Disclaimer: I do not own Ever After High.
Darling Charming hated English. From it's simple read paragraph two', to the complex 'answer this 15 mark question'. It was difficult. And frustrating. And a real sleep thief. But Darling brawled through with hard work and endurance. She had to, a 'charming must always be at the top of her class!'
"Hey, can I borrow your pen?"
Darling looked up from her book. She wasn't expecting Rosabella to be leaning over her, or talking to her. It took a while for her brain to process that Rosabella needed a pen from her, before she scrambled to fetch the nearest pen her hand could grab. 'A charming must always be willing to help others' a phrase drilled into Darling's mind since birth.
"Of course." Darling replied. Rosabella accepted the pen, unbeknownst to her that it was Darling's favourite blue and white knight pen.
43 minutes later the students packed their bags and rushed towards the door. Except for Darling who was left behind. As usual. Her bag slung over her shoulder and then she made her way outside. However before she could step outside the classroom she saw the familiar red and black hair stick up from the crowd. Well fuck. The owner's eyes saw her faster than she could hide, so Darling sprinted. As fast as a Charming could while looking respectable. Until she found herself trapped. "Chase, why are you chasing me?"
Chase's voice growled. "You play that same pun every single day!"
"And it only gets funnier!" Chase glared straight into Darling's blue eyes. However when Chase didn't reflect any motion of joking, panic flashed in Darling's eyes, and she thought maybe she had pushed it too far.
"Ha! You blinked!" Chase's laugh echoed in the corridor. A frown made its way to Darling's face.
"I thought you were being serious!"
Laughter filled the air. This time it was both of theirs.
"Hey? You want to go outside?" The duo made their way towards their respective year group areas outside.
Darling and Chase had been friends since reception. Their weird obsession about knights is what them best friends. Their compatibility was what made them related, in some weird knighthood way they could think of.
"I love that smell of flowers." Chase said sarcastically. Outdoors there was an overpowering smell of waste.
"Don't tell me there was a leak." Darling pinched her nose. Darling was slightly disappointed. Darling was really looking forward to spending break outside with Chase, now that he finally wasn't trapped indoors. But of course it had stink. No wonder there were rarely any students out, only, Ashylnn and Hunter talking to Rosabella - "Oh My pen!" Darling walked towards Rosabella. Forgetting about Chase who was still processing what Darling had just said.
When they saw her conversation had ended. A heavy silence pushed them apart. Until Darling gathered courage to end it. "Hey Rosabella, may I have my pen please?". It took a while for Rosabella to process her question, and then respond. "Yeah sure."
"Hunter and I are going to talk to Mr. Stilskin like we said. Talk to you later." Rosabella frowned for a split second before returning to unzipping her bag. She rummaged through her bag, before pulling out her pencil case and a few sheets with it. Darling reached to pick them off the gravel.
"What's this?"
"It's uh, leaflets for the party next week Saturday?"
"Leaflets?"
"Yeah, it's to let people know that the three pounds donation goes towards the animal charity. And also what kind of party it is, and the animal charity we're doing it for is-" Darling stared at the sheets in her hand. Her mind pondered, drifting her out of reality when she thought about the party. She thought about dancing and playing jokes with the guys and actually mingling with her brothers for once. Then her eyes read over black tie masquerade – she would have to wear a DRESS. Wearing a skirt to school was more than what she wanted. Heck, even wearing a skirt when she went out with her parents. But now that she had a choice, she had to wear a DRESS?
"It's from 7 to 9…So are you coming?"
"No. I can't. I have ballet lessons." Rosabella's smile sunk from her face. There was a flicker of hurt in her eyes. Unnoticeable to all, but Darling sensed it. Darling felt it. She felt guilty for hurting Rosabella. Knights do not hurt innocent people. Rosabella hadn't done anything wrong (as far as Darling could tell). Darling had dishonoured her Knight's Code. There wasn't anything she could do to bring that smile back, or undo the disappointment she could see in Rosabella, but wait awkwardly for her goddamned pen.
Until she found an opportunity. "Hey, would you like me to hang some of those leaflets by the Red Building?"
"No it's okay, I can manage."
