It was a nice normal day in Ever After, where the students (eager to learn) listened with ultimate attention to their lectures while in the middle of class… ehmm… well, they were in class at least. Actually everybody was in their own world, long the voice of their teachers lost in the distance. Some were wishfully looking at the clock as if their stare would make it go faster, some were doodling or 'secretly' using their mirrorphones, and most of them were daydreaming while waiting for the bell to ring. Distracted were the students of Ever After High, indeed, but no one would have claimed that the queen of this art was other than Briar Beauty.

Known very well for her … um… audacity, Briar had made it clear through her years in school that she was not one to fight her body when it happened to ask for rest. It had caused her a lot of trouble in the past and it still did from time to time. Aside from the inconvenience of falling asleep under the less appropriate situations (which would be the first annoyance anyone would think of) or missing all the cool parties, she had it pretty bad during her earlier years; before learning how being the daughter of Sleeping Beauty evoked empathy and understanding to the matter. Whether it was morning sleepiness, boredom, or pure laziness wasn't important anymore; someone would say 'Of course she would be such a sleepyhead! She is destined to be the next Sleeping Beauty!' and poof! She was allowed to sleep as much as she wanted. No one would care to look deeper into it and with the passing years, it became normal.

So, yes, Briar was asleep. Briar was asleep in the middle of class. Briar was asleep in the middle of class and no one would bat an eye about it. This was how things were supposed to be. Even with the Storybook of legends gone, this was normal. Opposite to the incredibly focused Apple White (who must have been the only student in the whole school paying attention), Briar found Damsel in Distressing theory classes a total snore (literally). So then again, there she was; spread on the desk, her arms stretched in front of her in the most comfortable position she could get, her head resting on her right arm with an unladylike single line of drool trailing its way down to the unlucky textbook right below her face.

Once again, no one would have found this weird nor would anyone have tried to do anything about it. Not even Madam Maid Marian could care, less get offended by the situation. Therefore we can only imagine how unhexpected it was for the unconscious princess to feel a poke at her side. Who would dare? Why would they? I mean even I'm surprised at this!

Brooke...

Oh right! Sorry… ahem… The poke was enough to wake Briar enough for some sort of dizzy rational thinking but she did not move. As unusual as it was the gesture may have been an accident or something. Yeah, that was the logical explanation her half asleep brain could get, so she brushed it off. She was about to let herself fall onto the arms of Morpheus once again when her side was disturbed once more, making her flinch a little this time. The third time earned a furrowed brow, the following ones produced grumbles and indistinct mumbles.

It wasn't until the perpetrator spoke that Briar officially acknowledged her.

"Wake up already, princess," quietly said the young girl sitting to her left. It was funny how she still showed consideration to the teacher and the rest of the class 'As if all the movement and my grumbles hadn't already brought attention to us,' thought Briar.

"You are doing it wrong," was the answer she gave. With her eyes still closed, she could hear the intruder swift a little.

"What do you mean? Are you sleep-talking?" There it was again; that annoyed but still quiet voice. The sleeping princess couldn't help but chuckle a little, she then fully stretched her arms in front of her letting a moan or two announce she was finally awake. Without rush, Briar yawned while folding her arms to give her head a new pillow. Facing her left, she finally spoke again:

"You are supposed to wake me up with a kiss, Cerise," Briar opened her left eye only, letting a grin on her face at the sight of a baffled red hooded girl.

"Yup, you are still dreaming. You can count me out of whatever after is going on under that tiara of yours." Chuckling once more, the princess got up from her desk. She stretched her back, pleasant at the sound of it popping.

"Nope, you should have thought about it before bothering me," nonchalantly said Briar, while putting herself in check (and whipping the drool off her face).

"Thanks for the warning, I won't do it again then," this is ridiculous, why did she wake her up in the first place? Oh… sorry I'll continue…

"Well, too late, it's already done. Now, besides me, What's up?" Briar wanted to add 'It better be important' but she thought her tone had implied it enough. Being honest, she was feeling grumpy, but she didn't want to mess things with this girl. Based on previous experiences she found that hanging with Cerise was quite fun, even if they hadn't really done it much and she wouln't consider them even slightly close. All in all, Cerise didn't seem to be particularly close to anyone; though her friendship with Raven, Maddie, Cedar, and Daring recently was well known; so Briar had come to the conclusion it was just the hooded girl's 'thing'. Whether they could be called 'friends' was still up in the air, but she didn't want to miss her chance. So basically… Cerise was Briar's 'friend crush'.

"If it was because of class, don't worry, I've already studied the book through to chapter 12 and I know there will be a test coming soon, I'm just covering the attendance requirement. You'll agree that theory classes aren't very hexiting and-"

"I wanted to ask… " interrupted Cerise. 'Well, isn't this adorable?' Thought Briar at the sight of the red girl fidgeting, she let her head rest atop of her hand and indulged herself a little more on the scene before her.

