Author's Note:

Before you decide to read ahead at the stories I have posted, a warning: I am a very self-indulgent, self-insert author. In fact, 99.9% of my fics include my self-insert and I'm proud of it. So, if you feel like you can endure it, please proceed!

But please remember: this and every other story that I have written was produced out of pure boredom/fun/crack or just because I felt like it. Therefore, it is NOT perfect. I am not a professional. I cannot guarantee that the grammar is spot on or that you'll enjoy it. But if you decide to stick around for the ride? I appreciate it. But I am, (repeat I am) an amateur writer.

I do hope however; I can entertain you for a couple of hours and maybe get a laugh or two outta ya? I really appreciate all the support you all have given me over the years and I'll continue to try and update when I can.

So, thanks! Thanks a bundle!

AND

I do not own any part of Sofia the First. Just the characters, Heather and Rye Matthews.

Much Love.

"Baby, I'm gonna keep it real, boy, you're the one I want. I don't own any five-inch heels, just got my Nikes on. Never thought I was insecure, boy look at what you done. I don't know what I studied for, clearly, I like 'em dumb."-I Wish, Cher Lloyd.

Grooming Weeds

Her stomach vibrated, this time to the point to where she could hear it as well as feel it. Ugh, it hadn't been that long since breakfast, had it? Thinking of which, that stupid plate of pancakes might as well had cost her an arm and leg! Though they just might have been the best stack of golden brown flapjacks, it was almost worth going for the scrambled eggs when it came to the price of the cakes.

At least there were her shortbread cookies to look forward to. She'd saved them for a reason! That kind of baker-gut-instinct was hard to ignore after all. And it was that kind of will and desire that was sure to get her that job at the palace.

With a heavy sigh, Heather moved one led-heavy foot in front of the other. Walking never seemed so hard! How many miles had it been since she last stopped for a rest? Shoot, come to think of it breakfast was the last time she'd had a chance to sit. That long, huh?

What time is it anyway?

She looked to the sky, seeing the sun still hanging relatively high, she faced forward and continued. At least the palace was within eyeshot now. It had to be at least noon by the looks of things; if she kept up her 'work out' she'd be at the doors of the king by one o'clock!

But one in the afternoon right after lunch, right? Hm, maybe delaying her 'meeting' another thirty minutes would be best. After all, if the royal family just happened to eating a late lunch or having afternoon tea, her visit might be more of an intrusion. Besides, her stomach wasn't growling for just any reason!

Still carrying along, Heather glanced up from the floor to see a stone bridge just a few feet in front of her. Ah, what better place to have a snack than at the bridge overlooking the beautiful lake? She reached her right hand across her chest and touched the strap that came across from her left shoulder. Her satchel held tight to her body and with a grin, she gave a single tug to the material.

Who knew forty-eight hours would feel so long! Sure, she was traveling from her own door step but who would ever think it would cost so much or take so long?! Taking whatever public transport she could and forking out extra bucks to stay at two separate hotels, when did the world become so expensive?

Maybe Rye was right, she should have packed a bigger lunch. Perhaps if she had, she wouldn't have had to stop at so many restaurants! Ah well, there wasn't much she could do about the food situation now. Hey, if she were lucky enough maybe she could grab a bite to eat at the castle! Then she wouldn't have to admit to her older sister that she'd been right about packing more food.

Excuses and future plans flying from her mind, Heather came to the wall of the stone bridge with a smile. Before taking her seat, she removed her satchel from her back and pulled the bag to her chest. She lowered her torso, only moving once or twice before finding the most comfortable position. Soon after, she placed her bag into her lap and proceeded to pull it open. Hidden among other personal items she found her precious leather baggie.

"I should have made a few chocolate chip ones too…"

With her bag of treats in hand, the future baker bent her frame to the left and dropped her satchel to the ground. Now with her extra hand free, she placed her fingers around leather sack and pulled the drawstring opening apart.

Before she could move her right hand down inside her bag, the sound of gravel crunching caught her attention. Her body stiff, she jerked her chin upward and glanced to her left. Nothing. Heather turned her head over to her right shoulder, initially seeing nothing but when a gray smudge in the caught corner of her eye, she looked to the floor. A small ball of fluff jumped just around the ending of the stone bridge, hiding behind the large stacked cobble stone on the grass.

Hm. What was that about? A cat or raccoon maybe? Only one way to find out! The young female reached into her open leather baggie and pulled out a single square shortbread cookie. She then snapped the fresh treat in half and tossed the piece of food towards the end of the bridge. Whatever it was, if it were hungry enough, would come out to investigate without a doubt.

Now, to pretend like I'm not watching…

She moved her chin forward once more, keeping her nose straight while every second or so allowing her eyes to flutter to the right. Just as predicted, the sound of shifting gravel led the way for the gray ball of fluff to reappear.

"Oh, a bunny." Heather whispered just under her breath.

The chubby little fellow crept forward, his large eyes on the piece of food she'd thrown to the floor. In rodent fashion, he wiggled his whiskers once within distance of the cookie. Moving his head closer to the treat, his nose began to twitch like crazy.

How cute!

Apparently finding his discovery safe, he reached his stubby paws outward and took hold of the shortbread. The tiny guy proceeded to take several quick jabs at the sweet, no doubt placing more than half of it in his cheek for later. After finishing his snack, the rabbit's head shot up, his eyes landing squarely on her.

"Hey buddy." Her tone picked up now that he was aware she was as close as she was. "Any good?"

