Chapter One: Brooke Watches the Page

"The beginning of a new year! So, many future Story Tail children are looking forward to this new year has to offer. Spring will soon be coming, with summer right now not far behind it. But not everyone is looking forward for this new year… Especially Raven Queen, just like in the beginning of the school year."

Raven Queen walked through the halls of Ever After High, a gloom look already upon her face as everyone around her happily talked and ignored her gloomy presence. Approaching her locker, she opened it up to see the mirror that she always had on it and merely taped a piece of paper over it. Knowing now that her mother was watching her from every mirror, she was trying her best now to avoid her.

"Hi Raven!"

Raven let out a small cry of surprise and turned around to see Apple behind her. She had a bright smile on her face, and Raven merely gave her a weak one.

"Oh, hi Apple. How was your winter break?"

"Magical as ever! My mom took me to our family chalet that comes with a small ski station. It was hex-citing! I found a family of birds that usually wouldn't be around the winter season, so I took them in for the whole break! After that, and making sure a butler watched over the birds, we went to some islands for some fun in the sun! I got knocked over by a large wave while looking for some shells, but some guys there helped me and made sure that I was okay. So, what about you?"

"Oh… um, I stayed at home with my dad. We did some ice skating and just sat in the library most of the time in front of a warm fire and talked."

"Oh, that is so sweet. Quiet family bonding time, just the two of you! Well, I got to go see Briar. See you in our room later!"

"Uh, yeah later."

Looking down at the ground, Raven merely let out a heavy sigh and wasn't the least bit glad that she lied to Apple. She had spent only a couple of days with her dad, but for the rest of the break she was with her mother. The Evil Queen had convinced her father, the Good King, to let Raven spend the winter break with her. Of course, the break wasn't the greatest of the time for Raven. Her mother had tried to force her towards the path of evil, and Raven she had locked up every mirror in the house that she could find while her father was away.

And now she was feeling an even worse dread of her story.

Closing her locker, she walked away and left the hallway as everyone rushed to their classes and her at the back of the crowd.

"Poor Raven, a harsh winter break with her mother. I'm glad you aren't the Evil Queen, mom."

"Be glad Brooke, but for Raven, this is something she can't escape except…"

"Except what, mom? Come on tell me!"

"Except in her dreams. Everyone dreams, Brooke, there you can escape and be in a whole different world."

"I bet Raven has amazing dreams, right mom?"

"Well Brooke, that I can't answer. You see, dreams are something us narrators can't narrate, the only one that can enter and see their dreams is none other than, Constance Dream."

"That's someone I've never heard about before. Where is she?"

"Well, that's a bit of a long story, which will be explained in due time. Right now, let's focus on Raven. Don't forget, you're in charge of watching over this story."

"Don't worry, I've got this covered."

Raven slammed the dorm room door behind her, sighing out of relief that the day was finally over. Walking over to her bed, she kicked off her shoes and fell down onto the feather-soft mattress with dark purple cotton sheets. Her mind had been stressed out all day long, unable to concentrate during any of her classes. Apple had yet to return to the room, so she was glad that she could get some peace and quiet before noise filled the room.

Pulling out her MirrorPad, she saw Blondie had posted a new article on everyone's winter break. Of course, she royally started out with Apple White, then Daring Charming, and soon followed all the other Royals by an order that was just right to her. Skipping over the article for the Royals, she found the ones for the Rebels and grinned as she read the posts.

Cerise Hood – spent the break with my whole family! Granny Hood sure knows how to make hex-mazing blueberry pie! It was gone half an hour after it got out of the oven.

Cedar Wood – listened to Grandpa Geppetto's stories of what happened with him and my dad after dad got his happily ever after. We crafted sooo many wood projects, I've lost count. And that's no lie!

Sparrow Hood – Rocked out all break and did adventuring with my old man! Ran into Hunter, his dad, and Ashlynn too. We sure did have a competition on who could be the best tracker and safely bring an animal to Ashlynn… But it was fun working alongside my old man.

Darling Charming – I also spent the break with my family, we did a whole obstacle course that us girls could get involved in! I was proud to tie with big brother Daring. I had him charmingly impressed.

Maddie Hatter – Tea-rrific time with dad! Went to Wonderland and a CRAZY TIME!

Turning off her MirrorPad, she pulled out her MP3 Player and put her headphones on. Taylor Quick songs played for a good half hour till the dorm door slammed open and a bunch of chatting overpowered her music. Sitting up, Raven paused it and saw Apple with Briar, Duchess, Farrah, Holly, Lizzie, Blondie and Justine all in the room. Make up, hair styling stuff, and jewelry all went around unaware that Raven was even there.

"Uh, hey guys. So, was there a party that I wasn't informed about?"

They all looked up a bit shock to see Raven in the room but soon relaxed.

"Hey Roomie! Of course, there's a huge party. I mean, who didn't know about it?"

"Uh, me cause I asked about all of this, Apple."

"Oh. Briar, didn't you send Raven an invite?"

"Forever after of course, I sent doves to everyone after my MirrorPhone broke… though I don't know where your dove went Raven. But anyways, you're on the invite list!"

"Oh, cool. This could give me a break after the long day today. I mean, first day of class after winter break is always stressful. Glad that I'm invited."

Getting up from her bed, she grabbed her boxes of makeup and jewelry and sat down on the floor with the rest of the girls. Happy that her mind was for once off of her horrible break due to her mother, Raven was glad that she could look forward to the fun times she could have her with her friends.