"Dexter...you seem different."
Hunter was staring at Dexter with interest on his face. The two were in their room getting ready for the day. Hunter, having to share a room with Dexter, started to notice a slight change in Dexters demeanour. It happened recently, that much Hunter knew. A couple of days ago Dexter was shy and nervous, always worrying about impressing his father. He would always mumble a couple of incoherent words. Every now and then Dexter would geek out about a new software update for the MirrorNet. Now Dexter seemed more composed, always smiling.
"Different how?" Dexter catechized. Dexter was examining himself in the mirror just as he placed his favourite scarf around his neck.
"A good different." Hunter answered. He came up beside Dexter. Hunter cupped his own chin as he pondered on why the change in Dexter. "Either you came across some good news, your father is finally paying attention to you..." An idea popped into his head, a smirk forming as he leaned away. "Or a girl has finally noticed you."
Dexter rolled his eyes but his smile couldn't hide the fact that Hunter was closer with his allegations than he realized. When Hunter saw Dexter's smile he couldn't help but extend his arm towards Dexter with his hand setting up for a fist bump.
"Dude! That's hex-cellent! Way to go!" Hunter exclaimed.
Dexter, not wanting to let Hunter know that a girl was not noticing him, returned the fist bump. He was in too good of a mood to deny his roommate and friend the friendly gesture. Hunter, returned to his side of the room. Taking some books from his desk, he reached for his backpack placing the books inside preparing for his day.
"Dude, I'm running late but later you are gonna tell me who this girl is and what she is like." Hunter stated as he made his way to the door.
"What? Why?" Dexter inquired.
"For the details man. As your friend and roommate I have the right to know." Hunter declares needing to raise his voice near the end as he left the room.
Dexter rushes to the doorway and leans his body out into the hallway. He notices Hunter down the hallway, having made some distance from their dorm room.
"Says who?" Dexter yells down the hallway.
Hunter turns around but continues to jog backwards as he yells back to Dexter. "Says Ashlynn! She mentioned some unwritten roommate code! Can't talk Dex, I gotta run!"
Dexter tried to say something back but Hunter went around the corner and out of sight from Dexter.
"Oh gort. Now what am I gonna do? He'll be expecting something later." Dexter mumbled to himself as he went back into his room. He gives a small shrug before saying, "Oh well, no use crying over a broken crown."
Dexter grabs his bags and looks at himself in the mirror one last time, mentally going over his checklist at how a Charming should be seen in public. Nodding in acceptance Dexter starts to make his way to his first class of the day. A thought came to Dexter as he closed the door behind him, one that will cloud his mind for the rest of the day.
"Why do I like Raven?"
~Later that day~
"Okay perfect! Now, I need to be very careful for this next part or else Briar won't be the only sleeping beauty."
Cupid was in the che-myth-stry lab during her free period of the day. Her partner, Sparrow Hood, forgot to do his part of their assignment. In a way she was half thankful that he didn't do the assignment. Cupid was was mad at the guitar thief but realized that it was better for the whole school that he did not even attempt the assignment. Looking over the instructions Cupid knew that the person would need a very steady hand and exact mixtures or else Ever After High would be Ever After Bye.
Cupid was finally going to put in the last chemical into the potion. Even though the potion is stable enough that it would not cause an explosion, it could possibly put half of the entire school into a deep slumber. Very carefully Cupid starts to tip a vial of violet liquid into her beaker. Keeping a steady hand the liquid starts to pour out. A small sweat drop is making its way down Cupid's head. Cupid is holding her breath, afraid breathing will disrupt her hand. The slightest interruption could cause major prob-
"SSSPPPPPAAAAARRRROOOOWWWWWW!" Sparrow Hood screeched as he jumped into the lab and slid on his knees towards Cupid. As Sparrow reached the end of his slide, he strummed his electric guitar but accidentally hit a particularly high note.
"Oooowwwww!" Cupid cried out in pain. She had to cover her ears, waiting for the high note to end. Once the it was quiet again, Cupid turned around and gave Sparrow the meanest glare she could muster.
"Sparrow! What are you doing?!"
"Came to see how the assignment is going partner." Sparrow said with a bored tone. He stood up and started to tune his guitar.
"So did you finish it?" Sparrow asked without looking away from tuning.
"I was in the middle of finishing it!" Cupid was fuming. She could not believe Sparrow had the nerve to just bust into the che-myth-stry lab and play loud music, if you could even call what Sparrow plays music.
"Now because of your interruption I'm gonna have to...start...over." Cupid said, her voice getting quieter with each word. Cupid's eyes widen in fear as she turned back to the table she was working at. Her fear was confirmed when she saw the vial she was using upside down in the beaker. The violet content was completely drained. The new mixture was a light cyan colour.