Instead of squeaking or giving any kind of verbal reply, he hopped a few inches forward. His ears erect, whiskers pointing forward and nose quivering beyond what seemed to be control. Did he want more or something? It wasn't like a wild rabbit would just waltz up to her, a stranger, for no reason. After all, weren't bunnies and rats pretty skittish? Maybe he had an owner at some point or something?

Giving a mental shrug on her thoughts, Heather threw the surviving piece of shortbread in the rabbit's direction. That much sugar wouldn't do him any harm right? Carrots are pretty sweet, weren't they? Ah well.

As if he already knew it was coming, the little fellow rushed toward the cookie and scarfed up food in seconds. Oh so he was hungry? He looked well-fed but maybe he was just indulging in the fact that he was getting a free meal. It wasn't like she was going to deny him! How could she say no to a little face like that?

"Well, I guess it's a good thing I didn't make chocolate chip," Heather shot smirk in the mammal's direction. "I know chocolate's bad for dogs so I'm pretty sure you can't have any."

He lifted his torso so that he was standing on his hind legs and tilted his head in at her.

"Aww, you're so cute." She swooned, her voice taking a spike in pitch. "You're a little chubs, aren't you?"

The moment she'd finished her compliment, the rabbit's ears dropped and he almost appeared to pout.

"You're awfully social, you got a home?"

He blinked.

"Alright, alright." Heather grunted before reaching her hand back into her leather pouch. "Not too much though, this is my lunch. I gotta eat too, kay?"

He hopped an inch or so forward.

Repeating the process of breaking a single shortbread in half again, the baker tossed the bigger portion of cookie toward her guest. And again without missing a beat, he dove for the food, stuffing it in his mouth. He didn't seem enjoy her treat but on the other hand, he'd stayed and eaten more of what she offered so that was a good sign right? Animals didn't eat food they didn't like!

Heather tore her vision away from the rodent and moved her right hand to her mouth. Almost like her stomach could see the cookie coming close to her lips, it growled louder than before. The moment the sugary confection hit her tongue her she hummed. Tooting her own horn was never a good sign but hey, when credit was due, it was due! With the cookie half traveling down her throat, she reached into the bag for the last time. She pulled out the remaining sweet into the sun. Ah, it might be the last piece of foodage she had but she was gonna have to make it worth it!

"Excuse me?"

Almost as if she'd been burnt with a hot skillet, her spine shot up and her eyes grew wide. Ripping her attention from her prized cookie, she looked forward to see a familiar face. It wasn't the face of someone she'd met personally but the face of someone everyone had come to know in the past few months.

Standing with a great deal of elegance and grace, clad in a beautiful purple dress, Princess Sofia stepped closer to her. She kept her hands laced together in front of her body while her eyes never once strayed. How could such a small girl be so regal? Shoot, it hadn't been too long ago that this girl had come from the same town she had.

"You're Princess Sofia!" Heather hopped out of her seat and proceeded to dip her head in the royal's presence. "Good afternoon."

"Sofia."

The short-haired brunette flinched. "Excuse me?"

"You can call me Sofia," The younger female smiled.

"Sure." Heather straightened out her back. "Is there something I can do for you? I hope I'm not intruding."

"Not at all," The princess shook her head. "I just was coming this way when I happened to see you with Clover." The girl moved her bright blue eyes away from the baker, only stopping on the small mammal several feet away.

"Clover?" The older woman cocked a brow, "You mean this little guy?" She said, jerking her thumb in the rabbit's direction. "Is he yours? He's pretty cute."

"Yeah," Sofia nodded, breaking away from her and making her way to said bunny. "He's one of my closest friends. He seemed to really enjoy your cookies." She continued speaking even as she bent down to pluck the fuzz ball off the ground. "Are you a baker?"

"Yes ma'am." She bobbed her head once. "I hope you don't mind me feeding him, I wasn't sure if he'd eaten in a while."

Even if he is a chubs.

"He has a hard time controlling himself but it's okay for him to get cookies every once and a while."

"Good." Before she continue any further future chef flinched hard. "Oh! Would you like one? I'm sorry; I should have offered you some earlier. Please, help yourself." Heather extended her arm out to the tiny princess, while a bead of sweat dripped down her temple.

"Oh no thank you." The newly crowned princess gave a gentle shake of her head. "I just had lunch not too long ago. And I thought I heard you say that was your lunch, I couldn't take your food away!"

"This? Nah," She fibbed, playing off the situation in an attempt to save face. "I've got plenty to eat. This is nothing but a snack! Besides I could make more if I wanted to."

Her large baby blues seemed to see right through her obvious lie. Ugh, since when did kids get so wise? Either that or she was a terrible liar! Gah, had she lost her touch or something?!

"Thank you anyway but I'll be fine, you go ahead and enjoy your snack."

Heather managed to crack a smile, even with her heart slamming away in her chest cavity. "Okay, I can do that."

"I'll be on my way now," Sofia bobbed her chin a single time. "Have a nice day, okay?"

"Yes ma'am."

The royal turned her back to the baker but not before shooting a warm smile in her direction. Hm, maybe she had something to do? Surely she'd stop to chat if she hadn't had anything else to do. Ah well, she was a princess now anyway; she probably has better things to do than talk to a nobody, right? BUT that did mean she missed out on the opportunity to 'secure' the open job. Gah, maybe she should have talked to the little princess a bit more, maybe mention that she was interested in working at the castle. Having friends in high places was never a bad thing.

Hmm, well that'll teach a person to snatch up an opportunity when they had the chance, didn't it? She'd be fine anyway! This job was in the bag anyhow, Princess Sofia was about to see a whole lot more of her!

Act End.