Marian stared at the rooming assignments posted outside the royal dorms in horror. This could not be happening. Nope. This had to be a nightmare. Any moment now she would wake up and be back in her bed at home. Then she would go to school to find that she was rooming with Red Hood as she requested. Marian pinched her arm, but nothing happened. She was well and truly awake.

And Grace Princess was her assigned roommate for the year.

"It's not that bad," Red said, reading over the rooming assignments, "I mean, it could be Snow White."

Marian looked at her friend. Red was shorter than Marian by a several inches with short brown hair styled in a bob and grey eyes. The red hood that she was named for hung off of her shoulders.

"Grace Princess is practically as bad," the redhead said, "Who are you rooming with?"

"I'm rooming with Jackie Queen."

"The evil queen?" Marian cringed. "Never mind. Grace Princess is fine."

Red laughed. "We're on the same floor. At least we can hang out with each other."

"Yeah," Marian agreed. She hoisted her trunk and began walking up the stairs. "This is all because of the archery team. Headmaster Grimm thinks that me learning how to defend myself will corrupt my destiny."

"You think that he wants Grace Princess to rub off on you?"

"Of course he does," Marian dropped her trunk in front of her door and dug her key out of her pocket. "She's the perfect little princess."

"I'll see you later," Red said, "Good luck with Grace."

"Good luck with Queen. You'll need it." Marian watched Red retreat then stuck her key in the door and turned.

Grace Princess had her back turned to Marian, rummaging through her wardrobe. Her blonde hair hung down her back in lazy ringlets, and Marian felt a little surge of envy. Grace Princess was everything that a princess was supposed to be: smart, soft spoken, and beautiful. With her porcelain skin, rosy cheeks, and sparkling blue eyes she was the most pursued princess at Ever After High. Marian, on the other hand, was the most avoided princess in school. While that had to do less with her looks and more with her personality, she still wished that she looked like Grace. A mass of red hair and a face full of freckles caused most grown ups to frown at her, and most boys to retreat. It didn't matter that she was a Charming, since she was not classically beautiful most people avoided her.

But Marian didn't need them anyways. She had her parents, who had gifted her with a bow and a childhood full of love, and she had Red. She didn't need anyone else. She was better off without them.

Grace turned around, shutting the wardrobe door behind her and leaning against it. "Marian," she said, "I didn't hear you enter."

"I'm here now," Marian said dragging her trunk across the floor and settling it at the end of her bed. "I take it that the green side is mine."

Grace nodded. "It was pink when I got here, but I didn't think that you would like that very much."

So you painted it? "Cool," Marian said. She pulled a few clothing items from her trunk and placed them in her wardrobe.

Grace sat down on her rose covered bed. "I don't think that we've ever really met."

"No," Marian agreed. Despite going to school together since spellementary school they had never really talked. Marian always hung around with Red, and Grace hung around with...who did she hang out with anyways? She had to have friends, but Marian could think of none.

"I'm Grace," Grace said, sticking her hand out. Marian stared at it. "Which you know since we've gone to school together since once upon a time."

"Yeah," Marian said. She shook Grace's hand. "I'm Marian, but you also know that."

Grace let out a relieved sigh. No doubt she thought that Marian would leave her hanging. "Are you going to orientation?"

Marian nodded. "I'm meeting Red in a couple of minutes."

"Do you think that I could join you guys?" Grace asked. "I'm not real big in the friends department."

Marian raised an eyebrow. She had known that Grace didn't really hang out with anyone, but for her to admit it to Marian, who was practically a stranger, was brave. Braver than Marian ever expected from someone whose last name was Princess. "Sure," Marian said.

"Thank you," Grace said.

Marian nodded. "No problem."

"This is it, man." Robin Hood slung his arm over Dashing Charming's shoulders and grinned. "Senior year. We will reign as kings."

Dashing snorted. "It's good to see that you didn't become any less delusional over the summer."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Robin actually appeared to be confused. Dashing shook his head. His best friend had absolutely no brains whatsoever.

