, the sound birdlike and musical.

The raven-haired man found himself staring, caught up in her happiness, the way her face lit up and somehow became even more beautiful. Vibrant. He brought a hand to his mouth and cleared his throat, the motion an attempt at being more serious. Professional. Everything he was supposed to be when around her, but wasn't.

The doorknob to the classroom rattled as if someone were about to enter. It quieted, but Eric's heart didn't. It was a reminder that at any time someone might step in and see him with her, like this. This, her legs crossed and smooth, crimson hair unbound and loose around her shoulders. Beautiful and wonderful and interesting and—

His student.

"You should get down, Ariel."

Her joy dimmed, her disappointment too obvious. But she never did try to hide it. Her feelings for him weren't a secret.

She slipped off his desk quietly, bending to pick up her bag before heading towards the door. He didn't want her to leave, but she needed to. She turned to him. "Will I see you at swim practice?"

"I am the coach, aren't I?"

Their eyes locked, unfulfilled, wanting more, and then she left.


Author's Note: Hello and thank you for reading! I've always wanted to write a Disney fic, so here goes! There are going to be three main pairings: Belle/Adam (Beast), Ariel/Eric, Jasmine/Aladdin. Other princesses/princes MAY make an appearance, but they won't be the focus of the story. This story will have LEMON CONTENT. If you enjoy it, please leave a review! Feedback is always appreciated!