"Go ahead, girl." said Briar once she was satisfied, curious at whatever was so important for someone to take the time to wake her up. Maybe her expectations where a little too high because she almost could hear them crashing onto the floor when Cerise finally spoke:

"Why were you sleeping?"

Briar raised her head from her hand and gave the girl what she was sure was the most confused look she had ever given someone.

"I just told you, I already know this so I don't really need to be paying attention. If you need proof maybe I can help you study sometime before the test or something." Briar confidently answered while gesturing to her book as if to make emphasis.

"No, it's fine, I believe you… but that's not what I asked."

"Oh, the class was boring me to eternal sleep, know what I mean? I also told you this, are you sure you are not the one half asleep between you and I?" Counter attacked Briar, trying to bring a little humor to the strange tension Cerise's seriousness was building.

"That's not nice, I agree though," the hooded girl's chuckle reassured Briar 'see, normal conversation, nothing weird-'

"But again, that's not what I asked." Ugh… Briar finally gave up, and let an exasperated look fall on her face. What was it that Cerise wanted from her?! Was she bored too and wanted to entertain herself messing with someone? Not likely though, this is Cerise we are talking about… But still, since she didn't know her that well she couldn't be so sure. The frustrated girl looked back into the hooded girl's gray eyes, searching, scanning, reading them but all she could find was honesty. There was no way those eyes were trying to pull her leg. Not having much option, Briar stated (what she thought was) the obvious, making sure her tone reflected that it was obvious:

"Daughter of Sleeping Beauty," she said while pointing at herself with her right hand, her stare not leaving those gray eyes.

Silence fell upon them. Briar waited patiently for Cerise to resume whatever she was doing before waking her up, as a confirmation of her question being answered. She wanted the red girl to acknowledge somehow that she made a dumb question; an 'Oh! Silly me!' 'Of course!' 'Oh! Sorry, I forgot,' or anything holding a similar meaning. She searched again at Cerise's face but after a considerable amount of time with no answer Briar rolled her eyes and returned her head to her hand, friend crush be damned. Looking now up front and paying attention to their surroundings, the sleepy princess noticed some heads turning: they had caught the attention of quite some people in the classroom, surely the teacher had noticed too. She wondered if their hushed voices had made it any better or if they may have as well been yelling at each other faces. She hoped at least the contents of their… umm… conversation had remained at hers and the red girl's ear reach only. She was starting to catch on what the teacher was saying (now that she was awake and all) when…

"So?" Came again that little voice from her left. That was it. Briar snapped:

"Fairy Godmother, Cerise! What in Ever After do you want from me?!" How had she found that hushed voice cute before was beyond her now; unfortunately it wasn't the only thing she had forgotten.

"Miss Beauty, Miss Hood, If you could please take your conversation somewhere more appropriate. I could overlook a little murmur but seeming like you are not going to keep it down, I'll need to ask you to leave or it is detention–" Ding, Ding- Saved by the bell! Thankfully time for class was over and as the students made it to leave the classroom Madam Maid Marian's offense died down. "Ok! Class dismissed, girls. Remember there is a test coming, so please take the time to study…"

Briar let a sigh out. That was the first time she was called for making too much noise; 'That was quite the rush… and not the good kind,' thought Briar before turning irately to her left only to find an empty seat. Yeah, Cerise was fast, not the time to appreciate that though; 'That little… when I catch her…' started the beauty while getting her things as fast as she could.

"What was all that about?" Apple asked a little concerned while she approached her BFFA just outside the classroom where the whole ordeal had just happened.

"I've got no time, Apple. Where's Cerise?"

Woah… pretty straight to it, huh? Ups! Ahem… Apple was still a little worried, but she knew better and decided to let her BFFA be. Certainly those outbursts of passion where just … well Briar, and assuming by the way she pronounced the other party's name, Apple knew it was best to not get in the way of her hunt.

"I guess she probably went back to her dorm, you will never after catch her there, though," responded Apple with a little of humor, amused by her friend's irascible reactions; however, the girl to be queen couldn't manage not being of help so she promptly added: "but! She has bookball practice today, maybe you can get her in the field." Apple winked knowingly to Briar as she decided to step aside, her vision quickly refocusing on someone who made her face glow with happiness.

"Hext me when this is over or else I'll get worried, ok? Charm you later!"

"Thanks, Apple!" was the only thing Briar could say to her now accomplice before taking her leave.

'Why was I sleeping? Huh?'

Mom? Dad? Hmm… chuckle- Well, I bet all the stress of re-reading and keeping secrets took a toll on them. I don't know if I can say this about myself, but I feel like I'm doing pretty well so far. If I can keep it up, I don't see why I can't continue while they sleep.