"Only that this year will be the most intense year of our lives," Dashing said, "As soon as we graduate our destinies begin."

"It's not as if we have to study for them," Robin insisted. His face fell as he studied Dashing expression. "Which is what you plan on doing. You plan on spending our senior year studying. Man! You're such a buzzkill."

"I'm not a buzzkill," Dashing said.

"Yes, you are." Robin huffed and jumped onto his bed. "At least tell me that you're still going to play bookball this year."

"Of course," Dashing said, "My parents would kill me if I didn't."

"Do your parents know that you're such a huge nerd?"

"I'm not a nerd," Dashing objected, "I'm just studious."

"That's just another way to say that you're a nerd."

"Shut up." Dashing Charming was not a nerd. It was not his fault that he was a bit smarter than the rest of the Charming clan. He had the brawn, the prowess, and the agility of a Charming, but he also happened to be very, very smart. He was currently valedictorian, and he intended to stay at the top of the class.

"Do you want to go to orientation, or should we skip?" Robin asked.

"So we're rebels now?"

"I have always been a rebel," Robin stated, "I just happen to be best friends with the golden boy of Ever After High."

"And whose fault is that?"

"Yours, obviously."

Dashing shook his head. "Let's just go to orientation."

"Jack!" Marian groaned as Red launched herself at her boyfriend's tall figure, wrapping Jack Beanstalk in a hug, and planting a kiss on his lips. She had really enjoyed the fact that Jack had gone to Beanstalk City over the summer. It had been a nice, relaxing, drama-free summer.

So much for that.

Grace chuckled from her spot beside Marian. "They sure are into the PDA."

"Tell me about it." Marian left Red to make out with her boyfriend and took a seat. "They've been dating since sophomore year."

"Have they always been…" Gace trailed off.

"Disgusting?" Marian supplied. "No. That development started last year when Red almost died in DID."

"I remember that," Grace said, "Wasn't it your fault that she got trapped?"

Marian winced. "Yeah. This is her way of punishing me." Grace laughed, the sound a musical tinkling of bells. "Oh yeah, laugh it up. It's hilarious."

"You have to admit that it's a little funny."

"Funny?" Marian shook her head. "Maybe ironic, but not funny. Never funny."

"Guess what?" Red interrupted their conversation dragging Jack in tow.

"You guys have finally decided to break up?" Marian muttered.

"No."Red frowned. "And that isn't funny."

"On the contrary," Marian said, "I find it hilarious."

"What did you want to tell us?" Grace asked before Red and Marian started arguing.

"What?"

"You said that you had some news."

"Oh, right," Red said, "Guess who Jack is stuck rooming with this year?"

"Do we have to?" Marian asked.

"Is it...Dashing Charming?" Grace guessed, playing along with Red's game.

"I wish," Jack said, "No. It's worse than that."

"You're rooming with Robin Hood?" Marian gasped.

"Not him either."

"He's rooming with Bad Wolf," Red exclaimed.

"Oh."

"Is that all?" Marian asked. Three heads turned to stare at her. "What? It's not like Bad's actually that bad."

"Did you just say that Bad Wolf isn't bad?" Red asked.

Marian sighed. "What I mean is that I can actually stand to be around him. Unlike other people at this school."

"Robin's nowhere near as bad as Bad," Red argued.

"You're only saying that 'cause he's your cousin."

"Hardly," Red said, "We're barely related. He's my second cousin twice removed. That doesn't exactly make us family."

"Yes, it does," Marian argued.

Grace glanced at Jack as the two girls continued to argue. "Are they always like this?" she asked.

Jack shook his head. "They're arguing a bit more than usual today. It's probably because Red had a pretty hard time moving into her room. She's with Jackie Queen."

"Ouch."

"My thoughts exactly. They do this every so often. I'd just ignore it."