Cupid started to back away as it started to bubble faster and overflow out of the beaker. Sparrow had yet to see Cupid making her way to the exit. He did not even notice Cupid was quiet. The beaker started to rattle and move. That is when Cupid knew it was time to bolt.
"Every tale for themselves!" Cupid yelled as she dove out into the hallway, the door closing shut behind her.
"You say something Cu-"
BOOM! SPLAT!
Cupid was laying on her stomach covering her head with her hands. The students that were walking by when the explosion happened stopped in their tracks. Everything was quiet, no one daring to move or break the silence. After a few moments Cupid started to get up, getting a feeling that everything was safe at the moment.
"Cupid!" a student cried out as they made their way through the crowd. Cupid looked to see who was calling out to her and was happy to see that it was Dexter.
"Dexter! What's up?"
Dexter was finally able to break through the crowd and made his way towards Cupid. He crouches down to assist Cupid in getting up.
"Just got out of class when I heard that explosion. Is everything alright?" Dexter asked as Cupid and himself were standing. Cupid took a moment to dust herself off before answering Dexter.
"Thanks for helping me get up Dexter. I think I'm fine. Made it out just in time. As for the explosion, lets just say I'll be locking the door to the classroom from now on. When I get my hands on Sparrow."
Realization dawned on Cupid. She frantically looked around the hallway, searching for the music loving thief. Dexter noticed the frantic look on Cupid when she mentioned Sparrow.
"Don't tell me his…"
"In the lab still." Cupid muttered.
Both teens sprinted towards the door. Cupid expected the door to easily push open but found she was unable to do so. The door was stuck in place not wanting to budge. Dexter placed a hand on her shoulder, making Cupid stop her attempts at opening the door. He gently nudged Cupid out of the way and got into a stance to push the door open. With all his might Dexter tried to force the door open. It was starting to work. Bit by bit the door was moving.
"Go Dex, go!" Cupid cheered behind him. With a grunt of determination Dexter was able to open the door. The sight before the two left them speechless.
The whole room was covered in a crystal like substance of pink and blue, mixed together as if it was the start of a fusion. The two colours seemed to be dancing alongside each other in harmony and style. It was a sight to behold. The young prince was the first to move. He took one step forward. And then another. Dexter had to pause after his second step as he noticed a difference in what he was stepping in.
The first stop was firm but soft. If Dexter had a single sentence to describe the feeling he would say that it was like walking on a marshmallow. It was not sticky as Dexter was able to lift his foot without taking a single bit of the substance off the floor. The second step was rough and hard. Dexter was thankful for wearing shoes at that moment. Walking barefoot on this surface would definitely be uncomfortable. It was an odd feeling for Dexter to be on two different textures. That feeling was lost as he felt the mushy surface start to change and become similar to rigid surface.
"It's hardening." Dexter muttered quietly to himself.
"What was that Dex?" Cupid inquired as she started to get out of her stupor.
"This crystal like material, some areas are still hardening. It must be way I was able to get the door open. It was still tough to open but it hadn't harden yet. What happened in here?"
Before Cupid could start explaining, they both heard a loud groan. Turning in the direction of the groan, the two saw a large mound of the crystal. They instantly knew it was Sparrow due to the guitar shaped crystal.
"Hey Sparrow. You okay in there?" Dexter asked.
All he got for a reply were a few incoherent grunts. Dexter just let out a soft sigh, unable to think of a way to get Sparrow out. It was quiet, but Dexter heard something new. It started out as a giggle, but then turned into a soft chuckle. Before Dexter knew what was happening, the chuckle became laughter. Dexter turned to see Cupid, a wide, open smile on her face as she clutched her stomach as if she were in pain. It was far from pain. Cupid could not stop laughing at the fact Sparrow was trapped. Tears were running down her face in glee.
Dexter couldn't help but be mesmerized at the angelic laughter he was hearing. He lost focus on everything else except Cupid. While it did not get Dexter laughing, it brought a smile to his own face. Dexter came to the conclusion that he could listen the Cupid's laughter forever after. It was such a sweet and soothing sound that every worry that Dexter had melted away.
"It reminds me of Raven's laughter." Dexter thought to himself.
As Cupid's laughter started to die down, a thought was forming in his head. One that was able to bring an answer to the question he was asking himself all day.
"Alright Dex, lets start your lesson for the day."
The school day was finally over. Cupid and Dexter were back in the library to continue their work. They were unable to get Sparrow out on their own and had to wait for a staff member. Apparently It would take the rest of the day to get Sparrow out and clean up the room. The crystal had some magic resistance so Baba Yaga was unable to do anything. It would need to be chipped away. Unable to do anything, Cupid and Dexter were able to leave and go about their business for the rest of the day.
