It was a peaceful afternoon at Ever After High. Birds flew and chirruped through the school in a harmonious chorus. The book ball team were gallantly practising on the field, and those that were free from class had set up picnic blankets over the bleachers.
From the classroom window atop the tall castle spire sat a curious girl. She watched the peaceful scene outside and couldn't help but wonder if the clouds above would taste of marshmallows or candyfloss. Some might say that it's impossible to eat a cloud, but her father had always taught her to think of at least six impossible things before breakfast.
"Madeline Hatter? Have you been paying attention?" Professor Jack B. Nimble tapped impatiently at his lectern.
Maddie's smile beamed. "Why yes professor! I've been attentive to many a happenstance today, including a marvellous flying display from some very talented sparrows."
Raven Queen stifled a giggle at her mad friend. She gave Maddie a small nudge and pointed at her notebook with an answer written in the corner.
"…But I believe the answer you were looking for is 'enchanted waterfalls'?"
Professor Nimble nodded and returned to the chalkboard. "Correct Ms. Hatter. 'Enchanted waterfalls'. Similar to ordinary waterfalls but with three major differences…" he continued.
Maddie let out a sigh of relief and mouthed a big thank you! to Raven. She grinned back at her as if to say don't mention it! Maddie spent the remainder of the class doodling on scraps of parchment. Geografairy was a perfectly interesting subject, but not nearly as fun as che-myth-stry class. Last week, she concocted a potion that could make your toes glow in the dark; she wasn't so sure about the taste, but it was a spell-tacular way to light up a dark situation!
Maddie was adding the finishing touches to her masterpiece of a doodle involving Raven and herself flying around on a majestic, moustachioed sparrow when the school bell chimed to signal the end of class.
"Students, before you go, I have an announcement to make. As you know, the semester is almost at a close which means it's time for…" He gave a dramatic pause before flicking a switch which made a large projector screen drop down, the words were written in large, bold letters. "…Your independent study project!"
His announcement was met with a reaction of groaning and worry. There was a distinctive 'WHY?!' that sounded from a desperate student suddenly regretting his choice in elective.
Professor Nimble brushed their responses aside. "Here now, no need to fret. You'll be partnered up and work together to make things a little more productive." He procured a list from a large file and cleared his throat. "Partnerships are as follows:"
As he read out the names, many of the students were delighted with their teams. The list went on until there were only a handful of people left.
"Raven Queen and… Cerise Hood"
Raven looked over her shoulder and waved at Cerise, who shyly smiled and waved back at her.
"Ah, that's too bad. I really thought we'd be together on this one Maddie."
Maddie contemplated. "Sometimes the caterpillar forgets his shoes, but he'll never run out of gloves!"
"I don't speak Riddlish, but I'll assume that meant something nice."
Maddie giggled and tapped her nose.
Towards the back of the room, Bunny and Alistair sat, still waiting for their names to be called. Bunny scooted ever so slightly closer to him. "So… not many partners left huh?" She brushed her hair out of her eyes and behind her ear.
"I've got a good feeling about this project! I just feel it in my boots y'know?" Alistair's eyes lit up, Bunny could tell just from looking at him when he was passionate about something. The way he would get so enthused and create wonderlandiful plans was so contagious that you often found yourself excited about it too.
"It would be nice if we could work on it togeth—"
"Bunny Blanc and Kitty Cheshire!" called Professor Nimble.
Bunny froze as though she were caught in headlights. Her eyes widened in disbelief. She looked at Alistair and then looked over at Kitty, who had a fantastic smile across her face.
"No…" She whispered.
Alistair waved a hand in front of Bunny. "Are you okay?"
"Which leaves the final pair: Alistair Wonderland and Madeline Hatter" said Professor Nimble.
Bunny slumped into her chair, softly muttering 'why not me?!' under her breath. Maddie looked up and performed a small greeting with two little flags at Alistair. He chuckled and waved back at her.
"Here's the brief: This project counts to half your final grade, so I want thirty pages on a topic of your own choosing by the end of the month - the day before the Starlight Festival, so that should give you something to look forward to! Alright then, any questions? No? Class dismissed."
The students stood up and collected their things, chattering away with their newly formed partners and swapping MirrorPhone numbers. Bunny was still sat in shock at her desk, placing her stationary back into her bag at a snail's pace. Alistair tucked his chair back into the desk and lightly knocked on Bunny's head with his hand.
"I'll meet you by the castleteria, I need to talk to Maddie about our project."
"Okay" She replied, trying her best to uphold her smile, "hext you later!"
When he had turned away, Bunny's smile faded. She felt a strange lump in her throat. It had always been the two of them. Bunny and Alistair. Alistair and Bunny. Partners in crime. And partners in Geografairy projects! She stood up and held onto her bag anxiously, not noticing the sly, pearly-white grin that had appeared above her shoulder.
"Hey partner!" Kitty Cheshire arrived seconds later with a soft pop in Bunny's ear which gave her such a fright that she let out a tiny squeal.
"Kitty! You scared me half to death!" Bunny gasped, catching back her breath. Kitty couldn't help but snicker.
The girls started to exchange their schedules, Kitty dragging Bunny away by the arm, emphasising her imperative need for cat nap breaks. Bunny glanced over her shoulder. She could just make out Alistair amongst the crowd; even from far away, he could make her heart skip a beat. She only wished that she could do the same to him…
"Maddie!"
"Alistair!"
The two friends greeted each other at the front of the classroom. Maddie, being significantly shorter than most of the students at Ever After High, looked up at Alistair as he spoke. It had been a while since they had the chance to chat to one another like this. Shortly after arriving at the school, Bunny and Alistair had been so flooded with fans and questions that they had barely had time for a tea and a catch-up.
"So I was thinking, since we're both from the same story, why not write our project about Wonderland?" He asked. If there was one place that Alistair knew about, it was Wonderland. He had explored nearly every corner of it.
"What a splendiferous idea!" Maddie jumped on the spot. "It's only my favourite thing to talk about! Well… That and tea."
"Naturally" Alistair smiled.
Maddie quickly fished around inside her hat and pulled out an old crimson camera. She lunged towards Alistair, one arm around his shoulder, the other holding the camera. Without warning she clicked it and the shutter snapped with a puff of dragon smoke. It sputtered out a small square photograph and she handed it to Alistair, "To commemorate our new found partnership!"
Bemused, Alistair regarded the photo. His own face looked back at him utterly bewildered. Maddie's face was perfectly painted with a huge grin. He couldn't help but laugh at such an odd picture.
He watched her as she readjusted the hat atop her bouncing curls.
"I can't wait to start 'hitting the books'. Although I hope that doesn't mean really hitting the books. What if it hurts their feelings? A paper cut is a lot meaner than you'd think!" She babbled.
He couldn't look away from her as Raven beckoned and he couldn't help but stare as she hopped away, waving goodbye. He smiled, shook his head and brushed his fingers through his hair.
Professor Nimble gave an alerting cough. "Mr Wonderland… Would you please leave my classroom?"
Alistair snapped out of his daydream and quickly shuffled out the room, hopping a little as he walked. He had forgotten how strangely enchanting Maddie could be.