Title: Friends forever

Author: mikipau

Rating: K

Fandom: American Horror Story: Coven AU

Pairing: Cordelia/Misty

Disclaimer: I do not own American Horror Story.

Summary: Cordelia and Misty are eight years old and attend the same school. AU

A/N: I don't own them, but I love them.

"Misty and Cordelia sitting in a tree..." The other girls singsonged as Misty took a bite out of the bagel Cordelia had just given her.

Eight years old and sitting side by side they tried their best to tune out the teasing from the others. The summer heat had already arrived and so today they had decided to have their lunch on a bench in the shade of a tree, unfortunately not so much out of the way as their usual spot by the gates. Misty had shown up without a lunch box yet again and Cordelia sharing hers had not gone unnoticed by the other girls.

They were both used to the teasing.

Misty with her hand-me-downs and twangy accent hadn't gone a day without a shove, mean word or other form of terrorizing since she'd enrolled at the Academy. It was a known fact that she was one of the few charity cases the school board took on to polish their image. Adding words like 'philanthropy' and 'pro bono' to the description of the elite school was an easy way to enhance the impression they were so keen to uphold.

Cordelia was an easy target as well. She was shy and studious and with seemingly nothing in common with her famous mother. Though, being the daughter of Fiona Goode did offer some immunity - instead of being physically bullied, Cordelia was generally ignored or made fun of.

The two girls had befriended each other a year ago when Misty had started the school. One of the teachers had noticed that she'd had trouble with spelling and since Cordelia was way ahead of class she'd been asked to help the new arrival. They'd soon become inseparable.

Misty wolfed down the bagel, breathing a quiet 'thank you' as soon as she'd swallowed the last bite. Showing up without a lunch box was becoming a recurring thing and Cordelia wanted to ask why, but felt she had no right to. The curly girl didn't talk much about her home or family. All Cordelia knew was that Misty's mother was dead and that she lived alone with her father.

Unlike Misty, who got to go home every day, Cordelia was one of the dozen girls living at the Academy. At first she had shared a room with three other girls, but only after a few weeks it had become apparent to the matron that this arrangement wouldn't work. Cordelia's clothes suddenly had holes in them, pages were torn from her books and more than once the girl had been found sleeping in the common room as the others had locked the door. She'd been moved to a small room all her own. There was barely enough space for a bed and a desk, but with her books neatly placed in the windowsill and her clothes hung on hooks behind the door Cordelia felt like it was heaven.

Her mother hadn't come to visit. Had she done so Cordelia knew there would have been a change to her accommodations, the room certainly not up to Fiona's standards. To Cordelia though, the small room was her safe place, her own escape from the world around her. She'd sit on her bed, read her books and diligently care for the potted sunflower Misty had given her.

"My mama used to make the best bagels." There was a sadness to Misty's words that tugged painfully inside Cordelia's chest. "Daddy don't care much for them."

"I can get an extra one tomorrow if you want it. Matron always complains about how skinny I am."

"Really?" Misty's eyes were hopeful. "I-I- I'd like that."

Cordelia nodded, a shy smile on her face. "I'll try to get one with cream cheese, I know you like those the best."

Misty perked up at the mentioning of her favourite spread and her pleased expression eased the uncomfortable throbbing in Cordelia's chest. She knew she'd do anything for her friend. She wanted them to be friends forever.

Grabbing hold of Misty's hand Cordelia smiled widely, completely unaware of how the other girl's thoughts mirrored her own exactly.