Grace nodded. "But why does Marian hate Robin so much? Didn't they get married in second grade."

"Under the monkey bars." Jack grinned. "Which is exactly why they hate each other. That was just about the messiest divorce in history."

Grace smiled. "I remember that. She broke poor Robin's heart."

"I wouldn't say that around her," Jack said, "Her side of the story is just as bad."

"Oh."

"Yeah. Oh."

"Hello ladies." Dashing rolled his eyes as Robin smiled flirtatiously at a group of princesses. He couldn't figure out if Robin's horrible smile or the fact that some of the girls actually giggled was worse. Probably Robin. After all, those girls didn't look any older than his sister, Dainty. They probably thought that receiving any sort of attention from an upperclassman was nice, even if it was from Robin.

Dashing grabbed his friend by the elbow and dragged him into a seat. "Hey!" Robin complained. "I was busy."

"Flirting with underclassmen," Dashing said, "I saw."

"Don't say that as if you don't flirt with underclassmen."

"I don't."

"Oh, right," Robin said sarcastically, "I forgot that Dashing Charming is waiting for his destiny princess to come along before doing anything. We wouldn't want to be unfaithful, now would we?"

Dashing frowned. "I'm not like that." He wasn't like that. Not really. There was a girl that he liked, that he wanted to be the damsel in his story, but he wouldn't get his hopes up. He couldn't afford to.

"You kind of are." Robin propped his legs up on the seat in front of them.

"Not everyone knows who their destiny princess is, Robin," Dashing said, "We can't all be as lucky as you are."

"I am not lucky," Robin said, "Besides, me and she-who-must-not-be-named are never actually going to end happily ever after together. The fairy godmother messed up on that one. Big time."

"So you're just going to flirt with every girl that you see?"

"That's the plan."

"You're unbelievable."

"Thanks." Robin grinned. "I try." The last of the students finished fileing in and the lights dimmed. Snow White walked onto the stage, the bright lights making her already pale figure appear ghostly. "Man, that's creepy," Robin muttered. Dashing nodded in agreement.

"Hello students of Ever After High," Snow said, "I am Snow White. As your student body president I would like to welcome you to another year at Ever After High."

"Are you going to the back to school party?" Robin whispered.

"Which one?" Dashing asked.

"The one that Nicolette Dancer is throwing," Robin answered as if it were obvious. "What other party is there?"

"There's the one that the student council throws."

"Oh, you mean the one without any alcohol, or food, or girls, or music. The only party that that is is a tea party."

"You know I heard that tea parties are quite an affair in Wonderland."

"This is why you're a nerd," Robin said, "Now answer the question."

"Yes. I'm going to Nicky's party."

"Good."

"Now," Snow White said as she wrapped up her speech about destinies, and school, and how her dragon games team was going to destroy Jackie Queen's team, "for a word from our Headmaster, Milton Grimm."

Snow stepped to the side and Milton Grimm stepped up to the podium. He was a man of average height with a brown mustache and a belly that hung slightly over his belt. All in all he was rather unimpressive in appearance.

"It is good to see so many familiar faces," Milton Grimm, "as well as some new ones."

Robin leaned over to Dashing. "Is this the same speech as last year?"

"I think that it is."

The boys drifted in and out of listening as Milton Grimm rambled off the exact same speech that he had given the year before. "We have a new addition to our staff this year," he said, "I am personally very glad to have her on our staff. This year Damsel in Distressing and Princessology will be taught by the one and only F. H. Godmother."

A slim woman with gray hair swept up in a neat bun and blue wings. Swept onto the stage. A pair of rather large, round glasses sat on her nose. This was F. H. Godmother. "Who exactly is she?" Robin asked as the auditorium burst into applause.

"She wrote the Princess Primer."

Robin raised an eyebrow. "An you know this because?"

"Dainty read it," Dashing said.

"Are you sure that Dainty's the only one who read it?"

Dashing's face turned crimson. "Shut up."