"Come on, it'll make your job a lot easier. I'm going towards there for history." Rosabella found it hard to say no to Darling. Especially when Darling pulled an irresistible face that couldn't be declined. Rosabella gave Darling a small stack of sheets, to post around the Red Building.
When both left, they both felt better than when they met.
Darling scanned the Red Building. It was fairly new, with an outer wooden structure for modern effect, and inside a brick layer for decoration, covered in posters about anti-bullying and school events. Teachers with assigned rooms here were definitely more lenient. Which is why if anything happened, the Red Building was never far off. Darling found it tricky to locate the best areas to hang posters for a charity fund raiser/ party. Maybe she'd pick the wall next to the bin, or the wall near the exit. She decided to post one on both.
Darling was stapling leaflets next to the cutlery queue area when she heard footsteps shuffling against wood. "BOO!"
Darling turned around casually. "What the... You weren't even scared..." Chase pouted.
"I could hear you from a mile away."
"Come to Briar's Disco Ball? 26th of September... 3 pound entrance fee, for donation to animal charity in Greenfield. Black tie masquerade?" Chase read out loud. "You going?" He asked.
Darling paused for a second before she responded "no I'm not, I have 'ballet'." Chase only rolled his eyes at this response. He knew Darling didn't want ANYONE to know her secret, but when it was just two of them in the corridor? He thought she was just being paranoid.
"I can ask my dad to cancel your "ballet" lessons, you can still go. " Darling looked at Chase sceptically. Did he seriously just offer her the WORST idea ever? To sacrifice the mask she spent 10 years building up? No, no way. Chase scoffed.
"Look, it even says masquerade. No one has to know it's you." Darling knew Chase had his off days, but this was just off the scale. Then a member of staff appeared "Chase Redford! You were supposed to be at my detention!"
Chase whispered "I'll message you okay?" Before spinning round sheepishly. "Oh yeah, I completely forgot." When Chase looked back, the hall had been empty, like Darling never even existed. The only thing that could claim witness were the leaflets still hanging on the wall, crowded by posters. But they never made a noise, and allowed the wind to silently stroke them in the breeze.
Slowly lunch arrived. Darling was sitting on her own, munching on a pre-made sandwich. The school food, like most schools, were what many pupils referred to as 'shit'. However what Darling found worse at lunch was Chase's amazing skill at capturing detentions. If Darling said she wasn't lonely, she lied. She wasn't alone, but she wasn't with anyone she knew. Anyone who'd stop munching just to say 'hi'. Anyone who even knew she existed. Thinking about it, she didn't have many people she could call friends either. There was only... Chase. At least her ham sandwich had mayo. Luckily Chase arrived. Thank god he did. Chase's eyes scanned over a few tables until he saw Darling. Alone. Darling looked up, and noticed Chase and Alistair dropping their plates on the tables, and then pulling out smuggled sandwiches from their pockets. Immediately after, people from Darling's year group started pouring in. Including Rosabella. Chase was talking about sport with Alistair. Darling would've been slyly eavesdropping like she usually was but she couldn't help glancing over to Rosabella. She was sitting with her cousin Briar, her (whom Darling assumed were her friends) Ashlynn, Apple, and Cerise.
"What an odd combination." Darling thought. After all Rosabella and Cerise weren't exactly the most popular, so seeing them sitting next to the 'Royals', well... Something must be happening.
Suddenly Briar stood on the table. "Attention! Please!" The room became silent, and everyone was looking at Briar, (apart from Darling who was still staring at Rosabella). Briar was holding one of the leaflets that Darling had spent time hanging on the walls. "I know this term has been pretty boring for most of you, that's why I'd like to announce there's a party coming up, and all of you are invited!" Then her cousin Rosabella joined her on the table.
"It's a charity event all the money donated will be going straight towards the animal charity!" Her voice was clear and confident when she spoke. Rosabella always seemed to be the shy kind of girl to Darling but in truth she wasn't. Rosabella, although she hung out with the 'weird' kids, she was cool. And most definitely beautiful.
"Woah, you okay there?" Chase frowned. He hadn't seen Darling so out of a conversation that was sports based.