"What's it going to be this time Cupid?"
"I want to hear it from you why you like Raven?"
Cupid felt a pang of pain her chest when she asked Dexter her question. She did not want to hear her crush talk about the things he liked in another girl. It had to be done however if Cupid wanted to help Dexter. Cupid thought he would start mumbling or tripping over his words as he tried to think of why he liked Raven. She was surprised to see that Dexter had a big smile on his face.
"Great minds think alike I see. I've actually been thinking about that question all day."
Cupid couldn't help but blush at Dexter's 'great minds' comment.
"Alright then, let's hear it." Cupid said, gesturing Dexter to explain his liking of Raven.
"Where to begin? Raven is just an all around amazing person. She's smart, friendly, helpful, courageous, determined, beautiful and so much more. Raven has this way of inspiring everyone around her. She might not want to be a leader, but when she does take charge it takes my breath away. Raven fights for what she believes in and stands up to anyone who denies her dreams. She is loyal to her friends, even if they don't always see eye to eye. I don't think there is a single word to describe how amazing Raven is. However, if there's one quality that I love about Raven the most it would be her laugh. I could listen to it non-stop and never get bored."
Cupid blinked a couple of times. She was not expecting Dexter to have such an explanation. As amazed as she was, each word hurt. Cupid was able to keep a straight face through the whole thing.
"Wow Dex. I'm impressed. You said you were thinking about it the whole day. Why"
"Apparently Hunter noticed something different about me. He guessed it had something to do with a girl. When I didn't say no to it, he assumed he was right and congratulated me. Hunter is technically right with his guess. He wants to know what this girl is like due to some unwritten roommate code."
"The Unofficial Official Roommate Guide: Section H paragraph 4." Cupid recited, interrupting Dexter.
Dexter lost his train of thought, flabbergasted that there actually is a code. "...So I guess it is real. How do you know that was the rule I was talking about?"
"Trust me, rooming with Blondie you tend to memorize these rules to keep up with her." Cupid said with a chuckle.
"I understand." Dexter said while nodding in agreement. Having been the cameraman for Blondie's show, Dexter knew where Cupid was coming from.
"Anyway, since this morning I've asking myself why I like Raven. It wasn't until I meet you earlier that it came to me."
"Wait how did I help with that?" Cupid asked. She did not know where Dexter was going with his explanation. "I didn't even mention anything about what I planned."
"You didn't need to too. I figured out my answer after you finished laughing."
"...What about my laughing?" Cupid had a sinking feeling in her gut, forming an idea at where Dexter was finally going.
"It felt wonderful to listen to your laughing. It brought a smile to my face. I don't know why, but your laughter reminded me of Raven's laughter. From there I started to notice how similar you two were. You're also smart, friendly, helpful, courageous, determined, and beautiful in your own way. Your one of my best friends. That's what I'm looking for in the relationship between Raven and myself. A friend I can talk to and always hang out with. It was easy to see once I started to see the comparison between you two. All I can say is thanks Cupid."
While Dexter was thanking Cupid, he failed to notice a slight change in Cupid's demeanor. She felt pain, that's all she could feel throughout her whole. It was tearing Cupid apart at hearing how easily Dexter compared her to Raven. It boggled her mind that Dexter said everything about Cupid was what he was looking for in a relationship but had no interest in forming one with Cupid.
If there is one thing Cupid did not like about taking over her father's job in the future, it was the heartbreaks that Cupid would see. Cupid found it unfair that she was put into this position. Tears were about to be released but she held them back. While she was crying on the inside, her outer appearance was neutral. Cupid told Dexter she was glad she could help and then congratulated him on completing the lesson for the day. She kept her real feelings locked inside herself as the two started to work on their real jobs. They talked about various things until their time was up. Cupid said goodbye to Dexter and made her way back to her dorm room, unable to recall what the two talked about after the lesson was over. All she cared about was to make it back to her bed and, hopefully if Blondie wasn't back, cry into her pillow.
Wow I did not mean to make it that sad in the end. I was just typing and going with the flow and it ended like that. Sorry guys.
Enough about the sappy ending what did you guys think of the entire chapter? Was it good? Boring? Incredibly awesome?! Well let me know what you think with a review. You guys know how much I enjoy reviews. Shout out to Cakedecorator for asking for this lesson in their review. I was planning on this being the next lesson but you got it. Another shoutout to Creaturemaster. You have given me some great ideas for future chapters of this story. You have been an awesome supporter.
For the next chapter what do you guys think should be the next lesson? I would like suggestions as to keep this up.
Love you guys. Until next chapter,
Morantis