Sparrow's mouth turned upward into a wicked grin. "Not very likely."

Nicolette Dancer prefered to throw her parties in ballrooms, but the school wouldn't allow an unsanctified party in one of their extraordinary ballrooms, so Nicky was stuck throwing it a someplace a little more subtle. It moved around from year to year. The year before it had been in a bookshop in Book End. This year it was located in the enchanted forest.

Grace glanced around the clearing in awe. There was a bonfire in the middle of the area, illuminating the surrounding forest. Floating fairy lights illuminated the places that the firelight didn't reach. Buckets were set up at intervals around the forest, some containing soda and pop, others containing more illegal substances. Alto Piper had set up a stand from which he played his music. Several students were dancing, while others stood around conversing.

"So," Marian said beside Grace, "should we dance now, or later?"

"I forgot that Nicolette had that rule," Red said, referring to the dancing princess's rule that everyone who attended her parties must dance at least once, "I think that I'll dance now." Red grabbed Jack by the hand and dragged him to the area where the other students were dancing.

"They'll be out there for a while," Marian said, "Do you wanna grab a drink?"

"I could use a soda."

"Be back in a jiffy." Marian disappeared with a wink.

Grace watched her leave. It was odd that she ended up rooming with Marian Charming of all people. She was not an idiot. She knew that the reason that they had been put together was that so Grace could rub off on the girl. Grace smiled to herself. If Headmaster Grimm only know, then he would do everything in his power to keep the two girls apart.

"Grace Princess. I didn't expect to see you here." The smile faded from her face at the sound of Snow White's voice. Grace turned around to find the princess in question standing only a few feet away from her along with her two best friends, Cindy Ella and Goldie Locks.

Snow was of average height, a good four or so inches shorter than Grace, but that didn't make her any less intimidating. The dark haired girl was ruthless. With her beauty, her charming personality, and her popularity Snow could get anything that she wished. More importantly, she was used to getting what she wanted when she wanted it. Grace had learned early on that life was easier if she stayed under Snow's radar.

Goldie Locks and Cindy Ella were different stories. Goldie was the school gossip. She always knew what was going on, who was seeing whom, that sort of thing. It there was a story to be told, Goldie knew it, and she'd retell with a dramatic flair. Cindy was nice. She had copper hair to Blondie's gold, and always wore her thick rimmed black glasses because of her severe nearsightedness. She wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but she was really nice to everyone.

"I decided to come," Grace said.

"Of course you did," Snow said. Grace couldn't figure out whether or not her tone qualified as condescending. "It's nice to see you outside of class."

"It's nice to see you too," Grace said.

"I am so excited for DID next week," Snow said, "The Princess Primer is my favorite book."

"Mine too," agreed Goldie.

"It's okay," Grace said.

"Okay?" Snow asked incredulously, "It's much better than okay. It's perfect."

"They were out of orange soda." The group turned as Marian joined the four of them. "So I grabbed you a grapefruit. Oh, hey, Snow. Cindy. Blondie." Snow frowned at Marian's appearance.

"Grapefruit is fine." Grace took the offered soda.

"We have to go," Snow said.

"It was nice seeing you," said Cindy softly.

"Even if it is with unfavorable company."

"Ouch," Marian's voice dripped with sarcasm, "You wound me." Snow rolled her eyes and left with her friends. "So, what was she doing here?"

Grace shrugged. "She just wanted to talk."

"I see." Marian nodded.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"She wanted to make sure that you weren't planning to usurp her."

"Usurp her?" Grace asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Snow White is popular, right?"

"Right."

"She's the queen bee. She's got her little posse, and her popularity, and her presidentship. She could have any boy that she wanted, but she doesn't want to date anyone at the moment. Do you know why she has all of this?"

"Because she's a princess?"

"Exactly! She pretty, and royal, and tactical. Then she comes here, and she sees you here, looking all cute in your little pink dress, and she thinks to herself 'Grace is prettier, and she's a royal'. And all of a sudden she realizes what a threat you are, and she want to make sure that you're still one of her subjects, and not planning on taking her place."