"Uh yeah, I just got distracted." Darling was shocked herself. She hadn't even realised they were talking. Or had finished eating. As they were about to leave Daring and Dexter Charming entered the room. He scanned the room for free seats and then noticed one next to his dear sister Darling. Naturally many of the girls stared or drooled. Darling's brothers had that kind of effect on people. Then of course 'Goldilocks' arrived. Her real name? No one knew. Even the teachers referred to her as 'Goldilocks. "So Daring? You coming to the party next weekend?"
"Of course I'll be attending!" He gave his signature Charming smile. Goldilocks giggled then walked off. Darling just rolled her eyes.
At the end of the day, the Charming siblings arrived at the Charming Manor. However they did not expect their parents to be waiting by the door, furiously. "Daring Charming!" Easily Darling and Dexter slipped past their parents. At times like this it was good not being the favourite. No pressure. No unbelievably high expectations which were inhumane. No adoring love from parents. Yep it was great not being the favourite.
Darling was watching Don't You Dare with Dexter. Well both of them were texting other people, not really paying any attention when Daring arrived.
"So, how was it?" Dexter asked. Daring flopped onto the couch.
"They said I'm not going to any weekend activities until I bring my homework grades up. I can't believe Mr. Stilskin phoned my parents when he found out the only reason I didn't finish the project was because I was with… What's her name again?"
"Wow you don't even remember her name." Dexter rolled his eyes. "Classic Daring move." He thought. "Spend homework time on girls." Dexter was glad Daring didn't get away with it like he usually did.
"So… Does that mean you're not going to the party next week?"
"I'm hoping to. But if Mr. Stilskin has another bad day, I don't think I'm going to."
"What's the time?" Darling asked.
"It's three minutes to seven."
Ding-Dong. It was the doorbell.
"That might be Chase." Darling opened the door, and she was right. Chase was waiting for her in a black tracksuit with red Addidas trainers.
"You ready?" Darling nodded, and went into the car with Chase. Chase sat in the front next to his mum, and Darling sat at the back. "Good Evening Auntie."
"Darling, how nice it is to see you! How was school?"
"School was good. Nothing interesting happened."
"Oh really? Chase tells me there's a masquerade party arriving next week Saturday, are you going?."
Did Chase really tell his mum that? "You know I used to have quite a few masquerade parties back in my day, I feel old saying that now. But my best friend and I used to have the best masks, and I used to make them, from scratch. They were bedazzling!"
"Of course she'll be going!" Chase replied.
"Fabulous! Don't worry about buying anything!"
"I'm not going Aunty." For a while there's no response. All that's heard is the engine from the car, mixed in with the radio.
Until a soft whispered response. "Why dear?" Then Darling thinks about why. She Normally she's fine about attending parties, so why was this different? Maybe it was her realisation at lunch. Or maybe it was how she had to keep hiding and locking herself away. How she could never be free and always had to put on a front. Uncontrollably tears start swelling up. Darling fought desperately to hold them in, but they retaliated and ran down her cheeks. Chase turned round and saw Darling crying he panicked slightly then undid his seatbelt and climbed to the back of the car. Darling felt like she was being held together by Chase's hug. At moments like these she was really grateful for Chase. And his mum. "It's alright. You don't have to hold them back." Chase offered. So Darling let them go. "This is so embarrassing."
"Yeah. It is." Chase chuckled in response.
"Well Chase, your science teacher told me that you got one of the highest scores in your class." Chase smiled shyly. "Well I'm proud of you."
"Thanks mum. But Darling was the one who explained how all the sciency stuff works." Chase was about to continue the conversation when he noticed the unfamiliar red car in his driveway. "Mum... Who's is that?"
"I'm not sure... Could it be?" The car stopped. When opened the door, Darling didn't even have time to think before piercing squeals almost made her deaf. "Abby!"
"Well it took you long enough. Didn't you get my message?" Darling felt like she had seen this 'Abby' woman from somewhere. It was only when she saw Lizzie Hearts sitting at the bottom of the stairs when she realised, she saw this person at parents evening. Chase pulled Darling indoors. Seeing Lizzie Hearts up front was definitely more intimidating than she thought. "Hey Lizzie." Lizzie looked up then glared.