There is still some time before Briar gets to the field so maybe I can- Oh, who am I kidding? Where's Maddie? Ah! There! Going down the stairs in the entrance of the school! Maddie!

"Oh! Hello Brooke!"

Are you busy? This won't take more than a couple of minutes but I don't want to get in your way or any-

"Nope. I was just in my way to meet Kitty and Lizzie at the Tea Shoppe. What's up?"

Maddie, everybody is looking at you. Maybe I should tell you when you are not walking down a busy street.

"Enough with the worry flurry, I don't care, really!"

I'll admit that smile can convince anyone that you have no worries in this world.

"And in no other either. So, what's the hatter?"

Oh! I found out what my parents were hiding. It was not a picture by the way. It was a new chapter!

"A new chapter?! Wait… chapter as in what? Because you have to admit… we use that term pretty often around here for like a lotta lotta things."

Chuckle- Yeah, you are right. Chapter as in… chapter… I… It's not important! The important part is that they are letting me narrate this one!

"That's hat-tastic, Brooke! I know you'll do great, you always do."

Again with the convincing smile, I see. Thanks. I wish I could tell you more, but that would be a spoiler… Gasp- Look at me, abiding by the rules already!

"Why, you are becoming a fine narrator; I don't see anything bad with that."

Yeah, I wouldn't count on it being permanent. Without letting out much, I want you to know I may need your help in the future. I wanted to know if I can count on you when that time comes…

"Of course you can, silly! That's what friends are for!"

Thanks again, Maddie. Well, I gotta go! You are almost there too, so… I'll see you later, ok?

"I won't see you later then!"

Right… you won't. Chuckle-

"I'm sorry. You were angry so I thought it was better to leave." Cerise was caught by Briar near the south entrance to the field and now was leaning on the wall at her right, hoping the angle could hide her from the other members of the bookball team who were already training. She could have easily dodged the angry princess, but she reconsidered as it seemed her last decision to flee had backfired.

"Save it, Cerise." Said Briar, closing her eyes and gesturing the other girl to stop any attempt to speak with her hand. Then severe as she looked, she held the stare of those gray eyes again.

"I just want to know, what was all that about. Why did you ask me that? For starters."

"Well, I was just curious. I didn't mean to offend you or anything." Cerise shifted her weight and hid herself in her hood, as if the confession was embarrassing.

"Explain, girl. Apologies can wait." Briar stated, trying her best at keeping her mind far from her new weakness for this girl's shy gestures. Thought it was obvious her anger had fallen considerably.

"It's just… well…" The red girl fiddled her hood a little more before letting out a big sigh, getting smaller on the wall; her body directly reflecting how she felt under the sight of the princess. However (and to Briar's surprise), making up her mind, Cerise took a deep breath and slowly let the air go while standing straight; reminding herself of who was taller.

"I was wondering why you were willingly sleeping so much, and using your destiny as the reason behind it when you've made it clear: you don't want to follow on Sleeping Beauty's steps and sleep for a hundred years."

Gray finally met mauve, and in silence read them. From surprised to infuriated, with a split second of hurt just in between. Cerise kinda regretted what she just had said.

"And what do you know?! Willingly?! You…" Briar scoffed a little before realization came to her: "Why do you know about that in the first-? Oh. Raven wasn't it? I should have known-"

"No. Raven didn't tell me, she would never betray anyone's trust. I just… kind of overheard that time in Wonderland." Cerise returned to her fiddling in her small posture.

"Overheard, huh?" Strangely Briar looked back at the hooded girl, looking convinced, still angry nonetheless.

"Yeah… ahem details aside, I was just surprised that the same person who dropped the Story Book of Legends would so easily defend her destiny when it is convenient." The red girl closed with a shrugh.

Cerise wasn't saying these things with ill intentions, Briar could tell as much; that knowledge, however, didn't help ease the increasing indignation that built inside the girl in pink.

"I mean, with the old book gone you don't have to follow your destiny anymore, and you are free to find your own happily ever after-"

"Is that all? You are just going to parrot Raven's motto? You Rebels think that's all that matters. You would blindly follow those words to your own end. You think it's all a matter within the heart and that everything will just go smoothly. You think that applies to everyone… It's not fair. It just isn't fair. Even with the book gone, even if we all can choose…" Briar locked sights with the now quiet girl once more: "not all of us are in the freedom to do so."

"What do you me- you know, I'm sorry I..."

"Save it, Cerise. Just… just keep yourself out of other's business." And with that, the girl in pink left without sparing even a good bye.

Baffled and alone, Cerise walked to the field, her eyes fixated on the grass. Daring met her a little earlier than the rest.

"The old man is going to kill you for being late, Cerise… is everything all right?" He suddenly changed his tone looking at his friend's face.

"What the actual hex?" was the only thing the red girl said before sprinting at full speed.

I'm not one to usually agree… but what the actual hex? Indeed.