Grace laughed. "You're ridiculous, Marian. Do you know that?"

"I've been told so many times," Marian said, "I'm not sure if I believe it. Especially not in this context. I know what I'm talking about."

"When did you become the expert on girl world politics? Was it before or after the archery team?"

"Before," Marian said with a smile, "Definitely before."

"I bet you that I can hold more beer than you."

"Let's add that to the list of bets that I am never going to make." Dashing grabbed the red cup out of Robin's hand and tossed it into a nearby trashcan.

"You, my friend, are no fun," Robin said as he took a seat on the bench next to Dashing.

"On the contrary, I am all of the fun. I am just making sure that you do not get drunk, because you do stupid things when you're drunk."

"Really?" Robin challenged, "When was the last time that I did something stupid while drunk?"

"Do you remember when you wrote poetry about Marian's hair?"

"I never did that," Robin protested.

"Yes, you did," Dashing said, "I burned it so that she would never find out that you compared her to a fox on fire."

"You can't prove that I ever wrote that."

"Exactly," Dashing said, "but I could always tell her. She is my cousin, after all. She'd have to believe me."

"Alright. I get it. I'm cut off for the rest of the night."

"I'm glad that we see eye to eye."

"It doesn't change the fact that you're a boring nerd."

"I am not a boring nerd," Dashing said, "I have had plenty of fun tonight."

"I'm sure that sitting alone on a bench is fun."

"I haven't been alone," Dashing said, "I've had you to keep me company."

"Exactly." Robin smirked. "You should let loose. Ask someone to dance."

Dashing's eyes roamed over the crowded clearing, coming to a stop on a slim blonde figure holding a soda in her hand. No. Not her. He couldn't dance with Grace, even though she was probably one of the best dancers in the room. He just couldn't.

"Why would I do that when I can hang here with you instead?"

Robin groaned, his lightly freckled face falling into the palms of his hands. He lifted his head from from his hands as a group of giggling girls walked by. "Well, just because you're not going to have any fun doesn't mean that I'm not." He jumped up and followed the girls.

Dashing watched him leave, shaking his head at his friend's antics. Robin was a bit odd, but the two of them had been best friends since they were eight, having gone to spellementary school together. It was to the point where Robin was more of a brother to Dashing than a friend. They had each other's back. They always had and they always would.

"Thank goodness." A small brunette girl took the seat that Robin had vacated. "I thought that he would never leave."

"Dainty?" Dashing stared at his sister in surprise. He hadn't expected to see her here.

"The one and only," Dainty said with a flourish of her hands.

"What are you doing here?"

"Sara dragged me along," Dainty said.

"Sara?"

"Saraphina Dancer," Dainty explained, "Her older sister is throwing this party."

"I know that," Dashing said, "I'm surprised to see you here."

Dainty ignored him, an occurrence that wasn't all that unusual. "So you know that Snow White won't let me join her dragon games team. She laughed at me when I asked."

"I'm sure that she has her reasons."

Dainty crossed her arms. "She's prejudice, that's what it is. She hates Charmings."

"That's not true." Dashing wasn't quite sure why he was standing up for Snow. Yeah, she was his friend, but she was a major bitch at times.

"She hates Marian," Dainty said.

"A lot of people hate Marian."

Dainty harrumphed. "I think that I'll just form my own dragon games team."

Dashing chuckled. "Whatever fits your fancy."

"It's not funny," Dainty pouted.

"I never said that it was."

"But you laughed."

"Dainty-"

"I'm going to leave." Dashing shook his head as his sister dramatically stood up and stomped away. Why was everyone that he knew so dramatic? The sound of Robin's voice wafted from his left where he was no doubt getting in trouble. Dashing sighed and walked off to make sure that his best friend didn't get into anymore trouble than he already had.