"Why don't we go upstairs?" Chase offered. Lizzie frowned for a moment before accepting.
"A movie? Who's up for The Staring Glass?" Asked Chase.
"Sure." Darling replied.
The movie was very awkward. Chase and Darling had been looking forward to this film for three months, and it was great, but Lizzie seemed to show no interest in interacting with Darling. Or anyone for that matter. She just stared blankly at the screen. During the ads Chase reutrned from downstairs. "Do you like salty? It's the only flavour we have left. For some reason." Chase muttered the last sentence under his breath. Darling heard though, then mouthed 'it wasn't me.' Chase simply rolled his eyes.
"That's fine. I won't eat anything." Lizzie replied.
"Oh okay." Chase sat in the middle of the girls with the popcorn. "Do you know why your mum is here?"
"No." They sit in awkward silence for a few moments before Darling attempts to spark a conversation.
"Sooo. Lizzie, are you in any sports teams outside of school?"
"Yes."
"Which one?"
"Hockey. "
More awkward silence... Until surprisingly Lizzie decides to speak.
"Darling what are you doing here?" Shocked by Lizzie's aggressive tone Darling panics slightly. She's not sure how to respond. Tell the truth, or say what her parents would expect her to say. Either way 'I don't know' was not an option.
"I'm just hanging out with Chase. Is that wrong?" Lizzie scoffed. As if she believed Darling. Chase, stuck between the two, was confused more than ever.
"What the hell just happened?" He thought. Darling stands up and walks out of the room.
"I'm going to the bathroom."
Darling felt the cold water rush down her palms. When she looked into the mirrors she noticed her mascara hadn't run, and she was thankful for that. At first she thought Lizzie wasn't talking to her because she looked like a panda. Well that wasn't the reason, her eyes were only slightly pink now. So maybe it was Darling. Darling knew she wasn't very good at talking to girls her age when she wasn't at events with her parents looming over her shoulder. Or maybe Lizzie just didn't feel like talking. Yeah that had to be it. It definitely wasn't Darling's lacking social skills. So she left the bathroom. She stopped. Darling was very confused. Was that laughter she heard?
"Haha! And then I scored. Wow she practically threw a fit!" That was definitely Lizzie's voice. At least Darling knew why Lizzie wasn't talking to her.
About 15 minutes later Chase stands up from next to Lizzie. "Hold on, I'm going to find out what's taking Darling so long." Chase walks out the room in search for his best friend, until he sees her sitting on the top of the stairs. "What are you doing? I thought you were looking forward to this film."
"I'll watch it later. Plus you guys were talking through it." Chase was not buying a single word she said.
"The truth please."
"Alright, I could hear how well you and Lizzie got on. I'm so socially awkward I'm pretty sure she hates me. I'd rather have Lizzie and you comfortable, than for all of us to be there together, sitting in awkward silence."
"Bullshit. Look she'll like you. Stop moping around in your self-pity and come watch the film. Movies aren't meant to be talked through either way. You're shy, not socially awkward. All you have to do is become comfortable with yourself." Darling thought about watch Chase said. Was it really true? Or not. Either way she was going back to watch the film.
As Darling expected they were back to awkward silence, but it quickly shimmered away into comfortable silence. The movie finished and they were watching the next thing that came after. By the looks of it a boring documentary no one could be bothered to change. Darling had her head leaning against Chase's hard shoulder, not that she minded. Soon she fell asleep.
Basically this is like an introductory chapter. But I don't like prologues... so yeh. I'm going to be straight up with you from the beginning. I'm not very good at being organised at the moment. And I don't really know where I'm going with this. There are no pre-written chapters. Just maybe I few ideas I have in my head, that may or may not work. So if you get confused, don't get scared to ask. It is Rosaling. Darabella. Darbella. Whatever you want to call it. I'm not sure if this will turn out to be a slow burn. I might change the rating from T to M depending on where the events of the story might fall into. I'l let you know in the chapter if it happens. It won't be something I just spring on you. Anyway read you later,
Crunol